Astanor Ventures, a Brussels-based venture capital firm, has raised €273 million ($324m) for a fund aiming to “revolutionize the food and agriculture sector.” The company will invest its newfound cash exclusively in agricultural, food and ocean tech startups in Europe and North America.
“It’s never been clearer that there’s a direct connection between the food that we eat and the environment that we live in,” said Astanor co-founder and partner Eric Archambeau. “When one part of the ecosystem that connects farmers, consumers, livestock, rivers, seas, soil, plants, and the air becomes damaged, all parts suffer.”
Astanor has invested in more than 20 companies to date, with leading-edge firms such as Ÿnsect, Notpla and Infarm on its books. LGT Lighthouse led this round of funding, with further cash from Atomico, TriplePoint Capital, Mons Capital and others.
“We are looking for those passionate, driven entrepreneurs who understand that food production has become disconnected from the soil and its microbiome, with horrible consequences for the planet and our ability to feed the world’s growing population well and sustainably,” added Archambeau.