The poultry hatcheries industry in Europe plays a crucial role in food production, focusing on breeding and raising chicks for commercial use. This sector includes various companies, from hatchery operators to equipment manufacturers, offering innovative solutions to enhance production efficiency and sustainability. A growing trend in the industry is the shift towards ethical practices, aiming to improve animal welfare, particularly with initiatives like gender identification to minimize chick culling. With increased consumer demand for ethically-sourced poultry products, the industry is heading towards greater transparency and technological integration.


In 2024, a mix of corporate and private equity investors actively participated in the European poultry hatcheries sector. Based in various locations like Luxembourg, London, and Paris, these investors range in size from small firms to significant corporate players, each contributing unique expertise and resources. With origins dating back to the 1980s and onwards, many have made numerous investments in agribusiness and animal health, totaling over 140 placements across the sector. This combination of investment experience and strategic focus positions them well to support shifts in the poultry hatchery landscape.


Top 13 Poultry Hatcheries Investors in Europe


1. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg that provides financial services including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services to support sustainable projects across various sectors. Founded in 1958, the EIB aims to promote growth and job creation through its funding initiatives. In recent years, the EIB has made significant investments in the poultry industry, including a €40 million loan to In Ovo, a Dutch company dedicated to stopping the culling of male chicks in the egg industry by exclusively hatching female chicks. This funding is intended to support In Ovo's international expansion and aligns with sustainable practices in poultry production. Additionally, the EIB provided €40 million to Devenish Nutrition, an agri-technology company focused on animal nutrition and health, which further emphasizes their commitment to supporting innovation in the poultry sector. These transactions highlight the EIB's active role in financing projects that have a direct impact on poultry hatcheries and related industries.


2. IK Partners

  • Website: ikpartners.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1989
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 14
  • LinkedIn: ik-investment-partners

IK Partners is a private equity firm based in London, specializing in mid-market investments across Europe. Founded in 1989, the firm focuses on providing capital and strategic support to businesses in various sectors, including Business Services, Healthcare, Consumer, and Industrials. Notably, IK Partners has made several acquisitions in the animal health sector, which is closely related to poultry hatcheries. For instance, they acquired CEVA Santé Animale, a company with significant involvement in animal health, and Kersia, which specializes in biosecurity and hygiene solutions for livestock. These transactions highlight IK Partners' engagement in the agricultural space, particularly in areas that could impact poultry production and health, thereby enhancing their relevance to the poultry hatcheries industry.


3. Unigrains

  • Website: unigrains.fr
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1963
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: unigrains

Unigrains is a Paris-based private equity firm founded in 1963, specializing in the agro-food and agro-industry sectors. With over 60 years of experience, Unigrains has supported more than 1,000 companies, providing financial and strategic support to help them adapt to market changes. The firm manages significant assets aimed at fostering growth and sustainability in agriculture and food production. Notably, Unigrains has been involved in several transactions relevant to the poultry industry, including investments in Groupe Grimaud La Corbière, a key player in poultry breeding and hatchery operations, as well as Triskalia and Terrena, which are also engaged in agricultural and food production activities. These investments highlight Unigrains' commitment to the poultry sector and its role in supporting the growth of poultry hatcheries.


4. AgDevCo

  • Website: agdevco.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: agdevco

AgDevCo is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in developing sustainable agribusinesses in Africa by providing long-term risk capital and technical assistance. Their mission is to enhance food security and economic development in the region by linking smallholder farmers to markets. Notably, AgDevCo has invested in several poultry-related ventures, including EthioChicken, which raised $3 million in 2017, and Hatch Africa, which secured $9.5 million in debt financing in January 2024. Additionally, they have supported GoldenLay and Victory Farms through debt financing, further demonstrating their commitment to the poultry sector and sustainable agribusiness development.


5. Altor Equity Partners

  • Website: altor.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 2003
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: altor

Altor Equity Partners is a private equity investment management firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2003. The firm specializes in enhancing operational efficiency and sustainable growth for its partners through tailored investment strategies and digital transformation solutions. Altor has made significant investments in various sectors, including technology and consumer products. Notably, they have been involved in transactions relevant to the poultry industry, such as the acquisition of Meyn Food Processing Technology, which provides processing solutions for poultry. Additionally, their acquisition of Hamlet Protein, a producer of high value-add young animal feed, further emphasizes their commitment to the animal husbandry sector. These strategic investments highlight Altor's focus on companies that contribute to the poultry and broader animal feed industries, reinforcing their relevance as an investor in poultry hatcheries.


6. Tikehau Capital


Tikehau Capital is an investment management firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, specializing in alternative asset management. Founded in 2004, the firm offers a diverse range of services including private debt, private equity, real assets, and capital markets strategies. Tikehau Capital serves a variety of clients, including institutional and private investors, as well as SMEs seeking tailored financing solutions to support growth and sustainability initiatives. In the context of the poultry industry, Tikehau Capital has been involved in several relevant transactions, such as providing debt financing to Kersia, Terrena, and Ceva Santé Animale, which are all significant players in the agricultural and animal health sectors. These investments highlight Tikehau's interest in supporting companies that contribute to the poultry hatcheries and broader agricultural ecosystem.


7. IDIA Capital Investissement


IDIA Capital Investissement is a private equity firm based in Montrouge, Île-De-France, France, founded in 1980. The firm specializes in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies (ETIs) in their growth, offering investment management services and strategic guidance. Their focus spans various sectors, including agro-food, energy transition, and viticulture. Notable transactions include investments in Triskalia, a company involved in the agro-food sector, and Ceva Santé Animale, which focuses on animal health, potentially impacting poultry health and production. They also participated in funding rounds for Invers and Germicopa SAS, indicating a diverse investment portfolio that includes agro-food-related companies.


8. Hendrix Genetics


Hendrix Genetics is a corporate investor based in Boxmeer, North Brabant, Netherlands, specializing in animal breeding solutions across various species, including poultry, swine, and fish. Founded in 1991, the company has established itself as a leader in providing high-quality breeding programs that help farmers and producers improve productivity and meet the growing global demand for animal protein. Hendrix Genetics operates globally with a strong emphasis on sustainable practices. Notably, the company has made significant acquisitions in the poultry sector, including Joice and Hill Poultry Ltd. in 2010, which was integrated into its poultry distribution division, and Euribrid in 2007, which expanded its breeding capabilities. These transactions highlight Hendrix Genetics' commitment to enhancing its poultry operations and its strategic focus on the poultry hatcheries industry.


9. Naxicap Partners

  • Website: naxicap.fr
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn: naxicap-partners

Naxicap Partners is a private equity investment firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in private equity and growth capital investments, focusing on mid-cap and small-cap companies across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and real estate. Naxicap Partners provides financial resources and strategic support to help businesses scale and enhance their market presence. Notably, they have been involved in transactions such as Groupe Grimaud La Corbière, which raised funds in 2005 and is recognized for its role in poultry genetics and breeding. Other relevant transactions include investments in companies like Germicopa SAS and Pancosma, which may have indirect connections to the poultry industry through their agricultural and feed-related activities. This diverse portfolio reflects Naxicap's strategy of supporting growth across multiple sectors, including those related to poultry.


10. Rabo Ventures


Rabo Ventures, founded in 2002 and based in Utrecht, Netherlands, is a venture capital firm that specializes in providing equity capital to transformative companies and top-tier funds, primarily within the Food & Agri and Sustainability sectors. The firm aims to support significant transitions that positively impact society and the environment through strategic partnerships and investment management. Notably, Rabo Ventures has been involved in transactions such as the acquisition of a minority stake in Hendrix Genetics, a Dutch company focused on breeding, which is directly relevant to the poultry hatcheries industry. This investment reflects their commitment to enhancing animal health and nutrition capabilities. Additionally, Rabo Ventures has participated in funding rounds for companies like Kingfish Zeeland, which, while primarily focused on aquaculture, demonstrates their active engagement in the broader food production sector. These activities highlight Rabo Ventures' strategic interest in sectors that intersect with poultry production, making them a relevant player in the poultry hatcheries investment landscape.


11. Marel

  • Website: marel.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Garðabær, Garðabær, Iceland
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • LinkedIn: marel

Marel is a leading food processing equipment manufacturer based in Garðabær, Iceland, founded in 1983. The company specializes in providing advanced solutions for the poultry, meat, fish, and prepared foods industries. Marel offers a comprehensive range of products, including processing machinery, software solutions, and maintenance services, aimed at improving efficiency and product quality through automation and innovative technology. Notably, Marel has made significant strides in the poultry sector, exemplified by its acquisition of Poultry Machinery Joosten B.V. (PMJ) on January 23, 2021. This acquisition allows Marel to enhance its poultry processing capabilities, particularly in the duck segment, and positions it as a full-line provider of duck processing solutions. PMJ, which has annual revenues of approximately 5 million Euros, will continue to operate under its management team to ensure business continuity. This strategic move underscores Marel's commitment to expanding its footprint in the poultry processing market.


12. CPT Capital

  • Website: cptcap.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: cpt-capital

CPT Capital is a venture capital firm based in London, England, founded in 2017. The firm specializes in investments within the alternative protein sector, partnering with innovative startups to provide funding and strategic support aimed at transforming food and materials technology. Their mission is to replace animal-derived products with sustainable solutions that address the challenges of traditional animal protein production. Notable transactions include participation in Memphis Meats' Series B funding round, which raised $161 million to develop a pilot production facility for cultivated meat, and UPSIDE Foods' Series C funding, which raised $400 million to build a commercial-scale production facility for cultivated meat products. These investments highlight CPT Capital's commitment to advancing sustainable meat production technologies, which may have implications for the poultry industry.


13. Good Seed Ventures

  • Website: goodseedventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Rheine, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 2018
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: good-seed-ventures

Good Seed Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Rheine, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 2018. The firm specializes in sustainable food solutions, investing in startups and businesses that aim to reduce the environmental impact of food production. Their services include financial support, strategic guidance, and fostering collaboration among industry players to innovate in the food sector. Notably, Good Seed Ventures has participated in significant transactions such as investing in SuperMeat, an Israeli startup developing lab-grown 'clean chicken' products, which highlights their engagement in the poultry industry. Additionally, they have invested in Chunk Foods, a company producing plant-based meat alternatives, further demonstrating their commitment to innovative food solutions. These transactions reflect their active role in the evolving landscape of food production, including poultry-related ventures.



Poultry Hatcheries Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
IK PartnersLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)201-500198914
UnigrainsParis, Île-De-France, France51-20019634
AgDevCoLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020095
Altor Equity PartnersStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden51-20020036
Tikehau CapitalParis, Île-De-France, France501-100020046
IDIA Capital InvestissementMontrouge, Île-De-France, France11-5019801
Hendrix GeneticsBoxmeer, North Brabant, Netherlands1001-500019910
Naxicap PartnersParis, Île-De-France, France51-20020050
Rabo VenturesUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands1-1020024
MarelGarðabær, Garðabær, Iceland5001-1000019830
CPT CapitalLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)1-1020171
Good Seed VenturesRheine, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany1-1020181


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