Rabobank is launching the Rabo Food & Agri Innovation Fund, which is part of Rabo Private Equity. This fund plans to invest in high-potential, early-stage food and agriculture (agri) companies in Western Europe and in the U.S. One of the objectives the bank envisions to achieve through this fund is the promotion of innovation in the food and agriculture space.

“The fund focuses on companies that are in support of Rabobank’s Banking for Food strategy. 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,” said Lizette Sint, Global Head of Rabo Private Equity.

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

This is why the fund’s investments will consist of more than just financial support. Rabobank will be a close investment partner and provide companies it selected full access to the bank’s food and agriculture experts and networks in order to build long term value together.

The Rabo Food & Agri Innovation Fund is complementary to the other activities the bank supports in the food and agriculture space, including its indirect investments in strategic venture capital and private equity funds.