Prelude Ventures

Prelude Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, focusing on investments in ClimateTech. The firm aims to support innovative companies led by exceptional entrepreneurs and management teams that tackle significant market opportunities to reduce carbon intensity in the global economy. Prelude Ventures manages multiple funds, including Prelude Climate Fund II and Prelude Climate Opportunities Fund I, which target various sectors such as agriculture, energy production, environmental services, and alternative energy equipment. By concentrating on impact investments, the firm seeks to drive meaningful change in the climate sector across the United States and Canada.

Carly Anderson

Principal

Katie Clasen

Principal

Mark Cupta

Managing Director

Matt Eggers

Managing Director

Alexandra Harbour

Advisor

Gabriel Kra

Managing Director

Bryan Shill

Principal

Timothy A. Woodward

Managing Director

Past deals in Food Processing

Rumin8

Seed Round in 2022
Rumin8 is tackling one of the biggest contributors to climate change: methane emissions from livestock. The digestive process of beef and dairy cattle accounts for a full 3.7% of all greenhouse gas emissions, a huge contribution from a single source. With billions of people around the world relying on animal proteins as part of their daily diet, eliminating livestock methane production is a powerful lever in the quest toward a climate-optimal future. Rumin8 has invented a technology that has been shown to reduce the emissions from cattle by up to 95%. Our technology productizes the anti-methane compounds that occur naturally in plants and turns them into dietary supplements for livestock. The results are a reduction in methane emissions by up to 95%, an increase in the efficiency of the animal’s digestive systems, and more energy for the animal to grow The company is on a mission to decarbonize hundreds of millions of cattle around the world so the global food system can take a giant step forward.

Mori

Series B in 2022
Mori, officially known as Cambridge Crops, Inc., specializes in the development of an innovative biopolymer coating designed to extend the shelf life of perishable foods. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the company utilizes a unique process that extracts protein from natural silk using salt and water. This edible and natural coating forms a protective layer over various food items, including fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood, effectively slowing down spoilage. Through its technology, Mori aims to enhance the freshness of food while promoting sustainability in the food supply chain.

Ripple Foods

Series E in 2021
Ripple Foods specializes in producing high-quality, dairy-free milk alternatives that prioritize nutrition and taste. Their products are designed to be high in protein, offering eight times the protein found in almond milk while containing half the sugar of traditional dairy milk. Additionally, Ripple's beverages are rich in bioavailable calcium, providing 50% more than regular milk, and are a good source of potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. With a focus on delivering a creamy texture that enhances the drinking experience, Ripple aims to provide a satisfying alternative for those seeking non-dairy options without sacrificing flavor or nutritional value.

Ripple Foods

Series E in 2021
Ripple Foods specializes in producing high-quality, dairy-free milk alternatives that prioritize nutrition and taste. Their products are designed to be high in protein, offering eight times the protein found in almond milk while containing half the sugar of traditional dairy milk. Additionally, Ripple's beverages are rich in bioavailable calcium, providing 50% more than regular milk, and are a good source of potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. With a focus on delivering a creamy texture that enhances the drinking experience, Ripple aims to provide a satisfying alternative for those seeking non-dairy options without sacrificing flavor or nutritional value.

Meati

Series B in 2021
Meati, also known as Emergy Foods, is a consumer goods company based in Boulder, Colorado, founded in 2016. The company specializes in producing whole muscle, nutritious plant-based meats designed to promote healthier lifestyles and environmental sustainability. By utilizing proprietary, clean technologies, Meati offers nutrient-dense meat alternatives that aim to appeal to a wide audience, ensuring that consumers can enjoy meals that are both good for their health and the planet.

Mori

Series B in 2021
Mori, officially known as Cambridge Crops, Inc., specializes in the development of an innovative biopolymer coating designed to extend the shelf life of perishable foods. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the company utilizes a unique process that extracts protein from natural silk using salt and water. This edible and natural coating forms a protective layer over various food items, including fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood, effectively slowing down spoilage. Through its technology, Mori aims to enhance the freshness of food while promoting sustainability in the food supply chain.

Benson Hill

Series D in 2020
Benson Hill is an agricultural technology company focused on crop improvement, particularly in soy protein innovation. By leveraging its proprietary CropOS™ platform, the company integrates machine learning, genomic data, and traditional breeding techniques to streamline the development of healthier and more sustainable food products. Benson Hill emphasizes unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants to empower innovators in creating flavorful and nutritious ingredients. The company operates a Crop Accelerator for rapid prototyping and is developing a diverse seed portfolio that includes protein ingredients, aquaculture, specialty animal feed, and vegetable oils. Its revenue is generated from both proprietary and non-proprietary product categories, reflecting its commitment to advancing agricultural innovation.

Ripple Foods

Series D in 2020
Ripple Foods specializes in producing high-quality, dairy-free milk alternatives that prioritize nutrition and taste. Their products are designed to be high in protein, offering eight times the protein found in almond milk while containing half the sugar of traditional dairy milk. Additionally, Ripple's beverages are rich in bioavailable calcium, providing 50% more than regular milk, and are a good source of potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. With a focus on delivering a creamy texture that enhances the drinking experience, Ripple aims to provide a satisfying alternative for those seeking non-dairy options without sacrificing flavor or nutritional value.

Climax Foods

Seed Round in 2020
Climax Foods is a data science company based in Berkeley, California, founded in 2019. It focuses on revolutionizing the food production system by utilizing artificial intelligence to innovate plant-based food products. The company develops sophisticated machine intelligence tools that facilitate the rapid creation of dairy alternatives optimized for taste, texture, and nutrition, enabling them to effectively compete with traditional animal-based foods. By leveraging the vast biodiversity of the plant kingdom, Climax Foods aims to deliver high-quality food at an accessible price point, bringing together a team of experienced data and food scientists to drive this transformation in the industry.

Meati

Series A in 2020
Meati, also known as Emergy Foods, is a consumer goods company based in Boulder, Colorado, founded in 2016. The company specializes in producing whole muscle, nutritious plant-based meats designed to promote healthier lifestyles and environmental sustainability. By utilizing proprietary, clean technologies, Meati offers nutrient-dense meat alternatives that aim to appeal to a wide audience, ensuring that consumers can enjoy meals that are both good for their health and the planet.

Mori

Series A in 2020
Mori, officially known as Cambridge Crops, Inc., specializes in the development of an innovative biopolymer coating designed to extend the shelf life of perishable foods. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the company utilizes a unique process that extracts protein from natural silk using salt and water. This edible and natural coating forms a protective layer over various food items, including fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood, effectively slowing down spoilage. Through its technology, Mori aims to enhance the freshness of food while promoting sustainability in the food supply chain.

SCiFi Foods

Venture Round in 2020
SCiFi Foods, known as Artemys, Inc., is a biotechnology company based in San Leandro, California, founded in 2019. The company specializes in producing meat and meat products through innovative methods that cultivate meat from animal cells rather than relying on traditional animal harvesting. This approach allows SCiFi Foods to create next-generation meat alternatives, promoting sustainability in food production. The company aims to revolutionize the meat industry by offering a more humane and environmentally friendly way to provide protein to consumers.

Meati

Venture Round in 2019
Meati, also known as Emergy Foods, is a consumer goods company based in Boulder, Colorado, founded in 2016. The company specializes in producing whole muscle, nutritious plant-based meats designed to promote healthier lifestyles and environmental sustainability. By utilizing proprietary, clean technologies, Meati offers nutrient-dense meat alternatives that aim to appeal to a wide audience, ensuring that consumers can enjoy meals that are both good for their health and the planet.

Benson Hill

Series C in 2018
Benson Hill is an agricultural technology company focused on crop improvement, particularly in soy protein innovation. By leveraging its proprietary CropOS™ platform, the company integrates machine learning, genomic data, and traditional breeding techniques to streamline the development of healthier and more sustainable food products. Benson Hill emphasizes unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants to empower innovators in creating flavorful and nutritious ingredients. The company operates a Crop Accelerator for rapid prototyping and is developing a diverse seed portfolio that includes protein ingredients, aquaculture, specialty animal feed, and vegetable oils. Its revenue is generated from both proprietary and non-proprietary product categories, reflecting its commitment to advancing agricultural innovation.

Ripple Foods

Series C in 2018
Ripple Foods specializes in producing high-quality, dairy-free milk alternatives that prioritize nutrition and taste. Their products are designed to be high in protein, offering eight times the protein found in almond milk while containing half the sugar of traditional dairy milk. Additionally, Ripple's beverages are rich in bioavailable calcium, providing 50% more than regular milk, and are a good source of potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. With a focus on delivering a creamy texture that enhances the drinking experience, Ripple aims to provide a satisfying alternative for those seeking non-dairy options without sacrificing flavor or nutritional value.

Benson Hill

Series B in 2017
Benson Hill is an agricultural technology company focused on crop improvement, particularly in soy protein innovation. By leveraging its proprietary CropOS™ platform, the company integrates machine learning, genomic data, and traditional breeding techniques to streamline the development of healthier and more sustainable food products. Benson Hill emphasizes unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants to empower innovators in creating flavorful and nutritious ingredients. The company operates a Crop Accelerator for rapid prototyping and is developing a diverse seed portfolio that includes protein ingredients, aquaculture, specialty animal feed, and vegetable oils. Its revenue is generated from both proprietary and non-proprietary product categories, reflecting its commitment to advancing agricultural innovation.

Ripple Foods

Series B in 2016
Ripple Foods specializes in producing high-quality, dairy-free milk alternatives that prioritize nutrition and taste. Their products are designed to be high in protein, offering eight times the protein found in almond milk while containing half the sugar of traditional dairy milk. Additionally, Ripple's beverages are rich in bioavailable calcium, providing 50% more than regular milk, and are a good source of potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. With a focus on delivering a creamy texture that enhances the drinking experience, Ripple aims to provide a satisfying alternative for those seeking non-dairy options without sacrificing flavor or nutritional value.

Ripple Foods

Series A in 2015
Ripple Foods specializes in producing high-quality, dairy-free milk alternatives that prioritize nutrition and taste. Their products are designed to be high in protein, offering eight times the protein found in almond milk while containing half the sugar of traditional dairy milk. Additionally, Ripple's beverages are rich in bioavailable calcium, providing 50% more than regular milk, and are a good source of potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. With a focus on delivering a creamy texture that enhances the drinking experience, Ripple aims to provide a satisfying alternative for those seeking non-dairy options without sacrificing flavor or nutritional value.

Benson Hill

Series A in 2015
Benson Hill is an agricultural technology company focused on crop improvement, particularly in soy protein innovation. By leveraging its proprietary CropOS™ platform, the company integrates machine learning, genomic data, and traditional breeding techniques to streamline the development of healthier and more sustainable food products. Benson Hill emphasizes unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants to empower innovators in creating flavorful and nutritious ingredients. The company operates a Crop Accelerator for rapid prototyping and is developing a diverse seed portfolio that includes protein ingredients, aquaculture, specialty animal feed, and vegetable oils. Its revenue is generated from both proprietary and non-proprietary product categories, reflecting its commitment to advancing agricultural innovation.