Sustainability
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Lever VC was founded in 2018 by Nick Cooney, an early investor of Beyond Meat and Memphis Meats. He is also the co-founder of Good Food Institute. Lever has currently invested in 14 startups from the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America.Focused on investments in early-stage alternative protein companies, the firm announced the first close of its Lever VC Fund I in August 2020, with its fourth close at $46m in April 2021. The final close will be completed by June 2021. Investors in the fund include NFL and NBA athletes, British nobility, food businesses, alt-protein companies and family offices as limited partners.In June 2020, Lever launched a $28m joint investment fund and accelerator to invest in Chinese plant-based and cell-cultivated meat and dairy companies. The Lever China Alternative Protein Fund will invest RMB 40m in alt-protein companies in mainland China over the next four years.
Lever VC was founded in 2018 by Nick Cooney, an early investor of Beyond Meat and Memphis Meats. He is also the co-founder of Good Food Institute. Lever has currently invested in 14 startups from the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America.Focused on investments in early-stage alternative protein companies, the firm announced the first close of its Lever VC Fund I in August 2020, with its fourth close at $46m in April 2021. The final close will be completed by June 2021. Investors in the fund include NFL and NBA athletes, British nobility, food businesses, alt-protein companies and family offices as limited partners.In June 2020, Lever launched a $28m joint investment fund and accelerator to invest in Chinese plant-based and cell-cultivated meat and dairy companies. The Lever China Alternative Protein Fund will invest RMB 40m in alt-protein companies in mainland China over the next four years.
Founded by pioneering tech investor Ozi Amanat in 2015, K2 Global is a venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley and Singapore. Amanat, who moved to Singapore in 2012, is one of Twitter’s early backers, raising $25m to invest in the social media startup that later went public in 2013. The Harvard graduate in psychology and economics also invested in Uber, Spotify and Alibaba during his career as a venture capitalist. Amanat is the chief investment officer of K2 VC, K2 Global and Singapore-based Spice Global controlled by Indian billionaire B K Modi.In 2017, K2 also announced a $183m VC fund focusing on early-stage startups that aim to address global challenges. The majority of K2 limited partners are based outside the US in countries like Australia, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia.
Founded by pioneering tech investor Ozi Amanat in 2015, K2 Global is a venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley and Singapore. Amanat, who moved to Singapore in 2012, is one of Twitter’s early backers, raising $25m to invest in the social media startup that later went public in 2013. The Harvard graduate in psychology and economics also invested in Uber, Spotify and Alibaba during his career as a venture capitalist. Amanat is the chief investment officer of K2 VC, K2 Global and Singapore-based Spice Global controlled by Indian billionaire B K Modi.In 2017, K2 also announced a $183m VC fund focusing on early-stage startups that aim to address global challenges. The majority of K2 limited partners are based outside the US in countries like Australia, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia.
Based in San Mateo California, KBW Ventures was founded by HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud. The asset management firm’s CEO is also the chairman of KBW Investments that was founded in 2013 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).KBW Ventures is part of the KBW Group and mainly invests in companies involved in sustainable food, artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies and fintech. In 2019, the VC had already invested in 24 companies in sectors like e-gaming, drones, e-commerce and plant-based proteins. Recently, it also increased its stakes in two Californian biotechs BlueNalu and TurtleTree Labs. The aim is to open up the Middle East markets to global tech companies.
Based in San Mateo California, KBW Ventures was founded by HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud. The asset management firm’s CEO is also the chairman of KBW Investments that was founded in 2013 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).KBW Ventures is part of the KBW Group and mainly invests in companies involved in sustainable food, artificial intelligence, blockchain technologies and fintech. In 2019, the VC had already invested in 24 companies in sectors like e-gaming, drones, e-commerce and plant-based proteins. Recently, it also increased its stakes in two Californian biotechs BlueNalu and TurtleTree Labs. The aim is to open up the Middle East markets to global tech companies.
Founded in Sydney in 2004, Artesian Capital Management (Australia) Pty Ltd is a global alternative investment management firm specialized in public and private debt, venture capital and impact investment strategies. The VC was a spin-off from ANZ Banking Group’s capital markets business, backed by ANZ Private Equity. Artesian’s founding partners Jeremy Colless, Matthew Clunies-Ross and John McCartney bought ANZ’s stake in 2005.Today, Artesian has international offices in New York, London, Singapore, Jakarta and Shanghai. Its China VC Fund was launched in 2017 and the firm also has plans for a Southeast Asia VC Fund. The alternative investment firm currently manages multiple funds including Australian VC Fund 2, High Impact Green Debt Fund, GrainInnovate and Women Economic Empowerment Fund.
Founded in Sydney in 2004, Artesian Capital Management (Australia) Pty Ltd is a global alternative investment management firm specialized in public and private debt, venture capital and impact investment strategies. The VC was a spin-off from ANZ Banking Group’s capital markets business, backed by ANZ Private Equity. Artesian’s founding partners Jeremy Colless, Matthew Clunies-Ross and John McCartney bought ANZ’s stake in 2005.Today, Artesian has international offices in New York, London, Singapore, Jakarta and Shanghai. Its China VC Fund was launched in 2017 and the firm also has plans for a Southeast Asia VC Fund. The alternative investment firm currently manages multiple funds including Australian VC Fund 2, High Impact Green Debt Fund, GrainInnovate and Women Economic Empowerment Fund.
Founded in Silicon Valley by serial investor and founder of Google Ventures Bill Marris, Section 32 has multiple investment interests with medicine and biotech key amongst them. Marris himself has invested in over 500 companies, with over one-third resulting in IPO or M&A. Fifty of his portfolio companies have exceeded $1bn valuations, including Uber. Section 32 currently has 48 companies in its portfolio. Its most recent investments have included in Canadian remote medicine platform Cover Health’s $43m Series B round and in the $100m Series B round of US cancer detection software C2i Genomics, both in April 2021. In March 2021, it participated in the $48m Series A round of Dutch cell-based meat startup Meatable which leverages pluripotent stem cells for the first time in foodtech.
Founded in Silicon Valley by serial investor and founder of Google Ventures Bill Marris, Section 32 has multiple investment interests with medicine and biotech key amongst them. Marris himself has invested in over 500 companies, with over one-third resulting in IPO or M&A. Fifty of his portfolio companies have exceeded $1bn valuations, including Uber. Section 32 currently has 48 companies in its portfolio. Its most recent investments have included in Canadian remote medicine platform Cover Health’s $43m Series B round and in the $100m Series B round of US cancer detection software C2i Genomics, both in April 2021. In March 2021, it participated in the $48m Series A round of Dutch cell-based meat startup Meatable which leverages pluripotent stem cells for the first time in foodtech.
Founded in 2016, Berlin-based investor BlueYard invests in startups aiming to tackle the planet’s greatest challenges. It typically makes $1m–3m as an initial investment and has no geographical bias. Its most recent investments include in the March 2021 $48m Series A round of Dutch cell-based meat startup Meatable which leverages pluripotent stem cells for the first time in foodtech and in the February 2021 $4m seed round of Next Matter, a German Open Source automation tool for operations teams.
Founded in 2016, Berlin-based investor BlueYard invests in startups aiming to tackle the planet’s greatest challenges. It typically makes $1m–3m as an initial investment and has no geographical bias. Its most recent investments include in the March 2021 $48m Series A round of Dutch cell-based meat startup Meatable which leverages pluripotent stem cells for the first time in foodtech and in the February 2021 $4m seed round of Next Matter, a German Open Source automation tool for operations teams.
Founded in Berlin in 2016, Atlantic Food Labs’ mission is to support startups with the potential to feed 10bn people by 2050. It has supported 20 companies to date and its most recent investments include in the German healthy last-minute delivery service Gorillas’ $290m Series B round and in the €5.9m seed round of B2B German retail connection service Magaloop in March 2021.
Founded in Berlin in 2016, Atlantic Food Labs’ mission is to support startups with the potential to feed 10bn people by 2050. It has supported 20 companies to date and its most recent investments include in the German healthy last-minute delivery service Gorillas’ $290m Series B round and in the €5.9m seed round of B2B German retail connection service Magaloop in March 2021.
Albert Wenger is a managing partner at New York-based Union Square Ventures. He is also an angel investor with disclosed investments in 25 startups, many in the area of sustainability. His most recent investments have been in the April 2021 $6.2m seed round of Finnish carbon sequestration startup Carbon Culture and in the $9.5m Series A round of French web browser innovation company Beam.
Albert Wenger is a managing partner at New York-based Union Square Ventures. He is also an angel investor with disclosed investments in 25 startups, many in the area of sustainability. His most recent investments have been in the April 2021 $6.2m seed round of Finnish carbon sequestration startup Carbon Culture and in the $9.5m Series A round of French web browser innovation company Beam.
Founded in 2013 in Singapore, VVNP is a future-food solutions-orientated investor with a special interest in science-based companies that have the ability to scale global solutions, especially within Asia. It invests from seed stage to Series C level. Typical investments range from $300,000 to $3m and the investor has launched two funds to date. The first raised $40m and invested in seven companies globally, while the second was created in 2020, targeting $150m in total investment.The VC’s most recent investments include a €271,000 pre-seed investment round in Dutch poultry animal welfare biotech In Ovo in March 2021, and leading the as-yet-uncompleted 6m Swiss franc (approximately $6.56m) seed round in Swiss biotech SwissDeCode in January 2021 – a company that applies DNA testing to food traceability.
Founded in 2013 in Singapore, VVNP is a future-food solutions-orientated investor with a special interest in science-based companies that have the ability to scale global solutions, especially within Asia. It invests from seed stage to Series C level. Typical investments range from $300,000 to $3m and the investor has launched two funds to date. The first raised $40m and invested in seven companies globally, while the second was created in 2020, targeting $150m in total investment.The VC’s most recent investments include a €271,000 pre-seed investment round in Dutch poultry animal welfare biotech In Ovo in March 2021, and leading the as-yet-uncompleted 6m Swiss franc (approximately $6.56m) seed round in Swiss biotech SwissDeCode in January 2021 – a company that applies DNA testing to food traceability.
GU Ventures is the Swedish venture capital agency of University of Gothenburg. The VC also runs incubator programs to support tech and science-related projects within the university and its alumni network.Founded in 1995, GU has backed more than 150 companies and projects, including 30 exits and 11 filed IPOs. According to the firm, 87% of its portfolio companies are contributing to the sustainable development goals set by the UN.
GU Ventures is the Swedish venture capital agency of University of Gothenburg. The VC also runs incubator programs to support tech and science-related projects within the university and its alumni network.Founded in 1995, GU has backed more than 150 companies and projects, including 30 exits and 11 filed IPOs. According to the firm, 87% of its portfolio companies are contributing to the sustainable development goals set by the UN.
The Plantbase Foundation is a non-profit institution run by entrepreneur and impact investor Willem Blom based in The Netherlands. Most of the Plantbase activities are backed by donors. At least 80% of the donations are used to support enterprises that facilitate the shift from animal agriculture to a vegan lifestyle. The foundation has invested in foodtechs involved in the meat, fish and dairy industries; as well as food delivery and apps. Its portfolio includes fast-growing startups like Heura, Meatable, Livekindly and Mission Barns. It also works with investment partners like Kale United, Mile High Vegan Network, Vegan Entrepreneurs Network and GlassWall Syndicate.
The Plantbase Foundation is a non-profit institution run by entrepreneur and impact investor Willem Blom based in The Netherlands. Most of the Plantbase activities are backed by donors. At least 80% of the donations are used to support enterprises that facilitate the shift from animal agriculture to a vegan lifestyle. The foundation has invested in foodtechs involved in the meat, fish and dairy industries; as well as food delivery and apps. Its portfolio includes fast-growing startups like Heura, Meatable, Livekindly and Mission Barns. It also works with investment partners like Kale United, Mile High Vegan Network, Vegan Entrepreneurs Network and GlassWall Syndicate.
Zurich-based Übermorgen Ventures was founded in 2019 to invest in climate-change startups that focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The VC has invested in five startups including recent participation in the €500,000 seed investment of German low-cost solar provider Sunvigo in January 2021 and the $6.2m seed round of Finnish biocarbon startup Carbo Culture in April.
Zurich-based Übermorgen Ventures was founded in 2019 to invest in climate-change startups that focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The VC has invested in five startups including recent participation in the €500,000 seed investment of German low-cost solar provider Sunvigo in January 2021 and the $6.2m seed round of Finnish biocarbon startup Carbo Culture in April.
Founded in 2017, Starlight Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Miami, Florida. Investing mainly in US-based startups, the VC currently has 29 startups in its portfolio including enterprises involved in alternative energy, carbon reduction or replacement and alt-proteins sectors. In 2020, the firm joined investment rounds for US deep-tech aerospace startup InterCosmos in July and the $84m Series A for fusion energy tech Commonwealth Fusion in May.
Founded in 2017, Starlight Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Miami, Florida. Investing mainly in US-based startups, the VC currently has 29 startups in its portfolio including enterprises involved in alternative energy, carbon reduction or replacement and alt-proteins sectors. In 2020, the firm joined investment rounds for US deep-tech aerospace startup InterCosmos in July and the $84m Series A for fusion energy tech Commonwealth Fusion in May.
Founded in 2016, Wave Ventures is a student-run Nordic investor supported by VC partners, angel investors and tech founders as advisors. Based in Helsinki, the VC provides pre-seed and early-stage funding to promote startup innovations for future generations. Its current portfolio of 17 startups includes participation in the SEK 2m pre-seed round of Swedish power-bank sharing startup Brick Technology in March 2021 and seed funding of German co-working space proprietor Twostay in January 2021.
Founded in 2016, Wave Ventures is a student-run Nordic investor supported by VC partners, angel investors and tech founders as advisors. Based in Helsinki, the VC provides pre-seed and early-stage funding to promote startup innovations for future generations. Its current portfolio of 17 startups includes participation in the SEK 2m pre-seed round of Swedish power-bank sharing startup Brick Technology in March 2021 and seed funding of German co-working space proprietor Twostay in January 2021.
Founded in Washington DC in 2016, AV Ventures is co-founded by US not-for-profit organizations, the Agricultural Cooperative Development International and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance.AV Ventures focuses on supporting SMEs that facilitate financing for farmers to improve sustainable supply chain management and boost social impact in Africa and Central Asia. Investments in tech startups include the $790,000 seed round of AgroCenta in January 2021. Through AV Frontiers in Bishkek, the VC also recently participated in April’s investment round of Kyrgyzstan-based ololoAkJol Resort, a hub for digital nomads, or independent remote workers.
Founded in Washington DC in 2016, AV Ventures is co-founded by US not-for-profit organizations, the Agricultural Cooperative Development International and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance.AV Ventures focuses on supporting SMEs that facilitate financing for farmers to improve sustainable supply chain management and boost social impact in Africa and Central Asia. Investments in tech startups include the $790,000 seed round of AgroCenta in January 2021. Through AV Frontiers in Bishkek, the VC also recently participated in April’s investment round of Kyrgyzstan-based ololoAkJol Resort, a hub for digital nomads, or independent remote workers.
Europe ramps up development of local EV battery sector in race to zero emissions
Startups, automakers jostle or unite to ride the fast-growing EV battery market, as the EU pumps billions into developing its own value chain, to cut reliance on imports
Cogo: Tech that helps you cut your real-time carbon footprint through daily choices
Currently operating in New Zealand, Australia and the UK, Cogo is raising $20m to bring its emissions tracking technology to companies and consumers in Asia, Europe and the US
TheVentures founders launch Singapore VC to drive deals in Southeast Asia
The Korean Viki co-founders return to Singapore as venture builders and investors, offering South Korean partnerships and “CTO-as-a-service” in Southeast Asia
SWITCH Singapore 2021: Tapping the $1tn sustainability market in Southeast Asia
Falling costs and simplified deployment of sustainability solutions will help boost adoption, especially in underprivileged communities
SWITCH Singapore 2021: How startups, corporates and government can co-create smart cities
The next generation of adaptive spaces will harness big data, deep tech and analytics to respond intelligently to both changing environments and human needs, says an expert panel
Yali Bio: Recreating a juicy steak in plant-based alternatives
Founded by the former head of Impossible Foods’ pilot plant, this Bay Area genomics and foodtech startup is one of the first to engineer a better fat for plant-based meat
QOA: Gourmet guilt-free chocolate, without the cocoa
Munich-based QOA transforms industrial food waste into vegan chocolate, enabling consumers to avoid the sustainability and ethical issues of cocoa production
Forget solar panels and batteries, Bioo wants to scale soil bioelectricity generation
Improving on NASA’s microbial fuel cell tech, Bioo hopes to boost crop efficiency and transform the way urbanites live, in future green cities powered by plants
OLIO: Zero food waste app expands with new product categories, going global
Recent $43m Series B funding will let sustainability app more than triple hiring, add homemade products and household goods to product listings
Verkor: Accelerating low‑carbon battery production in France
French startup Verkor aims to raise up to €1.3bn by the end of next year to finance its first Gigafactory producing sustainable lithium-ion batteries for the European market
South Summit wants to go global, as it launches Brazilian chapter
CEO Marta del Castillo on South Summit’s LatAm, Asia expansion plans; its net-zero pledge; her new role as co-head to further drive growth and more
Smart Agrifood 2021: SVG Ventures's Hartnett, Land O'Lakes's Bekele on disruption in agrifood chain
How US farming cooperative Land O'Lakes and leading CPG brands are working with famers and tech firms to overcome agritech challenges, transform the whole value chain
Smart Agrifood Summit 2021: A global innovation ecosystem is needed to catch up with other sectors
Investors from SVG Ventures/THRIVE, Pinduoduo and others agree that players must join forces to boost agrifood tech investment, internationally and across the value chain
Forward Fooding: Ranking the world's agrifood startups on success and sustainability
The collaborative platform has opened applications for its FoodTech500 global ranking of agrifood startups; counts over 7,000 startups and scaleups mapped so far
Good Startup: Alt-protein products can be better than real meat
The investor of Eat Just, Ripple Foods and more expects its portfolio companies will exit in the next four to six years, mostly through acquisition