Clay Capital’s Post

🌳🛢️ ESTONIA'S ÄIO SECURES €6.1M TO TURN SAWDUST INTO PALM OIL & ANIMAL FAT ALTERNATIVES Transforming agricultural and woodworking waste into oils to replace planet-harming fat, ÄIO has raised €6.1M ($6.8M) to scale up operations via a new demo facility. Investors in the round included Voima Ventures, 2C Ventures, Nordic Foodtech VC, and the state- and EU-backed SmartCap Green Fund. It comes a year after the Estonian startup raised €1M to advance its fermentation technology. Äio uses specialised yeast to turn byproducts from the wood and agricultural industries – like sugars extracted from sawdust – into food-grade fats and oils. The process is said to be significantly speedier with a much lighter impact on the planet. “Providing sustainable alternatives to products such as palm oil or animal fats is a critically important step in reducing the environmental impact of the food and cosmetics industry,” said Hendrik Reimand, partner at 2C Ventures. “We are confident in the teams’ ability to turn this scientific development into commercial success.” Äio emerged after spinning off from the Tallinn University of Technology, or TalTech, in 2022, built on research conducted by founders Nemailla Bonturi and Petri-Jaan Lahtvee. Using a ‘red yeast’ microbe created and patented by Bonturi, the startup ferments it with industrial byproducts in a process similar to brewing beer or making bread. There are plenty of startups specifically using fermentation to overcome this bottleneck for palm oil substitutes, including British firms PALM-ALT and Clean Food Group, New York-based C16 Biosciences, Estonia’s Äio, Dutch startups Time-travelling Milkman and NoPalm Ingredients, and Bay Area company Kiverdi, Inc., among others. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eCABEFaH #GreenQueen #altprotein #futurefoods #foodsystems #sustainability #climatechange

💰🍽 New fund aims to boost the future of food. New Danish foodtech VC, Kost Capital, has closed its first fund at US$25M, which it will use to support pre-see and seed startups across Europe, focusing on B2B inputs. Led by Kasper Hulthin, Christian Tang-Jespersen, Mark Emil Hermansen, and Jacob Lee Ørnstrand, alongside General Partner Bodil Sidén, Kost Capital is on a mission to ensure the sustainability, efficiency, and resilience of the future food systems. The VC also recently built a hub and collaborated with Kost Studio to bridge the gap between universities and markets and fund the most interesting innovations. Kost Capital has already made its first three investments with Estonian palm oil alternative company ÄIO, French infant formula company Nūmi (ex-MUMilk), and Danish ingredient company nutrumami. More details in the full report: https://lnkd.in/gayCaAz5 #ForwardFooding #futurefood #venturecapital #funding #foodtech #innovation

#CEODesk 🖊️ Yume's Table of Plenty: A Sustainable Feast for Investors In a culinary twist to tech innovation, Yume Food Australia, the Melbourne-based food redistribution maverick, has garnished its platter with AU$2 million in fresh seed funding. Leading this bounteous banquet is Asia-Pacific's Investible, tipping the total to a sumptuous AU$7 million. This financial endorsement raises Yume beyond mere startup status, positioning it as a pivotal player in the sustainable agro-tech arena. Rooted in Impact: Yume's tech-infused platform caters to the surplus food conundrum, plating efficiencies that slash waste and savor profits. By rescuing nearly eight million kilograms of food—enough to stack 42 Boeing 747s—Yume is no mere participant in the market; it is crafting new global narratives around environmental responsibility and corporate accountability. 💼 Alliance of Titans: Collaborations with the likes of Unilever and Mars Food fortify Yume's presence in the food industry. This is not a partnership; it's a convergence of wisdom that reshapes the entire logistical chain, turning excess into opportunity. The Tech Table Is Set: With a double down on its tech and product brigade, Yume brandishes its software sabers, ready to dice through data and carve out advancements that will serve its mission on a silver platter to a global audience. Investment Plateaus: 🌿 As investors savor Yume's recipe for success, they should note the zestful combination of sustainability and groundbreaking tech. 🌿 Investible's Climate Tech Fund inclusion speaks volumes, harmonizing with investor palates that crave environmental synergies. 🌿 Expansion is on the menu. Yume's trajectory implies an appetizing growth story—one best enjoyed by the forward-thinkers who back ventures driven by societal impact. To my fellow entrepreneurs and investors: Yume's banquet beckons; a feast where sustainable growth and societal impact are the main courses. Will you join at this table of investment plenty? As we peel layers of innovation to reveal cores of opportunities, engage with #MarketUnwinded to discern what Yume's approach may mean for the future of investment in sustainability and technology. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gUW2gq9V #Yume #SustainableGrowth #SeedFunding #ImpactInvesting #TechInnovation #AgroTech #EntrepreneurialInsight #MarketTrends

Niederer Kraft Frey has advised Mandi Ventures on its investment in Cultivated Biosciences SA. Mandi is an early-stage venture capital fund, focused on accelerating the adoption of disruptive technologies in the food and agriculture industries. From its offices in Latin America and Europe, it invests in start-ups that are reshaping how we produce and consume food. With the announcement of the successful closing of the seed funding round, which introduced new investors including Mandi Ventures, Joyful VC and Zürcher Kantonalbank, Cultivated Biosciences’ CEO Tomas Turner said: “This funding validates our innovative approach and enables us to introduce our revolutionary yeast cream to the market. We aim to make alternative dairy products appealing to traditional dairy consumers, not just to reduce CO2 emissions from dairy production but also to tap into a multi-billion dollar market opportunity.” The NKF team was led by corporate/M&A partner Moritz Maurer (pictured) and associate Alexander Göbel. Read the full article >> https://lnkd.in/eYXzVwQR #Legalcommunitych #legaladvisor #investment

Amazing news from Denmark 🇩🇰 On the mission to bring better food to more people, Kost Capital announced its first close of a €25 million target fund. According to the fund, the way humans have exploited & consumed resources is no longer an option. Climate change & a growing population require drastic change. Kost Capital will invest in pre-seed & seed Startups across Europe, focusing on B2B inputs in the future of food. They already made their first three investments in Estonian palm oil replacement company ÄIO, the French infant formula company Numi & the Danish ingredient company nutrumami. Great opportunity for food tech innovators! Share your PitchSee profile with them! #PitchSee #KostCapital #startupbusiness #venturecapital #foodtech 

Our latest report is now LIVE, exploring how plug-and-play startup solutions are powering incremental innovation for the F&A industry across three critical sub-sectors: resource management, manufacturing efficiency and ingredient diversification. What’s inside? --> 50+ global startups in a Market Map: companies actively seeking investment and corporate collaboration --> 6 corporate-startup collaboration case studies, including Grupo Bimbo & Oobli, ASR Group & True Essence Foods and Performance Food Group & Pleese Cheese. --> 14 global Rabobank sector experts’ insights from RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness, Rabo Ventures and Foodbytes by Rabobank. --> 3 proprietary Foodbytes hub data trend dives, including: the rise of “irrigation,” “processing” and “biodiversity” Tap into these insights for FREE through the Foodbytes hub and join our growing network of 3,500+ corporates, investors and startups https://bit.ly/3ykh0eC #IncrementalInnovation #AgTech #FoodTech #ManufacturingEfficiency #ResourceManagement #IngredientDiversification Charlotte Talbott | Owen Wagner | Elizabeth Lunik | Xinnan Li | Julia Buech | Lambert van Horen | Albena Todorova | Daniëlla Vellinga

The Foodbytes by Rabobank team just released their Q2 market report, exploring how incremental innovation empowers the food and ag industry in three key areas: resource management, manufacturing efficiency and ingredient diversification. Tap into these insights and more through the Foodbytes hub: https://bit.ly/3YmzJAH

It is so cool to see EmGenisys featured in this report!

Utrecht, Netherlands based venture capital firm Future Food Fund recently closed Future Food Fund II (“FFF II”). 💸 €40M backed by European Investment Fund (EIF), NV NOM, Oost NL, Wageningen University & Research and other impact-driven entrepreneurs. 💡 Early stage impact fund focused on investing in #SeedStage to #SeriesA start-ups reshaping #food and #agriculture systems. Key focus areas incl. smart farming, bio-based ingredients, intelligent supply chains, novel food production and new consumers. 🌍 Western #Europe 📈 FFF II portfolio companies include Plantik Biosciences, EV Biotech, VitalFluid B.V., OlsAro and Extracellular. FFF I supported 10 Dutch food and agri startups, incl. NoPalm Ingredients, Clear.bio, Sensoterra, among others. 💭 “Future Food Fund II is more than an investment vehicle; it’s a catalyst for change. We are not just investing in companies; we are investing in a brighter future for our planet.” - Peter Arensman, Founding Partner of FFF II 🗞️By Future Food Fund https://lnkd.in/eJfs-KXA 👏 For the #AudaciousInvestors unleashing innovation and empowering tomorrow🚀 Peter Arensman I Heleen Dura - van Oord I Jeroen Kimmels I Jaap Strengers I Silla Scheepens I Maria Kinkina I Rob Van Zwieteren I Ron de Koning I Joost van de Rakt I Martin Koppert I Kim Wagenaar I Berg De Bleecker I Ruud Van Dijk I Team FFF … #venturecapital #vc #funds #startups #entrepreneurs #funding #tech #entrepreneurship #technology #innovation #foodtech #agrifoodtech

🚀 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱-𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗘𝗨𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁! 🔎 How do supply and demand fit together for the German AgriFood system? Is there further potential for an innovative and sustainable start-up culture? 💡 “Accelerator meets Start-up - Do the needs and offers for AgriFood match?” 🎯 At this round table moderated by Sabine Höfel, current offers will be discussed, experiences and best practices shared and clear requirements for a powerful system of incubators and accelerators formulated. presented. The results of the Food-scalEUp project built the base of the round table. 💻 More information >> https://lnkd.in/gSVAQAPC 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘥-𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘌𝘜𝘱 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴: Galicia Food Cluster, AgriFood Capital, Cein, Central Transdanubian Regional Innovation Agency, Food-Processing Initiative e. V., Foodvalley NL, Innov'Alliance - Le pôle de compétitivité de la Naturalité Agroalimentaire Nutraceutique Cosmétique Arômes Parfums, Valorial, le réseau innovation agri-agro, Technopole Quimper-Cornouaille & Normandie Incubation. European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) #EUInnovationEcosystems #HorizonEU #SMEs #innovation #startup #SS4AF #agrifood