Rabobank to invest in early-stage food and agri companies

Rabobank is launching the Rabo Food & Agri Innovation Fund, a venture capital fund for innovative food and agricultural companies that is part of Rabo Private Equity. The fund plans to invest in high-potential, early-stage food and agricultural companies in Western Europe and in the United States. One of the fund’s objectives is the promotion of innovation in the food and agricultural space.

“The fund focuses on companies that are in support of 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 agri value chain, with a particular focus on ambitious companies that operate in sectors in which we can optimally leverage the bank’s knowledge and expertise, network and position to help create shareholder value,” said 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. Rabobank will be a close investment partner and provide companies it selected full access to the bank’s food and agricultural experts and networks in order to build long-term value together.