Rabo 
The Rabo Food and Agri Innovation Fund will invest in early-stage food and agriculture companies.
 
NEW YORK – The financial services provider Rabobank is introducing a venture capital fund, the Rabo Food & Agri Innovation Fund. It will be part of the company’s Rabo Private Equity unit and invest in early-stage food and agriculture companies in the US and western Europe.

Lizette
Lizette Sint, Global Head of Rabo Private Equity

“The Rabobank Food & Agri Fund focuses on companies that are aligned to Rabobank’s Banking for Food strategy,” said Lizette Sint, Global Head of Rabo Private Equity. “This strategy focuses on contributing to food security in the context of a rapidly growing world population, changing demographics and consumption patterns, and an increasingly complex food system.”

The company said the fund’s investments will include more than financial support. Companies that receive an investment will receive access to Rabobank’s food and agriculture experts.

Richard O Gorman
Richard O'Gorman, director at Rabo Food & Agri Innovation Fund

“We consider investments all along the food and agriculture value chain, with a particular focus on ambitious companies that operate in sectors in which we can optimally leverage Rabobank’s knowledge, expertise, network and position to help create shareholder value,” said Richard O’Gorman, who leads the investment initiative as part of Rabo Private Equity.

With the announcement, Rabobank is entering what is becoming a crowded space. During the past few years such companies as the Kellogg Co., Campbell Soup Co., Tyson Foods Inc., General Mills Inc. have announced efforts focused on getting in on the ground floor of emerging food and beverage companies.