The potato farming industry in the DACH region plays a pivotal role in local agriculture, providing a staple food source across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Companies range from large-scale farms to innovative agri-tech firms, focusing on enhancing yield, quality, and sustainability. Adoption of cutting-edge technologies, such as precision farming and climate-smart practices, is on the rise, driven by increased demand for sustainable food production. Notable is the growing interest in organic potato farming, reflecting shifting consumer preferences. The potential for value-added processing and export opportunities also shows promise for this sector moving forward.


The investor pool in the DACH region includes a varied mix of venture capital firms, corporate investors, and private equity groups. Most have their headquarters within major cities, such as Berlin and Basel, while also varying significantly in size, from small teams to multinational companies with over 10,000 employees. Founded between 1863 and 2024, these investors made a range of deals in 2024, emphasizing their commitment to agricultural innovation. This blend of experience and fresh perspectives is fostering a vibrant environment for potato farming investments.


Top 12 Potato Farming Investors in DACH


1. Leaps by Bayer

  • Website: leaps.bayer.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: leapsbybayer

Leaps by Bayer is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2015. It focuses on biotechnology and agriculture, investing in early-stage companies that pursue scientific breakthroughs to tackle significant global challenges in health and food security. Notably, Leaps by Bayer has participated in funding rounds for Pairwise Plants, which is developing genetically enhanced fresh produce using CRISPR technology, and Covercress, which is working on agricultural gene modification technology. These investments highlight their commitment to advancing agricultural innovation, which is crucial for enhancing productivity and sustainability in sectors like potato farming.


2. BASF Venture Capital

  • Website: basf.de
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: basf

BASF Venture Capital, founded in 2001 and based in Ludwigshafen, Germany, is a corporate investor that is part of BASF, a leading chemical manufacturer. The firm focuses on innovation and sustainability across various industries, including agriculture. Notable transactions include their investment in Hummingbird Technologies, which utilizes drones and AI to help farmers forecast crop stress and predict yields, showcasing their commitment to advancing agricultural technology. Additionally, their participation in funding rounds for companies like Arcadia Biosciences highlights their interest in developing agricultural traits that can enhance crop performance. These investments reflect BASF Venture Capital's strategic focus on supporting innovations that can improve agricultural practices, including those relevant to potato farming.


3. Syngenta

  • Website: syngenta.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: syngenta

Syngenta is an agricultural technology company based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 2000. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Syngenta specializes in crop protection and seed production, providing innovative solutions to enhance crop yields and protect against pests and diseases. They operate globally, serving customers in over 150 countries. Recent transactions include the acquisition of Verisem BV, a Dutch seed producing company, and Sensako, a South African seed company specializing in cereals. While these acquisitions focus on other crops, Syngenta's expertise in seed production and crop protection technologies positions them as a potential investor in the potato farming sector, should they choose to expand their portfolio in that direction.


4. responsAbility Investments AG


Responsability Investments AG is an impact investment firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2003. The firm specializes in managing investments in emerging markets, with a strong focus on financial inclusion, climate finance, and sustainable food production. They provide investment solutions aimed at generating positive societal and environmental impacts alongside financial returns, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries. Notable transactions include their investment in Sahyadri Farms, which raised $45,911,385 in a Series B funding round in December 2024, indicating their active role in the agricultural sector. Additionally, their investment in Agro Vision Corp highlights their commitment to promoting sustainability in agriculture. These transactions reflect responsAbility's dedication to supporting sustainable agricultural practices, which may encompass potato farming as part of their broader investment strategy.


5. AgriFoodTech Venture Alliance


AgriFoodTech Venture Alliance, based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, is a venture capital firm founded in 2024 that specializes in investing in and supporting startups in the AgriFoodTech sector. The firm collaborates with innovative businesses to promote sustainable technologies in food production. Notable transactions include their participation in AgroSustain's Series A funding, which focuses on biological antifungal solutions, and their investment in Spherag, a startup that provides technological solutions for farmers, including precision irrigation. These investments reflect their commitment to enhancing agricultural practices, which could be beneficial for potato farming and other crop sectors.


6. European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF)


The European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF) is a venture capital firm based in Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 2020. It specializes in sustainable investments within the bioeconomy, providing funding and expertise to growth-stage companies that aim to transition to a circular bio-based economy. ECBF primarily operates in the EU and supports innovations across various sectors, including agriculture, food, and industrial biotechnology. Notably, ECBF has participated in significant funding rounds for companies like Elicit Plant, which raised $48 million in Series B funding in November 2024, focusing on solutions that help farmers address climate change challenges. Additionally, ECBF supported Elicit Plant's earlier Series A round, which raised €16 million in February 2022, aimed at advancing R&D for phytosterol-based solutions. They also engaged with Aphea.Bio, a Belgian agtech company, which raised €70 million in Series C funding in July 2023, further emphasizing their commitment to agricultural technology that can enhance farming practices, including those relevant to potato farming.


7. Bayer

  • Website: bayer.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 1863
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: bayer

Bayer AG is a multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company founded in 1863, headquartered in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The company operates in both healthcare and agriculture, providing innovative solutions to enhance crop production. Bayer CropScience, a division of Bayer, has made strategic acquisitions to strengthen its agricultural portfolio. Notably, Bayer acquired AgraQuest, Inc. for approximately $425 million in 2012, enhancing its capabilities in biological pest management, which is crucial for various crops, including fruits and vegetables. Additionally, Bayer's acquisition of proPlant Gesellschaft für Agrar- und Umweltinformatik in 2016 further demonstrates its commitment to agricultural technology and innovation. These transactions highlight Bayer's active role in the agricultural sector, making them a potential investor in potato farming.


8. BayWa AG

  • Website: baywa.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
  • Founded year: 1923
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: baywa

BayWa AG is a diversified corporate investor based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, founded in 1923. The company operates across various sectors, including agriculture, construction, and renewable energy. In the agricultural sector, BayWa AG provides a range of products and services to farmers, including trading in agricultural commodities. Notably, they have made strategic acquisitions to enhance their agricultural trade activities, such as the acquisition of Cargill Cereale in Romania, which expanded their footprint in the agricultural market. Additionally, their acquisition of Cefetra Group, a supply chain manager for agricultural commodities, positions them as a significant player in the agricultural supply chain. These transactions highlight BayWa AG's commitment to the agricultural sector, making them a potential investor in potato farming, even if they are not exclusively focused on this crop.


9. Basf

  • Website: basf.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
  • Founded year: 1865
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: basf

BASF SE is a multinational chemical manufacturer based in Ludwigshafen, Germany, founded in 1865. The company operates across various industries, including agriculture, automotive, and construction, with a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability. In the agricultural sector, BASF has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its capabilities. Notably, they acquired Horta S.r.l., an Italian company specializing in digital farming solutions, which could potentially include applications relevant to potato farming. Additionally, their acquisition of ZedX, Inc. and Cloudfarms indicates a commitment to advancing digital and sustainable farming practices. These investments reflect BASF's goal to help farmers improve operational efficiency and address environmental challenges, making them a relevant player in the agricultural landscape, including potato farming.


10. EuroChem

  • Website: eurochemgroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Zug, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: eurochem

EuroChem Group is a leading manufacturer in the fertilizer industry, founded in 2001 and headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. With over 10,000 employees, EuroChem operates globally, providing a wide range of agricultural and industrial products aimed at improving crop yield and quality. The company serves the agriculture sector to meet the increasing demand for food. Notably, EuroChem has been involved in significant transactions such as the acquisition of Agricola Bulgaria, which enhances their presence in the agricultural market. Additionally, they participated in a $15 million equity investment in Agrinos Inc., aimed at accelerating business growth and research in agricultural solutions. These activities underscore EuroChem's commitment to supporting agricultural productivity, which is essential for potato farming and other crop sectors.


11. Atlantic Labs

  • Website: atlanticlabs.de
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2013
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 13
  • LinkedIn: atlantic-labs

Atlantic Labs is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2013. They support exceptional, mission-driven founders throughout their entrepreneurial journey, focusing on startups across various sectors, including climate tech, AI, and digital health. Notably, Atlantic Labs has participated in funding rounds for companies like Plantix, a crop disease recognition app that has raised significant capital to improve its AI-driven solutions for agriculture. Their involvement in Plantix, which directly relates to crop management, highlights their interest in agricultural technology, making them a potential investor in the potato farming industry. Additionally, they have invested in Stenon, a startup that aims to enhance agricultural practices, further demonstrating their commitment to supporting innovations in farming.


12. Syngenta Group


Syngenta Group is an agricultural technology company based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 2009. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, the company specializes in crop protection and seed production, offering a diverse range of products and services aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability for farmers and commercial growers. Syngenta Group operates globally, leveraging extensive research capabilities to address challenges in the agriculture sector. Notably, they have been involved in significant transactions such as the $75 million Series D funding for Sound Agriculture, which focuses on innovative solutions for crop management, and participation in a pre-Series B bridge round for Tarfin, an agritech company that aims to strengthen offerings to farmers in Turkey and expand into Romania. These investments reflect Syngenta's commitment to advancing agricultural technologies that can benefit various crops, including potatoes.



Potato Farming Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Leaps by BayerBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201516
BASF Venture CapitalLudwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany10001+20013
SyngentaBasel, Basel, Switzerland10001+20002
responsAbility Investments AGZurich, Zurich, Switzerland201-50020039
AgriFoodTech Venture AllianceMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020241
European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF)Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany11-50202011
BayerLeverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+18632
BayWa AGFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany10001+19231
BasfLudwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany10001+18651
EuroChemZug, Zug, Switzerland10001+20010
Atlantic LabsBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201313
Syngenta GroupBasel, Basel, Switzerland10001+20090


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