The agribusiness industry in Benelux focuses on food production, distribution, and sustainable practices. This sector comprises farms, processing plants, and technology firms striving to meet modern consumer demands. Companies offer innovative solutions in areas like precision agriculture, sustainable feed, and biotech for crops. With growing attention to environmental impacts, the industry is trending towards greener methodologies and enhanced efficiency. Notably, food technology and sustainable farming techniques are at the forefront, addressing global challenges such as food security and climate change, positioning the region as a key player in agribusiness innovation.

The investors in this list highlight a variety of funding structures, operating primarily in corporate and venture capital spaces. These firms, principally located in Belgium and the Netherlands, range from large entities like Nutreco, founded in 1994, to impactful startups like Astanor, launched in 2017. In 2024, these investors collectively made 237 notable deals, underscoring a vibrant ecosystem supporting agribusiness ventures focused on sustainability and technological advancements within the sector.

Top 16 Agribusiness Investors in Benelux

1. European Innovation Council (EIC)

• Website: eic.ec.europa.eu
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
• Founded year: 1958
• Headcount: 201-500
• Number of deals in 2024: 57
• LinkedIn: european-innovation-council-eic

The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. In the agribusiness context, the EIC has been involved in notable transactions such as funding xFarm Technologies, an agtech company that raised €17 million in Series B funding and received grants to further develop its AI-powered agricultural platform. Additionally, the EIC has supported other agritech ventures like Insolight and N2 Applied, demonstrating its commitment to fostering innovation in the agricultural sector. Through its business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes, the EIC plays a significant role in promoting advancements in agribusiness and related technologies.

2. EIT Food

• Website: eitfood.eu
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
• Founded year: 2016
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 37
• LinkedIn: eit-food

EIT Food is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2016, based in Leuven, Flanders, Belgium. It is dedicated to transforming the food system through innovation, education, and entrepreneurship. EIT Food supports agrifood startups and entrepreneurs by providing resources, funding opportunities, and educational programs aimed at creating healthier and sustainable food solutions. Their initiatives engage various stakeholders, including businesses and the public, to foster collaboration and drive change in the food sector. In 2024, EIT Food was involved in 37 investments, showcasing their active role in the agribusiness landscape. Notable transactions include SeedForward, which received non-equity assistance, and Fyteko, which raised significant funding through a Series B round and a Seed round, indicating their support for innovative agrifood solutions. Additionally, they have provided grants to companies like Nanomik Biotechnology and Antofenol, further emphasizing their commitment to advancing the agribusiness sector.

3. Aqua-Spark

• Website: aqua-spark.nl
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
• Founded year: 2013
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: aquaspark

Aqua-Spark is a Utrecht-based venture capital firm founded in 2013, dedicated to investing in innovative solutions for the aquaculture industry. The firm aims to promote sustainable practices and improve production efficiency in fish farms, feed mills, and hatcheries. Aqua-Spark collaborates with a global community of investors to address environmental challenges in aquaculture through research and development. Notable transactions include a $9 million investment in Sea6 Energy, a company focused on cultivating and processing tropical seaweed, and participation in a $40 million Series D funding round for Calysta, a sustainable fish and livestock feed innovator. These investments highlight Aqua-Spark's commitment to enhancing sustainability and innovation within the agribusiness sector.

4. 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 in the agribusiness context, including leading funding rounds for companies like Aphea.Bio, a Belgian agricultural technology firm that raised €70 million in Series C funding, and participating in the Series C funding for ProducePay, a startup focused on the global fresh produce market. Their investments reflect a commitment to advancing technology and sustainability within the agribusiness sector, making them a key player in this industry.

5. Rockstart

• Website: rockstart.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
• Founded year: 2011
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 16
• LinkedIn: rockstart

Rockstart is a startup accelerator and investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2011. The firm empowers early-stage founders across various sectors, including AgriFood, Energy, and Emerging Technology, by providing investment, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help startups scale and succeed. In the agribusiness context, Rockstart has made notable investments such as in Nanomik Biotechnology, which raised funds through multiple seed rounds, and Harvesto, which also secured funding in a seed round. These transactions highlight Rockstart's active role in supporting innovative agribusiness ventures and purpose-driven entrepreneurs aiming to drive positive change in the industry.

6. Nutreco

• Website: nutreco.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands
• Founded year: 1994
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: nutreco

Nutreco is a leading animal nutrition company based in Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands, specializing in innovative feed solutions for livestock and aquaculture. Founded in 1994, the company serves farmers and feed producers with a focus on sustainable practices to meet the growing global demand for food. Nutreco has been actively involved in several significant transactions within the agribusiness sector, including the acquisition of Bellman Nutriçao Animal Ltda., a Brazilian company specializing in farm minerals and supplements for ruminants, which was announced in April 2012. In December 2014, Nutreco acquired two Brazilian companies that specialize in premix and feed specialties, further solidifying its presence in the agricultural market. Additionally, in October 2019, Nutreco acquired the South African premix company Animal Nutrition and Health (ANH) from Kaonne Investments, integrating it into Trouw Nutrition South Africa as part of its strategy to expand in Africa. These transactions underscore Nutreco's commitment to enhancing animal health and productivity, making it a key player in the agribusiness industry.

7. European Investment Bank (EIB)

• Website: eib.org
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Luxembourg
• Founded year: 1958
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 99
• LinkedIn: european-investment-bank

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is a public entity based in Luxembourg, founded in 1958, that provides financial services including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services to support sustainable projects across various sectors. In 2024, EIB was involved in 99 investments, showcasing its active role in financing initiatives that promote growth and job creation. Notably, EIB has invested in agribusiness through significant transactions such as a €40 million loan to Devenish Nutrition, which aims to enhance research and development in optimized animal nutrition and food innovation. This investment supports the establishment of a Global Innovation Centre in Ireland, emphasizing EIB's commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, EIB has participated in various other sectors, but its involvement in agribusiness projects like Devenish Nutrition illustrates its relevance in this industry.

8. 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 the agribusiness context, they have made significant investments in companies such as Saia Agrobotics, which is developing technology to enhance agricultural efficiency, and MoooFarm, a dairytech startup that has raised substantial funding to expand its operations. Their investments reflect a strategic focus on sustainable practices within the food sector, making them a relevant player in agribusiness.

9. Future Food Fund

• Website: futurefoodfund.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
• Founded year: 2016
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 5
• LinkedIn: future-food-fund

Future Food Fund is a venture capital firm based in Utrecht, Netherlands, founded in 2016. The firm specializes in food and agriculture technology investments, focusing on early-stage startups in Western Europe. Their mission is to drive environmental impact through strategic investments in the food and agriculture sector, providing capital, expertise, and a network to help businesses innovate and create sustainable food systems. Notable transactions include leading a €2.5 million growth round for OlsAro, a Swedish agtech startup, and participating in a seed round for AvL Motion, which is developing an autonomous asparagus harvesting robot. Other investments include Plantik Biosciences, Extracellular, and Thatchtec BV, all of which are involved in innovative solutions within the agribusiness context.

10. 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 improve food production and sustainability. Anterra Capital has been actively involved in the agribusiness sector, with notable transactions including participation in funding rounds for ProducePay, a company that enhances the fresh produce supply chain, and Enko Chem, which focuses on crop health. In 2024, Anterra participated in ProducePay's Series D financing, contributing to the company's global expansion and technology advancement. They also played a role in Enko Chem's Series C funding, which aims to advance its product pipeline and technology platform. Anterra Capital operates primarily in North America and Europe, supporting innovative companies in the agrifood sector with both funding and expertise to tackle food system challenges.

11. Pmv

• Website: pmv.eu
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
• Founded year: 2001
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 11
• LinkedIn: pmv-eu

Participatiemaatschappij Vlaanderen (PMV) is a public entity that acts as an investment company for the Flemish government, founded in 2001. It provides a range of financing solutions, including loans and co-financing, to startups, scale-ups, and established businesses across various sectors such as real estate, clean tech, and life sciences. Notably, PMV has been involved in several key transactions in the agribusiness sector, including investments in Biotalys, which raised over $39 million in Series C funding, and Aphea.Bio, which secured over $21 million in Series B funding. These investments highlight PMV's commitment to fostering innovation in agricultural biotechnology and supporting sustainable growth in the agribusiness industry.

12. 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 prominent corporate investor based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, with a strong focus on the agribusiness sector. Founded in 1851, the company has evolved into a leading agricultural merchant and processor, supplying a diverse range of agricultural products to the food and beverage industry. In recent years, Louis Dreyfus Company has actively engaged in various investment transactions that highlight its commitment to agribusiness innovation. Notable investments include participation in Aquaconnect's Series A funding round, which raised $15 million to enhance aquaculture practices, and Grão Direto's Series A round, which secured $7.9 million to improve agricultural transaction efficiency. These strategic investments reflect the company's dedication to fostering sustainable agricultural practices and ensuring a reliable supply chain in the food industry.

13. Oikocredit

• Website: oikocredit.coop
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands
• Founded year: 1975
• Headcount: 201-500
• Number of deals in 2024: 12
• LinkedIn: oikocredit

Oikocredit is a not-for-profit social investment organization based in Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands, founded in 1975. It focuses on providing financial support to organizations in the financial inclusion, agriculture, and renewable energy sectors. Oikocredit aims to enhance the social impact of its partners, particularly those serving low-income communities, by offering loans and equity investments. Notably, Oikocredit has been involved in several significant transactions within the agribusiness sector, including a $1.5 million investment in Ghanaian agritech startup Farmerline, which raised a total of $14.4 million in its funding round. Additionally, Oikocredit participated in an $8.5 million Series B funding round for Good Nature Agro, further demonstrating its commitment to agribusiness. The organization also supported Chetna Organic Agriculture Producer Company in a venture round, showcasing its focus on sustainable agricultural practices. These investments highlight Oikocredit's active role in promoting agribusiness and supporting initiatives that benefit low-income communities.

14. Agri Investment Fund

• Website: aifund.be
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
• Founded year: 1890
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 3
• LinkedIn:

Agri Investment Fund, based in Leuven, Flanders, Belgium, is a private equity investment fund founded in 1890. The fund is dedicated to the agricultural sector, with a strong emphasis on Ag-Tech and Agro-Food companies. They provide not only financial support but also advisory services to both startups and established businesses that aim to innovate and promote sustainability in agriculture. In 2024, Agri Investment Fund participated in a post-IPO equity round for Biotalys, raising over $16 million, and has previously invested in multiple funding rounds for Aphea.Bio, a Belgian agricultural technology company, contributing to their Series B and C funding rounds, which collectively raised significant capital to advance agricultural innovation. Their focus on enhancing the agricultural industry aligns with their mission to foster a stronger and more sustainable agricultural sector.

15. Edaphon

• Website: edaphon.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 2
• LinkedIn: edaphon

Edaphon is an impact fund based in Brussels, Belgium, focused on environmental sustainability and biodiversity. The firm collaborates with businesses and organizations to fund projects that enhance natural carbon sinks and support regenerative agriculture. In 2023, Edaphon participated in a $30 million Series C funding round for CropX Technologies, which aims to develop innovative agronomic farm management systems. Additionally, they invested in Soil Capital Belgium, which raised over $5 million in Series A funding, and BioPrime AgriSolutions, which secured $6 million in Series A funding in 2024. Edaphon also participated in the Series B funding round for Groundwork BioAg, which raised $18 million. These transactions highlight Edaphon's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the agribusiness sector, particularly those that address sustainability and climate change.

16. DOB Equity

• Website: dobequity.nl
• Type: Private Equity
• Headquarters: Veessen, Gelderland, Netherlands
• Founded year: 1997
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: dob-foundation

DOB Equity is an impact investment fund based in Veessen, Gelderland, Netherlands, founded in 1997. The firm focuses on supporting innovative and scalable companies in Eastern Africa, aiming to create social impact while ensuring long-term profitability for its portfolio companies. Notably, DOB Equity has made significant investments in the agribusiness sector, particularly through its involvement with Twiga Foods. They participated in multiple funding rounds for Twiga Foods, including a $50 million Series C round in November 2021, a $10 million Series B round in November 2018, and a $10.3 million Series A round in July 2017. These investments highlight DOB Equity's commitment to enhancing agricultural supply chains and supporting entrepreneurs in the agribusiness space. Additionally, they are involved with FarmWorks, further indicating their interest in agribusiness ventures.

Agribusiness Insights: Key Investors in Benelux

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