Agriculture, Agribusiness & Agtech

Amwal Capital Partners has introduced the ACP Shariah Financing Fund, a $150 million private credit vehicle designed to offer Shariah-compliant financing solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This initiative aims to bridge the significant $250 billion SME credit gap by providing ethical, asset-backed capital to businesses that are often underserved by traditional banking institutions. The fund's strategy emphasizes direct lending to emerging companies, particularly those with tech-enabled platforms requiring flexible financing structures. Over its five-year term, the fund plans to execute 12 to 15 transactions, focusing on sectors such as logistics, vehicle leasing, and FinTech. Initial investments include ventures in the tourism and agricultural food trade industries, reflecting the fund's commitment to supporting sectors vital to regional economic growth. By adhering strictly to Islamic finance principles, the ACP Shariah Financing Fund ensures that all investments are structured to avoid interest-based income and excessive uncertainty, aligning with ethical investment practices. This approach not only meets the growing demand for Shariah-compliant financial products but also offers investors exposure to high-yield opportunities uncorrelated with public markets.

Ara Fund III will continue Ara's strategy of investing in the decarbonization of the industrial economy, the greatest source of carbon emissions globally. Leveraging significant technical and operations expertise, the fund will pursue both buyout and growth investments in industrial companies primarily headquartered in the United States, Canada and Europe that have the potential to achieve reductions in carbon emissions across sectors, including industrial and manufacturing, chemicals and materials, energy efficiency and green fuels, and food and agriculture. Ara's predecessor fund, Ara Fund II, closed in September 2021 at approximately $1.1 billion, above its $650 million target. Ara has total assets under management of approximately $5.6 billion. As of December 2013, Ara Fund III has already completed four investments: Vacuumschmelze, a leading global producer of advanced magnetic materials and the largest producer of rare earth permanent magnets in the Western Hemisphere; Genera, a sustainable pulp and packaging producer; CFP Energy, which provides market-facing solutions in environmental and green energy products to industrial customers across Europe; and CycleØ, a fully integrated developer of distributed biomethane facilities.

The EV II fund is a 70m€ Venture Capital fund that invests in innovative companies in Series A & B stage. The fund has a focus on Fintech and Beyond Banking sectors, including financial technology, RegTech, cybersecurity, mobility, energy, agriculture, and more. The fund targets investments in Central and Eastern Europe, which is an emerging startup ecosystem with amazing talent and founders but lacks the attention and funding resources of more mature regions. The fund has a commitment from RBI, Raiffeisen-Holding Niederösterreich-Wien, and Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark, and has previously invested in a portfolio of 15 companies, including investment banking, e-signature & identification, and RegTech companies, among others. The main goal of Elevator Ventures is to earn a financial return for its investors. In addition, they want to contribute to the strategy of the banks and engage with high-growth companies whose business models might be changing the industry dynamics in the mid- to long term. The fund also cooperates with international co-investors and has decided to invest in a Fund of Funds and other VC funds alongside Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark, and Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich. The fund also believes in the transformative power of technological shifts that enable high-growth companies to drive customer value and reshape industries. They are driven by a sector focus that encompasses not only Fintech but also Beyond Banking, which includes platform-based business approaches in various service areas. Elevator Ventures also plans to continue to promote innovation in the region with the backing of its LP base.

The GAIA Climate Loan Fund is a pioneering blended‑finance vehicle designed to deliver long‑dated credit to public and quasi‑public entities in 19 emerging market countries, with a particular emphasis on climate adaptation. Anchored by leading institutions including MUFG Bank, FinDev Canada and the Green Climate Fund, the platform combines concessional capital with private sector funding to mobilise substantial private credit for resilience outcomes. Targeting a first close of USD 600 million (with a final size up to USD 1.48 billion), GAIA allocates at least 70% of its portfolio to adaptation activities — such as water management, climate‑resilient agriculture, ecosystem protection and climate‑smart infrastructure — while up to 30% may support mitigation investments in renewable energy and low‑emission transport. A minimum of 25% of commitments is reserved for Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, ensuring the most climate‑vulnerable markets are reached. The structure features tiered capital: a junior concessional tranche absorbs early risk, a senior debt component opens access for institutional lenders, and a dedicated currency hedging facility and technical assistance facility support project preparation and mitigate currency and execution risk. By aligning development goals with market discipline, GAIA aims to unlock private capital that has historically shunned adaptation finance due to sovereign, currency and long‑tenor risks. Ultimately, GAIA aspires to benefit 19 million people, create more than 11,000 jobs, avoid roughly 30 million tonnes of CO₂, deliver about 700 MW of renewable‑energy capacity and generate about 36,000 GWh of clean energy annually. Through its innovative blended model the fund seeks to deepen climate‑finance flow into emerging markets and demonstrate a scalable path to resilience‑infrastructure funding.

The Libra Hybrid Capital Fund is a private credit vehicle launched by Granite Asia, a Singapore-based multi-asset investment platform. The fund has secured over US$250 million in anchor commitments from leading Asian sovereign wealth funds, general partners, and a network of founders and entrepreneurs. With a target size of US$500 million, the fund aims to provide non-dilutive capital to mid-market companies across the Asia-Pacific region. Libra focuses on offering secured loans with a defensive risk profile, targeting established businesses that are profitable or have positive cash flow. These companies span various sectors, including those undergoing digital transformation or pursuing growth through acquisitions. The fund leverages Granite Asia's technology ecosystem and operational expertise to deliver stable cash yields and enhanced returns. Managed by partners Ming Eng and Roger Zhang, the fund is part of Granite Asia's broader strategy to support a diverse range of businesses that form the backbone of Asia's economy. By providing flexible, non-dilutive financing solutions, Libra aims to bridge funding gaps for companies scaling within and across the region.

The Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund is a $200 million Fund-of-Funds initiative that supports African-owned and African-led investment vehicles. These vehicles finance early-stage and growth-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the aim of fostering inclusive economic development across sub-Saharan Africa. The Fund is deeply focused on enabling dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for young people, especially young women. It accomplishes this by de-risking and strengthening impact investment vehicles that are committed to gender equity and social inclusion. Since its launch in 2022, the Fund has backed 18 investment vehicles operating in 12 African countries, facilitating financing for 49 SMEs and creating more than 2,500 full-time jobs—over 1,100 of which are held by women. Through this structure, the Fund not only boosts access to capital for underrepresented entrepreneurs but also builds the long-term capacity of Africa’s investment ecosystem.

New Agriculture, a division of New Forests Asset Management, has introduced the New Agriculture Landscapes Strategy, aiming to raise A$750 million (approximately €420 million). This 12-year closed-end fund is designed to invest in sustainable agricultural assets across Australia and New Zealand, focusing on integrating natural vegetation, agriculture, and forestry into cohesive operational landscapes. The strategy targets sectors such as rainfed and irrigated row cropping, horticulture, livestock, and related agricultural infrastructure. By optimizing land use, the fund seeks to enhance yields, diversify revenue streams, and increase asset values. Additionally, it aims to tap into environmental markets, including carbon credits, biodiversity, renewable energy, and conservation covenants. With a targeted internal rate of return (IRR) of 9% to 12%, the fund appeals to institutional investors seeking consistent returns coupled with impactful environmental outcomes. New Agriculture's approach aligns with the growing demand for sustainable food and fiber production, positioning itself at the forefront of regenerative agricultural practices.

The Eurazeo Planetary Boundaries Fund 1 (EPBF) is a next-generation impact buyout vehicle focused on companies that contribute to restoring or adapting to Earth’s critical environmental limits, as defined by the planetary boundaries framework. Launched with a target of €750 million, the fund invests in small to mid-market companies offering scalable solutions in areas like circular economy, biodiversity, low-carbon energy, and sustainable agriculture. EPBF integrates scientific guidance and measurable impact KPIs into its investment strategy, aligning financial success with environmental progress. Managed by Eurazeo partners Erwann Le Ligné and Wilfried Piskula, the fund is backed by a high-level advisory board with experts from science, policy, and industry. Its first investment is in Bioline AgroSciences, a leader in natural pest control, marking a strong commitment to eco-positive innovation.

The Radical Fund is an early-stage venture capital firm dedicated to supporting Southeast Asia's transition to a more resilient future. With a target fund size of $40 million, it invests in startups that address climate change through both adaptation and mitigation strategies. The fund focuses on pre-seed, seed, and pre-Series A stages, providing not only capital but also operational and technical assistance to its portfolio companies. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by Southeast Asian countries, The Radical Fund prioritizes solutions tailored to the region's specific needs. It seeks out ventures that may not traditionally be classified as climate tech but have the potential to make significant environmental impacts. This includes sectors like agriculture, food, circular economy, financial services, mobility, and logistics. The fund is part of the Utopia Capital Management group, which has supported over 130 early-stage startups in emerging markets. The Radical Fund's team is based in Bangkok and Singapore, with plans to expand in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Its mission is to build an ecosystem of climate-oriented companies that deliver both commercial returns and measurable climate impact.

The TIDE Africa Fund II of TLcom Capital has a target investment of $154 million in seed and Series A companies, making it Africa's largest investor across these stages. It attracted participation from over 20 limited partners, including notable investors such as the European Investment Bank (EIB), Visa Foundation, Bertelsmann, and AfricaGrow, a joint venture between Allianz and DEG Impact. TLcom Capital focuses on traditional sectors like fintech, mobility, agriculture, healthcare, education, and commerce, prioritizing early-stage opportunities, particularly at the seed and Series A stages, while also considering opportunistic deals at growth and later stages. It generally backs 20 to 25 companies, aiming for 10x to 20x returns on potential investments and expects to achieve 3x to 4x returns on an aggregate basis. The fund is also improving its risk by backing repeat founders, like Sim Shagaya, Etop Ikpe, and Grant Brooke, as well as investing earlier in deals and women-led startups through FirstCheck Africa. As of April 2024, TLcom has backed six companies from its new fund, with initial investments ranging from $1 million to $3 million, and aims to target the Big Four markets, adding Egypt and South Africa as destinations of its capital. By doing so, TLcom expects to achieve tangible returns and drive the overall growth of the African tech ecosystem. The fund will invest between USD 500 000 as the minimum initial investment in seed stage opportunities, to USD 15 million over the life cycle of the investment, with an expected average of around USD 7-9 million per successful company.From the USD 5 million, 2 million will be dedicated to female entrepreneurs through a co-investment agreement with First Check Africa. It is a 10-year life Fund of which 5 years investment and 5 years divestment period which can be extended by 1 year each.

TLG Africa Growth Impact Fund II (AGIF II) is a $200 million private credit fund managed by TLG Capital, established to address the financing gap faced by African SMEs. With a strategic focus on supporting businesses that are financially viable but currently under strain, the fund aims to unlock their growth potential through tailored credit solutions and advisory support. The fund reached its first close at $75 million, backed by a consortium of international development finance institutions. Anchor commitments came from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), alongside Swedfund, Norfund, Bpifrance, and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), through its Manufacturing Africa program. This collective backing reflects confidence in the fund’s approach and impact-oriented strategy. AGIF II works closely with local financial institutions to co-finance SMEs, often leveraging guarantees from local banks to reduce investment risk. This collaboration ensures capital reaches underserved yet promising companies, enabling them to restructure debt, expand operations, and maintain employment during challenging macroeconomic conditions. In addition to financial support, AGIF II offers value-added strategic and operational advisory services. The fund partners with leading advisory firms such as McKinsey, BDO, ESS, and Ndarama Works to help portfolio companies transform their business models and strengthen resilience. This dual approach of capital and capacity-building is central to AGIF II’s impact thesis. The fund prioritizes inclusive and sustainable development by focusing on investments in the UN’s least developed countries, promoting gender equity, local ownership, and industrialization. AGIF II embodies a strong belief in achieving competitive financial returns while delivering meaningful development outcomes.

Building on the success of its predecessors, TPG Rise Fund IV aims to invest in growth-stage, high-potential, mission-driven companies that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The fund focuses on sectors where positive impact and financial performance are intrinsically linked. Utilizing the proprietary Impact Multiple of Money (IMM) framework developed by Y Analytics, TPG Rise Fund IV seeks to quantify the social and environmental impact of its investments. This methodology ensures that each investment delivers measurable outcomes, such as increased access to education, healthcare, and financial services, or significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The fund is expected to continue TPG's strategy of partnering with companies that offer scalable solutions to global challenges, leveraging the firm's deep sector knowledge, operational resources, and global experience to drive value creation and help companies reach their full potential.

Vision Ridge Partners Sustainable Asset Fund IV is a $2.5 billion private equity vehicle focused on accelerating the global transition to sustainability. The fund targets real assets in energy, transportation, and agriculture—sectors responsible for over 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions. By investing in and transforming complex assets, Vision Ridge aims to deliver both strong financial returns and measurable environmental impact. The fund plans to make 10 to 14 privately negotiated equity or equity-related investments, typically involving direct ownership of underlying assets. This approach allows Vision Ridge to actively manage and enhance these assets, preparing them for eventual sale to larger buyers, primarily infrastructure funds. The firm emphasizes climate change mitigation and adaptation, tracking metrics such as avoided greenhouse gas emissions, water conservation, and energy efficiency improvements. With a target net internal rate of return (IRR) of 15–20% and a 10-year term, Fund IV is designed for investors seeking long-term growth through sustainable investments. The fund has attracted commitments from notable institutional investors, including a $150 million allocation from the New York State Common Retirement Fund and $80 million from the San Francisco Employees Retirement System. Vision Ridge's strong track record and diversified, multi-sector strategy position Fund IV to capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable infrastructure.