Anterra Capital Announces $125M Food & Agriculture Technology Fund

Anterra Capital (“Anterra”), the international food and agriculture growth capital firm, today announced a second close of its food and agriculture technology fund, raising the fund’s total capital to $125 million, the largest venture capital fund of its kind in Europe.

Anterra also confirmed its international expansion from its headquarters in Amsterdam (Netherlands), with the opening of an office in Boston. This move makes Anterra the first independent food and agriculture fund with an international presence in the two most important regions for AgTech innovation - Europe and North America.

“The global food system needs innovative solutions, but building companies in the complex and conservative food sector can be challenging,” said Adam Anders, Anterra Managing Partner, speaking at the opening day of the World Agri-Tech Summit. “We founded Anterra because we know entrepreneurs in this sector lack an investment partner with the specialist expertise, international network access and patient capital required to succeed over the long term. The expansion of the food and agriculture fund and the launch of Anterra’s U.S. office are the natural next steps in building our capability to help the best AgTech companies in the world become global leaders.”

Anterra’s existing investors are Rabobank, a leading global food and agribusiness bank, and Eight Roads, the proprietary investment arm of Fidelity International Limited.

Cyrus Jilla, President of Eight Roads said, “Eight Roads was Anterra’s lead investor in 2013 and our increased investment underscores the strong investment opportunity presented by the global food and agricultural technology space. This is a sector which has traditionally been viewed as a laggard in technical innovation and as a result has been largely overlooked by venture capital. We already see significant areas of overlap between Anterra’s investment focus and our existing global venture capital activities in the life sciences and technology sectors.”

“Fostering innovation in food and agriculture is a huge focus for Rabobank, from supporting technology entrepreneurs who are playing an increasing role in driving change in the sector to bringing innovative ideas to our client base – the top food and ag companies in North America and around the world,” said Rajiv Singh, Chief Executive Officer at Rabobank North America Wholesale. “The food and ag system is going through a period of dramatic transformation and we are excited to continue our work with the Anterra team to help identify and support great companies that can substantially improve the food supply chain for future generations.”

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About Anterra

Anterra is an international food and agriculture growth capital firm investing in innovative companies that are transforming the safety, security, efficiency and sustainability of global food. Anterra was established in October 2013 in Amsterdam as a spin-out of Rabo Private Equity, Rabobank’s proprietary funds group. The firm created its food and agriculture technology fund as an independent venture capital fund to help growing companies with promising agriculture and food technologies become global leaders. www.anterrracapital.com

About Eight Roads

Eight Roads is the proprietary investment arm of FIL, Fidelity International Limited, active in ventures, principal investments and real estate. Building on Fidelity's almost 50 year history of private investing, Eight Roads partners with founders, co-investors and management to build businesses, whether ventures or more developed companies. Eight Roads teams in Asia and Europe work alongside associated funds around the world, providing substantial global scale, expertise and market reach. www.eightroads.com

About Rabobank

Rabobank Group is a global financial services leader providing wholesale and retail banking, leasing, real estate services, and renewable energy project financing. Founded over a century ago, Rabobank is one of the largest banks in the world, with nearly $1 trillion in assets and operations in more than 40 countries. Rabobank is a premier bank to the international food and agriculture industry. www.rabobank.com

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Contact information

Anterra Capital
Adam Anders
+31 (0) 612 955 125
or
For U.K. Media:
Tavistock
Matt Ridsdale/Emma Blinkhorn
+44 (0) 207 920 3150
or
For U.S. Media:
Cattell, Locke, Pendleton & Partners
Pen Pendleton/Simon Locke
+1 646-569-5504
http://www.anterracapital.com