agtech

Chief executive Duane Cantrell says strategic input and product testing feedback from LPs helped shape the fund's focus on upstream agtech.

Emmanuel Faber has been hired alongside US-based consultant and food producer David Barber to add to the impact investment firm’s sustainability knowledge base.

The Canadian pension invested into the start-up, which plans to go public, through its Climate Change Opportunities strategy.

Investment director Angela Du says covid-19 added urgency to the need to build supply chains for alternative proteins and cultured meat.

The US start-up has partnered with Nomad Foods and is exploring Asian market entry with other regional giants.

The GP says it will not receive 50% of its carried interest if it fails to meet new fund’s impact goals, which will be verified by an independent third party.

The land-based aquaculture company will establish facilities in Abu Dhabi, China and Brunei as it targets to produce 260,000 tonnes of salmon per annum.

The start-up is working on ways to economically deliver plant trait development and has a product in market that aims to increase yields while lowering fertilizer use.

Astanor partner Hendrik Van Asbroeck says the investment marks ‘the beginning of a strategic partnership to help v2food expand into the European market.’

The Chicago-based start-up plans to launch its products across the US in 2022 and wants to use its established bases in Singapore and India as a springboard into the continent.