S2G Ventures

S2G Ventures, established in 2014 and based in Chicago, is a multi-stage venture fund focused on food and agriculture. The firm aims to support entrepreneurs whose products and services address the growing consumer demand for healthy, sustainable, and local food options. S2G Ventures identifies various sectors within the food system that are poised for transformation and builds a diverse portfolio through seed, venture, and growth-stage investments. Its investment areas encompass agriculture, food ingredients, infrastructure and logistics, food safety and technology, as well as retail, restaurants, and consumer brands. The firm’s mission is to drive innovation in these sectors to enhance sustainability and health in the food supply chain.

Sanjeev Krishnan

Senior Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer

Rachel O'Connell

Associate

Cristina Rohr

Managing Director, Food and Agriculture

Aaron Rudberg

Chief Operating Officer & Senior Managing Director

Chuck Templeton

Managing Partner

Matthew Walker

Managing Director, Food and Agriculture

Past deals in Organic Food

Eat the Change

Venture Round in 2022
Eat the Change is a company focused on creating nutritious and environmentally friendly snacks. Founded by activist entrepreneur Seth Goldman and celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn, the company aims to empower consumers to make dietary choices that align with their health and environmental concerns. Eat the Change produces a range of chef-crafted products, including organic mushroom jerky, which provide essential vitamins while promoting sustainability. Through its offerings, the company seeks to deliver delicious snacks that positively impact both personal well-being and the planet.

MycoTechnology

Series E in 2022
MycoTechnology utilizes fungi-based food-processing platforms to transform the flavor and value of agricultural products. The platform can be used to solve a variety of challenges faced by the food, beverage, and flavor industries. MycoTechnology has released ClearTaste, an all-natural, GMO-free, organic bitter blocker that is Kosher and Halal certified. ClearTaste improves the flavor of various agricultural products. MycoTechnology also engages in fermenting agricultural products with strains of gourmet fungi. The company offers myceliated chocolate as well as robusta and arabica coffee beans. It develops and licenses technology to the industry to naturally improve the flavor of robusta and arabica coffee. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is based in Aurora, Colorado.

Once Upon a Farm

Series D in 2022
Once Upon a Farm Kiddo Meals are processed using High Pressure Processing, which uses pressure instead of heat to kill off any potential harmful ingredients. This process also allows for a more nutrient dense food. Further, the brands that are currently on the shelves usually contain a large percentage of water, fillers, sugars and preservatives, which take away from the natural state of the food. This in turn takes away from optimal nutrition for babies, since optimal absorption of nutrients occurs when food is in its most natural state.

Flashfood

Series A in 2022
Flashfood Inc. is a Toronto-based company that has developed an app aimed at reducing food wastage by connecting grocery stores and restaurants with consumers looking for discounted surplus food. The platform allows vendors to sell high-quality, surplus items at steep discounts, thereby increasing their revenue while simultaneously providing savings for shoppers. Users can browse local deals, purchase items directly through the app, and pick them up in-store. Since its founding in 2016, Flashfood has focused on addressing the issues of food waste and promoting sustainability in the food supply chain.

Wildtype

Series B in 2022
Wild Type, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that produces meat, poultry, and seafood through cellular agriculture, eliminating the need for raising or slaughtering animals. Founded in 2016, Wild Type offers a sustainable alternative to traditional food sources, addressing critical issues such as climate change, food security, and public health. By leveraging advanced cellular agriculture technologies, the company aims to redefine how society sources healthy and delicious meat, contributing to a more sustainable food ecosystem.

Yali Biosciences

Seed Round in 2022
Yali Biosciences is a food tech company that uses synthetic biology and genomics tools to make climate-smart, sustainable foods.

Back to the Roots

Series D in 2021
Back to the Roots offers gardening kits to grow organic and gourmet mushrooms at homes. Founded in 2009 by Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora as a 100% sustainable urban mushroom farm, BTTR has transformed into a company focused on bringing sustainable grow-at-home products into households. Their Grow-at-Home Mushroom Garden is completely indoors and can grow up to 1lb of oyster mushrooms in as little as 10 days. They provide a simple, eco-friendly, and quick way to have fresh oyster mushrooms right in the kitchen.

3Bar Biologics

Seed Round in 2021
3Bar Biologics Inc. is a bioscience company located in Columbus, Ohio, focused on enhancing agricultural productivity through innovative solutions. Established in 2013, the company specializes in the development of Bio-YIELD, a microbe inoculant system that utilizes naturally occurring microbes tailored to specific crops and soil conditions. This all-natural product aims to increase crop yields and produce healthier plants by employing beneficial microorganisms. Bio-YIELD was first introduced to farmers in the eastern Corn Belt in 2014 and is supported by over 15 years of research conducted by scientists at The Ohio State University. The firm is committed to expanding its reach to global markets as it gathers further data to support its products, promoting sustainable farming practices that protect farmers' investments in their land and seeds.

Soli Organic

Venture Round in 2021
Soli Organic is a company that specializes in the cultivation, packing, and shipping of fresh organic culinary herbs. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Harrisonburg, Virginia, it operates a production facility in Jefferson, Georgia. Soli Organic offers a diverse range of products, including various herbs such as basil, cilantro, dill, mint, and thyme, as well as herb blends and microgreens. The company provides a year-round supply of these organic herbs to grocery stores, enabling consumers to enjoy locally sourced, flavorful ingredients throughout the year. In addition to its agricultural operations, Soli Organic also offers refrigerated transportation services to ensure efficient delivery. It primarily serves retailers across several states in the southeastern United States, including Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina.

Sound Agriculture

Series C in 2021
Sound Agriculture uses molecular discovery to create climate-resilient crops, enhancing harvest yields for growers. They also use an innovative life science approach to sustainably increase farming productivity. The company was founded in 2013 and headquartered in Emeryville, California.

Once Upon a Farm

Series C in 2021
Once Upon a Farm Kiddo Meals are processed using High Pressure Processing, which uses pressure instead of heat to kill off any potential harmful ingredients. This process also allows for a more nutrient dense food. Further, the brands that are currently on the shelves usually contain a large percentage of water, fillers, sugars and preservatives, which take away from the natural state of the food. This in turn takes away from optimal nutrition for babies, since optimal absorption of nutrients occurs when food is in its most natural state.

Territory Foods

Series B in 2021
Territory Foods is a chef-prepared meal delivery service that creates nutritionist-approved menus tailored to support various dietary preferences and regional market tastes. Its fresh, healthy, ready-to-eat meals are designed by in-house culinary professionals and nutrition experts, prepared by a dedicated team of chefs, and powered by a proprietary algorithm that informs personalized menu variety at scale. Its boredom-proof rotating menus feature a wide variety of freshly-made artisan meals per week that are responsibly sourced, always free of refined sugars, and made without ingredients that contain gluten and dairy. Menus can be customized to meet dietary templates such as Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, and Keto, taking the guesswork out of navigating and committing to healthy eating. Territory Foods launched in 2011 and is headquartered in Arlington, VA.

Good Eggs

Series D in 2021
Good Eggs, Inc. is an online grocery market based in San Francisco, California, specializing in the delivery of fresh groceries and meal kits to customers' homes throughout the Bay Area. Founded in 2011, the company provides a diverse range of products, including fresh produce, dairy, meats, seafood, snacks, beverages, bakery items, pantry staples, and health and home essentials. Good Eggs emphasizes local sourcing, with over 70% of its offerings coming from regional suppliers, and adheres to strict quality standards for its products. With same-day delivery available seven days a week, Good Eggs aims to simplify meal preparation for families while promoting a sustainable food system. The company has also expanded its marketplace significantly in recent years, adding more than 1,000 new items and broadening its delivery reach. In addition to its commitment to quality food, Good Eggs prioritizes fair labor practices by providing its employees with competitive wages and benefits.

Back to the Roots

Venture Round in 2020
Back to the Roots offers gardening kits to grow organic and gourmet mushrooms at homes. Founded in 2009 by Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora as a 100% sustainable urban mushroom farm, BTTR has transformed into a company focused on bringing sustainable grow-at-home products into households. Their Grow-at-Home Mushroom Garden is completely indoors and can grow up to 1lb of oyster mushrooms in as little as 10 days. They provide a simple, eco-friendly, and quick way to have fresh oyster mushrooms right in the kitchen.

Maple Hill Creamery

Series D in 2020
Maple Hill Creamery is a farm-family owned dairy manufacturer founded in 2009, and is widely recognized as the preeminent leader in the emerging 100% grass-fed dairy category. They are the first dairy brand to receive the Pennsylvania Certified Organic 100% Grassfed Certification. Since day one, Maple Hill has stood by their conviction that 100% grass-fed organic dairy farming is better for everyone from cows to consumers. 100% grass-fed dairy farming produces the highest quality milk, supports the healthiest lifestyle for cows, improves the fertility of grazing land, and allows farmers to prosper.

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.

AppHarvest

Series C in 2020
AppHarvest, Inc. is an agricultural technology company that focuses on constructing and operating controlled-environment greenhouse farms. Established in 2017 and headquartered in Morehead, Kentucky, the company aims to produce non-GMO, chemical-free vegetables by integrating traditional farming methods with modern technology. Its greenhouses are designed to optimize water distribution and reduce overall water usage, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices. Through these innovative approaches, AppHarvest seeks to enhance food production while minimizing environmental impact.

MycoTechnology

Series D in 2020
MycoTechnology utilizes fungi-based food-processing platforms to transform the flavor and value of agricultural products. The platform can be used to solve a variety of challenges faced by the food, beverage, and flavor industries. MycoTechnology has released ClearTaste, an all-natural, GMO-free, organic bitter blocker that is Kosher and Halal certified. ClearTaste improves the flavor of various agricultural products. MycoTechnology also engages in fermenting agricultural products with strains of gourmet fungi. The company offers myceliated chocolate as well as robusta and arabica coffee beans. It develops and licenses technology to the industry to naturally improve the flavor of robusta and arabica coffee. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is based in Aurora, Colorado.

Sound Agriculture

Series C in 2020
Sound Agriculture uses molecular discovery to create climate-resilient crops, enhancing harvest yields for growers. They also use an innovative life science approach to sustainably increase farming productivity. The company was founded in 2013 and headquartered in Emeryville, California.

Once Upon a Farm

Convertible Note in 2020
Once Upon a Farm Kiddo Meals are processed using High Pressure Processing, which uses pressure instead of heat to kill off any potential harmful ingredients. This process also allows for a more nutrient dense food. Further, the brands that are currently on the shelves usually contain a large percentage of water, fillers, sugars and preservatives, which take away from the natural state of the food. This in turn takes away from optimal nutrition for babies, since optimal absorption of nutrients occurs when food is in its most natural state.

Terramera

Series B in 2020
Terramera, Inc. is a Vancouver-based company founded in 2009 that specializes in the development and manufacturing of plant-based pesticides and fertilizers. The company employs advanced technologies, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, to create effective and safer alternatives to synthetic chemicals. Its product lineup includes Proof, a solution for eliminating bed bugs and dust mites; Actigate, an organic pesticide; and Rango, a pest control and crop protection product. Terramera's mission focuses on harnessing the power of nature to promote healthier living, make clean food more accessible, and enhance agricultural practices, all while prioritizing safety for both consumers and the environment.

Farmer Focus

Venture Round in 2019
Farmer Focus is an organic chicken production company specializing in meat and chicken processing. Their mission is to provide the highest quality of Organic chicken that is humanely raised. Free from all growth hormones, pesticides, antibiotics and animal byproducts healthy and delicious. Farmer Focus sources all of its chicken through local farms located in the Shenandoah Valley, and uses it's sister company Shenandoah Processing to process and package all product.

Terramera

Series B in 2019
Terramera, Inc. is a Vancouver-based company founded in 2009 that specializes in the development and manufacturing of plant-based pesticides and fertilizers. The company employs advanced technologies, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, to create effective and safer alternatives to synthetic chemicals. Its product lineup includes Proof, a solution for eliminating bed bugs and dust mites; Actigate, an organic pesticide; and Rango, a pest control and crop protection product. Terramera's mission focuses on harnessing the power of nature to promote healthier living, make clean food more accessible, and enhance agricultural practices, all while prioritizing safety for both consumers and the environment.

MycoTechnology

Series C in 2019
MycoTechnology utilizes fungi-based food-processing platforms to transform the flavor and value of agricultural products. The platform can be used to solve a variety of challenges faced by the food, beverage, and flavor industries. MycoTechnology has released ClearTaste, an all-natural, GMO-free, organic bitter blocker that is Kosher and Halal certified. ClearTaste improves the flavor of various agricultural products. MycoTechnology also engages in fermenting agricultural products with strains of gourmet fungi. The company offers myceliated chocolate as well as robusta and arabica coffee beans. It develops and licenses technology to the industry to naturally improve the flavor of robusta and arabica coffee. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is based in Aurora, Colorado.

SafeTraces

Series A in 2018
SafeTraces provides on-food traceability solutions that trace the product, not the package. Edible, invisible, odorless, tasteless, FDA approved barcodes are applied to fresh or processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and many other commodities. The barcodes carry complete traceability information across the supply chain. SafeTraces also has wide applicability in environmental monitoring, healthcare, and other industries.

Once Upon a Farm

Series B in 2018
Once Upon a Farm Kiddo Meals are processed using High Pressure Processing, which uses pressure instead of heat to kill off any potential harmful ingredients. This process also allows for a more nutrient dense food. Further, the brands that are currently on the shelves usually contain a large percentage of water, fillers, sugars and preservatives, which take away from the natural state of the food. This in turn takes away from optimal nutrition for babies, since optimal absorption of nutrients occurs when food is in its most natural state.

Good Eggs

Series C in 2018
Good Eggs, Inc. is an online grocery market based in San Francisco, California, specializing in the delivery of fresh groceries and meal kits to customers' homes throughout the Bay Area. Founded in 2011, the company provides a diverse range of products, including fresh produce, dairy, meats, seafood, snacks, beverages, bakery items, pantry staples, and health and home essentials. Good Eggs emphasizes local sourcing, with over 70% of its offerings coming from regional suppliers, and adheres to strict quality standards for its products. With same-day delivery available seven days a week, Good Eggs aims to simplify meal preparation for families while promoting a sustainable food system. The company has also expanded its marketplace significantly in recent years, adding more than 1,000 new items and broadening its delivery reach. In addition to its commitment to quality food, Good Eggs prioritizes fair labor practices by providing its employees with competitive wages and benefits.

SafeTraces

Series A in 2017
SafeTraces provides on-food traceability solutions that trace the product, not the package. Edible, invisible, odorless, tasteless, FDA approved barcodes are applied to fresh or processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and many other commodities. The barcodes carry complete traceability information across the supply chain. SafeTraces also has wide applicability in environmental monitoring, healthcare, and other industries.

MycoTechnology

Series B in 2017
MycoTechnology utilizes fungi-based food-processing platforms to transform the flavor and value of agricultural products. The platform can be used to solve a variety of challenges faced by the food, beverage, and flavor industries. MycoTechnology has released ClearTaste, an all-natural, GMO-free, organic bitter blocker that is Kosher and Halal certified. ClearTaste improves the flavor of various agricultural products. MycoTechnology also engages in fermenting agricultural products with strains of gourmet fungi. The company offers myceliated chocolate as well as robusta and arabica coffee beans. It develops and licenses technology to the industry to naturally improve the flavor of robusta and arabica coffee. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is based in Aurora, Colorado.

Fishpeople Seafood

Series B in 2017
Fishpeople Seafood is a food production company that specializes in providing grocery retail, and sustainable seafood. The company is a dynamic organization experiencing rapid growth and is disrupting the seafood industry status quo by introducing innovative and sustainable seafood products. Fishpeople Seafood was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Portland, Oregon.

Farmer Focus

Venture Round in 2017
Farmer Focus is an organic chicken production company specializing in meat and chicken processing. Their mission is to provide the highest quality of Organic chicken that is humanely raised. Free from all growth hormones, pesticides, antibiotics and animal byproducts healthy and delicious. Farmer Focus sources all of its chicken through local farms located in the Shenandoah Valley, and uses it's sister company Shenandoah Processing to process and package all product.

Terramera

Venture Round in 2016
Terramera, Inc. is a Vancouver-based company founded in 2009 that specializes in the development and manufacturing of plant-based pesticides and fertilizers. The company employs advanced technologies, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, to create effective and safer alternatives to synthetic chemicals. Its product lineup includes Proof, a solution for eliminating bed bugs and dust mites; Actigate, an organic pesticide; and Rango, a pest control and crop protection product. Terramera's mission focuses on harnessing the power of nature to promote healthier living, make clean food more accessible, and enhance agricultural practices, all while prioritizing safety for both consumers and the environment.

Blue Prairie

Series A in 2016
Blue Prairie Brands LLC is a manufacturer based in Charlottesville, Virginia, specializing in inulin, a prebiotic ingredient that enhances the fiber and nutritional content of food, beverages, and supplements. The company offers innovative, whole-food products that are gluten-free and non-GMO, supporting digestive health in conjunction with probiotics. In addition to its flagship inulin product, Blue Prairie Brands provides chicory and agave. The company's proprietary production methods not only focus on health benefits but also offer farmers a profitable crop rotation option, utilizing their existing equipment and expertise.

Good Eggs

Series B in 2016
Good Eggs, Inc. is an online grocery market based in San Francisco, California, specializing in the delivery of fresh groceries and meal kits to customers' homes throughout the Bay Area. Founded in 2011, the company provides a diverse range of products, including fresh produce, dairy, meats, seafood, snacks, beverages, bakery items, pantry staples, and health and home essentials. Good Eggs emphasizes local sourcing, with over 70% of its offerings coming from regional suppliers, and adheres to strict quality standards for its products. With same-day delivery available seven days a week, Good Eggs aims to simplify meal preparation for families while promoting a sustainable food system. The company has also expanded its marketplace significantly in recent years, adding more than 1,000 new items and broadening its delivery reach. In addition to its commitment to quality food, Good Eggs prioritizes fair labor practices by providing its employees with competitive wages and benefits.

Terramera

Venture Round in 2016
Terramera, Inc. is a Vancouver-based company founded in 2009 that specializes in the development and manufacturing of plant-based pesticides and fertilizers. The company employs advanced technologies, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, to create effective and safer alternatives to synthetic chemicals. Its product lineup includes Proof, a solution for eliminating bed bugs and dust mites; Actigate, an organic pesticide; and Rango, a pest control and crop protection product. Terramera's mission focuses on harnessing the power of nature to promote healthier living, make clean food more accessible, and enhance agricultural practices, all while prioritizing safety for both consumers and the environment.

Back to the Roots

Series A in 2016
Back to the Roots offers gardening kits to grow organic and gourmet mushrooms at homes. Founded in 2009 by Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora as a 100% sustainable urban mushroom farm, BTTR has transformed into a company focused on bringing sustainable grow-at-home products into households. Their Grow-at-Home Mushroom Garden is completely indoors and can grow up to 1lb of oyster mushrooms in as little as 10 days. They provide a simple, eco-friendly, and quick way to have fresh oyster mushrooms right in the kitchen.

MycoTechnology

Series A in 2015
MycoTechnology utilizes fungi-based food-processing platforms to transform the flavor and value of agricultural products. The platform can be used to solve a variety of challenges faced by the food, beverage, and flavor industries. MycoTechnology has released ClearTaste, an all-natural, GMO-free, organic bitter blocker that is Kosher and Halal certified. ClearTaste improves the flavor of various agricultural products. MycoTechnology also engages in fermenting agricultural products with strains of gourmet fungi. The company offers myceliated chocolate as well as robusta and arabica coffee beans. It develops and licenses technology to the industry to naturally improve the flavor of robusta and arabica coffee. The company was incorporated in 2013 and is based in Aurora, Colorado.

Beyond Meat

Series E in 2015
Beyond Meat, Inc. is a food company that manufactures and sells plant-based meat products both in the United States and internationally. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in El Segundo, California, Beyond Meat operates under various trademarks, including Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausage. The company distributes its products through multiple channels, including grocery stores, restaurants, and schools. Beyond Meat aims to address global concerns related to human health, climate change, resource constraints, and animal welfare. Its plant-based products are crafted using non-GMO ingredients and offer comparable or superior protein levels to traditional meat while being free from cholesterol, antibiotics, and hormones.

Soli Organic

Venture Round in 2015
Soli Organic is a company that specializes in the cultivation, packing, and shipping of fresh organic culinary herbs. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Harrisonburg, Virginia, it operates a production facility in Jefferson, Georgia. Soli Organic offers a diverse range of products, including various herbs such as basil, cilantro, dill, mint, and thyme, as well as herb blends and microgreens. The company provides a year-round supply of these organic herbs to grocery stores, enabling consumers to enjoy locally sourced, flavorful ingredients throughout the year. In addition to its agricultural operations, Soli Organic also offers refrigerated transportation services to ensure efficient delivery. It primarily serves retailers across several states in the southeastern United States, including Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina.

Maple Hill Creamery

Venture Round in 2015
Maple Hill Creamery is a farm-family owned dairy manufacturer founded in 2009, and is widely recognized as the preeminent leader in the emerging 100% grass-fed dairy category. They are the first dairy brand to receive the Pennsylvania Certified Organic 100% Grassfed Certification. Since day one, Maple Hill has stood by their conviction that 100% grass-fed organic dairy farming is better for everyone from cows to consumers. 100% grass-fed dairy farming produces the highest quality milk, supports the healthiest lifestyle for cows, improves the fertility of grazing land, and allows farmers to prosper.

Beyond Meat

Series D in 2014
Beyond Meat, Inc. is a food company that manufactures and sells plant-based meat products both in the United States and internationally. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in El Segundo, California, Beyond Meat operates under various trademarks, including Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausage. The company distributes its products through multiple channels, including grocery stores, restaurants, and schools. Beyond Meat aims to address global concerns related to human health, climate change, resource constraints, and animal welfare. Its plant-based products are crafted using non-GMO ingredients and offer comparable or superior protein levels to traditional meat while being free from cholesterol, antibiotics, and hormones.