Investment Climate Podcast

Episodet

• On Surviving the Long Game, and Renegotiating a "No" - Sérgio Pinto, Cellva Ingredients 06.07.2026 24min

  Episode 110: Cellva Ingredients: Sérgio Pinto on Surviving the Long Game, Renegotiating a "No," and Upcycling Coffee Side-StreamsIn this episode, I sit down with Sérgio Pinto, the unyielding founder and CEO of Cellva Ingredients, who shares one of the most intense, relentless fundraising stories you will ever hear. Sérgio reveals how he turned a critical, last-minute "no" into a 20 million Reais (~$4M USD) Pre-Series A round led by Amazonian corporate-backed tech powerhouse Digiboard. He outlines the operational complexities of straddling Brazil’s commercial epicenter in São Paulo and its rugged robusta coffee infrastructure in Manaus. Sérgio also takes us deep into the underlying regulatory strategies and unit economics driving Kafkoa—their high-margin, functional cocoa substitute derived entirely from upcycled coffee side-streams.🎧 Listen to the full episode to discover how Sérgio rescued a dead deal just ten days after his second child was born, how Cellva navigated European and Japanese regulatory pathways without novel food classification, and how they built an integrated network of over 150 local coffee farmers.Key Facts: Cellva IngredientsSérgio Pinto: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergiorpinto/Website: cellva.comHeadquarter: São Paulo, BrazilFunding: Closed a 20 million Reais (~$4M USD) Pre-Series A round.Investor: Round led by DigiBoard, with additional participation from existing backers such as Air Capital and angel investors like Rubens Pereira BlurbCELLVA INGREDIENTS is redefining circular nutrition by turning Brazil’s massive agricultural side-streams into premium, high-value functional ingredients. While traditionally known for cell-cultivated fat development, Cellva has rapidly scaled a market-ready infrastructure that utilizes micro-encapsulation to transform coffee husks and byproducts into Kafkoa, a multi-tiered structural substitute for cocoa.By operating directly in the Amazonian robusta coffee corridors, Cellva secures low-cost raw materials while creating sustainable employment for remote farming populations. This distinct environmental mandate provides a unique competitive edge, allowing Cellva to unlock regional state-backed funds, build a resilient supply chain of over 150 local growers, and establish a clear path toward processing thousands of tons annually.
• On "Agtech 2.0," Managing Smart Capital Stacks, and Scaling via OEMs- Liron Yanay, AgriPass Robotics 01.07.2026 27min

  Episode 109: AgriPass Robotics: Liron Yanay on "Agtech 2.0," Managing Smart Capital Stacks, and Scaling via OEMs In this episode, I catch up with Liron Yanay, CEO of AgriPass Robotics, an innovative agtech startup that recently closed a $7.5M Seed round. Liron details their journey from their initial pre-seed and matching grants with the Israel Innovation Authority to locking in Harbor Venture Consulting and E44 Climate as key institutional backers. Liron outlines what she calls "Agtech 2.0"—a disciplined philosophy that avoids building hardware from scratch, focusing instead on proprietary AI and contextual intelligence. She shares incredible, practical advice on managing data rooms, building detailed financial projections, and bypassing standard agtech pitfalls through strategic partnerships with global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).🎧 Listen to the full episode to learn how Liron leveraged specialized video updates to maintain deep investor trust, why targeting mid-sized farms beats chasing 18-month enterprise sales cycles, and how to successfully structure blended project financing for hardware tech.Key Facts: AgriPass RoboticsLiron Yanay: https://il.linkedin.com/in/liron-cohen-yanayWebsite: https://www.agripass.co/Funding: Recently closed a $7.5M Seed round (incorporating matching non-dilutive grants from the Israel Innovation Authority).Core Backers: Led by Harbor Venture Consulting (representing premier US and Latin American family offices) alongside E44 Climate.The Mission: Eradicating weed pressure in open-field agriculture through human-inspired, multi-handed mechanical weeding robots driven by real-time contextual intelligence.BlurbAGRIPASS ROBOTICS is pioneering the "Agtech 2.0" wave by engineering an affordable, high-precision mechanical weed control system. Rather than continuing the traditional chemical warfare of spraying or resetting soil biomes through destructive tilling, AgriPass utilizes human-inspired AI to mimic manual weeding at a massive scale. By deploying up to 20 mechanical "hands" governed by real-time spatial vision, their automated system selectively uproots weeds without harming nearby crops or disrupting the soil's organic carbon structure.
• On Bypassing "Grant Traps" & the Art of Professional Pre-Seed Agtech Strategy - Arnout, Rockstart 30.06.2026 25min

  Episode 108: Rockstart: Arnout Dijkhuizen on Bypassing "Grant Traps" and the Art of Professional Pre-Seed Agtech Strategy In this episode, I sit down with Arnout Dijkhuizen, Principal at Rockstart, a leading early-stage accelerator-vanguard and venture capital fund anchored out of Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Arnout, an agtech investing veteran, opens up about what it truly means to deploy professional capital into pre-seed startups. He explains why Rockstart prioritizes founder "coachability" and deeply grounded industry insights over dense financial plans, and breaks down the exact mechanics behind their selective €100k–€150k initial check model. He also drops some hard truths regarding the European funding landscape, warning founders about the subtle dangers of falling into "grant traps" that can turn a commercial business into a slow-moving, administrative vehicle.🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Arnout explain how they helped guide the Indian marketplace Tractor Junction all the way to its massive later-stage rounds, why an exit doesn't need to cross the unicorn threshold to achieve superior venture returns, and how physical AI is optimization-proofing legacy systems like industrial slaughterhouses.Key Facts: RockstartArnout Dijkhuizen: be.linkedin.com/in/arnoutdijkhuizenWebsites: rockstart.comRegional Base: Active physical hubs in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Copenhagen, Denmark.Target Profile: The ultimate first institutional capital in a company's life cycle. Primarily focused on North-Western Europe but structurally built to back elite teams globally, with active portfolio winners in the US and India.The Math: Deploying €100k to €150k initial checks at the ultra-early, pre-seed junction. Crucially, Rockstart reserves significant capital to protect, defend, and follow on their positions directly up through Series A.BlurbROCKSTART operates on the unwavering principle that founders are the true rockstars of modern industry, positioning the fund as an embedded operational engine rather than a passive source of capital. Investing at the absolute beginning of an architectural idea—frequently partnering with founders fresh out of research labs or native family operations—Rockstart pairs rapid, multi-week investment decisions with an expansive, a-la-carte network of mentors, commercial architects, and agricultural experts.
• On Why Execution-First Models Beat Capex-Heavy Tech - Alberto Criado, Cardumen Capital 25.06.2026 27min

  Episode 107: Cardumen Capital: Alberto Criado on Why Execution-First Models Beat Capex-Heavy Tech and the Rise of "Coffee-as-a-Service"In this episode, I sit down with Alberto Criado, Principal at Cardumen Capital, an elite European venture capital firm that has rapidly scaled its assets under management from €50M to nearly €400M. Alberto walks us through Cardumen's highly opportunistic and execution-driven approach to the AgriFoodTech sector. He reveals the math behind their recent investment in Barcelona-based Incapto, explaining how they are completely dismantling the single-use coffee capsule market through an innovative "Coffee-as-a-Service" subscription model. Alberto also pulls back the curtain on portfolio risk management in a capital-scarce environment, discussing why clear exit viability, predictable recurrence, and fast tracks to profitability rule the market today over purely binary technology risks.🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Alberto break down why Starbucks isn’t specialty coffee, how they reverse-engineer target exit valuations between €250M and €500M, and how Cardumen uses its dedicated M&A and value-creation teams to act as a true service company for its entrepreneurs.Key Facts: Cardumen CapitalAlberto Criado: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertocriadom/?locale=enWebsite: cardumencapital.comHeadquarters: Madrid, Spain and Tel Aviv, Israel.Goal: Investing in deep tech, cybersecurity, AI, and AgriFoodTech pioneers across Europe and Israel, actively managing a high-performing portfolio of over 40 companies (including alternative protein leaders like Oshi).Ticket Size & Strategy: Deploying €500k to €1M initial tickets across Europe and the entire food value chain. Structurally flexible, acting primarily as an intensely supportive follow-on investor that strives to be the most active partner on the cap table..BlurbCARDUMEN CAPITAL is an active, cross-border European venture capital firm that avoids rigid, immovable investment theses in favor of agile, opportunistic execution. Recognizing the harsh funding climate facing capital-intensive food tech sectors like precision fermentation, Cardumen strategically balances its portfolio with high-margin, highly recurrent, and low-capex businesses that solve concrete bottleneck inefficiencies for modern enterprises. 
• On Why Vertical SaaS Still Rules in the Era of AI - Nils Eiteneyer, Capnamic 23.06.2026 22min

  Episode 106: Capnamic: Nils Eiteneyer on Spotting "Unsexy" Multi-Decade Themes and Why Vertical SaaS Still Rules in the Era of AIIn this episode, I sit down with Nils Eiteneyer, Partner at Capnamic, a premier early-stage venture capital firm based in Germany. Nils brings his background as an ex-operator and McKinsey advisor to explain Capnamic's rigorous approach to early-stage investing through their fourth fund. He shares a masterclass on navigating the intersection of deep tech and structural pressure, explaining why "unsexy" agricultural problems offer the biggest market opportunities, how to build a defensible data moat against big tech, and why the current AgriFood funding winter is actually creating the highest-quality, economically resilient companies we've seen in years.🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Nils break down the mechanics of vertical software integrations, why horizontal SaaS is exposed to AI democratization, and how Capnamic collaborates intensely with a select handful of founders each year to build the next generation of category leaders.Key Facts: CapnamicNils Eiteneyer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-nils-eiteneyer/Website: capnamic.comHeadquarters: Cologne, Berlin, and Munich, Germany.Goal: Backing category-defining B2B tech, deep tech, and early-stage infrastructure startups from the German-speaking region (DACH) and broader Europe.Investment Profile: Investing out of their fourth fund (~$215M / €190M+). They enter early as a lead or co-lead investor, moving deliberately and selectively by backing only 4 to 6 new companies per year to maintain intense, close partnerships.Ticket Size & Ownership: Typically €2M–€3M initially (ranging from €500k for pre-seed up to €5M–€6M for late Series A). They structurally target ~15% ownership to satisfy fund-return mathematics across generations.BlurbCAPNAMIC is a powerhouse European early-stage venture capital firm designed around hyper-selective concentration and hands-on operational support. Rather than spreading capital thinly, Capnamic purposefully caps its new annual investments to ensure its partners can act as embedded allies to founders.
• On Why Family Offices Beat VCs in the Hard-Tech Winter - Jaap Zijlstra, Navus 17.06.2026 23min

  Episode 105: Navus: Jaap Zijlstra on Why "Process Tech" is the Missing Link in Scaling AgriFood and Why Family Offices Beat VCs in the Hard-Tech WinterIn this episode, I sit down with Jaap Zijlstra, representing Navus, a Dutch family office-backed venture firm. Unlike traditional VCs, Navus leverages the technical heritage of a world-leading dairy robotics family to build clusters of sustainable food and energy companies. Jaap explains why the "AgriFood winter" is not a death knell for innovation, but a necessary maturation phase that favors patient capital over hyper-speed software models. We deep-dive into why Navus doubles down on process technology and hardware-enabled IP (like their investment in Cosaic), and why agriculture will always follow the laws of physics, not the speed of software deployment.🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Jaap’s candid take on why family offices are the natural home for hardware-heavy biotech, how they leverage in-house patent offices to vet deep-tech, and why they prioritize "real-world" adoption cycles over "get-rich-quick" exit timelines.Key Facts: NavusJaap Zijlstra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaap-zijlstra-48b69319/Website: https://navusholding.com/Headquarters: NetherlandsGoal: To build clusters of successful tech companies in sustainable food and energy, leveraging the family's deep-rooted experience in global machinery and robotics.Investment Profile: Roughly 25 portfolio companies. Invests from the family office balance sheet (not a traditional fund), allowing for multi-stage, multi-year holding periods. Ticket sizes vary from $1M–$2M (Seed/Series A) to significantly more for private equity-style deals.BlurbNAVUS is a Dutch family office-backed investment vehicle specializing in controlled environment agriculture, robotics, automation, and alternative ingredient production technology. By operating outside the constraints of a standard 7-to-10-year fund cycle, they provide the "patient capital" required to navigate the harsh realities of physical-world agriculture and energy hardware.
• On Navigating a 14-Month Biotech Seed Round & Making Whole Milk from Mammary Cells- Opalia: Jennifer 10.06.2026 31min

  Episode 103: Opalia: Jennifer Côté on Navigating a 14-Month Biotech Seed Round and Making Whole Milk from Mammary CellsIn this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Côté, CEO and Co-Founder of Opalia, a Montreal-based biotechnology company pioneering animal-free dairy by producing real whole milk from bovine mammary cells. Jennifer shares a transparent, reality-check account of what it takes to close a $3.2M CAD Seed round in the challenging 2026 funding climate. She breaks down the technical differentiation that separates cellular dairy from the struggling cultivated meat sector, explains how to leverage non-dilutive government grants, and details the grueling process of filtering a pipeline of 400 investors down to a committed, high-quality cap table.🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Jennifer’s take on building a "Type A" hyper-transparent data room, how she fields macro environmental objections, and why real transparency beats over-inflated hype when partnering with sector-specific venture capital.Key Facts: OpaliaJennifer Côté: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cote/Website: opaliafoods.comHeadquarters: Montreal, Canada.Goal: To eliminate the intensive global reliance on cattle by manufacturing authentic whole milk (with matching functional proteins, fats, and taste) using a highly capital-efficient, mammalian cell-based bioreactor system.Milestone: Raised $6M CAD total over 6 years (with remarkable capital efficiency compared to peers raising hundreds of millions) and recently closed the first $3.2M CAD tranche of their Seed round.BlurbOPALIA is a Canadian cellular agriculture company pioneering a new era of sustainable dairy. Instead of using precision fermentation (yeast/bacteria) or slaughtering animals for cultivated meat, Opalia isolates mammary gland cells from cows just once and initiates lactation continuously inside custom, low-cost bioreactor vessels.
• On the Strength of the Syndicate Model and De-Risking AgriFood Investing - Branch Venture Group 08.06.2026 34min

  Episode 102: Branch Venture Group: Lauren Abda on the Strength of the Syndicate Model and De-Risking AgriFood InvestingIn this episode, I sit down with Lauren Abda, Co-Founder of Branch Venture Group, a Boston-based angel investment network and syndicate deployed heavily into the future of food. Lauren delivers a masterclass on why the syndicate model has outperformed traditional mega-funds during the current "AgriFood winter," explaining how pairing early-stage founders with highly strategic operators creates durable competitive moats. We discuss the shifting macroeconomic landscape, why food infrastructure remains dramatically undercapitalized despite essential demand, and how Lauren leverages a 10-year-old vetting process to filter thousands of inbound deals into 29 high-performing investments.🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Lauren’s take on uncovering "unfair advantages" in early-stage startups, the unique acquisition dynamics of top food corporations, and how she manages the psychological grit required to back unconventional innovation before consensus forms.Key Facts: Branch Venture GroupLauren Abda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenabda/Website: https://www.branchventuregroup.com/Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts.Goal: To back the brightest founders building the future of the food system, delivering venture-scale returns by combining visionary innovation with strict operational discipline.Milestone: Over a decade in the space; 29 unique investments made since 2017. The portfolio boasts two unicorns, multiple markups, and nearly half (50%) of the portfolio is currently cash-flow break-even.BlurbBRANCH VENTURE GROUP is an angel investment network and syndicate specializing in early-stage food and agriculture innovation. Evolving out of Branch Food—a premier Boston-based innovation platform—the syndicate serves as a bridge between early-stage founders and a powerful network of experienced industry operators, executives, and strategic partners.
• On why the "Plant-Based Meat" thesis failed & pivoting a $50M fund to Defense Tech - Champel Capital 04.06.2026 45min

  Episode 102: Champel Capital: Amir Weitmann on why the "Plant-Based Meat" thesis failed and pivoting a $50M fund to Defense Tech In this episode, I sit down with Amir Weitmann, Managing Partner at Champel Capital, an Israeli venture fund that deployed heavily into FoodTech across its first two funds (backing standouts like Remilk and Aleph Farms). Amir delivers a brutally honest post-mortem on the alternative protein sector, explaining exactly why Champel avoided investing in plant-based meat companies like Beyond Meat, opting instead for breakthrough Deep Tech. We discuss the shifting macroeconomic landscape that caused FoodTech funding to collapse to 15% of its 2021 peak, and why Champel's upcoming third fund is pivoting entirely away from AgriFood into Defense and Security. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Amir’s unapologetic take on why ESG should be about human prosperity, not "worshipping Mother Earth," and the terrifying psychological burden of managing LP money. Key Facts Champel Capital:Amir Weitmann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirweitmann/Website: champelcapital.comHeadquarters: IsraelGoal: To deliver outsized venture returns (targeting 5x fund return / 25%-35% IRR) by backing true technological breakthroughs, transitioning from early FoodTech investments into Defense and Security.Milestone: Raised over $50 million across two funds, backing major FoodTech players like Remilk and Aleph Farms, and is currently actively fundraising for Fund III.BlurbCHAMPEL CAPITAL is a Swiss venture capital firm specializing in Israeli deep tech — physical-world innovation over software-only plays. They back founders building defensible, hard-to-commoditize technologies across defense & security, medtech, insurtech, watertech, foodtech, agritech, and mobility. Investment thesis centers on three pillars: exceptional founders with genuine market vision, deep tech with durable competitive moats, and large addressable markets. Stage and check size not specified; primary value proposition is serving as a gateway between European capital and Israel's startup ecosystem. 
• On the 16M CHF Series A, licensing IP to sugar giants,& bypassing CapEx-Charles Pontvianne,Planetary 02.06.2026 32min

  Episode 101: Planetary: Charles Pontvianne on the 16M CHF Series A, licensing IP to sugar giants, and bypassing CapEx In this episode, I sit down with Charles Pontvianne, CFO of Planetary, a Swiss biotech startup that recently announced a massive 16 million CHF Series A co-led by Radical Capital and Oetker Group. Charles breaks down their highly unusual "middleman" equity story: instead of building their own massive fermentation facilities, Planetary licenses their biomanufacturing IP directly to legacy sugar producers, utilizing their existing infrastructure to upcycle sucrose side-streams into high-protein B2B ingredients. We discuss how Planetary successfully navigated the dreaded "Food-for-Fuel" ethical bottleneck by producing "Food-for-Food," and how getting retail giant Aldi to reorder their vegan chicken fillet was the ultimate commercial derisking mechanism for their Series A investors. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Charles explain the exact structure of their data room and why treating your fundraise like selling a house is critical to creating VC FOMO. Key Facts Planetary:Charles Pontvianne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlespontvianne/Website: https://www.planetarygroup.ch/Headquarters: Switzerland Goal: To act as the missing link between industrial agriculture and FoodTech by licensing biomanufacturing IP to global carbohydrate/sugar producers, upcycling their sucrose side-streams into Mycoprotein ingredients for the B2B market.Milestone: Closed a 16 million CHF Series A (co-led by Radical Capital and Oetker Group) while successfully scaling up a 50 cubic meter fermentation plant in Switzerland and launching a Mycoprotein-based vegan chicken fillet in Aldi.BlurbPLANETARY is a Swiss full-stack fermentation platform building and operating a global network of biomanufacturing facilities. Their proprietary BioBlocks™ fermentation and AI platform handles scale-up, process optimization, and production across three verticals: mycoprotein ingredients, precision fermentation-derived products, and bio-based materials. They are infrastructure-as-a-service for the bioeconomy — clients access Planetary's facilities, platform, and expertise to get fermentation-based products to market with optimized COGS and sustainability metrics.
• On non-dilutive govt hacks, dodging the OpenAI threat, & $1.1M pre-seed pitch - Dan Bull, Scanabull 26.05.2026 27min

  Episode 100: Scannabull: Dan Bull on non-dilutive government hacks, dodging the OpenAI threat, and the $1.1M pre-seed pitch In this episode, I sit down with Dan Bull, CEO of Scannabull, a New Zealand-based AgTech startup utilizing 3D imagery and edge-device machine learning to accurately weigh livestock. Dan breaks down the exact timeline of their $1.1M NZD pre-seed round, explaining how an early introduction from their first major customer (Silver Fern Farms) unlocked backing from Sprout AgriTech and Enterprise Angels, which subsequently triggered a highly favorable, non-dilutive $750k government loan. We dive into the tactical ways founders can handle the inevitable "won't OpenAI just crush you?" objection, and why targeting farmers as a primary customer is a mistake. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear how Dan plans to monetize Scannabull by selling data directly to massive meat processors rather than charging cash-strapped farmers. Key Facts Scannabull:Dan Bull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjbull1/Website: https://scanabull.com/Headquarters: New Zealand Goal: To illuminate the "black box" of the beef supply chain by allowing farmers to weigh 600kg animals instantly using 3D imagery on edge devices (iPhones and custom paddock hardware).Milestone: Raised $1.1M NZD via a combination of VC backing (Sprout AgriTech), an Angel syndicate (Enterprise Angels), and a non-dilutive 3% revenue-repayable loan from the New Zealand government’s Callaghan Innovation Fund.BlurbScanabull is a New Zealand AgTech company making cattle weighing effortless. Based in the Waikato region — one of the world's most storied livestock innovation hubs — Scanabull brings together a proven team with genuine rural roots, AgTech expertise, and deep software capability. Their technology delivers clear, actionable weight intelligence that helps farmers and processors maximize value while keeping animals healthy and well-managed. Simple premise, significant impact: when you know the weight, you know the animal.  
• On the €8M Food Forecast Series A & why European VCs run Due Diligence Post-Term Sheet- SHIFT Invest 25.05.2026 29min

  Episode 99: SHIFT Invest: Jonas von den Driesch on the €8M Food Forecast Series A and why European VCs run Due Diligence Post-Term Sheet In this episode, I sit down with Jonas von den Driesch, an investor at SHIFT Invest, a Dutch impact venture capital fund that just launched its fourth fund with a first close of €90M. Jonas breaks down the exact timeline and thesis behind their recent €8M Series A co-lead investment in Food Forecast, an AI-driven platform optimizing ultra-fresh bakery production to eliminate food waste. We dive deep into the cultural nuances of European venture capital, specifically why it is standard practice to run heavy, external due diligence after a term sheet has already been signed. Jonas also explains why non-Dutch startups must have commercial proof points to secure funding, and how Food Forecast proved its "land and expand" growth model within enterprise bakery accounts. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Jonas's take on the SaaS AI threat and why a proprietary "data moat" is the only way to survive the rise of LLMs like Claude. Key Facts SHIFT Invest:Jonas von den Driesch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonas-von-den-driesch/?locale=enWebsite: https://shiftinvest.com/Headquarters: Amstelveen, NetherlandsGoal: To combat climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion by leading or co-leading Seed and Series A rounds across Food & Ag, Energy, Mobility, and Green Industries.Milestone: Recently launched "Shift IV" with a €90M first close, actively deploying €500K to €4M initial checks across Northwestern Europe while targeting 10%–20% ownership stakes.BlurbSHIFT is an impact-first venture capital fund with 14 years and 65+ portfolio companies behind it — backing innovative startups with the potential to meaningfully restore the balance between nature and society. Where conventional investors stop, SHIFT steps in: taking the financial and impact risks required to accelerate the sustainability transition across smart food and agriculture, green industries, energy transition, and sustainable mobility and logistics. SHIFT invests from pre-seed through commercial scale, combining growth capital with deep impact expertise, a high-value partner network, and the long-term commitment — including follow-on capacity — that early-stage environmental entrepreneurs actually need to succeed. 
• On surviving Corporate VC Due Diligence and the 1% Conversion Rate Reality - Tomas Turner, Cosaic 19.05.2026 42min

  Episode 98: Cosaic: Tomas Turner on surviving Corporate VC Due Diligence and the 1% Conversion Rate Reality In this episode, I sit down with Tomas Turner, CEO and Co-founder of Cosaic, a biomass fermentation startup producing highly functional yeast-based ingredients to replace additives, milk, and eggs. Tomas walks us through the grueling realities of closing a $6M round led by DSM-Firmenich’s CVC arm. We discuss why Corporate VC due diligence is fundamentally different—and far more rigorous on IP and Tech—than standard VC vetting. Tomas also opens up his fundraising pipeline, revealing the raw math required to close a multi-million dollar Seed round today: 250 targets, 60+ initial meetings, and countless rejections just to secure three new investors. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Tomas explain the "pharma model" of FoodTech and why you should never try to negotiate a corporate term sheet with lawyers in the room. Key Facts Eatable Adventures:Tomas Turner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomas-turner95/Website: https://www.cosaic.bio/Headquarters: Horgen, SwitzerlandGoal: To utilize biomass fermentation to curate clean-label fat and protein fibers that mask off-notes, provide astringency masking, and function as egg/dairy replacements.Milestone: Closed a $6M funding round led by DSM-Firmenich Venturing, supported by existing investors (Navus Ventures, Founderful) and a new Swiss Family Office.BlurbCosaic is a science-driven ingredients company building resilient food systems that keep pace with evolving consumer demand. Powered by a fast-moving team of scientists, engineers, and business builders, Cosaic combines rigorous in-house R&D — including an advanced pilot lab for real-condition testing — with a relentless commitment to continuous optimization. They don't just claim what their ingredients can do; they know it. Ambitious by nature and customer-centric by design, Cosaic works alongside food industry partners to deliver solutions that push the boundaries of what's been imagined possible.
• €10M non-dilutive hack, surviving deep expert "grilling," & avoiding the CapEx trap- Georg Schaumann 14.05.2026 46min

  Episode 97: SenseUp Biosciences: Georg Schaumann on the €10M non-dilutive hack, surviving deep expert "grilling," and avoiding the CapEx trap In this episode, I sit down with Georg Schaumann, Founder and CEO of SenseUp Biosciences, a deep-tech platform developing bio-encapsulated double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) for targeted crop protection. Georg details how a serendipitous barbecue conversation led to their €3M Seed round backed by the Heister Family Office (the capital behind Aldi) and IT/AI specialist fund Capnamic. We dive into the reality of surviving deep technical due diligence when VCs hire 30-year agrochemical veterans to "grill" founders, the strategic blueprint for solving the solo-founder dilemma by embedding equity reserves for a future commercial co-CEO directly into the cap table, and how SenseUp leveraged €10M in German government grants to bootstrap six years of intense R&D. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Georg explain why founders should aggressively cancel their own non-essential patents to save cash. Key Facts Eatable Adventures:Georg Schaumann Cabañero: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-georg-schaumann-1638168a/Website: https://senseup.bio/Headquarters: Köln, Germany Goal: To produce bio-encapsulated double-stranded RNA platforms that function as highly selective, effective, and non-toxic active ingredients for crop protection (fungicides, insecticides).Milestone: Closed a €3M Seed round led by Capnamic to finance expanded in vitro and greenhouse trials while preparing to onboard a dedicated commercial co-CEO ahead of a planned Series A in mid-2027.BlurbSenseUP is a biotech spin-off from Germany's Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) tackling one of agriculture's most urgent problems: the $290 billion annual toll of crop losses caused by pests and pathogens. Where conventional chemical pesticides are losing efficacy and damaging ecosystems, SenseUP has developed a patented dsRNA biopesticide platform that delivers protection that's effective, affordable, and as easy to deploy as the chemical products it replaces — without the environmental cost. Led by founder and CEO Georg Schaumann, PhD, the Cologne-based team combines deep expertise in dsRNA biology, microbial production, and scale-up to bring next-generation crop protection from lab to field. SenseUP collaborates with leading agri-industry players on R&D trials across diverse applications — building toward a future where farmers achieve growth without compromise.
• On $50M DeepTech Thesis & why Southern EU is the ultimate VC testing ground-José, Eatable AdventureS 12.05.2026 32min

  Episode 96: Eatable Adventures: José Luis Cabañero on the $50M Deep Tech Thesis and why Southern Europe is the ultimate VC testing ground In this episode, I sit down with José Luis Cabañero, Founder and CEO of Eatable Adventures, one of the most prolific AgriFood accelerators and venture capital platforms in Europe. José breaks down his highly specific thesis: writing €100K-€300K pre-revenue checks (targeting 5%-10% equity) into early-stage Deep Tech and "Physical AI" startups. We discuss why Eatable Adventures explicitly passed on Cellular Agriculture due to technical complexities, and how they leverage their network of 80+ corporate food partners to instantly validate a startup's product-market fit. Finally, José explains why he is aggressively launching a new €50M fund right in the middle of a VC winter, relying on the massively overlooked scientific talent and low cost of living in Southern Europe and Latin America to drive outsized returns. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear why Eatable Adventures views startups like teenagers and when they actively start pushing CEOs toward the exit. Key Facts Eatable Adventures:José Luis Cabañero: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlcabanero/Website: https://eatableadventures.com/Headquarters: Madrid, SpainGoal: To deploy €100K-€300K pre-seed/seed checks (securing 5-10% equity) into Deep Tech and AI-driven AgriFood startups, operating primarily out of Southern Europe and Latin America.Milestone: Currently raising a new €50M Fund II, backing their aggressive expansion strategy that includes running 12+ acceleration programs annually and maintaining a portfolio of nearly 40 companies.BlurbEatable Adventures is a food innovation accelerator and builder — not an observer. Led by José Luis Cabañero and Mila Valcárcel, their collective of food scientists, engineers, investment strategists, and former founders works from inside the food system to turn ambition into real-world outcomes. By aligning strategy, capital, and execution simultaneously, Eatable Adventures creates the operating models, hubs, and ecosystems that move ideas from vision to traction — testing in real conditions, scaling what holds up, and owning the result. Their mission: build a food system that's safer, healthier, and more sustainable — one that has a heartbeat.
• On navigating the Alt-Protein pivot and why startups can't disrupt Nestlé- Kim Odhner, Unovis 07.05.2026 33min

  Episode 95: UNOVIS Asset Management: Kim Odhner on navigating the Alt-Protein pivot and why startups can't disrupt Nestlé  In this episode, I sit down with Kim Odhner, Managing Director at UNOVIS Asset Management, one of the most experienced and earliest venture funds in the alternative protein space. Kim pulls back the curtain on how UNOVIS manages its portfolio during the FoodTech winter, detailing the exact thesis behind their recent follow-on investments in Green Rebel Foods, The Protein Brewery, and Alpine Bio. We discuss why trying to change the habits of meat-eaters is a "lost cause," how molecular farming startups are pivoting to high-value medical-grade ingredients, and why the next era of FoodTech requires abandoning the Silicon Valley playbook of trying to overthrow legacy FMCG giants. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Kim's insights on why the massive Southeast Asian market requires prioritizing shelf-stability over cold-chain logistics. Key Facts UNOVIS Asset Management:Kim Odhner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-anders-odhner/Website: https://unovis.vc/Headquarters: New York, US Goal: To invest in and scale transformative food technologies, transitioning from a strict alternative-protein focus to a broader growth-stage mandate targeting functional, healthy, and asset-light ingredients.Milestone: Raised a €150M European fund and successfully guided multiple early-stage portfolio companies through critical commercial and regulatory pivots.BlurbUnovis Asset Management is the global leader in alternative protein investing, backing purpose-driven entrepreneurs building the future of food. Through its flagship New Crop Capital funds (NCAP I and NCAP II), Unovis provides seed-to-growth capital to founders developing plant-based, fungi, fermentation, and cultivated replacements to meat, seafood, dairy, and eggs. But Unovis goes beyond capital — partners bring deep culinary expertise, consumer behavior insight, food manufacturing experience, and a global network to help founders build companies that last. Their north star: transform the global food system by reducing dependence on animal proteins and catalyzing the kind of sustained behavioral change that makes a well-fed, sustainable world possible.
• On securing 6.5M round, partnering with Kubota, and the 1-2yrs farmer ROI- Kristoffer Magnor, Kilter 30.04.2026 34min

  Episode 94: Kilter: Kristoffer Magnor on securing a 6.5M strategic round, partnering with Kubota, and the 1-to-2 year farmer ROI In this episode, I sit down with Kristoffer Magnor, Managing Director at Kilter, a Norway-based AgTech startup building an autonomous precision-weeding robot. Kristoffer details the anatomy of their recent 6.5 million strategic investment round led by global manufacturing giant Kubota. We discuss why they spent two full years pressure-testing their relationship with Kubota in the field before finalizing the round, how they successfully pushed back when Kubota wanted to turn their autonomous robot into a standard tractor implement, and how they calculate a rock-solid 1-to-2 year ROI for farmers. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear how Kilter’s machine learning platform reduces herbicide use by 96.6% and why capturing premium supermarket pricing is the hidden value-add of their technology. Key Facts Kilter:Kristoffer Magnor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristoffermagnor/Website: https://www.kiltersystems.com/Headquarters: Viken, Norway Goal: To optimize agricultural land by deploying autonomous robots (the AX1) that use machine learning to distinguish crops from weeds, printing micro-droplets of herbicide with 6x6 millimeter precision.Milestone: Raised a 6.5 million strategic investment round led by Kubota to transition from direct sales to a massive distribution-led scaling model across Germany, the Netherlands, and eventually globally.BlurbKilter is an agri-robotics company developing autonomous field robots that eliminate weeds with surgical precision — plant by plant. Powered by AI-driven crop recognition and its patented Single Drop Technology, Kilter replaces the blunt instrument of blanket spraying with ultra-targeted treatment, dramatically reducing chemical inputs while improving crop performance. The result is a new standard for sustainable farming: full field control, lower costs, and agriculture that works in balance with nature rather than against it.
• On "Venture Math", B2B Corporate Synergy, & Pre-Regulatory Playbook - Alex Davisson, Plug and Play 28.04.2026 26min

  Episode 93: Plug and Play: Alex Davisson on "Venture Math", B2B Corporate Synergy, and the Pre-Regulatory Playbook In this episode, I sit down with Alex Davisson, Senior Associate at Plug and Play, a globally recognized venture fund and open innovation platform. Alex breaks down how Plug and Play leverages its network of over 600 multinational corporate partners (like PepsiCo and Mars Wrigley) to act as a hyper-strategic investor for early-stage FoodTech startups. We discuss why his bread and butter is pre-revenue, pre-regulatory companies, and why they explicitly pass on pure B2C consumer brands like Poppi or Huel. Alex also delivers a sobering reality check on FoodTech exit multiples and explains why he is aggressively pushing his team to invest at sub-$10M valuation caps. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear how Plug and Play can add massive commercial value to your startup through their corporate ecosystem, even if they end up passing on writing a check. Key Facts Plug and Play:Alex Davisson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-alexander-davisson/Website: plugandplaytechcenter.comHeadquarters: California, USAGoal: To invest globally in pre-seed and seed stage AgriFoodTech startups (specifically B2B ingredients and enabling tech with strong IP moats) that offer strategic synergy with their multinational corporate partners.Milestone: Rapid deployment capability, writing $50K–$100K initial checks from their family office with an average 4-to-6 week due diligence cycle, backed by larger follow-on capacity through their LP-driven sustainability funds.BlurbPlug and Play is a global innovation platform that bridges the gap between large corporations and high-potential startups. By matching strategically aligned emerging companies to their partners' specific technology challenges, Plug and Play gives enterprises firsthand visibility into the trends shaping tomorrow — while connecting them to a world-class network of industry leaders and change-makers. With a mission to make innovation open to anyone, anywhere, Plug and Play has built one of the world's most active ecosystems for driving growth, unlocking new opportunities, and embedding a culture of continuous transformation inside the organizations that need it most.
• On spinning Plant Cell IP out of the university and the B2C trap - Mick Riley, Forever Harvest 23.04.2026 29min

  Episode 92: Forever Harvest: Mick Riley on spinning Plant Cell IP out of the university and the B2C trap  In this episode, I sit down with Mick Riley, Co-founder and CEO of Forever Harvest, a New Zealand-based plant cell culture startup that recently closed a $1.2M pre-seed round. Mick details how he stepped in as the commercial CEO to spin out "high seven-figure" IP from a public research institute, taking raw lab science and turning it into a commercial biotech platform. We discuss why growing commodity nuts in a bioreactor makes zero economic sense, and how their strategy shifted to accelerating high-value traits (like Vitamin K2) for corporate B2B partners. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Mick's candid admission about wasting six months trying to build a B2C brand and why pitching themselves as a horizontal platform ultimately secured their VC funding.  Key Facts Forever Harvest:Mick Riley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mick-riley-205a78276/Website: https://www.foreverharvest.co/Headquarters: New ZealandGoal: To utilize plant cell culture (growing fruit and nuts "without the tree") to supply FMCGs with highly tailored, premium B2B ingredients, specifically focusing on almond and citrus.Milestone: Spun out of the Bioeconomy Science Institute (a NZ public research organization) and successfully raised a $1.2M pre-seed round backed by deep-tech incubator Sprout Agritech.Blurb:FOREVER HARVEST is a New Zealand-based cellular horticulture company producing custom fruit and nut ingredients via plant cell culture. Working directly with industry partners, they develop proprietary cell lines and growth media to deliver ingredients with tailored flavour and functional profiles — available year-round, on demand, with no seasonal or supply chain constraints. Key differentiators: minimal land/water footprint, zero pesticides, enhanced bioactive concentration versus conventional produce, and batch-to-batch consistency. 
• On the Growth Investor Mindset and the B2B vs. B2C Scale-Up Playbook - Fabio Ziemssen, Zintinus 22.04.2026 35min

  Episode 91: Zintinus: Fabio Ziemssen on the Growth Investor Mindset and the B2B vs. B2C Scale-Up Playbook In this episode, I sit down with Fabio Ziemssen, Founding Partner at Zintinus, a Berlin-based growth-stage FoodTech fund managing €135 million. Fabio outlines the strict commercial metrics required to secure their €2M to €5M checks, explaining the distinct differences between evaluating B2B ingredient stickiness versus B2C retail velocity. We dive deep into their recent investments, including the Austrian healthy snacking brand NEO (leveraging a massive B2B sugar-replacement play) and Planet A Foods. Most notably, Fabio breaks down why Zintinus invested in KÄÄPÄ Mushrooms, defying the current venture capital exodus from vertical farming by focusing on high-margin functional crops over low-margin commodities like basil. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear why Fabio believes there is never a "too early" time to start building a relationship with a growth-stage fund.  Key Facts Zintinus:Fabio Ziemssen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabio-ziemssen-food-innovation/Website: https://zintinus.com/Headquarters: BerlinGoal: To lead €2M–€5M growth-stage investments in alternative proteins, functional foods, and food waste reduction technologies across Europe and the US.Milestone: Managing €135M in assets and exclusively deploying capital into startups that have moved beyond the lab and achieved proven commercial traction.Blurb:ZINTINUS is a European venture capital fund singularly focused on food system transformation. They invest in Series A–B rounds across four verticals: alternative protein (plant-based, fermentation, cell-based), clean nutrition (functional beverages, free-from products), functional food (personalized nutrition, novel ingredients), and food waste reduction (shelf-life extension, side-stream valorization, data analytics). Their thesis targets scalable models with strong unit economics, and beyond capital, they offer portfolio companies access to deep sector networks and operational expertise.