The livestock farming industry in Benelux is vital, underpinning both agricultural practices and food supply chains. Spanning beef, dairy, pork, and poultry production, companies in this sector focus on efficient farming techniques, animal welfare, and sustainable practices. Key players range from family-owned farms to innovative tech startups addressing challenges like livestock health and productivity. With growing consumer demand for organic and ethically sourced products, the industry is poised for transformation. Enhanced feed solutions, such as insect-based products and biotechnology advancements, are shaping the future, making it an exciting area for investment and development.


The investors featured here represent various types, including corporate entities and venture capital firms, headquartered across Benelux. Spanning sizes from small firms to corporate giants, these investors range in establishment from 1958 to 2018. In 2024 alone, they participated in numerous transactions, evidencing their keen interest in the livestock sector through innovative companies like Nutreco and Astanor. Each investor contributes uniquely, influencing the trajectory of livestock farming. Their diverse portfolios reflect a shared dedication to sustainability and advancement in the agrifood space, proving their importance in driving change in this vital industry.


Top 16 Livestock Farming Investors in Benelux


1. 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. The EIC provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation across different sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in funding transactions relevant to the livestock farming industry, such as grants and seed funding for Aviwell, a company focused on animal health, and participation in the Series A funding round for FarmInsect, which develops insect technology that can be utilized in livestock feed. These investments highlight the EIC's commitment to supporting innovative solutions that can enhance the livestock farming sector.


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 focuses on 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 several transactions relevant to the livestock farming context, such as providing grants to Quest Meat and 3D Bio-Tissues, which are focused on innovative food production methods. They also participated in the Series A funding round for Onego Bio, which is involved in sustainable food production. These activities demonstrate EIT Food's commitment to supporting innovations that can impact livestock farming and the broader agrifood industry.


3. 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 corporate investor based in Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands, specializing in animal nutrition. Founded in 1994, the company focuses on providing innovative feed solutions for both livestock and aquaculture, aiming to enhance productivity and support animal health. Nutreco serves farmers and feed producers, emphasizing sustainable practices to meet the growing global demand for food. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Bellman Nutriçao Animal Ltda., a Brazilian company specializing in farm minerals and supplements for ruminants, which enhances Nutreco's position in Brazil's agricultural market. Additionally, the acquisition of Hi-Pro Feeds, a leading manufacturer of high-performance animal feed in North America, and Nutrimin, a Danish company, further solidifies Nutreco's commitment to the livestock sector. These strategic acquisitions reflect Nutreco's dedication to improving livestock nutrition and health, making it a significant player in the livestock farming industry.


4. 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 venture capital holding company based in Utrecht, Netherlands, founded in 2013. It specializes in innovative solutions for the aquaculture industry, investing in fish farms, feed mills, and hatcheries to promote sustainable practices and enhance production efficiency. Aqua-Spark collaborates with a global community of investors to tackle environmental challenges in aquaculture through research and development. Notably, Aqua-Spark has invested in Calysta, a company that produces sustainable protein for fish and livestock feed, participating in multiple funding rounds including a $40 million Series D round in 2017. Additionally, Aqua-Spark co-led a $24.6 million investment in Proteon Pharmaceuticals, a startup focused on reducing antibiotic use in animal agriculture, showcasing its commitment to improving livestock health and sustainability. These transactions highlight Aqua-Spark's active role in the livestock farming sector, despite its primary focus on aquaculture.


5. 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 that highlight their commitment to the livestock farming context. Notably, they led funding rounds for Ynsect, a French startup that is pioneering insect farming, raising substantial amounts to develop the world's largest insect farm and expand into new markets. Additionally, Astanor invested in Standing Ovation, a startup working on microbial casein, which aims to provide animal-free cheese substitutes. These investments reflect Astanor's dedication to fostering sustainable practices within the livestock industry and their broader mission to drive growth and sustainability in agrifood tech.


6. 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. Among its notable transactions, the EIB has invested €40 million in Devenish Nutrition, an agri-technology company focused on optimized animal nutrition and sustainability. Additionally, the EIB has supported In Ovo with €40 million to help stop the culling of male chicks in the egg industry, showcasing its commitment to innovative solutions in livestock farming. These investments highlight the EIB's role in fostering advancements in the agricultural sector, particularly in livestock farming.


7. 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. They empower 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. Notably, Rockstart has invested in MoooFarm, a dairytech startup, participating in several funding rounds: a Pre-Seed round in November 2020, a Seed round in December 2021, and a Series A round in November 2022, where MoooFarm raised a total of $13 million. This involvement highlights Rockstart's commitment to supporting innovation in the livestock farming sector, particularly in dairy technology, aligning with their mission to support purpose-driven entrepreneurs driving positive change.


8. 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 leverage 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. Notably, they have invested in Ashish Life Science, an Indian animal health startup that raised $6.3 million to scale its business in the animal health market, indicating a commitment to improving livestock health. Additionally, their involvement with BiomEdit, which has received funding from Nutreco, a major player in animal nutrition, highlights their engagement in the livestock sector. Anterra Capital's portfolio reflects a strong interest in enhancing food systems, including livestock farming.


9. Eurofins

  • Website: eurofins.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 1987
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: eurofins

Eurofins Scientific SE is a corporate investor based in Luxembourg, founded in 1987. It operates over 900 laboratories in 62 countries, providing a wide range of analytical and testing services across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food, and environmental sectors. Eurofins has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its service offerings, particularly in the food and feed testing domain. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Alliance Technical Laboratories Ltd in 2021, which bolstered their food, water, and feed testing services in the UK, and the acquisition of Strasburger & Siegel in 2009, which enhanced their presence in the U.S. seafood market. These transactions highlight Eurofins' commitment to quality assurance and compliance in the food supply chain, which is essential for livestock farming.


10. 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. Notably, they have invested in MoooFarm, a dairytech startup, participating in several funding rounds including a $13 million Series A round in 2022, a $2.87 million Seed round in 2021, and a $588,100 Pre-Seed round in 2020. Additionally, they have invested in Floating Farm, which promotes sustainable practices in dairy farming. These investments highlight Navus Ventures' commitment to advancing technology in the livestock farming industry, particularly in dairy production.


11. 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, specializing in food and agriculture technology investments. Founded in 2016, the firm focuses on early-stage startups in Western Europe, providing capital, expertise, and a network to help these businesses innovate and create sustainable food systems. Their mission is to drive environmental impact through strategic investments in the food and agriculture sector. Notable transactions include a €1.1 million investment in mOOvement, which aims to enhance customer platforms for livestock management, and a significant investment in Extracellular, a UK-based company in the cultivated meat industry, which secured over $1.9 million to expand its bioreactor capacity for biomanufacturing cultivated meat. These investments highlight Future Food Fund's commitment to supporting innovations that impact the livestock farming 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 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, ensuring a reliable and sustainable supply chain for agricultural products. In recent years, LDC has made strategic investments that align with agricultural production. Notably, they acquired a significant stake in Namoi Cotton, valuing the company at A$158 million, which highlights their commitment to agricultural commodities that can support livestock farming. Additionally, their participation in the Series A funding of Aquaconnect, a company focused on aquaculture, further demonstrates their interest in sectors related to animal husbandry. These transactions reflect LDC's strategic positioning within the agricultural landscape, making them a relevant investor in the livestock farming context.


13. dsm-firmenich

  • Website: dsm-firmenich.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: dsmfirmenich

dsm-firmenich is a for-profit company based in Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands, operating primarily in the nutrition, health, and beauty sectors. The company offers a diverse range of products, including fragrances, nutritional supplements, and active pharmaceutical ingredients, serving various industries with innovative solutions aimed at addressing sustainability challenges. As an investor, dsm-firmenich has shown a keen interest in the livestock farming sector through its involvement in significant transactions. Notably, they participated in funding rounds for Meatable, a cultivated meat startup, which raised substantial amounts in both Series A and Series B funding to scale its production and commercial launch. Additionally, dsm-firmenich was involved in the Series A investment for Deep Branch Biotechnology, a company producing alternative feed ingredients, further emphasizing their commitment to sustainable practices in livestock farming. These investments highlight dsm-firmenich's strategic focus on enhancing the livestock industry through innovation and sustainability.


14. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a prominent private equity investment firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2005. The firm specializes in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure, managing approximately €193 billion in assets for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors. CVC has made significant investments across various sectors, including a notable acquisition of Provimi in 2002, which focuses on animal nutrition and health, making it a key player in the livestock farming industry. In 2021, CVC acquired a majority stake in Medivet, a veterinary group with over 350 branches in the UK, further emphasizing their commitment to animal health and welfare. These transactions highlight CVC's strategic investments that align with the livestock farming sector, despite their broader investment portfolio.


15. PeakBridge


PeakBridge VC is a venture capital firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2018, that specializes in FoodTech investments. The firm supports early-stage founders and businesses in the food industry by providing investment, consulting services, and access to a vast network of industry experts. Their focus is on innovative solutions that address significant challenges in the global food system. Notably, PeakBridge has participated in several relevant transactions, including Standing Ovation, a microbial casein startup that raised €12 million to develop animal-free casein and cheese substitutes, and Rival Foods, which raised €6 million to expand operations and develop new protein sources. These investments highlight PeakBridge's commitment to advancing food technology and sustainability, making them a key player in the FoodTech sector with implications for livestock farming.


16. 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, focusing on promoting financial inclusion and sustainable development. They provide a range of services, including equity investments, debt financing, and technical assistance. Notably, Incofin has made significant investments in the livestock farming sector, including a major investment in Sahyadri Farms, which raised $45,911,385 in a Series B funding round in December 2024. This investment aims to enhance their warehousing and processing capabilities and develop a biomass plant to utilize waste for energy. Additionally, Incofin provided debt financing to Couvoir Amar, indicating their active role in the poultry sector. These transactions highlight Incofin's commitment to supporting sustainable practices within the livestock industry while also catering to a broader range of impact investments.



Livestock Farming Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
EIT FoodLeuven, Flanders, Belgium51-200201637
NutrecoAmersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands10001+19941
Aqua-SparkUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands11-5020132
AstanorLuxembourg11-50201710
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
RockstartAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50201116
Anterra CapitalAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020139
EurofinsLuxembourg10001+19878
Navus VenturesMaassluis, South Holland, Netherlands11-5020133
Future Food FundUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands1-1020165
Louis Dreyfus CompanyRotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands10001+18515
dsm-firmenichMaastricht, Limburg, Netherlands10001+3
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
PeakBridgeLuxembourg11-5020188
Incofin Investment ManagementAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium51-20020099


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