The agribusiness industry in DACH focuses on sustainable food production and agricultural technology innovations. It comprises a variety of companies, from biotech startups to established agri-tech firms, dedicated to enhancing crop yield, food security, and environmental sustainability. With growing concerns about climate change and the need for food security, this sector is leveraging advancements in fields like precision agriculture, bioengineering, and urban farming solutions. The industry is poised for expansion as demand for organic and locally-sourced products increases, pushing companies to innovate and adapt to new market trends.


The identified investors include venture capital firms, corporate investors, and private equity groups, headquartered across Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Size ranges from small teams to major corporations, with year foundations spanning over six decades. In 2024, these investors collectively participated in numerous deals, totaling 80 investments, reflecting their active role in promoting agribusiness innovation and sustainability.


Top 18 Agribusiness 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. The firm focuses on biotechnology and agriculture, investing in early-stage companies that pursue scientific breakthroughs to tackle major global challenges in health and food security. Leaps by Bayer provides funding and active incubation to support the development of innovative solutions in these sectors. Notably, they have participated in significant funding rounds for AgBiome, an agricultural research firm that has raised substantial capital to develop crop protection products. Their investments include a $65 million Series C round and a $34.5 million Series B round for AgBiome, demonstrating their active role in advancing agribusiness technologies. Additionally, they invested $55 million in Oerth Bio, further emphasizing their commitment to agribusiness innovation.


2. 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 the corporate venture capital arm of BASF, a leading chemical manufacturer. The firm invests in innovative companies across various industries, including agriculture, automotive, and construction, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and enhancing product performance. Notable transactions in the agribusiness sector include their investments in Arcadia Biosciences, which raised funds to develop products based on agronomic performance and quality traits, and Hummingbird Technologies, which leverages AI and satellite imagery to support farmers in managing crop health. These investments highlight BASF's commitment to advancing agricultural technologies and solutions.


3. Blue Horizon

  • Website: bluehorizon.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: bluehorizoncorp

Blue Horizon is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2016, dedicated to investing in sustainable food systems. The firm supports mission-aligned founders in the bioeconomy by providing funding and resources to scale innovative solutions. Notably, Blue Horizon has participated in several significant transactions within the agribusiness sector. For instance, they co-led a $116 million Series D funding round for AgBiome, which focuses on agricultural biotechnology. They also invested $35 million in Tropic Biosciences, a company working on crop improvement technologies. Additionally, Blue Horizon joined a Series A investment in Apparo, which is developing sunflower protein ingredients, and participated in a Seed investment for NuCicer, an agri-food technology company aiming to enhance chickpea protein production. Their involvement in Mosa Meat, a company focused on cultured meat production, further underscores their commitment to sustainable food innovations. Overall, Blue Horizon is actively engaged in the agribusiness industry, particularly in areas that promote sustainability and innovation.


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 a prominent 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. The company operates in more than 150 countries, focusing on research and development to enhance agricultural productivity. In 2024, Syngenta has already made two significant acquisitions, including Produtecnica, an agricultural inputs distributor in Brazil, and Sensako, a South African seed company specializing in cereals. These acquisitions are part of Syngenta's strategy to strengthen its market presence and expand its offerings in the agribusiness sector. Other notable transactions include the acquisition of Verisem BV, a Dutch seed producing company, and JGL, Inc., a seed genetics licensing company, further emphasizing Syngenta's commitment to advancing agricultural technology and solutions.


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 based in Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 1962. As a development finance institution, DEG provides long-term financing and advisory services to private enterprises in developing and emerging markets, with a strong emphasis on sustainable development and job creation. DEG supports businesses across various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure. In the agribusiness context, DEG has been involved in several notable transactions, such as providing grants to agriBORA ($103,934), Shamba Pride ($100,000), and Flamingoo Foods ($100,000). They also participated in the seed round for Kilifi Moringa ($500,000) and provided substantial debt financing to Indorama Fertilizers ($1,250,000,000), showcasing their active role in promoting agricultural development and sustainability.


6. 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 facilitating the energy and ecological transition, supporting innovative startups and small to mid-cap companies with funding and strategic guidance. Demeter manages a diverse portfolio with a strong emphasis on sustainable development. Notably, they have been involved in several significant transactions within the agribusiness sector, including leading a €4.1 million seed funding round for Hyperplan, which utilizes satellite and meteorological data to enhance food chain security. Additionally, Demeter has participated in multiple funding rounds for Naïo Technologies, a company focused on agricultural robotics, contributing to their Series A and Series B funding rounds. These investments highlight Demeter's commitment to promoting ecological solutions within the agribusiness industry.


7. 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 various sectors, including agriculture, food, and industrial biotechnology. Notably, ECBF has been involved in significant transactions within the agribusiness context, such as leading funding rounds for Aphea.Bio, a Belgian agricultural technology company, which raised €70 million in Series C funding in July 2023, and participating in Elicit Plant's funding rounds, which focus on solutions for water stress and climate change challenges in agriculture. These investments highlight ECBF's active role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and technologies.


8. FoodLabs

  • Website: foodlabs.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: atlantic-food-labs

FoodLabs is an investment firm and food technology incubator based in Berlin, founded in 2016. They specialize in supporting innovative startups in the food tech sector, providing both investment and consulting services to entrepreneurs. Their mission is to promote sustainable food solutions and address global challenges related to food security and health. Notable transactions include investments in Meatable, which focuses on cultured meat, and Infarm, a company that develops urban farming solutions. Additionally, they have invested in Bright Biotech, which is working on plant genetic engineering for cell cultivation, and Bosque Foods, which is developing mycelium-based meat alternatives. These investments highlight FoodLabs' commitment to advancing sustainable practices within the agribusiness industry.


9. 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 been involved in transactions relevant to the agribusiness sector, such as agriBORA, which raised $103,934 in a grant in November 2022, indicating their commitment to supporting agricultural innovation. Additionally, their investment in Jiye Technologies and Mimosatek, while not directly agribusiness-focused, showcases their broader interest in technology and innovation that can intersect with agricultural applications. This diverse portfolio highlights Seedstars' role in nurturing startups that may contribute to the agribusiness landscape.


10. 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. In recent years, responsAbility has made significant investments in the agribusiness sector, including a Series B investment of approximately $45.9 million in Sahyadri Farms, which focuses on sustainable agriculture. They also participated in funding for Agro Vision Corp, which is dedicated to transforming lives and promoting sustainability in agriculture. Additionally, they invested $11 million in Rising Farms, further demonstrating their commitment to supporting agribusiness initiatives. These transactions highlight responsAbility's active role in fostering sustainable agricultural practices and their relevance in the agribusiness investment landscape.


11. AlphaMundi Group Ltd


AlphaMundi Group Ltd is an impact investment firm based in Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2007. The firm focuses on financing scalable ventures primarily 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 been involved in several significant transactions within the agribusiness sector, including a $10.3 million Series A investment in Twiga Foods in 2017 and a $6.25 million debt financing round in the same company in 2019. Additionally, they participated in debt financing for Complete Farmer, raising $3.4 million in 2023, and have also supported AgriCapital with multiple debt financing rounds in 2024. These transactions highlight their engagement in agribusiness and their commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity and food security.


12. Amathaon Capital


Amathaon Capital is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 2020, specializing in AgTech and AgBioTech. The firm focuses on investing in innovative agricultural solutions and supporting entrepreneurs with capital, industry expertise, and operational guidance. Their investment strategy emphasizes sustainable practices within the food value chain, addressing various challenges in agriculture through a synergetic portfolio approach. Notable transactions include a $4.2M investment in Lucent BioSciences, a Vancouver-based AgTech startup, and participation in E-Farm's Series B financing round, which raised 11 million euros for a trading platform for used agricultural machinery. Additionally, Amathaon Capital has invested in Computomics, a bioinformatics company, showcasing their commitment to advancing technology in the agribusiness sector.


13. 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, with a total of 9 investments in 2024 alone. Notably, Possible Ventures has invested in agribusiness-related startups such as Meatable, a cultivated meat company that raised $47 million in a Series A funding round, and Number 8 Bio, which focuses on developing proprietary feed to reduce methane emissions in cows, raising $1.8 million in pre-seed funding. These investments highlight Possible Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the agribusiness sector, alongside their broader investment strategy.


14. 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 is an industrial technology supplier based in Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, specializing in machinery and systems for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors. Founded in 1881, GEA Group has a workforce of over 10,000 employees and is committed to enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of production processes for its business customers. In the agribusiness context, GEA has made several strategic acquisitions to strengthen its position in the dairy sector. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Milfos International Group, a New Zealand-based dairy technology firm, aimed at expanding GEA's growth opportunities in pastoral farming markets. Additionally, GEA acquired Venture Dairy Services, a family-owned dealership in the UK, to enhance its services for dairy producers. Other relevant acquisitions include Norbco and Bellucci Orlando e c. S.r.l., both focused on dairy farming solutions, further solidifying GEA's presence in the dairy market. Most recently, GEA Farm Technologies acquired South West Dairy Services, continuing its trend of investing in dairy-related businesses.


15. 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 a prominent 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. Notably, Partners Group has made significant strides in the agribusiness sector, acquiring a majority stake in Rovensa, a Portuguese producer of agricultural products, for €1 billion in July 2020. This company operates in over 70 countries and generates annual revenues of approximately €360 million. Additionally, they acquired a 53.69% majority stake in Brazilian food retailer Hortifruti Hortigil in November 2017, further solidifying their presence in the agribusiness market. These transactions highlight Partners Group's strategic focus on the agribusiness industry, complementing their diverse investment portfolio.


16. 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 for businesses across various industries. In the agribusiness context, SGS has made significant investments to enhance its agricultural services. Notable transactions include the acquisition of BioVision Seed Research Limited, a Canadian seed, grain, and soil testing laboratory, which strengthens its presence in the Canadian agricultural market. Additionally, SGS acquired NviroCrop, a South African precision agriculture services company, to bolster its agricultural services in Southern Africa. Furthermore, SGS's investment in AgFlow SA, a trade intelligence platform for agricultural markets, reflects its strategy to enhance digitalization within the agricultural value chain. The acquisition of the Ware Care Group, which provides Integrated Pest Management services, further demonstrates SGS's commitment to expanding its agricultural service offerings.


17. 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 in the AgriFoodTech sector. The firm collaborates with innovative businesses to promote sustainable technologies in food production. Notable transactions include the Series A funding of AgroSustain, which raised CHF 4.8M for its natural coating and biological antifungal solutions, and the Series B funding of Planet A Foods, which secured $30 million for its operations. Other investments include Amfora, which raised $1 million in Series B, and Evologic Technologies, which received funding in a Seed round. These investments highlight AgriFoodTech Venture Alliance's commitment to advancing agribusiness through innovative solutions.


18. EuroChem

  • Website: eurochemgroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Zug, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • LinkedIn: eurochem

EuroChem Group is a prominent corporate investor based in Zug, Switzerland, founded in 2001. As a leading manufacturer in the fertilizer industry, EuroChem provides a wide range of agricultural and industrial products aimed at enhancing crop yield and quality. The company operates globally, serving the agriculture sector to meet the increasing demand for food. EuroChem's notable transactions include the acquisition of BASF's fertilizer assets in Antwerp, Belgium, for approximately €830 million, which significantly expanded their market presence. They also acquired Agricola Bulgaria, further solidifying their footprint in the agricultural sector. Additionally, EuroChem participated in a $15 million equity investment in Agrinos Inc., aimed at accelerating the company's growth and research in agricultural solutions. These transactions highlight EuroChem's active role and commitment to the agribusiness industry.



Agribusiness Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Leaps by BayerBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201516
BASF Venture CapitalLudwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany10001+20013
Blue HorizonZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020162
SyngentaBasel, Basel, Switzerland10001+20002
DegNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany501-1000196217
Demeter-PartnersBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5020070
European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF)Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany11-50202011
FoodLabsBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201611
SeedstarsCarouge, Geneva, Switzerland201-50020126
responsAbility Investments AGZurich, Zurich, Switzerland201-50020039
AlphaMundi Group LtdGeneva, Geneva, Switzerland1-1020075
Amathaon CapitalMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020200
Possible VenturesMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020219
GEA GroupNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+18811
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619
SgsGeneva, Geneva, Switzerland10001+18785
AgriFoodTech Venture AllianceMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020241
EuroChemZug, Zug, Switzerland10001+20010


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