The Nest Family Office

The Nest Family Office is a Belgian family office dedicated to fostering more resilient food systems globally. The firm partners with entrepreneurs in the food and agriculture sectors who are actively addressing some of the planet's most significant food challenges. Their investment philosophy is centered on a disciplined and pragmatic approach, identifying impactful companies and supporting their growth across their full life cycle. The Nest Family Office aims to improve the food system in three core areas: enhancing nutritional value by prioritizing yield and quality, promoting environmental stewardship through ecological food production, and striving for farmer resilience by ensuring respect and fair compensation for those at the heart of the food system.

The firm was founded in 2019 by Els Thermote, who launched The Nest Family Office to champion the adoption of food as medicine for both people and the planet. Building on her extensive career, including her role as CEO of TVH Americas, Els is passionately committed to investing in the transition towards a more robust and sustainable food system, aspiring to inspire others to join this critical mission.

The Nest Family Office invests in a diverse portfolio of companies and funds. Notable direct investments include Agricarbon, which focuses on soil carbon measurement; ReelData, an artificial intelligence solution provider for land-based aquaculture; and Zymofix, a biotechnology company developing microbial solutions. The firm also allocates capital to various funds such as AgFunder IV, Clear Frontier I, Walden Mutual, Propagate, Arborview Capital, Buoyant Ventures I, and Synthesis Capital I, demonstrating a broad commitment to innovation in food and agriculture. They support companies from startup to maturity, engaging in Seed and Series A rounds, among others.

The team at The Nest Family Office comprises individuals driven by a sense of urgency and a deep commitment to positive impact. Key members include Els Thermote as Chief Executive Officer, Louis Dhont as Chief Operating Officer, and Anouk Schoors as Investment Director, who leads the firm's food and agriculture investments. The team's collective expertise spans audit, consulting, entrepreneurship, and a profound respect for nature, enabling them to make rapid, informed decisions and cultivate enduring partnerships with the innovators they support.