The fruit farming industry in DACH focuses on cultivating various fruit crops, including apples, berries, and grapes. It engages farms, agricultural technology firms, and supply chain companies to enhance productivity and sustainability. Innovations like precision agriculture and biotech solutions are shaping the industry, responding to growing consumer preferences for organic and locally sourced produce. Moreover, increasing awareness of climate change urges stakeholders to adopt environmentally friendly practices. The DACH region shows potential for growth, driven by technological advancements and changing eating habits. Knowledge-driven transformations promise efficiency and resilience, ensuring that fruit farming remains pivotal in future food systems.


The investor landscape for fruit farming in DACH showcases a mix of venture capital, corporate, and private equity firms. With headquarters in cities like Munich, Berlin, and Geneva, these investors range from small firms to large corporates with thousands of employees. Founded between the late 1990s and early 2020s, many have propelled their investments in 2024 significantly, reflecting strong interests in the agricultural sector. Notably, firms like responsAbility Investments and Syngenta made multiple impactful transactions, indicating an active commitment to sustainable agricultural solutions.


Top 17 Fruit Farming 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 pursue scientific breakthroughs to tackle significant global challenges in health and food security. Notably, Leaps by Bayer has participated in several relevant transactions in the fruit farming context, including investments in Pairwise Plants, which raised $40 million in Series C funding in September 2024 and is working on genetically enhanced fresh produce using CRISPR technology. They also participated in Pairwise's Series B and A funding rounds, which aimed to develop agricultural gene modification technology to alleviate pressures in the global food chain. Additionally, Leaps by Bayer invested in Apollo Agriculture, which raised $40 million in Series B funding in March 2022, focusing on improving agricultural practices. These transactions highlight Leaps by Bayer's commitment to advancing agricultural innovation, particularly in the fruit farming sector.


2. responsAbility Investments AG


ResponsAbility Investments AG is an impact investment firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, specializing in managing investments in emerging markets. Founded in 2003, the firm focuses on financial inclusion, climate finance, and sustainable food production, providing investment solutions to both professional and retail investors. Notably, responsAbility has been involved in several key transactions in the fruit farming sector, including a Series B investment in Sahyadri Farms, which raised approximately $45.9 million in December 2024, and a Series B investment in Rising Farms, which raised $11 million in March 2025. These transactions highlight responsAbility's active role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and supporting companies that contribute to the fruit farming industry.


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, founded in 2001 and based in Ludwigshafen, Germany, is a corporate investor that is part of BASF, a leading chemical manufacturer. The firm invests in a variety of sectors, including agriculture, where it aims to promote innovation and sustainability. Notable transactions include investments in Arcadia Biosciences, which develops products to enhance agronomic performance and product quality traits, and UrbanKisaan, which focuses on urban farming solutions. These investments reflect BASF's commitment to advancing agricultural technologies that can benefit fruit farming and other agricultural practices.


4. Syngenta

  • Website: syngenta.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: syngenta

Syngenta is an agricultural technology company based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 2000. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Syngenta specializes in crop protection and seed production, providing innovative solutions to farmers and agricultural producers worldwide. They operate in over 150 countries, focusing on enhancing crop yields and protecting against pests and diseases. Notable transactions include their investment in FarmLink, an agri-tech startup that aims to improve supply chain technology for farmers, which could indirectly benefit fruit farming. Additionally, Syngenta has made several acquisitions in the seed sector, such as Maribo Seed, Verisem BV, and Sensako, which, while primarily focused on other crops, demonstrate their commitment to expanding their seed production capabilities. These activities highlight Syngenta's role in the agricultural sector, making them a relevant player for fruit farming investors.


5. Deg

  • Website: deginvest.de
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 1962
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 17
  • LinkedIn: deg

DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH is a public entity that operates as a development finance institution, founded in 1962 and based in Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. DEG provides long-term financing and advisory services to private enterprises in developing and emerging markets, with a strong focus on sustainable development and job creation. They support businesses across various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure. In recent transactions, DEG has invested in companies like Flamingoo Foods and Shamba Pride, which are involved in food production, indicating their commitment to the agricultural sector. Additionally, they have provided grants to agriBORA, further showcasing their support for agricultural initiatives. These activities highlight DEG's role in facilitating growth in the agriculture sector, which can encompass fruit farming.


6. Partners Group

  • Website: partnersgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: partners-group

Partners Group Holding AG is an investment management firm based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, specializing in private equity, private infrastructure, private real estate, and private debt. Founded in 1996, the firm manages over USD 149 billion in assets and is recognized for its innovative approach and commitment to sustainability. Among its notable transactions, Partners Group acquired a 53.69% majority stake in Brazilian food retailer Hortifruti Hortigil in 2017, which is involved in the distribution of fresh produce. Additionally, in 2020, they acquired a majority stake in Rovensa, a Portuguese producer of agricultural products, which operates in over 70 countries and generates significant annual revenue. These investments highlight Partners Group's engagement in sectors related to fruit farming, making them a relevant player in this industry.


7. Demeter-Partners


Demeter-Partners is a venture capital and private equity firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in investments aimed at supporting the energy and ecological transition, providing funding and strategic guidance to innovative startups and small to mid-cap companies. With a focus on sustainable development, Demeter manages a diverse portfolio that includes investments in agricultural technology. Notably, they have participated in funding rounds for Naïo Technologies, a company that develops agricultural robotics aimed at improving efficiency in farming practices. Their involvement in Naïo Technologies, which has raised significant capital to enhance its operations and expand internationally, highlights Demeter's commitment to promoting ecological solutions within the agricultural sector, including fruit farming. Additionally, their investment in Jungle France, although less directly related, further demonstrates their engagement in the agricultural space.


8. Quadia

  • Website: quadia.ch
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: quadia-sa

Quadia SA is an impact investment firm based in Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in providing investment advisory services focused on sustainable finance, supporting professional and institutional clients in implementing impact investing strategies that yield financial returns while promoting social and environmental benefits. Quadia operates through various investment funds, including the Regenero Impact Fund, targeting companies that contribute to a regenerative economy. Notably, Quadia has invested in companies such as Infarm, which raised $25 million in Series A funding for its innovative urban farming solutions, and Hungry Harvest, which raised $6.4 million in Series A to combat food waste by delivering surplus produce. These transactions highlight Quadia's commitment to supporting sustainable agricultural practices, making them a relevant player in the fruit farming sector.


9. Nucleus Capital

  • Website: nucleus-capital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: k16-ventures

Nucleus Capital is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2021. The firm invests in purpose-driven entrepreneurs who are focused on solving systemic challenges to planetary health. They provide venture capital and support to startups primarily in Europe and the US, with a focus on sectors such as Programmable Biology, Food Technology, and Green Industrials. Notably, Nucleus Capital has participated in several funding rounds for companies like Planet A Foods, which is innovating in the food sector with products like cocoa-free chocolate, and Farmless, which aims to expand its operations in the food technology space. These transactions highlight Nucleus Capital's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the food industry, which can include advancements relevant to fruit farming.


10. AgriFoodTech Venture Alliance


AgriFoodTech Venture Alliance, founded in 2024 and based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, is a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in and supporting startups within the AgriFoodTech sector. The firm collaborates with innovative businesses to promote sustainable technologies in food production. Notable transactions include their participation in AgroSustain's Series A funding, which raised CHF 4.8M for developing biological antifungal solutions, and their investment in Spherag, which focuses on precision irrigation technologies for urban farming. Additionally, they supported Planet A Foods in a Series B funding round, raising $30 million, which may also have implications for sustainable food production practices. These investments reflect their commitment to advancing agricultural technologies that can enhance fruit farming practices.


11. Cherry Ventures

  • Website: cherry.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 25
  • LinkedIn: cherry-ventures

Cherry Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in startups across Europe, providing capital, mentorship, and resources to founders in various sectors, including SaaS and mobility. Notably, Cherry Ventures has made significant investments in companies related to agriculture and food production, such as Infarm, which raised a total of $100 million across multiple funding rounds (Seed, Series A, and Series B) to develop urban farming solutions that include growing fruits and vegetables in controlled environments. Additionally, they participated in funding Planet A Foods, which raised $30 million in Series B and $15.4 million in Series A to innovate in the food sector, including products that may relate to fruit farming. These transactions highlight Cherry Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative companies that aim to create a lasting impact in the food industry, including fruit farming.


12. 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. The firm 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 made several investments in the agricultural sector, including a $400,000 and a $500,000 investment in AgroCenta, a company that aims to improve agricultural supply chains, and a $1,000,000 investment in Mimosatek, which focuses on agricultural technology. These transactions highlight Seedstars' commitment to enhancing agricultural practices, which can be relevant to the fruit farming industry.


13. AlphaMundi Group Ltd


AlphaMundi Group Ltd is an impact investment firm based in Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in financing scalable ventures in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, with a strong emphasis on social impact. They manage investment funds such as the SocialAlpha Fund and AlphaJiri Fund, targeting sectors like Financial Inclusion and Renewable Energy. Notably, AlphaMundi has made significant investments in the agricultural sector, particularly in companies like Twiga Foods, which raised $10.3 million in Series A funding in 2017 and $6.25 million in debt financing in 2019, focusing on improving the supply chain for fresh produce. Additionally, they invested $3.4 million in Complete Farmer in 2023, a company that enhances agricultural productivity. These transactions highlight AlphaMundi's commitment to supporting ventures that can positively impact the fruit farming industry and improve food security.


14. Sgs

  • Website: sgs.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1878
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: sgs

SGS S.A. is a leading testing, inspection, and certification company based in Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 1878. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, SGS provides independent services to ensure product quality and compliance across various industries. In the agricultural sector, SGS has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its services, including the acquisition of Ware Care Group, which specializes in Integrated Pest Management, and BioVision Seed Research Limited, a seed and soil testing laboratory. These acquisitions demonstrate SGS's commitment to improving agricultural practices and supporting the fruit farming industry. Additionally, their investment in precision agriculture through the acquisition of NviroCrop further emphasizes their role in enhancing agricultural efficiency and sustainability.


15. 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 investing in early-stage companies 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, including those specializing in enzyme engineering, cultivated meats, and biofertilizers. Notably, Thia Ventures has invested in Protealis, a leading innovator in seed solutions for sustainable plant proteins, which secured EUR 22 million in a Series B funding round to expand its crop product portfolio. This investment highlights Thia Ventures' commitment to sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, they participated in an extended A-round for Protealis, further emphasizing their focus on agricultural innovation. Their involvement in companies like Clever Carnivore and Avant Meats, while primarily focused on cultivated meats, also reflects a broader interest in sustainable food production, which can intersect with fruit farming practices.


16. European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF)


The European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF) is a venture capital firm based in Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 2020. It focuses on sustainable investments in the bioeconomy, providing funding and expertise to growth-stage companies that aim to transition to a circular bio-based economy. ECBF operates primarily within the EU and supports innovations in sectors such as agriculture, food, and industrial biotechnology. Notably, ECBF has been involved in significant transactions relevant to the agricultural sector, including a Series A investment in Elicit Plant, a France-based agtech company that raised €16 million to develop solutions addressing water stress for farmers. Additionally, ECBF participated in funding rounds for Aphea.Bio, a Belgian agricultural technology company, which raised substantial amounts in Series B and C funding to enhance agricultural practices. These investments highlight ECBF's commitment to fostering advancements that can directly benefit the fruit farming industry.


17. 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 participation in the seed round for AgXeed, a company that aims to enhance agricultural efficiency. Additionally, Amathaon has invested in Computomics, a bioinformatics company, and E-Farm, a digital marketplace for used agricultural machinery, which supports the broader agricultural ecosystem. These investments reflect Amathaon's commitment to advancing agricultural technologies that could benefit various sectors, including fruit farming.



Fruit Farming Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Leaps by BayerBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201516
responsAbility Investments AGZurich, Zurich, Switzerland201-50020039
BASF Venture CapitalLudwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany10001+20013
SyngentaBasel, Basel, Switzerland10001+20002
DegNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany501-1000196217
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619
Demeter-PartnersBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5020070
QuadiaGeneva, Geneva, Switzerland11-5020100
Nucleus CapitalBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020215
AgriFoodTech Venture AllianceMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020241
Cherry VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201225
SeedstarsCarouge, Geneva, Switzerland201-50020126
AlphaMundi Group LtdGeneva, Geneva, Switzerland1-1020075
SgsGeneva, Geneva, Switzerland10001+18785
Thia VenturesPlan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland1-1020213
European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF)Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany11-50202011
Amathaon CapitalMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020200


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