Private Equity

The AFF20 reveals firms had to have raised at least $845m between 2019-23 to be among the top 20 capital raisers in food, forestry and natural capital.

The SVG Ventures Sunrise Fund will make early-stage investments with a typical check size of $500,000-$1 million.

Managing director Scott DeVos says Lil Bucks will be attractive to larger consumer packaged goods companies.

Among several appointments, Tyler Mayoras will step up to become managing director, food and beverage sector, with responsibilities including sourcing new investments.

The food investment specialist is seeking up to $750m for its follow-on vehicle.

The firm has invested in more than 80 companies since it was founded in 2020.

The Vail, Colorado PE firm’s recent acquisition of organic beef brand Verde Farms is an example of its investment strategy focusing on companies that improve health.

Mekong Enterprise Fund IV is nearing full deployment across a diverse range of investments, including in the regenerative agriculture space through biochar fertilizer company Husk.

Head of sustainability Rachel Hurley says the addition of a formal Hunting Ground devoted to decarbonization helps make investments in plastics reduction and water more likely.

As some other private markets have recorded surprising figures to varying degrees, agri-food and forestry appears to have slipped back into its happy medium.