Rabo Food and Agri Innovation Fund
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DATABASE (3397)
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ARTICLES (812)
Co-founder of Findster, Founder and CEO of SWORD Health
Having seen his parents struggle to provide his brother with intensive physical rehabilitation, Virgílio Bento (b. 1984) understood the many pain points faced by the patients and their families. Bento graduated from the University of Aveiro with a master’s in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering, and went on to pursue a PhD in Electrical Engineering. There, he developed SWORD Phoenix which would go on to be the technology behind SWORD Health, a startup Bento founded and of which he is currently CEO. Bento is also a co-founder of Findster Technologies, a dual pet tracker and fitness tech.
Having seen his parents struggle to provide his brother with intensive physical rehabilitation, Virgílio Bento (b. 1984) understood the many pain points faced by the patients and their families. Bento graduated from the University of Aveiro with a master’s in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering, and went on to pursue a PhD in Electrical Engineering. There, he developed SWORD Phoenix which would go on to be the technology behind SWORD Health, a startup Bento founded and of which he is currently CEO. Bento is also a co-founder of Findster Technologies, a dual pet tracker and fitness tech.
CTO and Founder of CH Biomedical
With a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, Frank Lin has over 25 years of technical and managerial experience in medtech and aerospace. Before founding CH Biomedical in 2008, he was the principal staff engineer at Kriton Medical, the predecessor of HeartWare International (now Medtronic), leading the computational fluid dynamic design of its Heartware Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD) system. Lin holds 15 US and international patents in left ventricular assist device and turbomachinery. He is also an adjunct professor at the Academy of Engineering and Technology, Fudan University.
With a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, Frank Lin has over 25 years of technical and managerial experience in medtech and aerospace. Before founding CH Biomedical in 2008, he was the principal staff engineer at Kriton Medical, the predecessor of HeartWare International (now Medtronic), leading the computational fluid dynamic design of its Heartware Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD) system. Lin holds 15 US and international patents in left ventricular assist device and turbomachinery. He is also an adjunct professor at the Academy of Engineering and Technology, Fudan University.
Co-founder of Xampla
Tuomas Knowles is co-founder of Britain’s Xampla, producer of plant-based biodegradable plastics made from protein, which was founded in 2018 based on his team’s pioneering research. Knowles is a professor of physical chemistry and biophysics at Cambridge University, where he has worked since 2010 and manages the Knowles Lab which focuses on researching protein self-assembly underlying neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Knowles holds a PhD in Biophysics from the University of Cambridge and a degree in physics from ETH Zurich, a science and technology university.
Tuomas Knowles is co-founder of Britain’s Xampla, producer of plant-based biodegradable plastics made from protein, which was founded in 2018 based on his team’s pioneering research. Knowles is a professor of physical chemistry and biophysics at Cambridge University, where he has worked since 2010 and manages the Knowles Lab which focuses on researching protein self-assembly underlying neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Knowles holds a PhD in Biophysics from the University of Cambridge and a degree in physics from ETH Zurich, a science and technology university.
Co-founder, CEO of Meatable
Krijn De Nood is the Dutch co-founder and CEO at cell-based meat startup Meatable, the first to claim a highly scalable culture technology with the use of pluripotent stem cells, where he has worked since 2018. He previously worked at McKinsey for six-and-a-half years in Amsterdam, New York and in Kenya. Prior to that, he worked as an equity derivatives trader at derivative trading company All Options after a short stint at Barclays Capital.De Nood holds two first degrees from the University of Amsterdam, in philosophy and in economics and finance.
Krijn De Nood is the Dutch co-founder and CEO at cell-based meat startup Meatable, the first to claim a highly scalable culture technology with the use of pluripotent stem cells, where he has worked since 2018. He previously worked at McKinsey for six-and-a-half years in Amsterdam, New York and in Kenya. Prior to that, he worked as an equity derivatives trader at derivative trading company All Options after a short stint at Barclays Capital.De Nood holds two first degrees from the University of Amsterdam, in philosophy and in economics and finance.
Founded in 1993, New Oriental is the largest provider of private educational services in China. Foreign language training and basic education currently make up its core business. New Oriental offers services in pre-school education, online education, vocational education, overseas study consulting, textbook publishing and education software R&D. New Oriental schools operate in 70 cities nationwide and in Toronto. As an institutional investor, the company has invested in over 40 startups, the vast majority of which are edtechs.
Founded in 1993, New Oriental is the largest provider of private educational services in China. Foreign language training and basic education currently make up its core business. New Oriental offers services in pre-school education, online education, vocational education, overseas study consulting, textbook publishing and education software R&D. New Oriental schools operate in 70 cities nationwide and in Toronto. As an institutional investor, the company has invested in over 40 startups, the vast majority of which are edtechs.
Lei is co-founder, chairman and CEO of Xiaomi, one of the world’s largest smartphone companies. Born in December 1969, he holds a degree in Engineering from Wuhan University. With a personal net worth of US$11.2 billion, Lei has invested in 33 companies as a business angel, including Vancl.com, UCWeb, and YY Inc., a live streaming social media platform in China. He has also invested in 270 companies through Shunwei Capital, where he is a founding partner. Lei's investment focuses are e-commerce, mobile internet and social networking.
Lei is co-founder, chairman and CEO of Xiaomi, one of the world’s largest smartphone companies. Born in December 1969, he holds a degree in Engineering from Wuhan University. With a personal net worth of US$11.2 billion, Lei has invested in 33 companies as a business angel, including Vancl.com, UCWeb, and YY Inc., a live streaming social media platform in China. He has also invested in 270 companies through Shunwei Capital, where he is a founding partner. Lei's investment focuses are e-commerce, mobile internet and social networking.
Based in Singapore, Clermont Group is a venture capital group that was founded by New Zealand-born billionaire Richard F. Chandler. The company styles itself as a "business house" with a philosophy that entrepreneurship and managing capital are noble callings. To this end, Clermont invests in businesses that are geared towards fulfilling customer needs and those that generate employment. As a group, Clermont owns shares in Vietnamese healthcare group Hoan My, Philippines based clinic network The Medical City and the Small Business FinCredit company in India.
Based in Singapore, Clermont Group is a venture capital group that was founded by New Zealand-born billionaire Richard F. Chandler. The company styles itself as a "business house" with a philosophy that entrepreneurship and managing capital are noble callings. To this end, Clermont invests in businesses that are geared towards fulfilling customer needs and those that generate employment. As a group, Clermont owns shares in Vietnamese healthcare group Hoan My, Philippines based clinic network The Medical City and the Small Business FinCredit company in India.
Founded in October 2013, JD Finance was renamed as JD Digits in November 2018. The fintech arm of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com focuses on applying digital technology, artificial intelligence and IoT in five sectors: finance, smart cities, agriculture, campus development and marketing.The company manages five sub-brands: JD Finance, JD iCity, JD Agriculture, JD Shaodongjia, and JD MO Media. In September 2017, a joint venture was established with Central Group, one of Thailand’s biggest retailers. In December 2017, JD Digits also started operating an AI lab in Silicon Valley.
Founded in October 2013, JD Finance was renamed as JD Digits in November 2018. The fintech arm of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com focuses on applying digital technology, artificial intelligence and IoT in five sectors: finance, smart cities, agriculture, campus development and marketing.The company manages five sub-brands: JD Finance, JD iCity, JD Agriculture, JD Shaodongjia, and JD MO Media. In September 2017, a joint venture was established with Central Group, one of Thailand’s biggest retailers. In December 2017, JD Digits also started operating an AI lab in Silicon Valley.
Mubadala was founded in 2017 and was directly listed as a Public Joint Stock Company, merging the Mubadala Development Company and the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).Mubadala is owned by the government of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with approximately $299bn assets under management and operations across 50 countries. Mubadala owns the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), a firm acting as an investment vehicle in high technology sectors.
Mubadala was founded in 2017 and was directly listed as a Public Joint Stock Company, merging the Mubadala Development Company and the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).Mubadala is owned by the government of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with approximately $299bn assets under management and operations across 50 countries. Mubadala owns the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), a firm acting as an investment vehicle in high technology sectors.
Fidelity China Special Situations PLC
Founded in 2010, Fidelity China Special Situations PLC (FCSS) is managed by Dale Nicholls who has worked at Fidelity International since 1996. Listed on the FTSE 250 Index, FCSS is said to be the UK’s largest China-focused investment trust with access to Fidelity's investment research resources and investment licenses in China.Focusing on companies that are most likely to benefit from China’s growth and changing economy, FCSS has invested in over 100 businesses in the country. Besides technology, it is also seeking opportunities in the consumer space and healthcare.
Founded in 2010, Fidelity China Special Situations PLC (FCSS) is managed by Dale Nicholls who has worked at Fidelity International since 1996. Listed on the FTSE 250 Index, FCSS is said to be the UK’s largest China-focused investment trust with access to Fidelity's investment research resources and investment licenses in China.Focusing on companies that are most likely to benefit from China’s growth and changing economy, FCSS has invested in over 100 businesses in the country. Besides technology, it is also seeking opportunities in the consumer space and healthcare.
Founded in 2018, Oslo-based Katapult Ocean is the first investor focused entirely on oceantech and related startups. The VC also operates a three-month accelerator and has invested in 32 startups from 17 countries worldwide.The VC typically invests at the seed or pre-seed level but in July 2020 it completed its first Series A round of $8.5m investment in Chilean social enterprise Betterfly. Other recent investments include the pre-seed rounds of US foodtech GreenCover and Dutch offshore solar tech SolarDuck.
Founded in 2018, Oslo-based Katapult Ocean is the first investor focused entirely on oceantech and related startups. The VC also operates a three-month accelerator and has invested in 32 startups from 17 countries worldwide.The VC typically invests at the seed or pre-seed level but in July 2020 it completed its first Series A round of $8.5m investment in Chilean social enterprise Betterfly. Other recent investments include the pre-seed rounds of US foodtech GreenCover and Dutch offshore solar tech SolarDuck.
Founded in 2016 in Boulder, Colorado, Blackhorn specializes in startup investment in potential game-changers for industry, including construction – its top priority for investment – manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, water and energy. It has no geographical bias and currently has 48 companies in its portfolio with two acquisitions to date. Its most recent investments include in the undisclosed $8m round of US medtech Cytovale in January 2021 and in the $20.5m December 2020 Series A round of employees compensation fintech Foresight Risk, based in Silicon Valley.
Founded in 2016 in Boulder, Colorado, Blackhorn specializes in startup investment in potential game-changers for industry, including construction – its top priority for investment – manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, water and energy. It has no geographical bias and currently has 48 companies in its portfolio with two acquisitions to date. Its most recent investments include in the undisclosed $8m round of US medtech Cytovale in January 2021 and in the $20.5m December 2020 Series A round of employees compensation fintech Foresight Risk, based in Silicon Valley.
One of Silicon Valley's most prestigious venture capital firms, Sequoia Capital, was established in 1972. Sequoia’s investment thesis leads them to invest primarily in early-stage companies, but they have also invested in Series F rounds and beyond. As a former venture capital firm, it has also made exits from major internet companies, such as Google, Apple, Nvidia, and GitHub. Sequoia Capital operates divisions in Israel, Hong Kong and Mainland China. It also acquired India-based VC Westbridge to form Sequoia Capital India.
One of Silicon Valley's most prestigious venture capital firms, Sequoia Capital, was established in 1972. Sequoia’s investment thesis leads them to invest primarily in early-stage companies, but they have also invested in Series F rounds and beyond. As a former venture capital firm, it has also made exits from major internet companies, such as Google, Apple, Nvidia, and GitHub. Sequoia Capital operates divisions in Israel, Hong Kong and Mainland China. It also acquired India-based VC Westbridge to form Sequoia Capital India.
Established in 1996, SBI Investment is a venture capital firm that focuses on growth sectors such as information technology, biotechnology, life science, mobile, environment and energy. The VC arm of the SBI Group is developed to quickly find new, emerging technologies and investing in those technologies to further the development of the group. SBI Group then introduces the new technologies to existing businesses in order to help them stay ahead in the market, as well as to revitalize local industries in Japan, particularly in the financial and banking sectors.
Established in 1996, SBI Investment is a venture capital firm that focuses on growth sectors such as information technology, biotechnology, life science, mobile, environment and energy. The VC arm of the SBI Group is developed to quickly find new, emerging technologies and investing in those technologies to further the development of the group. SBI Group then introduces the new technologies to existing businesses in order to help them stay ahead in the market, as well as to revitalize local industries in Japan, particularly in the financial and banking sectors.
BeeHero: Agritech for bee health and better crop pollination
Combining AI, smart sensors and the world’s largest bee database, BeeHero accurately predicts disorders in colonies, helping beekeepers reduce the mortality rate of bees vital for crop pollination
AgroCenta: Providing market access and credit to African smallholder farmers
AgroCenta’s platforms empower Ghanaian subsistence farmers, especially women, boosting productivity and sales with e-payments, micro-credits and insurance, and direct connections to buyers, cutting out the intermediaries
Vence: Virtual fencing for sustainable livestock rearing
The startup uses GPS and AI algorithms to create virtual fences that work with animal collars for more efficient management of livestock and grasslands
ID Capital CEO & founder Isabelle Decitre, an early mover investing in Asian agrifood startups
An early backer of Ynsect, one of the best-funded insect protein startups to date, Decitre sees growing interest in agrifood tech startups, but notes they still need to offer exit opportunities
Future Food Asia: Covid-19 sparked dramatic shifts in agriculture in China and India
Key Chinese players from e-commerce giant Pinduoduo and and agritech VC Omnivore share their insights at last week’s agrifood conference by ID Capital
Smart Agrifood Summit 2021: A global innovation ecosystem is needed to catch up with other sectors
Investors from SVG Ventures/THRIVE, Pinduoduo and others agree that players must join forces to boost agrifood tech investment, internationally and across the value chain
Smart Agrifood Summit 2019 big winner Agri Marketplace makes fair trade easy
Winner of Best Startup and Best Innovative Agrifood Startup, Agri Marketplace presented its fast, transparent and interconnected crop trading platform at Málaga Smart Agrifood Summit 2019
Loones' cooperative e-marketplace connects farmers directly with agrifood businesses
Loones, Spain's first cooperative-based e-marketplace for bulk produce, helps traditional agricultural producers go digital
European agritech is the new global focus, as startup investments nearly doubled in 2019
Last year, European agritech surpassed China for the first time in investments received, with openings in multiple subsectors from big data to blockchain
Pula: Pioneering insurtech helps to improve Africa's food security
With Kenyan insurtech Pula’s micro-insurance products, millions of farmers no longer have to bear the full risk of losses from natural disasters and crop failures
Sophie's Bionutrients: Alternative protein from microalgae
Inspired by fish in the ocean, the startup developed microalgae-based flour that can take on unlimited forms, textures or colors to make almost any alt protein product
AgNext seeks less food loss, fairer prices for farmers with food quality analysis tech
Taking computer vision and chemical analysis to the fields for quick crop quality checks, Punjab-based AgNext eyes Asian expansion, and insurtech, fintech opportunities
iOLAND: Farm management technology created for and by farmers
Precision farming startup iOLAND provides farmers recommendations based on data collected by its IoT devices and refined by machine learning
Plant-based meat faces backlash in China despite gaining traction
An innocuous video clip sparked debate on social media over plant-based meat, with suspicion about its nutritional value, cost-effectiveness and even the motives of foreign companies
Big Idea Ventures Founder Andrew D Ive: Asia will lead cell-based meat innovation
In a wide-ranging interview, the managing general partner of the US- and Singapore-based foodtech investor also expounds on his goal to extend sustainability to the rest of the food sector, combining good returns with doing good
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