The food processing machinery industry in Benelux is vibrant and innovative, catering to a range of companies involved in transforming raw agricultural products into consumable goods. This sector includes manufacturers of machinery and equipment that streamline food preparation, packaging, and preservation processes. As consumer demands shift towards sustainability and efficiency, companies are investing in state-of-the-art technology and automation solutions. Noteworthy trends encompass an increase in plant-based food production, encouraging machinery manufacturers to innovate while ensuring compliance with safety regulations, thereby reinforcing the industry’s pivotal role in the global food supply chain.


The list includes 17 dynamic investors primarily located in Luxembourg and the Netherlands, showcasing a mix of venture capital firms, private equity players, and corporate entities. Ranging in size from small teams to large establishments, these firms collectively made significant deals, with their 2024 investments averaging confidence and acumen in various startups and established companies within the food processing machinery sector. Many were founded after 2000, reflecting a modern approach to capitalizing on evolving industry demands.


Top 17 Food Processing Machinery 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 also provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in multiple sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in significant transactions relevant to the food processing machinery context, such as its participation in Novolyze's Series A financing round, where the company raised $15 million to enhance digital solutions for food safety and quality processes. Additionally, the EIC supported Infinite Roots in a $58 million Series B funding round, which aims to ramp up production in the food sector. These transactions highlight the EIC's engagement with companies that are innovating within the food industry, particularly in areas that intersect with food processing and safety.


2. European Investment Bank (EIB)


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. EIB's customers include public and private organizations seeking funding for initiatives that promote growth and job creation. Notably, EIB has been involved in several transactions relevant to the food processing machinery context, such as InspiraFarms, which raised $1,780,000 in Series A funding in 2017, focusing on innovative solutions for food preservation and processing. Additionally, EIB supported Carbery Group with $38,788,771 in debt financing in 2019, a company that operates in the dairy processing sector. These transactions highlight EIB's active role in financing projects that contribute to the food processing industry.


3. 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 firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2005. It 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 a strong track record of strategic investments aimed at delivering sustainable value and growth. Notably, CVC has made several acquisitions in the food processing sector, including Kalle, a company known for its food processing solutions, and SIAT Group, which specializes in packaging solutions for food products. In 2024, CVC acquired Berlys, further solidifying its presence in the food industry. These transactions highlight CVC's active involvement in the food processing machinery market, making them a significant investor in this space.


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 aim to support innovative companies that are working towards creating sustainable food systems through strategic guidance and investment. Astanor has been involved in several notable transactions, including a €32.5 million financing round for Umiami, a Paris-based foodtech company, and a $30 million investment in Apeel Sciences, which focuses on food preservation technology. Additionally, they led a $21.5 million Series A funding round for Plantible Foods, a company that produces duckweed protein, highlighting their commitment to sustainable food production. These investments reflect Astanor's dedication to fostering innovation in the food industry, which may encompass advancements in food processing machinery.


5. Triton Partners


Triton Partners is a private equity investment firm founded in 1997, based in Luxembourg, specializing in private equity and credit investments in European mid-market businesses. The firm focuses on sectors such as Business Services, Industrial Tech, and Healthcare, providing operational expertise and capital to help companies unlock their full potential. Notably, Triton has been involved in several acquisitions relevant to the food processing machinery industry, including the acquisition of Battenfeld-cincinnati in 2007, which specializes in machinery for the food processing sector. Additionally, they acquired Frigoscandia Distribution in 2002, a company that may also have connections to food processing through its distribution capabilities. These transactions highlight Triton's engagement in the food processing machinery market, alongside their broader investment strategy.


6. 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. As a venture capital investor, dsm-firmenich has been involved in several relevant transactions, particularly in the food technology space. Notably, they co-led a $6 million Series A funding round for Chinova Bioworks, a startup that has developed a natural preservative for food and beverages, which highlights their commitment to enhancing food safety and quality. Additionally, they participated in multiple funding rounds for Chinova, including a seed round that raised $2 million to scale production capabilities. Their investment in Paleo, a startup focused on producing GMO-free products, further demonstrates their engagement in the food sector, suggesting a strategic interest in innovations that could intersect with food processing machinery.


7. 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, making them a key player in the FoodTech sector. Notable transactions include investments in companies like Standing Ovation, which raised €12 million to develop animal-free casein and cheese substitutes, and Vow, which raised nearly $50 million in Series A funding. These investments highlight PeakBridge's commitment to advancing food technology, which can intersect with food processing machinery as the industry evolves.


8. 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 prominent laboratory testing company founded in 1987, headquartered in Luxembourg. With a workforce exceeding 10,000 employees and a global presence across 62 countries, Eurofins specializes in a wide range of analytical and testing services, particularly in the pharmaceuticals, food, and environmental sectors. In recent years, Eurofins has made significant strides in the food industry, highlighted by their acquisition of ARS Probata, a German audit and certification company, aimed at bolstering their food assurance portfolio. Additionally, their acquisitions of various laboratories, such as Nab Labs Group Oy and Agro-Analyses, further demonstrate their commitment to expanding their expertise and services in food testing and quality assurance. These strategic moves position Eurofins as a key player in the food industry, particularly in areas related to food safety and compliance, which are critical for food processing machinery investors.


9. Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)


Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) is a venture capital firm based in Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands, founded in 1983. BOM acts as a development agency that supports startups and scale-ups in the Brabant region, offering various programs aimed at enhancing business growth, including readiness programs for venture capital and innovation in sustainable food and energy sectors. BOM collaborates with businesses to provide funding, expertise, and networking opportunities, facilitating their success in competitive markets. Among their notable transactions, BOM participated in the funding rounds for Orbisk, a startup dedicated to combating food waste, which raised €1.05 million in 2021 and $332,829 in 2020. Additionally, BOM was involved in the funding of inPhocal, a deeptech startup that plans to increase production of its machines for customer manufacturing lines, indicating their engagement in the machinery sector. These transactions highlight BOM's commitment to supporting innovations that intersect with food processing and sustainability.


10. Mutares Benelux

  • Website: mutares.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: mutares-benelux

Mutares Benelux, a private equity firm based in Amsterdam, specializes in acquiring and managing companies in transition across various sectors, including automotive, technology, and retail. Founded in 2021, the firm has quickly established itself with 16 investments in 2024. Notably, Mutares has made significant acquisitions in the food sector, such as Frigoscandia Distribution, which provides logistics solutions for fresh, chilled, and frozen foods, generating nearly EUR 300 million in revenue. This acquisition highlights Mutares' commitment to enhancing profitability and growth in the food industry. Additionally, their acquisition of Royal De Boer, which operates in the engineering and technology segment, further indicates their interest in sectors that may intersect with food processing machinery. Overall, Mutares Benelux is positioned to leverage its operational support capabilities to improve the performance of its food-related investments.


11. 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 specialize in supporting early-stage founders across various sectors, including AgriFood, Energy, and Emerging Technology. Rockstart provides investment, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help startups scale and succeed. Notably, they have been involved in several relevant transactions in the food processing machinery context, such as their investment in Innomy, which raised €1.3 million to develop mushroom-based alt-protein sources, and their participation in the funding round for FloVision Solutions, which focuses on automated food analytics. These investments highlight Rockstart's commitment to fostering innovation in the food processing industry.


12. Azelis

  • Website: azelis.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: azelis

Azelis is a corporate investor based in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, specializing in the distribution of specialty chemicals and innovation services. Founded in 2001, the company serves over 63,000 customers across various sectors, including life sciences and industrial applications. In recent years, Azelis has made significant strides in the food industry through strategic acquisitions. Notably, they acquired Hortimex, a Polish specialty chemicals distributor focused on food ingredients and nutraceuticals, to strengthen their position in Poland's Food & Nutrition market. Additionally, their acquisition of Tunçkaya, a Turkish distributor of food ingredients and additives, and Gillco Ingredients, a US-based specialty ingredient provider, further solidifies their commitment to the food sector. These transactions highlight Azelis' strategy to enhance its portfolio in the food and nutrition industry, making them a relevant player in the food processing machinery context.


13. Gimv

  • Website: gimv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1980
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: gimv

Gimv is a venture capital investment firm based in Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium, founded in 1980. The firm partners with innovative companies across multiple sectors, including Consumer, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Smart Industries, and Sustainable Cities. Gimv provides investment management and strategic support to help businesses grow sustainably. Notably, Gimv has made significant investments in the food sector, including a substantial minority stake in Vandemoortele, which is known for its frozen bakery products and lipids. This investment, announced in March 2009, aimed to support Vandemoortele's growth and strategic decisions regarding its soy foods business, including the Alpro brand. Additionally, Gimv's acquisition of One Of A Kind Technologies in 2018 highlights their interest in machine vision technology, which can be integral to food processing machinery. These transactions demonstrate Gimv's engagement in the food processing industry, making them a relevant investor in this space.


14. 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 2024, they led a $5 million seed funding round for Cultivated Biosciences, which aims to introduce innovative yeast cream products to the market. Additionally, they participated in a financing round for Saia Agrobotics, which is developing technology to enhance agricultural processes, potentially impacting food processing machinery. Their investment in MetoMotion, which focuses on R&D and production for agricultural technology, further underscores their interest in the food sector. Overall, Navus Ventures is positioned as a strategic investor in the food processing machinery landscape, particularly in sustainable and innovative solutions.


15. 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 investments in AvL Motion, which is developing an autonomous harvesting robot, and Pectcof Technology, which is innovating with coffee pulp. These investments highlight their commitment to advancing technology in food processing and agriculture, making them a relevant player in the food processing machinery landscape.


16. Prosus Group

  • Website: prosus.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2019
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 21
  • LinkedIn: prosus-group

Prosus Group is a global technology investor and operator based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2019. The firm focuses on enhancing everyday life through technology across various sectors, including online classifieds, food delivery, payments, and education technology. Prosus has made significant investments in the food sector, such as a $175 million Series C funding round for The EVERY Company, which specializes in alternative protein production, and a $30 million Series B funding for Prime Roots, a plant-based deli and charcuterie company. Additionally, Prosus has a substantial stake in iFood, a leading food delivery platform in Brazil, which highlights its commitment to the food industry. These transactions demonstrate Prosus's active role in the food sector, making it a noteworthy investor in the context of food processing machinery.


17. Astorg

  • Website: astorg.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 1998
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: astorg

Astorg is a private equity firm founded in 1998, based in Luxembourg, specializing in investments in global B2B companies. With €22 billion in assets under management, Astorg focuses on creating long-term value through a disciplined investment process and strong partnerships with entrepreneurs. Notably, Astorg has made significant investments in the food processing sector, including the acquisition of Solina Group, a French food ingredients producer, in May 2021. They also invested in Mecatherm, a company known for its food processing equipment, in 2003. These transactions highlight Astorg's commitment to the food industry, alongside their broader focus on healthcare, technology, and business services.



Food Processing Machinery Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
AstanorLuxembourg11-50201710
Triton PartnersLuxembourg201-50019976
dsm-firmenichMaastricht, Limburg, Netherlands10001+3
PeakBridgeLuxembourg11-5020188
EurofinsLuxembourg10001+19878
Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM)Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands51-200198310
Mutares BeneluxAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202116
RockstartAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-50201116
AzelisAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium1001-500020015
GimvAntwerp, Flanders, Belgium51-20019808
Navus VenturesMaassluis, South Holland, Netherlands11-5020133
Future Food FundUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands1-1020165
Prosus GroupAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands10001+201921
AstorgLuxembourg51-20019988


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