Agtech startup AgFunder announces $20M alternative protein fund to invest in the next generation of startups creating animal-free products 

AgFunder, a venture capital focused on agrifood tech startups and built on an ecosystem of over 65,000 members and subscribers, today announced a new $20 million alternative protein fund to give investors an opportunity to invest in the next generation of startups creating animal-free products for food and other industries. In conjunction, AgFunder has also published a free industry whitepaper that surveys the alternative protein market.

The fund will invest in startups across the alternative protein landscape including plant-based meats and dairy, cultivated meat, and startups creating picks and shovels for the industry. Investment is open to Accredited Investors, family offices, and institutions.

AgFunder  was founded in 2013 by Melissa Tilney, Michael Dean, and Rob Leclerc. The San Francisco, California-based startup is one of the most active foodtech and agtech VC firms globally. AgFunder invests in exceptional and bold entrepreneurs who are aiming to build the next generation of great agriculture and food technology companies.

As a Platform-VC, they have leveraged technology, media and research to build a global ecosystem of over 50,000 members and subscribers, including over 5,000 investors. They build technology to help source, evaluate, and support their portfolio companies and invest at scale. Through special co-investment funds and Special Purpose Vehicles, AgFunder gives investors the opportunity to coinvest with them and other leading VCs.

“An investor who put $1 million into Beyond Meat’s Series A selling today could realize a 316x return; and Impossible Foods is poised to follow a similar trajectory,” said founding partner Rob Leclerc. “But in a $2.17 trillion market for animal products, we believe there are still many new opportunities to create new multi-billion dollar companies.”

To learn about investing in the fund, AgFunder’s investment thesis, or to download the free 41-page whitepaper for an in-depth look at the industry’s macro drivers visit: https://agfunder.com/invest/protein-fund/