The Intersection of Climate Change and the Food Industry
Climate change is not just about reducing carbon emissions or creating more fuel-efficient vehicles. It’s also about the food we eat, and how it’s produced, processed, and consumed. This is the focus of PeakBridge, a global fund manager in the agri-food tech sector, which has recently closed on $187 million in capital commitments for its PeakBridge Growth Fund II.
PeakBridge: A Pioneer in Agri-Food Tech
PeakBridge, based in Luxembourg, is a member of the Edmond de Rothschild Private Equity partnership. The firm was founded by Erich Sieber and Nadav Berger in 2020 with the goal of investing in innovative companies that are changing the face of the food industry.
"We want to be ‘the bridge’ helping those entrepreneurs to get to the ‘peak,’" Berger told TechCrunch. "We also can serve as a bridge between the old food industry and the new technology. We’ve also started to invest in AI and food, and now we have at least five companies using AI."
Climate Change and Food: A Perfect Storm
The partners knew that they couldn’t tackle the climate challenge without addressing food production, processing, and consumption. They recognized that the traditional food industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution.
"When we were raising the new fund, we had no trouble convincing larger institutional investors of the need," said Berger. "We started investing in 2020, so we’re currently working on the first exits from our funds."
Investments and Returns
PeakBridge intends to invest in between 16 and 20 companies, at around $10 million in each company. They have made eight investments so far, including companies like Standing Ovation (animal-free dairy) and Vow (cultured meat products).
"The investor adds that its portfolio has ‘less failures’ compared to the classic expectations of, say, a SaaS and software fund," said El Khazen. "Where we see the most potential is in the intersection of food, technology, and sustainability."
Solid-State Fermentation: A Game-Changer
One area that PeakBridge sees significant potential in is solid-state fermentation (SSF). This technology can be used to produce high-quality protein powders from a variety of feedstocks, including plant-based materials.
"Topics agriculture, Exclusive, food, foodtech, Peakbridge VC, Startups, Venture, venture capital"
The Future of Food: Investing in Innovation
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, PeakBridge is positioning itself at the forefront of the agri-food tech revolution. By investing in innovative companies that are changing the face of food production, processing, and consumption, they aim to create a more sustainable future for all.
"We believe that the intersection of food, technology, and sustainability presents a vast opportunity for innovation," said Berger. "We’re excited to be part of this journey and look forward to seeing the impact that our portfolio companies will have on the world."
Related Stories
- The First AI Chip Startup to Go Public in 2025 Will Be Blaize
- ‘Free Our Feeds’ Campaign Aims to Billionaire-Proof Bluesky’s Tech
- A 24-Year-Old Who Exited His First Company to Coinbase Raises $3M for His Next Venture
Stay Up-to-Date with the Latest News in Tech
Subscribe to our newsletters, including:
- TechCrunch Daily News: Get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage every weekday and Sunday.
- TechCrunch AI: Stay up-to-date on the latest news in AI and machine learning.
- TechCrunch Space: Explore the latest advances in aerospace.
Learn More About Venture Capital and Startups
Visit our startups section to stay informed about the latest trends, innovations, and investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem.
