Rabobank launches agri innovation fund

Rabobank has launched the Rabo Food & Agri Innovation Fund, part of Rabo Private Equity.

The fund will invest in “high-potential, early-stage food and agriculture companies” that are aligned with Rabobank’s “Banking for Food” strategy in the US and western Europe, according to a company statement.

“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,” said Lizette Sint, global head of Rabo Private Equity.

Richard O’Gorman, who leads the investment initiative as part of Rabo Private Equity, added: “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.”

The fund’s investments will consist of financial support, while selected companies will have “full access to Rabobank’s food and agriculture experts and networks with the goal of building long term value together.”

The announcement leads into next month’s annual FoodBytes conference, a Rabobank event where investors and startups – with similar ambitions as those described – compete to receive investments from the new fund.

A spokeswoman did not respond to requests for comment in time for publication, and the size of the fund was not disclosed. 

“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,” the firm said in the statement.