Astanor Ventures Launches $325M Impact Fund for Food & AgTech

It’s now widely recognized that significant changes have occurred in recent months, fundamentally altering the business landscape. Acknowledging this shift requires us to accept that our way of life has been permanently impacted. Simultaneously, there’s a clear understanding that the health of our planet, which sustains us, is increasingly precarious. Given this reality, aren’t we obligated to take action? Does this present both a moral imperative and a valuable business prospect?

Today, Astanor Ventures is announcing the launch of a $325 million “Global Impact Fund” focused on technologies within the food and agriculture sectors. These areas represent critical components of the ongoing climate discussion, and the fund intends to distribute capital throughout Europe and North America.

Astanor operates as a multi-stage technology investor, combining extensive experience in scaling new tech businesses with specialized knowledge in food and agriculture across various sectors.

In an interview with TechCrunch, Eric Archambeau, co-founder and partner at Astanor Ventures, stated: “There is a pressing need for an impact investor like Astanor, one that leverages technology and financial resources to drive a transformation in food and farming practices.”

Archambeau explained to TechCrunch that the fund will consistently integrate the principles of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its investment decisions.

“A new generation of Limited Partners (LPs) and family offices is emerging, and these new funds recognize the urgency expressed by this generation. The time has come to demonstrate commitment to the future,” Archambeau added.

Astanor’s network includes a diverse group of individuals, such as entrepreneurs, impact investors, farmers, chefs, policymakers, food scientists, and prominent industry experts, including Kathleen Merrigan, a professor at the School of Sustainability and executive director of the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University (who also serves as an Astanor Venture partner).

The rationale for shifting economic priorities is becoming increasingly apparent. Numerous studies indicate a rapid increase in greenhouse gas emissions, with agriculture accounting for approximately 70% of global freshwater consumption. The earth’s soil is deteriorating—an estimated 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil are lost annually. Food waste remains a substantial problem, as roughly 40% of all food is discarded, and many fruits and vegetables now contain 15% fewer nutrients compared to 1950.

 

Since its establishment in 2017, Astanor has invested in over 20 startups based in Europe and the U.S. that are dedicated to accelerating regenerative agriculture, innovating food production and farming methods, and fostering a culture of food appreciation and enjoyment.

The firm’s portfolio includes companies like Ynsect, a French leader in insect farming where Astanor is the primary investor; Infarm, a Berlin-based company specializing in on-demand vertical farming; La Ruche Qui dit Oui, a French supplier connecting farms directly to consumers; and Notpla, a U.K.-based company developing seaweed-based packaging as a plastic alternative. Additionally, Apeel, a California-based company, has created a plant-derived protective coating for fresh produce, extending its shelf life by up to twice as long.