Simon Fabich

Join me next week on Monday and take a deep dive into the Pet Food industry in our upcoming webinar. 📚 Gain proprietary insights on this intriguing market, including its: ➡️ Specific segments ➡️ Positive and negative drivers ➡️ Overall market landscape ➡️ PE investment cases ➡️ And more! 🕒 When: 15:00 - 15:30 CET, October 21st ✍️ Register here: https://okt.to/Si36pU #webinar #petfood #privateequity #industryinsights

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The last few days I've been attending SynBioBeta conference in San Jose, CA. Really cool innovations that are tackling big problems in health, industrial production, and climate. It was also AgFunder's AGM... some non-standard observations: 1- Venture markets are not back: it will not be a bounce, but a slow recovery 2- Smart startups are partnering with engineering/EPC firms earlier in their life. This is key to de-risk scale production from day 1. My first employer out of college Black & Veatch was a key partner in the growth of Tesla, and now they're active in the bio space 3- If you say you're AI, you better prove it. Nothing wrong with saying you're doing ML

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Having already evaluated a multitude of outliers in the current AI-driven innovation cycle at MDSV, we’ve distilled our learnings into three important takeaways for investors: 1. With more startups than ever, investors must take a different approach to navigating an increasingly larger herd to find great investments.  2. The Power Law of Venture Capital rings truer now more than ever, with fewer and faster growing companies driving all returns. 3. With revenue growth fueled by newfound operating leverage from AI and automation technologies, startups may not require as much growth capital as before, making the early stage potentially THE ONLY access point for investors. Learn more about the MDSV strategy to navigate the coming disruptions in venture capital: https://lnkd.in/g7ZWBwXS #VentureCapitalInvesting #Investments #AIInvestments #Strategy

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Zeitgeist is changing and we need to adapt or to encounter. When we started Climate Founders 4.5 years ago, we had a perfect Product Zeitgeist Fit (explained by a16z: https://lnkd.in/ePtBRVD3) in 2018 and 2019 activist groups like Fridays for Future played an important role to make the societies aware that we are in a climate crisis and need to act, with the beginning of the new decade announcement after announcement was made: politics made important changes from regulation to investment programs, more people than usual voted for green politics, the climate crisis got relevant media coverage, thousands of companies world-wide set decarbonization goals, huge asset managers implemented ESG and decarbonization strategies, billionaires pledged for the climate, hundreds of climatetech fund were established, serial entrepreneurs went into climate topics, Covid made many poeple think about contributing to a better world … in general you could feel change to make this decade to what it is in fact, the decisive decade for humanity. Even with beginning of the Russian war, there was a positive thinking that renewables are the solution to solve energy, industry and dependence problems, even climate chrisis deniers called them „freedom energies“. In 2023 we saw some Zeitgeist changes, the climate crisis seemed not to be a main topic anymore, in the media, in the politics, in companies and the society in general. Ambitious politicians understand that the society is not ready to change, some media work heavily against climate politics, companies realize how hard it is to decarbonize and partly drop their goals, asset managers start to drop ESG and decarbonization goals, investors and entrepreneurs look more at AI, politics goes right and populistic. Regarding Climatetech im still very optimistic: The 2018-2022 Zeitgeist helped to build a massive ecosystem, which is still growing. The current Zeitgeist is not in favor for Climatetech, but it will come back for sure, as unfortunately the climate crisis will hit us harder every year and we always had this typical left-right cycles in politics and societies. Due to our expanded activies our dealflow is still growing, but in general we have the impression that less new founders entered the space in the last 12-18 months and also hear from some other VCs that they see less climatetech teams. We take it as a challenge and re-focus on co-founder matching to make it easier to enter the space for founders. Especially scientists and serial entrepreneurs are our target group for our co-founder matching. Take the world’s biggest challenge as your personal opportunity and apply here: https://lnkd.in/egvTQApi

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Today we’re launching the VentureBlick Super Innovator Search to find and support the next batch of game-changing healthcare innovations! 🔍   From now till 6 August 2024, healthcare startups can apply for the chance to:   🌟 Win non-dilutive prizes valued at US$100,000, including practical support such market validation, mentorship, Europe market access support, and a chance to raise funds with VentureBlick’s global investor network.   🌟 Showcase their innovations to the global healthcare community, potentially opening doors to countless opportunities.   I must caution that this is not for everyone.   The VentureBlick Super Innovator Search is only for promising innovations at proof-of-concept stage or beyond, within these sectors: ⚕️ Medtech 📱 Digital Health 🧫 Biotech or life sciences   Join the Super Innovator Search by 6 August 👉 https://lnkd.in/gEddQ6P7   #SuperInnovatorSearch Dr. Stephan Binder Kalms Consulting JLK Technology Scott Ng Igor Sokół

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Managing complex #agricultural systems today requires advanced technological support, helping professionals navigate and optimize these intricate environments effectively.

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Are you interested to #invest in #fungi #startups? Get in touch! We are working on two startup cases now and will coordinate an investment syndicate. So if you are an angel investor or family office, reach out if interest to hear more. #fungi #biotechnology #microbiology #futurefit #startups

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European VC Fundraising Uptick Germany's KfW Capital, has reported a significant uptick in VC fundraising, indicating a positive trend for startup investments. Jörg Goschin, managing director at KfW Capital, noted that fundraising was sluggish in 2022 and 2023, but things are "steadily improving." He highlighted that KfW Capital examined around 220 funds last year, expecting an even higher number this year. Goschin stated, “I think we can say that the light at the end of the tunnel which we saw last year is getting brighter.” KfW Capital is a prominent limited partner (LP) in various European VC funds, including Germany’s Project A, Earlybird Venture Capital, and France’s Partech. Since its establishment in 2018, KfW Capital has invested in 120 VC funds, with nine funded this year. Goschin also mentioned an increase in capital calls from VCs, which he described as a “reassuring” sign that investments in startups are also on the up. In analyzing the types of funds being considered, KfW Capital found that 50% of the 220 funds were from the ICT sector (SaaS startups, AI, marketplaces, and e-commerce). About a quarter of the funds focused on life sciences, while the remainder were generalist funds without a specific sector focus. Notably, KfW Capital is also witnessing an increase in deeptech funds seeking investment, which Goschin identified as necessary, given the longer development times associated with these types of investments. Gender diversity is a key focus for KfW Capital in its due diligence process, with 46.3% of the funds having at least one female GP in 2023. The firm’s €200 million emerging manager facility, aims to invest in funds with €50 million in AUM that prioritize representation of women and non-binary individuals in leadership roles. Its first investment through this facility was in Nucleus Capital, a deeptech and climate tech VC fund led by GPs Dr. Isabella Fandrych and Maximilian A. Schwarz. In terms of increasing private capital in VC, Goschin highlighted the launch of Germany's €1B Fund of funds last year, which aims to boost investments in German and European VC funds. He noted the importance of mobilizing private capital, especially as state budgets become tighter. “The mobilization of capital from private investors is very important, especially from a point of view as a sovereign investor,” he remarked. ✅ Looking to raise capital for your #VCfund and increase the international pool of your LPs?   🤝 Need warm #LP introductions?   📝 Selling #secondaries to increase liquidity?   🧐 Looking for co-investments (Series A/Series B)?   ▶ Please use G+QUANT's link for inquiries and fund decks, or send an inquiry to [email protected] #VentureCapital #VentureFunding #VentureDebt #Fundraising #Innovation #Technology #Entrepreneurship #Investing #Network #Investors #LPs #GPs #EmergingManagers #Economy #Business #Founders #Startups #StartupFunding #ai #artificialintelligence #unicorn #secondaries #secondarydeals

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INDUSTRY 2.0 While most industries are transitioning towards #Industry4.0 (and beyond)... the Secondhand industry is currently in industry 1.0. Like farmers trading potatoes for carrots hundreds of years ago, #C2C governs the majority of Secondhand transactions. We need #industrialisation along the entire value chain - e.g., robots that autonomously scan a used jeans, detect holes, decide if they are fixable and if so stich these. One of the most effective ways remains SE*INESS 💄 . I fantasise something similar to the military - batches for higher ranks / outstanding achievements. Imagine walking around with a Gucci bag that has three stripes - one for each owner before you. + the worth of the bag being higher than a new gucci bag (like an old-timer Porsche 930 Turbo). Out of all campaigns idols such as Gigi, Emily, Cara, Kendall and Bella model for - how many are for Secondhand collections? Maybe 0.89%? To me, that makes them 10x LESS SE*Y. What do you think? Ultimately, saving planet earth is fairly simple. We just need to do it.

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An interesting article co-authored by William B. and his colleagues at McKinsey & Company on a topic near & dear to my heart "value creation through operations". The paper highlights the role of operations in creating value for private equity portfolio companies, as no longer just a source of competitive advantage, but a competitive necessity for PE buyout fund managers. #operations #valuecreation #privateequity #buyout https://lnkd.in/g5Sa5yxW

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https://lnkd.in/dymu26c7 Heartiest congratulations to Verofax and NetGreen.Live on announcing their strategic alliance to accelerate Global Reforestation Efforts. Kudos to Wassim Merheby, Nisreen Shadad & Rhea Sherring for joining forces to address this problem in a smart ingenious manner. "This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Verofax' advanced technological solutions and NetGreen's platform comes at a crucial time as businesses and consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability. In fact, 88% of consumers want to make an environmental impact, but lack a trusted platform that is easy and affordable. NetGreen's platform meets an urgent market need where individuals can purchase a plant-a-tree service from validated reforestation projects to combat climate change. NetGreen’s unique approach enables participants to directly engage in reforestation through everyday transactions, such as converting loyalty points into tree plantings. This model not only supports carbon sequestration but also enhances biodiversity and fosters a deeper connection between communities and their natural environments. Preventing Double Counting & Ensuring Validation of Reforestation Projects With Verofax validating, reforestation projects becomes seamless using Verofax' Tree Chain technology for identifying, tracking and measuring the carbon capture from trees using computer vision, AI drone feeds, geolocation, and an immutable ledger. These technologies will automate operations to prevent double counting and ensure their alignment with the latest international standards, including Verra and UNFCCC CDM." Verofax was the FIRST MENA/GCC/UAE venture backed by Privity FZ LLE in July 2020.

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Today I visited the GREENTECH FESTIVAL in Berlin with my dear friend Andreas. 💚 To make it short: Good vibes, busy floors and a big startup space. But tbh I wondered if it's really worth it for startups. I remember from my active time as an exhibitor that we weren't honest about the hard costs per lead. We argued a lot: being there is everything, you have to be seen, brand building is important, it's where the industry meets, serendipity happens, if we just get one big order it will pay off... not to forget the parties! That's all true, but the opportunity cost of attending a trade show is very high, especially for startups. And while this isn't meant to be a trade show bashing at all, here are a few suggestions from my experience, on how to make the most of it... - Train your team to proactively approach people. - Initiate a challenge to see who can get the most leads. - Prepare in advance and market your attendance by actively inviting customers. - Consider a small side event, such as a VIP dinner. - Try to book a package with a speaking engagement at the conference, that has always paid off for us. - Use the exhibitor directory for your own prospecting. - Calculate cost vs. lead conversion after the show with real data and decide whether to repeat. - Push your presence on social in real time. Good luck to all exhibitors and happy selling 🚀 ____________________________ Sharing my experience as an entrepreneur and angel investor. Investing in early stage B2B SaaS startups. Happy to connect 👋

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Some interesting innovations in Israel's foodtech scene. Profuse Technology, an Israeli foodtech startup, has secured €2.4 million from the EU's Horizon EIC Transition program. This funding will help them advance their pioneering work in cultivated meat production. Cultivated meat, derived from animal cells grown in a lab, offers a sustainable alternative to traditional meat. However, high costs and long production times have been significant barriers. Profuse Technology is tackling these challenges head-on: > Faster production: Their technology speeds up muscle tissue growth by 80%, drastically reducing production time. > Cost efficiency: The technology is expected to slash production costs by 50%. > Quality improvement: Enhances nutritional value, texture, and taste. Guy Nevo Michrowski, CEO of Profuse, highlights, "Producing cultivated meat is a big challenge and the industry is in its early days. We don't solve all the problems, but we provide a piece of the solution needed to eventually be able to grow and produce chunks of steak on a large scale." Read more in the full article below. https://lnkd.in/dcjECV-m #FoodTech #Israel #Sustainability

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May 20 2024 - 10 Notable Articles To Read Article: AI hitting labour forces like a "tsunami" - International Monetary Fund Chief Takeaway: Georgieva mentioned at an event in Zurich that AI is expected to affect 60% of jobs in advanced economies and 40% of jobs globally within the next two years. Source: Reuters Link: https://lnkd.in/dTYvXz-Z Article: Australia’s Pension Funds Play Hardball on Asset Management Fees Takeaway: Australia’s thriving A$3.7T ($2.5T) pensions industry is demonstrating strong negotiating power on asset management fees, with data showing that these funds frequently pay considerably less than others. Source: Bloomberg Link: https://lnkd.in/dgP_y5Z6 Article: KKR-Backed OneStream Software Files Confidentially for US IPO Takeaway: The company is seeking to be valued at up to $6B in an IPO and is working with Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Citi Inc. Source: Bloomberg News Link: https://lnkd.in/dEy7iwcp Article: Eye On AI: Huge AI Valuation Jumps Are Here Again Takeaway: When a startup experiences a 10x increase in valuation within a year or a 3x boost in just five months, it can make one quickly check the calendar to see if it's 2020 or 2021. Source: Crunchbase Link: https://lnkd.in/dVQCPuX7 Article: Khosla Ventures, Pear VC triple down on Honey Homes, a smart way to hire a handyman Takeaway: Investors significantly increased their investment in Honey Homes, a company that provides homeowners with a dedicated handyman. Source: TechCrunch Link: https://lnkd.in/dxDX2nCg Article: Arup lost $25M in Hong Kong deepfake video conference scam Takeaway: A UK-based engineering group has been identified as the target of a fraud scheme that used a digitally cloned version of their CFO to deceive staff. Source: Financial Times Link: https://lnkd.in/dH9W83Ch Article: Honda Motor Plans to Invest Over $60B on EV Strategy Takeaway: The automaker announced its plan for electric vehicles to comprise 40% of its global sales by 2030. Source: The Wall Street Journal Link: https://lnkd.in/dvwqRAeu Article: AMC Theatres Seizes on Meme Stock Moves to Cut $164M of Debt Takeaway: A private agreement to exchange approximately $164M of its 10% notes due in 2026 for 23.3M shares of newly issued stock. Source: Bloomberg Link: https://lnkd.in/dZ7YMMGr Article: Private Credit Titans Pack Middle East Flights to Chase Billions Takeaway: State-owned funds in the Gulf have become a major driver of the rapid expansion in the $1.7T private credit market, despite higher interest rates beginning to pressure borrowers who have accumulated significant debt. Source: Bloomberg News Link: https://lnkd.in/dgF2uyUy Article: Abu Dhabi’s $302B Fund Deepens AI and Private Credit Push Takeaway: According to a statement, the wealth fund, the emirate’s second-largest sovereign investor, reported a five-year return rate of 10.3%. Source: Bloomberg Link: https://lnkd.in/d65daeXw #news #research #business

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𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 (𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄) The Simple Agreement for Future Equity, often referred to as SAFE, is a popular financial instrument used by early-stage startups to raise capital without determining an immediate valuation or issuing equity. Here are the key elements of the SAFE: 1. Future Equity Conversion: The primary purpose of a SAFE is to convert into equity at a future financing round, typically triggered by a qualified financing event such as a priced equity financing or a sale of the company. 2. Investment Amount: Specifies the amount of money the investor is putting into the company in exchange for the SAFE. 3. Discount Rate: Many SAFEs include a discount rate which allows investors to receive shares at a lower price per share than investors in the subsequent priced round. This rewards early investors for taking on more risk. 4. Valuation Cap: A valuation cap is a maximum valuation at which the investment in the SAFE will convert into equity. If the subsequent financing round values the company above the cap, the investor in the SAFE benefits by converting their investment at a lower valuation, effectively receiving more equity for their investment. 5. Conversion Event: Specifies the events or conditions under which the SAFE will convert into equity. 6. Dilution Protection: Some SAFEs may include anti-dilution provisions to protect investors in case the company issues equity at a lower valuation than the SAFE's conversion price in a subsequent financing round. 7. Maturity Date: Although less common, some SAFEs may have a maturity date, after which the investment converts into equity regardless of whether qualified financing has occurred. 8. Termination Events: Events that can terminate the SAFE, such as a change of control or dissolution of the company, may also be specified. 9. Rights and Obligations: Outlines any rights or obligations of the investor and the company, such as information rights or restrictions on the company's ability to incur debt. These elements vary depending on the terms negotiated between the investor and the startup. SAFEs are designed to be simple and streamlined compared to traditional equity financing, making them attractive for early-stage startups and investors seeking flexibility and simplicity in fundraising. Please click this link for a two-minute video on SAFE Basic Elements: https://lnkd.in/gdZCZ4Yk? Follow me on LinkedIn (https://lnkd.in/dUKQjs3u) or contact me at [email protected] to learn more about how we can assist you in your Startup journey. #innovation #technology #entrepreneur #venturecapital #startup #digitalmarketing #management #vc #venturecapital #startups #entrepreneurs #entrepreneurship #tech #deeptech #ai #artificialintelligence #future #money #business

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💸 Here are the 1️⃣0️⃣ #FoodTech news and deals of the week that you should know about: 🇦🇺📲 AgriWebb, an Australian startup, raised $7M for its livestock management software. It helps players alongside the value chain access and share data on the stock and emissions. 🇸🇪🐄 Volta Greentech, a Swedish startup, raised $2.95M for its “next-generation” methane-reducing cattle feed additive. This space is exciting and moving fast: from a handful of companies working on red algae, there is now a wide ecosystem of research, large companies, and startups developing a range of solutions to reduce the impact of animal farming. 🇸🇬 🌾 Rize, a Singapore-based startup, raised $14M to make rice cultivation more sustainable through data analytics and precision agriculture techniques. 🇺🇸🍼 ByHeart, an American startup, raised $95M for its infant formula. This is quite an impressive story of a company that built from scratch an end-to-end production capability for a very complex product (and which also benefited from good timing with the shortage of formula in the US). 🇺🇸🍴 Restaurant365, an American startup, raised $175M for its foodservice management software with features ranging from accounting to workforce. 🇨🇭🤖 mimic, a Swiss startup, raised €2.3M for its robot arms with humanoid hands. They are here to solve the increasing labour shortage in industries such as food service. 🇮🇳🌱 Niqo Robotics Robotics, an Indian startup, raised $13M for its spraying technology for agriculture, which aims to reduce the use of chemicals. As for most of the new wave of agriculture robots, it is made to integrate with existing equipment. 🇩🇪🌱 hexafarms, a German startup, raised €1.3M to make indoor farming more efficient and increase yields through AI. 🇺🇸 🍽 Cheetah Technologies, an American startup, raised $14M for its integrated ingredient delivery platform for restaurants. 🇬🇧 🥑 OSY Group, a British startup, raised £750K for its antimicrobial packaging technology that increases the shelf-life of food produce. Industry news & trends 👉 To get all our insights on the future of the food industry, sign up to our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gBKHaVRJ All the article's details, links, and more analysis are in the link in the first comment! #startup #foodtech #agtech #deal #fundraising

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💸 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆: 𝟯 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗙𝗢 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲 No longer just a "number cruncher," today’s CFO is a strategic partner to the CEO, responsible for navigating uncertainty and driving value creation in a business environment constantly shaped by volatile markets and geopolitical crises. As markets change, the profile of the CFO must evolve: 🚀CFOs as Drivers of ESG Strategy In the face of increasing EU regulation and rising sustainability expectations, Private Equity CFOs must take the lead on environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. Beyond financial reporting, PE CFOs are instrumental in driving sustainability efforts, aligning these initiatives with portfolio companies' financial goals and meeting regulatory requirements. A deep understanding of internal processes and close collaboration with sustainability teams are essential to lead this transformation. 🤖 CFOs at the Forefront of Digital Transformation Digital transformation is transforming finance departments, especially in Private Equity, where efficiency and clear data preparation are critical. CFOs need to take a strategic leadership role in the adoption of AI, automation and advanced data analytics, moving from traditional fact-based analysis to process-driven management. They also have an important role to play in cybersecurity and risk management, protecting both the organisation and its portfolio companies from digital threats. 🗣️ CFOs need to Master Soft Skills In an era of constant change, CFOs need to develop strong communication and leadership skills. The ability to communicate clearly, motivate teams, and manage change is essential for driving operational improvements across diverse businesses. A CFO who fosters trust and open dialogue can lead teams through change and ensure alignment with the overall investment strategy. The role of the CFO goes far beyond traditional finance. A balanced combination of soft and hard skills is now required to navigate today’s complex markets. 𝗖𝗙𝗢𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱—𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱, 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗽𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. #PrivateEquity #CFO #Leadership #ESG #DigitalTransformation #primeimpact

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We take our food security for granted, but agricultural systems are under strain from warmer and more volatile weather. What if there was a silver bullet? Well, there might be one hiding in plain sight in one of Europe’s most successful industries with over a century’s worth of track record: greenhouses. The Dutch have led the way. They are experts at producing a high density of crops in small pockets of unremarkable land with these large glass structures. They have mastered control of closed environments to produce quality crops all year round. These vast, glass, computer-actuated machines produce €9B of vegetables and €8B of fruit for export in the Netherlands alone. It is no wonder that 90% of greenhouses worldwide are of Dutch origin, and that most “master growers” in charge of them are Dutch. Modern Dutch greenhouses are technological marvels that use >60% less water than field-farming, deliver 10x denser yields, rely far less on pesticides, and do not cause soil degradation, surface run-off or biodiversity loss. Let’s just build more of them? There are two reasons why greenhouses are not the silver bullet we need them to be... yet. The first is energy. Depending on where your greenhouse is built, you need a lot of electricity - to power the system, the lighting, the cooling - and potentially a lot of heat. Modern closed environment agriculture also requires pumped-in CO2 to optimise growing conditions. We can solve this by co-locating greenhouses with sources of renewable energy, heat and waste CO2. This is a development and capital challenge, which platforms like WA3RM are already taking on valiantly. You will be inspired by their Frovi project (link in the comments). The second is operational complexity. Greenhouses are remarkably innovative but they still rely on human experts being in the loop 24/7. This is an impediment to scale and expansion; the road to food security is already littered with failed greenhouse operations in greenfield territories. Worryingly, the average age of a greenhouse operator in the Netherlands is 57 - we also need a succession plan for the greenhouses that already exist! The solution to this is Artificial Intelligence. Companies like Optimal Agriculture, Gardin Agritech and others are making huge strides towards total greenhouse automation, which will unlock more institutional capital to expand the sector and bring newly viable locations online worldwide. Given 2024 is looking like it will be the hottest and most volatile weather year on record, smart greenhouse development could not come sooner. If you are building in this space, we would love to speak with you. (This post was prompted by an article in the FT today on the cost of climate change on our food systems, which is linked in the comments below along with other helpful data.)

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🚀 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀: 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗙𝗦𝗜 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! 🌍 We’re excited to announce our sponsorship and hosting of the RFSI Pitch Session, a unique opportunity for early-stage solutions to showcase their innovative ideas and drive the future of regeneration. If you're working on groundbreaking solutions to scale and accelerate the transition to a regenerative food system, this is your chance to shine! 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆? 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Present your idea to a room to an audience of more than 500 investors who are passionate about accelerating regeneration and sustainability. 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀: Connect with key stakeholders and collaborators who can help elevate your solution and expand your impact. 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀: Leverage feedback and insights from experienced professionals to refine and scale your project. What We’re Looking For: Innovative solutions that address environmental regeneration and sustainability challenges of the food system Projects in the early stages of development with large scalability potential. Teams are committed to creating positive change and driving meaningful results. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆: Submit your application by 3rd September for a chance to pitch your solution at the RFSI Forum in October. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a movement dedicated to transforming the future of our food system! 👉 Apply Now: https://lnkd.in/egcBmqZQ We can’t wait to see your innovative ideas and support your journey toward making a lasting impact! If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below or feel free to message me. #RFSI #Innovation #Regeneration #RegenerativeAg #PitchSession #EarlyStage #Regenag #foodsystems #agtech #agritech #naturetech

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