Clay Capital

We have helped to germinate and grow some of the most iconic start-up companies that are revolutionising the world of food and agriculture today. Pioneers in deploying venture capital into 'New Protein', we back ambitious teams who are developing transformative solutions for a healthier, safer and more sustainable food and feed system. Our global food system is experiencing profound changes across its entire value chain. Unsustainable production methods, devastating diseases in livestock and aquaculture, antibiotic resistance, consumer demand for healthier food propositions, and a diabetes epidemic — are all challenging an industry desperately looking for ways to adapt. ​This context presents us with unrivalled opportunities for smart investing — investments that address urgent issues today, for a better tomorrow.

Gerard Chia

Partner

Marie-Anne Dupin-Vermersch

Partner

Kenneth Lee

Senior Partner

Matthieu Vermersch

Founder and Managing Partner

24 past transactions

In Ovo

Series B in 2022
In Ovo B.V., founded in 2011 and based in Leiden, the Netherlands, develops innovative technology solutions for the poultry industry, focusing on animal welfare and operational efficiency. The company addresses a significant issue in hatcheries: the culling of one-day-old male chickens. In Ovo has created a gender screening test that enables the determination of a chick's gender during the early stages of the breeding process. This approach reduces the stress associated with manual sorting, lowers energy consumption and CO2 emissions in hatcheries, and eliminates the need to cull male chicks. By enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of hatcheries, In Ovo contributes to a more humane treatment of animals in the poultry industry.

Nuritas

Series B in 2021
Nuritas is revolutionising the discovery of novel, natural and scientifically proven active ingredients that can manage and improve human health. The company’s disruptive computational approach to discovery uses artificial intelligence and genomics to, for the first time ever, rapidly and efficiently predict and then provide access to the most health-benefiting components hidden within food, called bioactive peptides.

Collectiv Food

Series A in 2021
Our vision is to lead the transition to a fair, transparent and sustainable food supply chain, meeting the demands of the cities of tomorrow. The current food supply chain is broken, opaque and was designed in a pre-internet world. We are building a streamlined and automated food supply chain to support forward-looking food businesses. We provide an automated, sustainable and customer-centric food supply and delivery service.

Aleph Farms

Series B in 2021
Aleph Farms Limited, based in Ashdod, Israel, specializes in the production of clean meat through innovative cellular agriculture techniques. The company focuses on growing real beef steaks and other meat products directly from the cells of living cows, utilizing proprietary three-dimensional bioprinting technologies. This approach allows Aleph Farms to create lab-cultured meat products, including ground meat and beef burger patties, without the need for animal slaughter. As a leader in the sustainable food ecosystem, Aleph Farms aims to reshape the global meat market, which is valued at over $1 trillion. Co-founded with The Kitchen Hub and the Technion Institute of Technology, Aleph Farms has garnered significant investment to support its mission to provide clean and healthy alternatives to traditional meat products.

Aleph Farms

Series B in 2021
Aleph Farms Limited, based in Ashdod, Israel, specializes in the production of clean meat through innovative cellular agriculture techniques. The company focuses on growing real beef steaks and other meat products directly from the cells of living cows, utilizing proprietary three-dimensional bioprinting technologies. This approach allows Aleph Farms to create lab-cultured meat products, including ground meat and beef burger patties, without the need for animal slaughter. As a leader in the sustainable food ecosystem, Aleph Farms aims to reshape the global meat market, which is valued at over $1 trillion. Co-founded with The Kitchen Hub and the Technion Institute of Technology, Aleph Farms has garnered significant investment to support its mission to provide clean and healthy alternatives to traditional meat products.

Aleph Farms

Series B in 2021
Aleph Farms Limited, based in Ashdod, Israel, specializes in the production of clean meat through innovative cellular agriculture techniques. The company focuses on growing real beef steaks and other meat products directly from the cells of living cows, utilizing proprietary three-dimensional bioprinting technologies. This approach allows Aleph Farms to create lab-cultured meat products, including ground meat and beef burger patties, without the need for animal slaughter. As a leader in the sustainable food ecosystem, Aleph Farms aims to reshape the global meat market, which is valued at over $1 trillion. Co-founded with The Kitchen Hub and the Technion Institute of Technology, Aleph Farms has garnered significant investment to support its mission to provide clean and healthy alternatives to traditional meat products.

ViAqua Therapeutics

Venture Round in 2021
ViAqua Therapeutics Ltd develops drugs and therapeutics for aquaculture. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in Israel.ViAqua Therapeutics is developing the first orally administered treatment for aquaculture.The Company’s management bring a broad range of business development, technology development, management, and industrial biotech experience.

In Ovo

Venture Round in 2021
In Ovo B.V., founded in 2011 and based in Leiden, the Netherlands, develops innovative technology solutions for the poultry industry, focusing on animal welfare and operational efficiency. The company addresses a significant issue in hatcheries: the culling of one-day-old male chickens. In Ovo has created a gender screening test that enables the determination of a chick's gender during the early stages of the breeding process. This approach reduces the stress associated with manual sorting, lowers energy consumption and CO2 emissions in hatcheries, and eliminates the need to cull male chicks. By enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of hatcheries, In Ovo contributes to a more humane treatment of animals in the poultry industry.

In Ovo

Series A in 2021
In Ovo B.V., founded in 2011 and based in Leiden, the Netherlands, develops innovative technology solutions for the poultry industry, focusing on animal welfare and operational efficiency. The company addresses a significant issue in hatcheries: the culling of one-day-old male chickens. In Ovo has created a gender screening test that enables the determination of a chick's gender during the early stages of the breeding process. This approach reduces the stress associated with manual sorting, lowers energy consumption and CO2 emissions in hatcheries, and eliminates the need to cull male chicks. By enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of hatcheries, In Ovo contributes to a more humane treatment of animals in the poultry industry.

SwissDeCode

Venture Round in 2021
SwissDeCode helps food manufacturers to grow and produce food that is safe to eat by offering a rapid onsite DNA test. SwissDeCode provides factories and production line with plug and play solutions that deliver food safety and quality certificates in the same workshift, to transform contamination threats into sustainable opportunities. SwissDeCodew was founded on 2016 and is headquartered in Renens, Switzerland.

Mushlabs GmbH

Series A in 2020
Mushlabs GmbH is a biotechnology company based in Berlin, Germany, that specializes in producing mushroom mycelium as a raw ingredient for meat alternatives. Founded in 2018, the company employs a fermentation platform that harnesses the potential of fungi to create nutritious and sustainable food options. By focusing on the natural processes of fermentation, Mushlabs develops healthier and tastier products with minimal ingredients, catering to both meat-eaters and vegetarians. The company aims to transform food consumption by offering solutions that benefit consumers' health while also being environmentally friendly.

Mushlabs GmbH

Series A in 2020
Mushlabs GmbH is a biotechnology company based in Berlin, Germany, that specializes in producing mushroom mycelium as a raw ingredient for meat alternatives. Founded in 2018, the company employs a fermentation platform that harnesses the potential of fungi to create nutritious and sustainable food options. By focusing on the natural processes of fermentation, Mushlabs develops healthier and tastier products with minimal ingredients, catering to both meat-eaters and vegetarians. The company aims to transform food consumption by offering solutions that benefit consumers' health while also being environmentally friendly.

Mitte

Convertible Note in 2019
Mitte is a provider of smart water system that unites water purification with enhancement, giving you personalized and healthy water right in your home. Founded in 2015, the company is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.

Aleph Farms

Series A in 2019
Aleph Farms Limited, based in Ashdod, Israel, specializes in the production of clean meat through innovative cellular agriculture techniques. The company focuses on growing real beef steaks and other meat products directly from the cells of living cows, utilizing proprietary three-dimensional bioprinting technologies. This approach allows Aleph Farms to create lab-cultured meat products, including ground meat and beef burger patties, without the need for animal slaughter. As a leader in the sustainable food ecosystem, Aleph Farms aims to reshape the global meat market, which is valued at over $1 trillion. Co-founded with The Kitchen Hub and the Technion Institute of Technology, Aleph Farms has garnered significant investment to support its mission to provide clean and healthy alternatives to traditional meat products.

Aleph Farms

Series A in 2019
Aleph Farms Limited, based in Ashdod, Israel, specializes in the production of clean meat through innovative cellular agriculture techniques. The company focuses on growing real beef steaks and other meat products directly from the cells of living cows, utilizing proprietary three-dimensional bioprinting technologies. This approach allows Aleph Farms to create lab-cultured meat products, including ground meat and beef burger patties, without the need for animal slaughter. As a leader in the sustainable food ecosystem, Aleph Farms aims to reshape the global meat market, which is valued at over $1 trillion. Co-founded with The Kitchen Hub and the Technion Institute of Technology, Aleph Farms has garnered significant investment to support its mission to provide clean and healthy alternatives to traditional meat products.

Nutrition Innovation

Series A in 2019
Nutrition Innovation is a food and technology company striving to make the world a healthier place through sugar reduction, replacement and innovation. Our technology empowers global sugar companies to produce Nucane™, a range of healthier, naturally low glycemic sugars designed for both sugar replacement and even sugar reduction by up to 70%. These technologies can be licensed by the global industry to be rapidly and efficiently produced at scale for all major food and beverage brands.

Nutrition Innovation

Seed Round in 2019
Nutrition Innovation is a food and technology company striving to make the world a healthier place through sugar reduction, replacement and innovation. Our technology empowers global sugar companies to produce Nucane™, a range of healthier, naturally low glycemic sugars designed for both sugar replacement and even sugar reduction by up to 70%. These technologies can be licensed by the global industry to be rapidly and efficiently produced at scale for all major food and beverage brands.

Ynsect

Series C in 2019
Ynsect is a biotech company based in Evry, France, founded in 2011. The company specializes in the design, construction, and operation of insect production and processing facilities aimed at producing sustainable feed for fish and poultry. Ynsect focuses on the bioconversion of organic resources through insects, transforming them into high-quality nutrients such as proteins and lipids for animal feed, as well as non-food applications like organic fertilizers and bioenergy. By leveraging insect nutrients and behaviors, Ynsect collaborates with clients to develop innovative products and services. The company is recognized for its expertise in large-scale insect farming and automated processing, making it a preferred partner among professionals in the agri-food sector, laboratories, investors, and public institutions.

ViAqua Therapeutics

Venture Round in 2018
ViAqua Therapeutics Ltd develops drugs and therapeutics for aquaculture. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in Israel.ViAqua Therapeutics is developing the first orally administered treatment for aquaculture.The Company’s management bring a broad range of business development, technology development, management, and industrial biotech experience.

In Ovo

Series A in 2018
In Ovo B.V., founded in 2011 and based in Leiden, the Netherlands, develops innovative technology solutions for the poultry industry, focusing on animal welfare and operational efficiency. The company addresses a significant issue in hatcheries: the culling of one-day-old male chickens. In Ovo has created a gender screening test that enables the determination of a chick's gender during the early stages of the breeding process. This approach reduces the stress associated with manual sorting, lowers energy consumption and CO2 emissions in hatcheries, and eliminates the need to cull male chicks. By enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of hatcheries, In Ovo contributes to a more humane treatment of animals in the poultry industry.

Mitte

Seed Round in 2018
Mitte is a provider of smart water system that unites water purification with enhancement, giving you personalized and healthy water right in your home. Founded in 2015, the company is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.

Ynsect

Series B in 2016
Ynsect is a biotech company based in Evry, France, founded in 2011. The company specializes in the design, construction, and operation of insect production and processing facilities aimed at producing sustainable feed for fish and poultry. Ynsect focuses on the bioconversion of organic resources through insects, transforming them into high-quality nutrients such as proteins and lipids for animal feed, as well as non-food applications like organic fertilizers and bioenergy. By leveraging insect nutrients and behaviors, Ynsect collaborates with clients to develop innovative products and services. The company is recognized for its expertise in large-scale insect farming and automated processing, making it a preferred partner among professionals in the agri-food sector, laboratories, investors, and public institutions.

Nuritas

Seed Round in 2015
Nuritas is revolutionising the discovery of novel, natural and scientifically proven active ingredients that can manage and improve human health. The company’s disruptive computational approach to discovery uses artificial intelligence and genomics to, for the first time ever, rapidly and efficiently predict and then provide access to the most health-benefiting components hidden within food, called bioactive peptides.

Ynsect

Series B in 2014
Ynsect is a biotech company based in Evry, France, founded in 2011. The company specializes in the design, construction, and operation of insect production and processing facilities aimed at producing sustainable feed for fish and poultry. Ynsect focuses on the bioconversion of organic resources through insects, transforming them into high-quality nutrients such as proteins and lipids for animal feed, as well as non-food applications like organic fertilizers and bioenergy. By leveraging insect nutrients and behaviors, Ynsect collaborates with clients to develop innovative products and services. The company is recognized for its expertise in large-scale insect farming and automated processing, making it a preferred partner among professionals in the agri-food sector, laboratories, investors, and public institutions.