

California venture capital firm Ignite Farm is seeking $50 million for its second fund to invest in rising food companies as well as digital industries, far outstripping its $10 million first fund raised last year.
Ignite Farm has registered its second fund with the US Securities and Exchange Commission less than 18 months after the firm received its first investor commitment for its first fund, according to data submitted to the regulator. The firm has yet to receive any investment in its second fund but expects to be on the road for less than a year, according to the filing.
Ignite Farm is led by Michael Friedman, Brian Leffler and Joseph Rainero, chief executive of one of the firm’s listed investments – restaurant chain and barbecue sauce maker Kinder’s. Ignite, based in venture capital hotbed Walnut Creek near San Francisco, also has investments in grass-fed beef brand Sun Fed Ranch, which sources meat from family farmers in northern California and in organic snack maker Yoatz.
As well as food brands, Ignite Farm also invests in social media and digital companies. Its investments include fantasy sports platform Major League Fantasy and password authentication software Orbit.