The citrus orchard industry in Benelux is vibrant and growing, characterized by a mix of traditional and innovative farming practices. Companies involved range from small-scale family farms to high-tech agribusinesses leveraging biotechnology and automation. These enterprises cultivate a variety of citrus fruits, from oranges and lemons to more exotic types, ensuring quality and sustainability while meeting consumer demand. As climate-conscious practices gain traction, the industry is increasingly focusing on minimizing environmental impact through cleaner production techniques. Additionally, technological advances in agriculture are paving the way for enhanced productivity, attracting investments aimed at future growth.


The list of top citrus orchard investors features a mix of corporate and venture capital firms, primarily headquartered in the Netherlands and Belgium. Ranging from smaller firms of 11-50 employees to large entities with thousands of staff, these investors were established between 1948 and 2017. In 2024, they collectively engaged in a significant number of deals across the sector, providing crucial financial support to various agricultural ventures, demonstrating a robust interest in advancing citrus orchard techniques and sustainability in agriculture.


Top 12 Citrus Orchard Investors in Benelux


1. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, founded in 1958, that supports innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. It offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in multiple sectors, including agriculture. Notably, the EIC has been involved in transactions relevant to the citrus orchard context, such as providing a $2.5 million grant to Clarifruit, a startup focused on fresh produce quality analysis, which is crucial for maintaining the quality of citrus fruits. Additionally, the EIC has supported other agri-tech initiatives like AgroSustain and Cascade, which are working on innovative solutions in agriculture. These transactions highlight the EIC's commitment to enhancing agricultural practices and technologies, making it a relevant player in the citrus orchard investment landscape.


2. Astanor

  • Website: astanor.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10
  • LinkedIn: astanor-venture

Astanor is an impact investment firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2017, that specializes in the agrifood tech sector. They focus on supporting innovative companies that aim to create sustainable food systems through strategic guidance and investment. Astanor has been involved in several significant transactions, including leading a $23 million Series A funding round for Source.ag, a company that provides AI-powered solutions to greenhouse growers, which could be applicable to citrus production. They also participated in funding rounds for Infarm, a startup focused on vertical farming, and Smallhold, which specializes in mushroom cultivation. These investments reflect Astanor's commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural practices and technologies, making them a potential ally for citrus orchard development.


3. Navus Ventures

  • Website: navusventures.nl
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Maassluis, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2013
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn:

Navus Ventures is a corporate venture capital firm based in Maassluis, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2013. The firm specializes in investing in high-tech companies that focus on sustainable food and energy solutions. With a team that boasts over 75 years of experience in technological innovation and market deployment, Navus Ventures provides active support and guidance to its portfolio companies. In 2024, they participated in a venture round for Blue Radix, a company specializing in autonomous growing and AI-driven greenhouse technology, which could have applications in citrus orchards. Additionally, their investment in Saia Agrobotics, which is developing technology for agricultural applications, further demonstrates their interest in the agricultural technology sector. These transactions highlight Navus Ventures' commitment to supporting innovations that can enhance agricultural practices, including those relevant to citrus orchards.


4. NPM Capital

  • Website: npm-capital.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1948
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: npm-capital

NPM Capital is a private equity firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1948. The firm specializes in supporting medium-sized and large companies, particularly family-owned enterprises in the Benelux region. NPM Capital provides capital and strategic advisory services to help these businesses achieve growth and sustainability across various sectors, including technology, education, and agriculture. Notably, NPM Capital has made significant investments in the agricultural sector, including the acquisition of Agro Care, a leading Dutch tomato grower, which highlights their commitment to the agricultural industry. Additionally, their investment in KUBO, a high-tech horticultural greenhouse developer, underscores their focus on innovative agricultural practices that could be relevant to citrus orchards. These transactions reflect NPM Capital's strategy of fostering growth and technological advancement in the agricultural sector, making them a potential player in the citrus orchard investment space.


5. Anterra Capital

  • Website: anterracapital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2013
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: anterra-capital

Anterra Capital is a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2013. The firm specializes in agrifood technology investments, focusing on startups that utilize biotechnology and digital solutions to enhance food production and sustainability. Anterra Capital operates primarily in North America and Europe, supporting innovative companies in the agrifood sector. Notable transactions include their participation in ProducePay, a financing and analytics platform for the fresh produce market, which raised significant funding rounds to advance technology and reduce food waste. Their involvement in such companies indicates a broader interest in the fresh produce supply chain, which may include citrus orchards as part of their investment strategy.


6. Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)


The Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) is a development agency based in Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands, founded in 1983. BOM focuses on supporting startups and scale-ups in the Brabant region by providing funding, expertise, and networking opportunities to enhance business growth. They are particularly active in sectors such as sustainable food and energy. Among their notable transactions, BOM invested in PeelPioneers, a company that repurposes citrus peels into useful raw materials, highlighting their engagement in the citrus industry. This investment, which raised over 1 million euros, aims to establish a recycling plant for citrus peels, showcasing BOM's commitment to sustainability and innovation in the food sector. Additionally, BOM has participated in various funding rounds for other companies, indicating a broad investment strategy that includes agrifood technologies.


7. Incofin Investment Management


Incofin Investment Management is an impact investment firm based in Antwerp, Belgium, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in financing and supporting organizations in emerging markets, with a strong emphasis on promoting financial inclusion and sustainable development. They provide a variety of services, including equity investments, debt financing, and technical assistance. Notably, Incofin has made significant investments in the agricultural sector, including a leading role in funding Sahyadri Farms, which raised substantial capital to expand its warehousing and processing facilities for fruits. This investment highlights their commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability, making them a relevant player in the agricultural investment landscape.


8. Triodos Bank

  • Website: triodos.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Driebergen-Rijsenburg, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1980
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: triodos-bank

Triodos Bank N.V. is a public entity operating as an ethical bank focused on sustainable finance. Founded in 1980 and based in Driebergen-Rijsenburg, Utrecht, Netherlands, Triodos Bank offers services such as depository receipts, green bonds, and investment management, catering to individuals and businesses seeking to align their financial activities with ethical and sustainable practices. The bank operates in multiple European countries, promoting transparency and positive impact in the banking sector. In recent years, Triodos Bank has been involved in several transactions that support sustainable agriculture, including a Series A funding round for CrowdFarming, which aims to help new farmers enter the marketplace and improve logistics for organic certification. Additionally, their investment in Capitol Foods, a company focused on expanding fruit processing capacity, further demonstrates their interest in the agricultural sector, which may include citrus orchards. These transactions highlight Triodos Bank's commitment to supporting sustainable agricultural practices and its potential relevance to the citrus orchard industry.


9. Louis Dreyfus Company

  • Website: ldc.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1851
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: louis-dreyfus-company

Louis Dreyfus Company B.V. is a for-profit agricultural merchant and processor founded in 1851, headquartered in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands. The company operates across various sectors, including food processing, bioenergy, and transportation, supplying a wide range of agricultural products to businesses in the food and beverage industry. In 2024, LDC has been active with five investments, including a notable acquisition of nearly 47.66% of Namoi Cotton, which highlights their strategic interest in agricultural commodities. Although their recent transactions do not directly involve citrus orchards, their investment in agricultural innovation through companies like Benson Hill, which focuses on sustainable food systems, indicates a commitment to enhancing agricultural practices. This positions LDC as a potential investor in the citrus orchard sector, given their overarching agricultural focus.


10. SHIFT Invest

  • Website: shiftinvest.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amstelveen, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: shift-invest

SHIFT Invest is a venture capital fund based in Amstelveen, North Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in impact investing, targeting innovative enterprises that have significant potential for environmental impact. They provide funding and support to early-stage companies across various sectors, including energy transition, smart food & agriculture, and sustainable mobility. Notably, SHIFT Invest has participated in several relevant transactions, such as their involvement with OneThird, a Dutch-based AI-powered foodtech startup that focuses on enhancing fresh produce supply chains in North America and Europe. This aligns with their mission to contribute to sustainability and support innovative agricultural practices. Additionally, their investment in 30MHz, a data platform aimed at improving agricultural technology, further demonstrates their commitment to the agricultural sector. These activities highlight SHIFT Invest's potential relevance to the citrus orchard industry, as they seek to support sustainable agricultural innovations.


11. Icos Capital


Icos Capital is a venture capital firm based in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in ClimateTech investments, partnering with startups and corporations to accelerate sustainability through innovative technologies. Their focus includes sectors such as Food Systems and Circular Economy, providing funding and strategic support to help clients achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Notably, Icos Capital has participated in transactions relevant to the agricultural sector, such as their investment in FOTONIQ, which offers sustainable horticulture solutions for greenhouses, and Gamaya, a Swiss AgTech company that focuses on precision agriculture. These investments highlight Icos Capital's commitment to supporting technologies that can enhance agricultural practices, including those applicable to citrus orchards.


12. Rabo Ventures


Rabo Ventures, founded in 2002 and based in Utrecht, Netherlands, is a venture capital firm that specializes in providing equity capital to established and transformative companies, as well as top-tier funds, primarily in the Food & Agri and Sustainability sectors. The firm aims to support major transitions that positively impact society and the environment through strategic partnerships and investment management. Recent transactions include investments in companies like Kingfish Zeeland and The Kingfish Company, which, while focused on aquaculture, demonstrate Rabo Ventures' commitment to the food sector. Their involvement in Agurotech, a venture focused on agricultural technology, further aligns with their interest in enhancing agricultural practices, which could extend to citrus orchards. Overall, Rabo Ventures' investment philosophy and sector focus position them as a potential investor in the citrus orchard industry.



Citrus Orchard Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
AstanorLuxembourg11-50201710
Navus VenturesMaassluis, South Holland, Netherlands11-5020133
NPM CapitalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5019481
Anterra CapitalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020139
Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands51-200198310
Incofin Investment ManagementAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium51-20020099
Triodos BankDriebergen-Rijsenburg, Utrecht, Netherlands1001-500019802
Louis Dreyfus CompanyRotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands10001+18515
SHIFT InvestAmstelveen, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020094
Icos CapitalRotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands11-5020054
Rabo VenturesUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands1-1020024


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