Amsterdam-based Anterra Capital has announced the second close on its agriculture and food technology focused fund. The latest close brings total capital raised by the fund to $125 million and makes this the largest venture capital agtech fund in Europe.
Anterra was created in 2013, as a spin-off of Rabobank’s proprietary venture capital fund, Rabo Ventures. The fund, designed to help companies with leadership potential in the agriculture and food tech space to succeed, is backed by Rabobank and Fidelity International Limited, through its proprietary investment arm, Eight Roads. Existing investments include farm data company Farmobile and environmentally friendly insecticide developer Vestaron Corporation, among others.
“Fostering innovation in food and agriculture is a huge focus for Rabobank, from supporting technology entrepreneurs who are playing an increasing role in driving change in the sector to bringing innovative ideas to our client base – the top food and ag companies in North America and around the world,” said Rajiv Singh, Chief Executive Officer at Rabobank North America Wholesale. “The food and ag system is going through a period of dramatic transformation and we are excited to continue our work with the Anterra team to help identify and support great companies that can substantially improve the food supply chain for future generations.”
Along with the fund close, Anterra will open an office in Boston, expanding its abilities to work with international companies in the agtech space. With offices in Amsterdam and Boston, the company will be the first independent food and agriculture fund to base operations in multiple key global agtech centers – Europe and North America.
“We founded Anterra because we know entrepreneurs in this sector lack an investment partner with the specialist expertise, international network access and patient capital required to succeed over the long term. The expansion of the food and agriculture fund and the launch of Anterra’s U.S. office are the natural next steps in building our capability to help the best AgTech companies in the world become global leaders.”