Rabobank launches venture capital fund for innovative food and agriculture companies

Today, Rabobank is announcing the launch of the Rabo Food & Agri Innovation Fund, part of Rabo Private Equity. The fund will invest in high-potential, early-stage food and agriculture companies in the United States and Western Europe. Through the fund, Rabobank aims to promote innovation in the food and agriculture sectors.

“The Rabobank Food & Agri Fund focuses on companies that are aligned to Rabobank’s Banking for Food strategy. This strategy focuses on contributing to food security in the context of a rapidly growing world population, changing demographics and consumption patterns and an increasingly complex food system,” says Lizette Sint, Global Head of Rabo Private Equity.

“We consider investments all along the food and agriculture value chain, with a particular focus on ambitious companies that operate in sectors in which we can optimally leverage Rabobank’s knowledge, expertise, network and position to help create shareholder value,” says Richard O’Gorman, who leads the investment initiative as part of Rabo Private Equity.

The fund’s investments will consist of more than just financial support. In addition to Rabobank’s role as a close investment partner, the selected companies will enjoy full access to Rabobank’s food and agriculture experts and networks with the goal of building long term value together.

The Rabo Food & Agri Innovation Fund is complementary to the other activities the bank supports in the food and agri space, including its indirect investments in strategic venture capital and private equity funds.

Source: Rabobank