The cattle feed industry in DACH is crucial for livestock farmers, ensuring cows receive essential nutrients for healthy growth and productivity. Companies involved range from large corporations producing specialized feed concentrates to innovative startups focused on sustainable ingredients. Demand for eco-friendly and high-quality feed solutions is rising, driven by consumer preferences and regulatory pressures. Trends indicate increasing investments in biotechnology and digital farming technologies that improve feed efficiency and reduce environmental impact. With advancements in research and technology, this industry is moving toward more sustainable practices that promise healthier livestock and a reduced carbon footprint.


This list features 16 prominent investors in the cattle feed section across DACH, including big corporate investors like BASF and private equity firms such as responsAbility. They range in size from compact startups with a handful of employees to seasoned corporates with over 10,000 staff, reflecting different investment approaches. Established between 1865 and 2021, these firms exhibit a keen interest in the agricultural sector as evidenced by their multiple investments in 2024, which highlight their strategic focus in improving cattle feed solutions.


Top 16 Cattle Feed 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 are pursuing scientific breakthroughs to tackle significant global challenges in health and food security. Notably, Leaps by Bayer has participated in funding rounds for companies like Covercress, which is involved in developing crops that can be used for sustainable feed, and Amfora, a biotech startup that aims to enhance crop yields. Their investment in Apollo Agriculture also highlights their interest in innovative agricultural solutions that can improve food production systems, which is directly relevant to the cattle feed industry.


2. Possible Ventures

  • Website: possible.ventures
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: possible-vc

Possible Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2021. The firm has a small team and has been active in various investment rounds, totaling 9 investments in 2024 alone. One of their notable transactions includes participation in a pre-seed funding round for Number 8 Bio, which raised $1.8 million to develop a proprietary feed that reduces methane emissions in cows. This investment highlights Possible Ventures' engagement in the cattle feed industry, alongside other investments in sectors such as cultivated meat and precision fermentation.


3. 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, based in Ludwigshafen, Germany, is a corporate investor founded in 2001, specializing in a wide range of products and solutions across various industries, including agriculture. The firm is part of BASF, a leading chemical manufacturer known for its commitment to innovation and sustainability. Notable transactions include investments in Arcadia Biosciences, which focuses on developing agricultural products with enhanced traits, potentially applicable to cattle feed. Additionally, BASF's acquisition of a stake in Grão Direto, a digital grain trading platform, highlights its strategic interest in improving agricultural supply chains, which can directly impact cattle feed distribution and quality. These activities demonstrate BASF Venture Capital's engagement in the agricultural sector, making it a relevant player in the cattle feed industry.


4. Brenntag

  • Website: brenntag.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 1874
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: brenntag

Brenntag SE, founded in 1874 and headquartered in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is a leading chemical distributor that connects chemical manufacturers with users across various industries. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Brenntag serves approximately 195,000 customers globally, providing a wide range of specialty and industrial chemicals along with value-added services. Notably, Brenntag has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its position in the nutrition sector, including the acquisition of JM Swank Co. in June 2021, which significantly expanded their footprint in food ingredients distribution, potentially including cattle feed. Other acquisitions, such as Quadra Chemicals and Y.S. Ashkenazi Agencies, further demonstrate their commitment to diversifying their portfolio within the chemical distribution landscape.


5. 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, focusing 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. Notably, responsAbility has participated in significant funding rounds for companies like Samunnati, which enables agricultural value chains, and Sohan Lal Commodity Management, which is involved in commodity management. These investments indicate a commitment to enhancing agricultural practices, including those related to cattle feed, thereby supporting the broader agricultural ecosystem.


6. GEA Group

  • Website: gea.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 1881
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: geagroup

GEA Group AG, founded in 1881 and based in Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is a leading industrial technology supplier specializing in machinery and systems for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors. The company offers a wide range of products, including automation systems and processing equipment, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of production processes for its business customers. In recent years, GEA has made several strategic acquisitions to strengthen its position in the dairy farming market, including the acquisition of Bellucci Orlando e c. S.r.l., a supplier of dairy farming solutions in Italy, and Venture Dairy Services, a dealership serving dairy producers in Devon and Cornwall. These transactions highlight GEA's commitment to improving services and technology for dairy farmers, which is closely related to the cattle feed industry. Additionally, their acquisition of Milfos International Group, a dairy technology firm in New Zealand, further emphasizes their focus on enhancing growth opportunities in pastoral farming markets.


7. Seedstars

  • Website: seedstars.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Carouge, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: seedstars

Seedstars is an investment and education company based in Carouge, Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2012. It focuses on supporting startups and entrepreneurs in emerging markets through various programs, including acceleration and growth initiatives, investment readiness, and the operation of entrepreneurship hubs. Seedstars collaborates with governments, investors, and development agencies to foster entrepreneurial ecosystems and drive social and economic development. Notably, Seedstars has been involved in several transactions relevant to the agricultural sector, such as Cowtribe, which aims to improve livestock management in Ghana, and AgroCenta, which focuses on agricultural supply chains. These investments highlight Seedstars' engagement in the agricultural domain, particularly in areas that could intersect with cattle feed and livestock management.


8. 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 provides a wide range of products and solutions across various industries, including agriculture, automotive, and construction. BASF focuses on innovation and sustainability, helping its customers meet environmental challenges and improve operational efficiency. Notably, BASF has made significant investments in the livestock sector, including the acquisition of Cloudfarms, a software company that specializes in livestock farm management, aimed at promoting sustainable farming practices. Additionally, BASF's acquisition of ZedX, Inc. further emphasizes its commitment to enhancing its capabilities in the agricultural domain. These transactions highlight BASF's strategic interest in the livestock industry, which is closely linked to cattle feed.


9. 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 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, including agricultural commodities that are essential for livestock feed. Notably, BayWa has made significant acquisitions to enhance its agricultural trade activities, such as the acquisition of Cargill Cereale in 2016, which expanded their operations in Romania. Additionally, their acquisition of Cefetra Group for €125 million in 2012 further solidified their position in the agricultural supply chain, potentially including cattle feed. BayWa AG also participated in the Series A funding round for AgroSustain, which focuses on biological solutions for agriculture, indicating their commitment to innovative agricultural practices. Overall, BayWa AG's diverse operations and strategic acquisitions position them as a relevant player in the cattle feed industry.


10. Evonik Methionine SEA Pte Ltd


Evonik Methionine SEA Pte Ltd is a corporate investor based in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and is part of Evonik Industries, a leading specialty chemicals manufacturer. Founded in 2007, the company focuses on providing innovative solutions across various sectors, including health care, animal nutrition, and performance materials. Evonik's commitment to research and development aims to improve life today and tomorrow, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. While Evonik has made several acquisitions, such as Evonik Silco Materials LLC and Porocel International, its focus on animal nutrition is particularly relevant for the cattle feed industry. The company’s expertise in specialty chemicals and its strategic acquisitions in related sectors position it as a potential investor in cattle feed, even if it does not exclusively operate in this market.


11. Linamar Europe

  • Website: linamar.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Plettenberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 1966
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn: linamar-europe

Linamar Europe is a corporate investor based in Plettenberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with a workforce of 1001-5000 employees. Founded in 1966, Linamar is an advanced manufacturing company that specializes in precision-engineered components and systems for various industries, including automotive, agricultural, and medical devices. In recent years, Linamar has made significant strides in the agricultural sector through strategic acquisitions. Notably, they acquired Bourgault Industries for approximately $479 million, which enhances their capabilities in seeding technologies, crucial for agricultural productivity. Additionally, their acquisition of Salford Group for CAD $260 million further solidifies their commitment to the agricultural market. These transactions reflect Linamar's strategy to diversify and strengthen its position in agriculture, making them a relevant player in the cattle feed industry.


12. Amathaon Capital


Amathaon Capital is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 2020, specializing in AgTech and AgBioTech. The firm invests in innovative agricultural solutions, providing entrepreneurs with capital, industry expertise, and operational guidance. Their focus is on sustainable practices within the food value chain, addressing challenges in agriculture through a synergetic portfolio approach. Notable transactions include a $4.2M investment in Lucent BioSciences, which focuses on agricultural biotechnology, and a minority stake in Computomics, a bioinformatics company that could enhance agricultural productivity. Additionally, their investment in E-Farm, a digital marketplace for agricultural machinery, reflects their commitment to improving agricultural efficiency. While none of their transactions are explicitly in cattle feed, their overarching focus on AgTech suggests potential relevance to the sector.


13. Glencore

  • Website: glencore.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1978
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: glencore

Glencore plc is a multinational commodity trading and mining company based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, founded in 1978. With over 10,000 employees, Glencore operates across various sectors, including metals, minerals, and energy. The company is known for supplying essential commodities like copper, cobalt, and oil to businesses worldwide. In addition to its core operations, Glencore has made significant investments in the agricultural sector through its subsidiary Glencore Agri. Notably, in 2019, Glencore Agri acquired assets from ILTA Grain, which is relevant to the cattle feed industry as it involves grain handling and storage. This acquisition aligns with Glencore's commitment to responsible sourcing and sustainability, further enhancing its role in the agricultural supply chain.


14. Thia Ventures

  • Website: thiaventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: thia-ventures

Thia Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2021. The firm specializes in early-stage investments at the intersection of food, biotech, and health, providing funding and support to innovative startups that aim to transform food systems and improve health outcomes. Their portfolio includes a diverse range of companies, such as Bond Pet Foods, which recently closed a $17.5 million Series A funding round to expand its meat protein portfolio, and Protealis, a leader in sustainable plant protein seed solutions that secured EUR 22 million in a Series B funding round. These investments highlight Thia Ventures' commitment to supporting sustainable practices in food production, which is relevant to the cattle feed industry.


15. Swisscom Ventures


Swisscom Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in investing in high-potential technology startups across various sectors, including AI and Fintech. In recent years, Swisscom Ventures has also shown interest in the agricultural technology space, as evidenced by their investment in xFarm Technologies, which raised €17 million in Series B funding to enhance its platform with AI features and expand its market reach. Additionally, they participated in a Series C funding round for xFarm Technologies, further solidifying their commitment to agtech. Their involvement in these transactions highlights their strategic approach to empowering innovative companies, including those in the agricultural sector, which encompasses cattle feed solutions.


16. Continental AG


Continental AG is a corporate investor based in Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany, primarily known as an automotive manufacturer and technology provider specializing in tires and automotive components. Founded with a focus on enhancing vehicle performance and safety, Continental AG has expanded its operations to include agricultural solutions. Notably, in July 2022, Continental AG acquired WCCO Belting, a family-owned belting manufacturer based in Wahpeton, North Dakota, to strengthen its agricultural business. This acquisition aims to enhance Continental's Conveying Solutions business and expand its customer portfolio in the agricultural sector, which is relevant to cattle feed. Additionally, Continental AG has made significant acquisitions in other sectors, such as Veyance Technologies and Hornschuch, but the WCCO Belting acquisition is particularly pertinent to the cattle feed industry.



Cattle Feed Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Leaps by BayerBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201516
Possible VenturesMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020219
BASF Venture CapitalLudwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany10001+20013
BrenntagEssen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+18748
responsAbility Investments AGZurich, Zurich, Switzerland201-50020039
GEA GroupNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+18811
SeedstarsCarouge, Geneva, Switzerland201-50020126
BasfLudwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany10001+18651
BayWa AGFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany10001+19231
Evonik Methionine SEA Pte LtdEssen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany11-5020070
Linamar EuropePlettenberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany1001-500019660
Amathaon CapitalMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020200
GlencoreBaar, Zug, Switzerland10001+19783
Thia VenturesPlan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland1-1020213
Swisscom VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020074
Continental AGHanover, Lower Saxony, Germany11-501


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