Lewis & Clark AgriFood

Lewis & Clark AgriFood is an investment firm based in Saint Louis, Missouri, established in 2019. The firm specializes in the agrifood sector, concentrating on agricultural innovation, sustainability, and ag-tech. It targets late-stage venture capital and growth-stage companies that are tech-enabled and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, particularly in plant agriculture, food, supply chain, and animal health. By focusing on firms approaching positive operating cash flow, Lewis & Clark AgriFood aims to mitigate risk while seeking substantial returns on investment, primarily along the United States coasts.

Timothy W. Hassler

Managing Director

Thomas Hillman

Founding Partner

Suhas Narayanaswamy

Principal

Larry Page

Managing Director

Matt Plummer

Vice President

Lily Reed

Associate

David Russell Ph.D

Operating Partner

David Taiclet

General Partner & Managing Director

14 past transactions

Brightseed

Series B in 2022
Brightseed, Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in discovering clinically beneficial molecules found in plants through its innovative Forager platform. Founded in 2017 and based in San Francisco, California, the company employs artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to screen plant genes, identifying the most effective sources for addressing various health conditions. By uncovering naturally occurring compounds with potential health benefits, Brightseed aims to enhance the quality of life and support chronic disease management. The company’s mission is to strengthen the connection between people and plants, ultimately facilitating a healthier future for individuals and communities.

Natural Fiber Welding

Series B in 2022
Natural Fiber Welding, Inc. is a manufacturer and supplier of innovative fabrics and materials, utilizing technology that transforms plants and natural fibers into durable textiles and products. Founded in 2015 and based in Peoria, Illinois, the company focuses on harnessing renewable resources to create sustainable alternatives to synthetic materials. By leveraging abundant local resources, Natural Fiber Welding aims to develop scalable solutions that are accessible to diverse communities, enhancing the quality and usability of their products while minimizing processing costs. The company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation positions it as a leader in the movement toward environmentally friendly materials.

Arzeda

Series B in 2022
Arzeda Corporation, founded in 2008 and based in Seattle, Washington, specializes in the development and commercialization of innovative enzymes and specialty chemical products. The company leverages advanced computational enzyme design technology to create designer proteins and enzymes tailored for diverse applications in polymers, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals. By focusing on biocatalysis, Arzeda aims to provide clients with high-performance, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions that enhance their products. The company's expertise in synthetic biology positions it as a leader in the field, enabling the development of a robust portfolio that addresses the growing demand for advanced chemical products.

IUNU

Series B in 2022
IUNU, Inc. is an agricultural technology company that specializes in developing an AI and computer vision platform for greenhouse management. The company's flagship product, LUNA, is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution designed to provide growers with detailed insights and production management tools. By leveraging computer vision technology, LUNA monitors crop growth and transforms commercial greenhouses into efficient, demand-driven operations. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, IUNU also has offices in San Francisco and San Diego, further supporting its mission to enhance agricultural practices through innovative technology.

Plastomics

Series A in 2021
Plastomics Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Saint Louis, Missouri, that specializes in chloroplast genetic engineering to enhance crop performance. Founded in 2016, the company focuses on developing advanced crops through gene stacking and rapid breeding techniques, aimed at improving yield production and nutritional quality. Plastomics' technology platform allows for the precise insertion of beneficial traits into the chloroplasts of plant cells, which helps seed companies create more effective biotech crops. This innovative approach not only eliminates cross-pollination but also enables unique maternal inheritance, thereby reducing both breeding timelines and costs associated with bringing new products to market. Through its efforts, Plastomics addresses various challenges faced by the agricultural industry.

Gencove

Series A in 2021
We make genomics affordable and accessible through a cost-effective low-coverage whole genome sequencing technology

Beta Hatch

Venture Round in 2021
Beta Hatch grows insect protein for animal feed. Nutrient balanced fertilizer is a sterile by-product of their process. Beta Hatch knows bugs better than anyone- they use their expertise in entomology to grow the most efficient and nutritious insects. They are currently farming mealworms from their urban farm in Seattle. They believe in changing food systems. Their goal is to develop the technology and knowledge that will make insects the next commodity crop.

SinnovaTek

Seed Round in 2021
SinnovaTek focuses on developing innovative processing technologies for food and bio-materials, aiming to enhance global health and wellness through sustainable practices. The company specializes in designing and engineering aseptic facilities and advanced thermal processing equipment tailored for food manufacturers. Additionally, SinnovaTek provides continuous flow microwave processing systems that assist in ingredient sourcing, product development, and end packaging. Through engineering, research, and development support, the company enables consumer packaged goods brands to effectively launch and test new products in an aseptic format, promoting the delivery of healthier food options.

Bushel

Series C in 2021
Bushel Inc. is a technology company based in Fargo, North Dakota, that specializes in developing software solutions for the agricultural sector, particularly for grain companies and growers. Founded in 2011, Bushel provides an automated mobile app platform designed for grain elevators and cooperatives, enabling them to connect with growers and deliver real-time information. The platform integrates with grain elevator accounting systems, allowing growers to access vital data such as contracts, scale tickets, cash bids, and market information directly on their mobile devices. This streamlined communication empowers growers to make informed decisions quickly, enhances their ability to track grain deliveries, and simplifies the management of contracts. By eliminating the reliance on paper slips and ensuring real-time updates, Bushel facilitates a more efficient and transparent business relationship between growers and grain facilities.

Tortuga AgTech

Series A in 2021
Tortuga AgTech focuses on enhancing agricultural practices through the development of digital horticulture systems that integrate robotics, automation, precision data analytics, and machine learning. By automating labor-intensive tasks such as picking, packing, and trimming, Tortuga AgTech aims to significantly reduce the manual labor required in farming while increasing yields through optimized growing conditions. The company's mission is to promote a healthier society and a thriving ecosystem by empowering growers to produce unique, nutritious food that is environmentally sustainable. This approach not only helps farmers compete with large-scale agriculture but also fosters the creation of local technical jobs. Ultimately, Tortuga AgTech strives to provide fresher and healthier products to communities near their grower clients.

Stony Creek Colors

Series B in 2021
Stony Creek Colors, Inc. is a manufacturer of bio-based colorants for the global textile industry, specializing in plant-based dyes. Founded in 2012 by Sarah Bellos and headquartered in Springfield, Tennessee, the company collaborates with small farmers in the Southeastern United States to produce its products. Stony Creek Colors focuses on providing sustainable color solutions to mills and brands, promoting environmentally friendly practices within the textile sector.

BlueNalu

Convertible Note in 2021
BlueNalu is a cellular aquaculture company that satisfies the global appetite for seafood in a fresh, sustainable, and humane way. It offers consumers with great tasting, healthy, safe, and trusted seafood products, that support the sustainability and diversity of the oceans. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Hortau

Debt Financing in 2020
Hortau specializes in wireless and web-based irrigation management. Hortau integrates proprietary soil sensing innovations with the latest information technologies to deliver the most advanced irrigation management solutions on the market. Hortau was founded in 2002, by Dr. Jean Caron, Agronomist, Ph.D in Soil Physics and Jocelyn Boudreau, agricultural engineer, M.Sc. in Soil Physics. Their expertise is in Agronomy, Soil Physics and Agricultural Engineering. Improving crop production is their focus.

Brightseed

Venture Round in 2020
Brightseed, Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in discovering clinically beneficial molecules found in plants through its innovative Forager platform. Founded in 2017 and based in San Francisco, California, the company employs artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to screen plant genes, identifying the most effective sources for addressing various health conditions. By uncovering naturally occurring compounds with potential health benefits, Brightseed aims to enhance the quality of life and support chronic disease management. The company’s mission is to strengthen the connection between people and plants, ultimately facilitating a healthier future for individuals and communities.