Astanor Ventures II

Astanor Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2017 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. The firm specializes in investing in technology-enabled companies within the agri-food sector, focusing on entrepreneurs who aim to regenerate food systems and the blue ocean economy. Astanor Ventures targets early-stage investments in agriculture and food technology, particularly emphasizing sustainable and impactful solutions. Its investments span a global network, with a strong presence in Europe and North America, and the firm actively seeks to support over 45 companies that align with its vision of creating a nourishing, regenerative, and trusted food future. Through a combination of capital, sector expertise, and a network of diverse stakeholders, Astanor Ventures is dedicated to promoting innovations that enhance the agri-food value chain.

Hendrik Van Asbroeck

Managing Partner

Valerie Christy

Associate

George Coelho

Partner

Arnout Dijkhuizen

Principal

Emmanuel Faber

Partner

Adrian Friederich

Associate

Arne Hautekiet

Analyst

Leslie Kapin-Royere

Principal

Hans Marteau

Partner

Laetitia de Panafieu

Principal

Kanira Shah

Principal

Luisa Somaini

Analyst

Christina Ulardic

Partner

Past deals in AgTech

Current Foods

Seed Round in 2022
Kuleana creates plant-based alternatives for people's seafood favorites, using plants and biotechnology without the environmental and ethical consequences.

Galley Solutions

Series A in 2022
Galley Solutions, Inc. develops innovative food production software designed to assist restaurants, caterers, and corporate kitchens in managing their operations more efficiently. Its primary product, Galley, enables users to create and organize recipes, compile menus, and generate shopping lists. Additionally, the software supports kitchen managers in maintaining inventories, tracking ingredient costs, and optimizing menu items that share ingredients or preparation processes. By providing tools for real-time inventory management, purchasing, and food costing, Galley allows food businesses to analyze their operations and make informed decisions to enhance profitability. Founded in 2017 and based in San Diego, California, Galley Solutions, Inc. was previously known as Galley, LLC.

Planetary

Seed Round in 2022
Operator of the fermentation-based protein contract manufacturer intended to help clients scale their operations. The company offers research and development services, upstream processing, and downstream finished product formulations, providing clients with a scaled and cost-efficient production of sustainable, diverse, and authentic analogs to animal-derived foods and ingredients.

Umiami

Series A in 2022
Developer of a plant-based food technology designed to reduce meat consumption. The company's technology offers plant-based whole-cuts that contain plant proteins, enabling consumers to have alternatives that mimic the taste, texture, and smell of meat.

Umiami

Series A in 2022
Developer of a plant-based food technology designed to reduce meat consumption. The company's technology offers plant-based whole-cuts that contain plant proteins, enabling consumers to have alternatives that mimic the taste, texture, and smell of meat.

MeliBio

Seed Round in 2022
MeliBio, Inc., established in 2020 and located in Berkeley, California, specializes in producing vegan nectar products that serve as molecularly identical alternatives to honey. The company utilizes scientific technologies and synthetic biology to create honey-like products without relying on bees, addressing concerns related to biodiversity loss associated with commercial bee farming. By providing these innovative alternatives, MeliBio enables food producers to incorporate vegan nectar into their offerings, promoting a more sustainable approach to honey production.

iUNU

Series B in 2022
iUNU, Inc. is a Seattle-based company that specializes in agricultural artificial intelligence and computer vision technology. Founded in 2013, it has developed a comprehensive greenhouse management platform known as LUNA, which integrates computer vision to monitor and manage crop growth in commercial greenhouses. This platform enables growers to receive actionable insights and detailed production management capabilities, allowing them to identify potential issues early and promote accountability in their growing practices. By connecting plants, facilities, and personnel through a single interface, iUNU aims to transform greenhouses into precise and efficient production environments. The company also maintains offices in San Francisco and San Diego, further expanding its operational reach.

Source.ag

Seed Round in 2022
Source.ag is accelerating access to fresh fruit and vegetables with A.I.-powered glasshouses. The company's team of experienced engineers and plant scientists has partnered with the growers to build the sector’s advanced artificial intelligence. Its proprietary algorithms simulate plant behavior to define and execute optimal cultivation strategies, taking into account millions of data points on climate, biology, and resources. By enabling more growers to operate more facilities more efficiently through pioneering technology, Source is making glasshouse agriculture accessible, profitable, and globally scalable. Together, they are on a mission to provide nutritious food to more people while using fewer resources.

Mi Terro

Angel Round in 2022
Mi Terro is the world's first advanced material company that creates ocean degradable and home compostable flexible packaging materials made from agricultural waste. We are not turning agricultural waste into beverage or snack like other companies. Instead, we are giving agricultural waste a new life by repurposing it to replace plastic and paper-based materials and giving additional incomes to farmers all around the world. Our material accommodates a diverse range of fully compostable packaging applications for fresh produce, dry food, fashion, cleaning product, and standard product packaging. Our technology can potentially apply to any type of agricultural byproducts and surplus food, including plant, dairy, and vitamin supplement byproducts. Our process uses less energy than paper and plastic production while creating 90% less CO2 than plastic. We are replacing petroleum-based materials with protein-based materials made from agricultural waste. We are redefining the circular economy in which everything begins with agricultural waste and ends as compostable or biodegradable. We are taking a world problem and making it into a world solution. Our technologies will have more impact to the world than plant-based and cultivated meat.

PhytlSigns

Venture Round in 2021
PhytlSigns is a pioneering plant signal technology system from Vivent which provides early warnings of a wide range of crop stressors.

Monarch Tractor

Series B in 2021
Monarch Tractor offers a tractor platform that combines mechanization, automation, and data analysis to enhance farmer’s existing operations, alleviate labor shortages, and maximize yields. The company is dedicated to eliminating diesel fuel and replaces harmful chemicals with mechanical solutions, so its tractor impacts the environment exactly as intended, without side effects. Its platform utilizes hardware and machine learning to identify and eliminates plant ailments and estimate yields.

Smallhold

Series A in 2021
Smallhold, Inc. is a farming technology company based in Brooklyn, New York, specializing in the cultivation of mushrooms through innovative, climate-controlled mini farms. Established in 2017, the company employs automated and modular growing systems that are remotely managed and available on a subscription basis. This technology allows food industry professionals, such as restaurants and grocery stores, to produce a consistent and reliable supply of local mushrooms tailored to their specific needs, regardless of external climatic conditions or market fluctuations. By leveraging advanced data analytics, Smallhold develops precise climate recipes to optimize mushroom growth, ultimately shortening the supply chain and enhancing the accessibility of fresh produce.

v2food

Series B in 2021
v2food is a plant-based meat startup that produces legume-based meat alternatives. The company v2 product is a delicious, nutritious alternative for anyone who loves the taste of meat but doesn’t want to get it from animals. It is a safe space to connect with like-minded people and create positive relationships with food that will help them feed the planet in a sustainable way. v2food was founded by Nick Hazell in 2019 and is based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

ProducePay

Series C in 2021
ProducePay is a financing and trading platform that supports the agricultural industry by providing essential financial resources. Originally conceived at Cornell University, the company gained momentum with strong backing from both faculty and students, earning recognition within Cornell’s entrepreneurial community. ProducePay offers farmers immediate access to liquidity and financing, along with real-time data that enhances pricing transparency. The platform connects farmers to crucial industry players, allowing them to access tailored cash flow services that can help expand their businesses sustainably.

Modern Meadow

Series C in 2021
Modern Meadow, LLC is a biofabrication company established in 2011 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. The company specializes in producing animal-free leather and other cultured products, such as meat alternatives, through innovative methods that eliminate the need for animal slaughter. By utilizing living cells and fermentation-based processes, Modern Meadow develops lightweight materials that provide superior color, performance, and durability, while also promoting lab-to-brand traceability. Their approach significantly reduces the inputs of land, water, energy, and chemicals, contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions. This focus on sustainability enables customers to maintain the quality and appearance of materials without relying on petrochemical inputs or animal-derived substances.

Current Foods

Seed Round in 2021
Kuleana creates plant-based alternatives for people's seafood favorites, using plants and biotechnology without the environmental and ethical consequences.

Aphea.Bio

Series B in 2020
Aphea.Bio NV/SA, founded in 2017 and headquartered in Gent, Belgium, specializes in the manufacture of biopesticides and biostimulants aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture. The company focuses on developing next-generation biopesticides derived from natural microorganisms, providing alternatives to traditional chemical pesticides, which face increasing regulatory scrutiny. Additionally, Aphea.Bio creates innovative biostimulants that enhance crop growth by improving nutrient uptake from the soil. Its products are designed to increase crop yields and protect against specific fungal diseases, contributing to more sustainable farming practices.

Apeel

Venture Round in 2020
Apeel Sciences, based in California, addresses the global food waste crisis by developing plant-derived solutions that extend the shelf life of fresh produce. Founded in 2012, the company creates pre-and post-harvest products using natural plant extracts, such as Edipeel and Invisipeel, which protect fruits and vegetables from environmental factors and pre-harvest issues. These innovations effectively double the lifespan of harvested crops without refrigeration, helping to reduce spoilage and conserve resources like water and energy. By leveraging materials found in the skins, peels, and seeds of fruits and vegetables, Apeel aims to minimize food waste and promote sustainability throughout the supply chain. The company's efforts are supported by a range of private investors and philanthropic organizations.

Ynsect

Series C in 2020
Ynsect is a biotech company based in Evry, France, founded in 2011. It specializes in the production and processing of insects for use as sustainable feed in aquaculture and poultry farming. The company utilizes innovative vertical farming techniques to convert organic resources into high-quality insect-based nutrients, including proteins and lipids, which are essential for animal nutrition. In addition to feed applications, Ynsect processes insects into non-food products such as organic fertilizers and bioenergy. By automating its production processes and focusing on large-scale insect farming, Ynsect aims to provide premium organic alternatives that support the agricultural and environmental sectors. Its expertise has made it a valuable partner for agri-food professionals, laboratories, investors, and insect industry farmers.

Ynsect

Series C in 2020
Ynsect is a biotech company based in Evry, France, founded in 2011. It specializes in the production and processing of insects for use as sustainable feed in aquaculture and poultry farming. The company utilizes innovative vertical farming techniques to convert organic resources into high-quality insect-based nutrients, including proteins and lipids, which are essential for animal nutrition. In addition to feed applications, Ynsect processes insects into non-food products such as organic fertilizers and bioenergy. By automating its production processes and focusing on large-scale insect farming, Ynsect aims to provide premium organic alternatives that support the agricultural and environmental sectors. Its expertise has made it a valuable partner for agri-food professionals, laboratories, investors, and insect industry farmers.

Infarm

Series C in 2020
Infarm, founded in 2013 and based in Berlin, Germany, specializes in indoor vertical farming systems designed to cultivate a variety of produce, including herbs, lettuce, vegetables, and fruits. The company merges advanced vertical farming techniques with Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and machine learning to create a resilient and transparent food system. Infarm's smart modular farms are strategically distributed in urban areas, allowing city residents access to fresh produce while promoting self-sufficiency in food production. With a focus on research and development, patented technologies, and a diverse team of experts, Infarm aims to enhance the safety, quality, and environmental sustainability of food in urban settings.

Current Foods

Seed Round in 2020
Kuleana creates plant-based alternatives for people's seafood favorites, using plants and biotechnology without the environmental and ethical consequences.

Current Foods

Seed Round in 2020
Kuleana creates plant-based alternatives for people's seafood favorites, using plants and biotechnology without the environmental and ethical consequences.

MagGrow

Series A in 2020
MagGrow, an Irish company based in Dublin, develops innovative magnetic spraying systems for the horticulture and arable sectors of the agricultural industry. Founded in 2013, the company offers a range of products, including the MagGrow backpack 1200, vertical boom, nozzle adapter, and the MagGrow boom Kit 7000, which is designed from cast aluminum and features no moving parts. The patented MagGrow technology enhances droplet formation, resulting in significant benefits such as up to 70% drift reduction and improved spray coverage of 20-40%. This technology not only reduces pesticide usage and conserves resources like water and labor but also extends application windows and complies with environmental and legislative standards. MagGrow operates in key markets including the USA, Canada, and Europe, serving customers with a focus on efficiency and sustainability in agricultural practices.

Infarm

Series B in 2019
Infarm, founded in 2013 and based in Berlin, Germany, specializes in indoor vertical farming systems designed to cultivate a variety of produce, including herbs, lettuce, vegetables, and fruits. The company merges advanced vertical farming techniques with Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and machine learning to create a resilient and transparent food system. Infarm's smart modular farms are strategically distributed in urban areas, allowing city residents access to fresh produce while promoting self-sufficiency in food production. With a focus on research and development, patented technologies, and a diverse team of experts, Infarm aims to enhance the safety, quality, and environmental sustainability of food in urban settings.

Artemis

Series A in 2019
Artemis operates an intelligence platform for indoor farms. It specializes in indoor farming software solutions. Artemis help indoor farm operators use data to make more profitable production decisions. It tracks and analyzes all farm data in one place, enabling growers to optimize plant performance and reduce operating expenses. Allison Kopf and Jason Camp founded Agrilyst in 2015 that later became Artemis. It has its headquarters in Brooklyn in New York City.

Garten

Series A in 2019
Garten, Inc. distributes vegan, gluten free, organic, and non GMO food products for individuals and offices in Silicon Valley, California. The company offers healthy snacks, coffee and tea, fresh produce, beverages, dairy products, and equipment. It also provides a slack wellness application that enables employees behavior across nutrition, rest, yoga, meditate, exercise, detox, and emotional wellbeing dimensions. Garten, Inc. was formerly known as Oh My Green, Inc. and changed its name to Garten, Inc. in June, 2020. The company was incorporated in 2014 and is based in San Mateo, California.

Ynsect

Series C in 2019
Ynsect is a biotech company based in Evry, France, founded in 2011. It specializes in the production and processing of insects for use as sustainable feed in aquaculture and poultry farming. The company utilizes innovative vertical farming techniques to convert organic resources into high-quality insect-based nutrients, including proteins and lipids, which are essential for animal nutrition. In addition to feed applications, Ynsect processes insects into non-food products such as organic fertilizers and bioenergy. By automating its production processes and focusing on large-scale insect farming, Ynsect aims to provide premium organic alternatives that support the agricultural and environmental sectors. Its expertise has made it a valuable partner for agri-food professionals, laboratories, investors, and insect industry farmers.
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