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Rabobank

Europe, Utrecht, The Netherlands, Utrecht

Description

Rabobank, a leading global financial services provider with deep roots in the food and agribusiness sectors, extends its commitment to innovation through its dedicated venture capital arm, the Rabobank Food & Agri Innovation Fund (RFAIF). Established in 2018 with an initial commitment of $100 million, the RFAIF is strategically designed to invest in cutting-edge startups and scale-ups that are transforming the global food and agriculture value chain. This initiative underscores Rabobank's cooperative mission to contribute to a more sustainable and efficient food system worldwide, leveraging its extensive industry network and expertise.

The RFAIF primarily targets early-stage and growth-stage companies, typically participating in Series A and Series B funding rounds. The fund seeks out businesses with proven technologies and scalable business models that address critical challenges in the food and agri space. While the total round sizes can vary significantly, the RFAIF's typical first cheque investment ranges from approximately $1 million to $10 million, often co-investing alongside other reputable venture capital firms and strategic partners. This approach allows the fund to support a diverse portfolio of companies, from inception through significant growth phases.

The investment focus of the RFAIF is broad but specific to key areas of innovation within food and agriculture. These include sustainable farming practices, alternative proteins, food waste reduction technologies, supply chain optimization, and digital solutions enhancing efficiency and transparency. As of recent reports, the fund has made investments in over 20 companies, demonstrating its active role in fostering a vibrant ecosystem of agrifood tech innovation. By providing not only capital but also strategic guidance and access to Rabobank's vast network, the RFAIF aims to accelerate the development and adoption of solutions that contribute to global food security and environmental sustainability.

This strategic investment vehicle positions Rabobank as a significant player in the agrifood tech venture landscape, aligning its financial strength with its long-standing commitment to the sector. The fund's global mandate allows it to identify and support promising ventures across different geographies, further solidifying Rabobank's influence in shaping the future of food and agriculture.

Investor Profile

Rabobank has backed more than 160 startups, with 34 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 49 rounds, about 31% of its total and boasts 28 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Debt Financing, Seed, Post Ipo Debt rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in The Netherlands, United States, United Kingdom.
  • Strong thematic focus on Renewable Energy, Energy, Solar.
  • Led 10 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $1M – $10M.

Stage Focus

  • Debt Financing (45%)
  • Seed (16%)
  • Post Ipo Debt (11%)
  • Series Unknown (11%)
  • Pre Seed (8%)
  • Series A (4%)
  • Private Equity (1%)
  • Series B (1%)
  • Series C (1%)
  • Post Ipo Equity (1%)

Country Focus

  • The Netherlands (50%)
  • United States (19%)
  • United Kingdom (5%)
  • India (3%)
  • Mexico (2%)
  • Argentina (2%)
  • Brazil (1%)
  • Australia (1%)
  • Sweden (1%)
  • Israel (1%)

Industry Focus

  • Renewable Energy
  • Energy
  • Solar
  • Food And Beverage
  • Agriculture
  • Manufacturing
  • Health Care
  • E-commerce
  • Food Processing
  • Farming
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Rabobank frequently co-invest with?

Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Oceania, New South Wales, Australia, Sydney
Co-Investments: 5
ABN AMRO Fund
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Amsterdam
Co-Investments: 4
Societe Generale
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 7
Santander UK
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 4
HSBC
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 6
MUFG Bank
Asia, Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo
Co-Investments: 5
ING Group
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Amsterdam
Co-Investments: 7
ABN AMRO Bank
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Amsterdam
Co-Investments: 6
Deutsche Bank
Europe, Hessen, Germany, Frankfurt
Co-Investments: 6
CIBC
North America, Ontario, Canada, Toronto
Co-Investments: 5

Which angels does Rabobank often collaborate with?

Shared Deals: 1
WG
North America, Missouri, United States, Netherlands
Shared Deals: 1
Shared Deals: 1
WV
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Amsterdam
Shared Deals: 1
MP
Europe, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands, Dordrecht
Shared Deals: 1
JF
North America, Texas, United States, Austin
Shared Deals: 1
JS
North America, Quebec, Canada, Montréal
Shared Deals: 1
KK
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Amsterdam
Shared Deals: 1
Shared Deals: 1
JB
North America, New York, United States, New York
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Rabobank?

Electra

Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Electra is an electric vehicle charging company that specializes in deploying and operating charging points for electric vehicles.

AutomotiveCharging InfrastructureElectric VehicleRenewable Energy
Debt FinancingJul 24, 2025
Amount Raised: $332,660,176
Cero Generation

London, England, United Kingdom

Cero Generation is a solar energy company that develops solar energy and energy storage solutions.

EnergyEnergy StorageRenewable EnergySolar
Debt FinancingJul 15, 2025
Amount Raised: $268,815,036
Auramet

Teaneck, New Jersey, United States

Auramet offers physical precious metals and non-physical base metal concentrate transactions.

FinanceMiningPrecious Metals
Debt FinancingJun 24, 2025
Amount Raised: $350,000,000
Swiss Water

Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Swiss Water Process removes caffeine from coffee for leading coffee roasters throughout the United States.

CoffeeFood and BeverageRestaurants
Post Ipo DebtJun 24, 2025
Amount Raised: $25,548,527
Avantium

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands

Avantium Technologies provides high-throughput R&D technologies for applications in the energy, chemicals and pharmaceutical industries.

BiotechnologyChemicalPharmaceuticalRenewable Energy
Post Ipo DebtJun 23, 2025
Amount Raised: $11,575,293
Co-op

Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom

Co‑op offers a range of retail and service solutions including grocery stores, insurance, legal advice, and funeral services.

ConsumerE-CommerceGroceryRetail
Debt FinancingJun 19, 2025
Amount Raised: $469,084,013
GameAnalyze

Leiden, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands

GameAnalyze provides a screening app that identifies well-being and behavioral patterns in children.

Health Care
GrantJun 17, 2025
Amount Raised: $28,919
CleanCapital

New York, New York, United States

CleanCapital accelerates clean energy with an online marketplace providing opportunities for investors and access to capital for developers.

EnergyFinTechRenewable Energy
Debt FinancingJun 16, 2025
Amount Raised: $81,000,000
Mowi

Bergen, Hordaland, Norway

Mowi, a seafood company, produces and supplies farmed salmon products worldwide.

AquacultureFarmingFood and BeverageMarketingSales
Post Ipo DebtJun 12, 2025
Amount Raised: $3,005,148,050
HeatLeap

Tilburg, Noord-Brabant, The Netherlands

HeatLeap specializes in climate-neutral heating of existing dwellings, particularly for housing firms.

Energy
SeedJun 12, 2025
Amount Raised: $1,160,913