LaunchVic’s Post

Tenacious Ventures closes first round of $18 million for second fund Melbourne-based #VC firm #Tenacious Ventures has successfully held the first close of its second fund at $18 million. This milestone marks a significant step forward for the firm, known for backing innovative startups that drive transformative change in the agri-food system and climate solutions. Tenacious Ventures has announced the first close of its second fund, securing $18 million in support from a diverse group of investors. The fund aims for a final target of $50 million, positioning itself to make a substantial impact on the agtech sector. Co-founded by Sarah Nolet and J. Matthew Pryor in 2019, Tenacious Ventures focuses on startups that operate at the intersection of agri-food system transformation and climate solutions. Their mission is to support ventures that offer innovative solutions in key areas such as Waste & Resource Recovery, Embedded Finance & Risk, Sustainable Protein, Lower Intensity Production, Democratized Infrastructure, and Enhanced Natural Capital. The first close saw contributions from prominent investors including Trawalla Group, Wollemi Capital Group, Macdoch Ventures, Hutcheon & Pearce, as well as founders, tech veterans, and impact investors. Notably, Tesla chair Robyn Denholm and RBA board member Carol Schwartz participated as limited partners (LPs), reflecting strong confidence in Tenacious Ventures' vision and strategy. With investments in companies like azaneo, Cecil, Earthodic, Geora, GOTERRA, Jupiter Ionics, Nbryo, Nori, NOWADAYS, Phyllome, RapidAIM, Regrow, SwarmFarm Robotics, and Vow Food, Tenacious Ventures is well-equipped to support innovative startups that are poised to revolutionize the sector. The article on #VCwiretech in the first comment. Want to stay up to date with the market? Here my newsletter: - Linkedin: https://lnkd.in/d4h8zqKA  - Substack: https://lnkd.in/dzfGJzmW

We wrapped up our 6th ag-tech venture studio cohort at Purdue DIAL Ventures last week - this one focused on food and agriculture sustainability. Hard to believe 3 years has passed now. This venture studio is very unique. We mint both companies and founders. How do we do this ? By obsessing about problems facing the food and agriculture businesses and leaning in our large coalition of corporate partners in this space to lead us in the right direction. We've launched many companies now in just 3 years proving that you don't have to wait for founders and ideas to come to you - you can literally create them with the right process and partners in place. #agtech #startups #sustainability https://lnkd.in/gPFKBkFU

1 Bus 🚌 2 Venture Capital firms 📈 4 Startups 🚀 = An out-of-this-world, full-day Boulder Startup Ecosystem tour for my Entrepreneurial Marketing class at Colorado College made possible by CC alum and parent, Kishen Mangat of Boulder Ventures! We experienced what goes on behind the curtain... ✔️ Robotics and automation that will transform airline operations (baggage handling!) to run faster, safer, cleaner, and more efficiently at Pattern Labs - thank you for hosting us, kellen schroeter ✔️ Inside peak into wellness and outdoors-focused VC, Ridgeline Ventures and their portfolio company, Joyfull Bakery, who brought parmesan crisps to market (think Whole Foods and Sweetgreen) ✔️ World record-holding rock climber turned entrepreneur with superfood protein SEND Bars that provide more than fuel for performance 🍄🟫 - thanks for bringing us inside, Sasha DiGiulian ✔️ The first biosciences company to develop orally delivered, small molecule-based pills for obesity management. Thank you Nick Traggis and Kyle Lefkoff for opening the doors to Ambrosia Biosciences Inc. Nothing beats IRL learning! Very grateful to our hosts 🙏🏻

Another week of MASSIVE capital raises across Aussie & Kiwi VC: 📣 My favourite companies that raised this week 📣 #Australia: BuildPass | AI-powered software for construction that streamlines operations, reduces admin, and ensures every project is on track and compliant. | $7.5 million Seed round | Led by Sydney VC Carthona Capital , supported by Leigh Jasper’s Saniel Ventures, GitHub founder Tom Preston-Werner’s eponymous fund, Recursive Ventures, Horizon VC and Massive Tech Ventures | Founded by Matt Perrott and Aaron Vanston Neara | AI-powered predictive modeling software platform for critical infrastructure | US$31M in Series C | Led by EQT, with participation from Partners Group and Square Peg Capital, with additional support from existing investors Skip Capital and Prosus Ventures | Founded by Jack Curtis, Daniel Danilatos and Karamvir Singh Earthodic | Recyclable bio-based waterproof coatings for paper packaging | $6m AU seed round | Led by FTW Ventures, with participation from Circulate Capital, QIC, UniQuest, Significant Early Venture Capital, Branch Ventures Group, Redstick Ventures, and follow-on funds from Tenacious Ventures, Investible, and Closed Loop Partners | Founded by Fiona Donaghey and Albert Tietz, with CEO Anthony Musumeci #NewZealand: Alimetry | Non-invasive, patient-friendly approach to the world of gastric diagnostics—helping patients gain crucial insights into their care pathways | US$18M led by GD1 (Global From Day One), and supported by Icehouse Ventures, and Aga Ventures (American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) | co-founded by Prof. Greg O’Grady, CEO, and Dr. Armen Gharibans, CTO What are your favourite companies that have raised this week? Sources: Startup Daily | TechCrunch | StrictlyVC

Eighty-eight per cent of agrifood tech and innovation startups inhouse their grant writing 😲 That may work when you’re first starting out, but you’ll likely quickly outgrow the late nights pulling an application together only to find you weren’t competitive. Done poorly, they’re a huge time drain. Camilla Roberts, CEO, SCALE IMPACT, shares her eight steps for tackling grant applications efficiently and with greater chances of success 💰 Read how 👉 https://bit.ly/4cPH3Jr

🚀 Welcome to the weekly introduction of the Brainforest Venture Program participants! For this week, we are excited to spotlight Lensor and Etherisc—two impactful startups from our Venture Program driving meaningful change in #agriculture. Both ventures are innovating to empower smallholder farmers, enhance agricultural sustainability, and make a lasting impact on the ground. 🎙️ Lisa Theman Co-founder at lensor.io: 🔵 What was your personal motivation to start with your company? I’ve always been passionate about entrepreneurship and creating impact innovations, but Lensor’s mission was born after learning directly from farmers about their challenges. Seeing their need for better tools inspired me to create impactful solutions to support them. 🔵 Why did you join the Brainforest Venture Program? Our impact-focused mission aligns well with Brainforest, so we knew we could get valuable support. Additionally, the program’s international network is invaluable as we grow beyond Finland. 🔵 What do you enjoy most about the Venture Program so far? The weeks have been intense yet rewarding, especially with hands-on support in strategy and validation. Brainforest’s open and transparent feedback has been crucial in refining our approach. 🎙️ Michiel Berende, Chief Inclusive Officer at Etherisc: 🔵 What was your personal motivation to start with your company? I want to make a positive impact to the livelihoods and security of smallholder farmers around the world. 🔵 Why did you join the Brainforest Venture Program? For an impact-driven startup, attracting funding can be challenging. Traditional investors expect 10x returns, while donor organizations often require you to adjust your goals to align with their criteria before providing support. Brainforest helps bridge this gap, connecting philanthropic funding with private investment. 🔵 What do you enjoy most about the Venture Program so far? The very constructive weekly conversations and brainstorming sessions with our mentor! Thank you Michiel and Lisa! #biodiversity #ventureprogram #entrepreneurship Camille Accolas Ben O'Sullivan Elijah Kilzer Thomas Gmeiner Gioia Lelli

Such gratitude to Malvika Bhagwat from Owl Ventures for her visit to our class. Her discussion illuminated Owl Ventures' distinctive approach to EdTech investment and support. Key takeaways from Malvika's talk: * Impact Partner + VC: Owl Ventures transcends traditional VC roles. They actively stimulate meaningful innovation in EdTech by identifying high-potential founders and providing hands-on assistance. This approach ensures that outcomes guide both strategic planning and product development. * Patient Investment Strategy: Owl Ventures understands that real impact takes time. They give their portfolio companies the runway needed to thoroughly develop and implement their evidence plans, fostering sustainable growth and meaningful educational outcomes. * Catalyzing Innovation in EdTech: Malvika emphasized that VC funding, particularly Owl Ventures' approach, plays a crucial role in the broader EdTech ecosystem. By strategically investing in promising startups, they stimulate innovation, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in educational technology and driving the entire sector forward. Thank you, Malvika Bhagwat, for sharing these valuable insights and inspiring us to broaden our understanding of the critical role that Owl Ventures plays in shaping the future of education! This talk is part of Harvard Graduate School of Education T408 Evaluating Impact at Scale through the lens of equity, evidence and ecosystems that I have the pleasure of co-teaching with David Dockterman. Shout out to Aleksander Muller Hilderbrand and Jeph B. Acheampong for moderating the discussion! #OwlVentures #EdTech #ImpactInvesting #EducationInnovation #PatientCapital #HGSE

Last week, I was asked by a startup founder what an impact investor would look for in a business and its story. My answer? If the business has a clear route commercial success (ie making money), that will also be its route to making an impact where it counts. Meaningful Impact follows where customer impact goes. The truth is that the impact-making itself has to be funded. The easiest way is to fund it yourself, or at least start that way, with solving a real problem customers face. This is true for any kind of sustainable impact, whether its on the environment, wildlife, human life - anywhere. To be sustainable (and thus make a real positive difference), it needs to be sustained. Do you agree? Or am I being too 'Dragons' Den' about it? 🤣 #impact #brighttide #investing #regenerativefarming

One of the ways we enhance our Plant Health portfolio is by supporting new, exciting agtech startups. In this AgFunder article, Mark S. Brooks, managing director, FMC Ventures, shares the three elements he's looking for in a "venturable" biological company. #FMCVentures #AgTech #VentureCapital

GNT Group has launched an independent investment firm called GNT Ventures that will invest in plant-based coloring solutions startups. The firm will focus on innovations in raw materials and fermentation, processing, food ingredients and upcycling. "We started from humble beginnings and fully understand the challenges involved and how hard it can be to overcome them," said Frederik Hoeck, managing director of GNT Group. "We want to help startups find their own successful paths so that we can reshape tomorrow’s planet together." Read more ▶️ https://ow.ly/uzCB50UgR3U #foodentrepreneur #investment #plantbased #venturecapital