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Pyramidia Ventures, a Kenyan agri-tech Secures $1.5M to Scale Climate-Smart Agri-Tech Startups Across Africa. . . #techNews #techNewsAfrica #technologyNewsAfrica #technologyAfrica #TGA #TechGistAfrica #breakingNews #techInAfrica #startupNews #trendingNews #PyramidiaVentures #PyramidiaVenturesKenya #agriTech #ClimateTech https://lnkd.in/dnjk6-jF

Founder-investor misalignment is killing impact startups. The agrifood sector faces a funding slowdown, leading to longer due diligence, shifting expectations, and tighter runways for planetary health startups. Today in Impact Loop, we co-write with Annick Verween from biotope by VIB and Arnoud Klokke from BioInnovation Institute (BII) about how to fix it, including six hard truths and tips for founders: 1. A term sheet is not a payout 2. Never open a round without a lead investor 3. Data rooms are as much for founders as for investors 4. Fundraising is more than a full-time job 5. Ask for clarity, expect honesty 6. Rethink your capital stack Full article in Impact loop: https://lnkd.in/d4SVDUdZ Full piece from Biotope: https://lnkd.in/dPnHrmtQ Marika King, Rosemari Herrero, Erika Hombert, Eveli Lentsius, Nils Sjöberg, Paulig Group

Maia Ventures Launches €55M Fund to Back Early-Stage Agrifood Tech Entrepreneurs Milan, Italy — Maia Ventures, an Italy-based early-stage agrifood tech fund, has launched its €55 million inaugural fund to support 20–25 innovative startups transforming the global food and agriculture industry. The fund will provide initial investments ranging from €0.5 million to €1.5 million in early-stage ventures that leverage technology and science to build a healthier, more efficient, and more resilient agrifood system. The fund’s limited partners include institutional investors such as the European Investment Fund (EIF) and CDP Venture Capital Sgr, as well as private investors from Italy’s leading food corporations and family offices — including Teseo Capital sicav-sif, Cereal Docks via Grey Silo Ventures, and Andriani. Structured as an Article 8 SFDR fund, Maia Ventures pursues both financial returns and measurable impact, aiming to bridge the gap between Italy’s established food industry and a new generation of technology-driven entrepreneurs emerging from top accelerators and universities. “We see a unique opportunity to back founders solving structural challenges in food, health, and sustainability,” said the Maia Ventures team. “The current funding slowdown allows us to invest in mission-driven companies building the next chapter of agrifood innovation.” Maia’s team combines former founders, investors, operators, and scientists, supported by a technical advisory group featuring representatives from leading agrifood universities and corporations. The firm is fully operational and has already completed six investments to date, with a final close expected in the coming months. The fund is managed by Praesidium S.A., a Luxembourg-based AIFM, and advised by Maia Advisors SRL. #AgrifoodTech #VentureCapital #MaiaVentures #StartupFunding #Sustainability #FoodTech #AgriTech #ImpactInvesting #EIF #CDPVentureCapital #Innovation #ItalyStartups #EarlyStageFunding #FoodSystem #AgriFoodInnovation

🚀 Big news for European AgriFoodTech! 🌱 Milan-based Maia Ventures has just launched its first €55 million fund to back next-gen startups building a healthier, more efficient, and more resilient global food system. 💡 With six investments already made and plans to support up to 25 early-stage ventures, Maia is targeting innovations in: 🥦 Sustainable ingredients 💊 Food-as-medicine solutions 🌾 Climate-resilient supply chains The fund is backed by major players including EIF, CDP Venture Capital, Cereal Docks (Grey Silo Ventures), and Andriani — combining Italy’s world-class food ecosystem with global AgriFoodTech talent. 🇮🇹🌍 “We want to be among the first institutional believers, helping founders connect with industry leaders and lay the foundations for scale,” — David I. Bassani, Founding Partner, Maia Ventures As global AgriFoodTech investment slows, Maia sees opportunity — betting on deep-tech, science-driven startups solving problems that truly matter. #AgriFoodTech #FoodInnovation #VentureCapital #Sustainability #FoodAsMedicine #AlternativeProteins #ImpactInvesting #ClimateTech #Startups #FutureOfFood 🔗 Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/ebNS4-4S

Maia Ventures Launches $64M Agrifood Impact Fund Italy-based impact fund Maia Ventures has launched its first €55M ($64M) fund to support early-stage agrifood startups improving health, efficiency, and resilience in the food system. Already active with six investments, the fund focuses on science-driven, long-term impact. 🌐 agcltr.com #Agrifood #ImpactInvesting #Startups #Innovation #SustainableFood #FoodTech #Health #Efficiency #Resilience #MaiaVentures

🌱 Theia Ventures Raises $30M to Back Climate Tech Startups in India 🌱 Theia Ventures, an Indian VC firm, has successfully raised $30 million for its first fund, aimed at supporting early-stage startups tackling climate change. Founded in 2023 by Ankit Agarwal (ex-Blume Ventures), Theia focuses on clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and eco-friendly materials. Ankit Agarwal: "Climate change isn't just an environmental crisis; it's an economic opportunity disguised as one. Theia isn't just investing in companies; we're investing in a cooler planet." With climate tech investment in India growing 45% in 2024, Theia Ventures is bridging the early-stage funding gap while providing mentorship, regulatory guidance, and global networks. Plans to expand into Southeast Asia by 2026 highlight the firm’s ambition to foster a resilient and regenerative portfolio. #ClimateTech #SustainableInvesting #VentureCapital #IndianStartups #CleanEnergy #SustainableAgriculture #GreenInnovation #ImpactInvesting Read More: https://lnkd.in/dD-JkNiM

Maia Ventures has launched its first €55M fund to support early-stage agrifoodtech startups, investing in areas like food-as-medicine, innovative ingredients, and resilient supply chains with ticket sizes ranging from €0.5 to 1.5 million. #foodsecurity #foodtech #foodsystems https://lnkd.in/gZu7Y_as

“Some startups pitch us, and it’s a terrible pitch, but I don’t just ignore those people,” observes Po Bronson, general partner at deep tech investor SOSV and managing director at IndieBio SF. “I can’t. “I have to be patient, to listen, to wait, and ask, what did you say you do right there? You were kind of hiding it. Let’s ignore everything else and talk about your capability to do that and what we could do with it. “A lot of our companies are not doing what they came to us to do [originally]. I have to hunt amongst the crumbs and find companies who no one’s going to invest in, but they are actually doing something amazing.” And grim though the funding environment is, he says, companies that are performing are still getting funded, “despite everything. It’s not a broken system.” Bronson joins AgFunder News to talk “non-rigorous thinking,” lower-capex biomanufacturing, AI in hen houses, next-gen fertilizer and why governments and corporates—not just venture funds—will shape the next wave of agrifood innovation. #foodtech #agtech #agrifoodtech #funding #investing #biomanufacturing #ai Po Bronson SOSV IndieBio

🚀 Some good news from Italy’s food-tech scene! Maia Ventures has just launched a €55 million (US$59 million) fund to back the next generation of AgriFoodTech startups – with six investments already closed. Based in Milan, the team’s goal is simple but ambitious: build a healthier, more efficient, and more resilient food system by connecting Italy’s world-class food industry with cutting-edge science and early-stage innovation. 🇮🇹🌾 “We aim to be among the first institutional believers,” said David I. Bassani, Founding Partner at Maia Ventures. “What excites us is the calibre of science and operator talent now converging on topics such as food-as-medicine, innovative ingredients, and resilient supply chains.” With backing from the European Investment Fund (EIF), CDP Venture Capital SGR, and industry players like Cereal Docks (via Grey Silo Ventures) and Andriani, Maia is off to a strong start. The team believes this downturn in AgriFoodTech funding is actually a unique moment to invest – focusing on startups tackling real problems in food, health, and sustainability. As Andrea Galassi added, “It’s about investing in solutions to problems that matter, not solutions in search of a problem.” 👏 👉 Seems to me that this is the kind of long-term, impact-focused investment the sector needs right now. #AgriFoodTech #FoodInnovation #VentureCapital #Sustainability #FoodAsMedicine #FutureOfFood #Startups #AlternativeProtein #ImpactInvesting https://lnkd.in/ek5BbxNK

We are proud to introduce the first 8 of 15 ventures selected for develoPPP Ventures Cohort 8 in Kenya 🇰🇪, Rwanda 🇷🇼 and Tanzania 🇹🇿. The programme is implemented by DEG Impulse and supported by VC4A and local partners ViKtoria Ventures, Ennovate Ventures and Impact Hub Kigali. We congratulate them and celebrate the successful closure of all investments for this initial group as they are joining a portfolio of almost 100 companies! This is a massive step forward for the startup ecosystem and a commitment to ventures driving meaningful economic and sustainable progress in East Africa. Meet the 8 ventures ready to scale their impact: 🇰🇪 Jahazii: Improving Kenyan workers' well-being with low-cost salary advances for unexpected shocks. Founded by CEO, Sven Grospitsch. 🇰🇪 Global South Holding: Boosting smallholder potato productivity in Kenya with cold storage, guaranteed off-take, and agronomic support. Led by founder and CEO, Dr. Thomas Behrens. 🇷🇼 Kosmotive: Empowering women and girls in Rwanda with affordable, reusable menstrual pads and health education. Founded by CEO, Blandine Umuziranenge. 🇷🇼 Eza Neza: Reducing food waste and extending shelf life of strawberries in Rwanda through hydroponics and freeze-drying. Co-Founder: Christian Irakoze. 🇷🇼 eFiche: Digitizing primary healthcare across East Africa's rural systems with a cloud-based EMR platform and AI support. Led by David Kamugundu. 🇷🇼 exuus: Bridging the gap to formal finance by digitizing informal savings groups with micro-savings, loans, and insurance. Founded by Shema Steve. 🇹🇿 Black Swan (formerly Tausi africa): Unlocking inclusive finance in Tanzania’s informal economy using AI-powered credit scoring and Open Banking. Founder: Derick Kazimoto. 🇹🇿 MySafari Online Ticketing: Digitizing intercity transport in Tanzania, improving safety, efficiency, and financial inclusion for all players. Founded by Abou Nkya. Read more: https://go.vc4a.com/18g3 Each of these companies is receiving EUR 100K in non-dilutive funding from Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), alongside tailored technical support. We would like to specially recognise members of the VC4A team including Abu Cassim, Julie Mackey, Jason Delorie, Kevin Schoucair, Thomas van Halen and Vincent Hoogduijn, and the develoPPP Ventures team from DEG Impulse, Julia Stausberg-Umuerri, Lea Lippina, Sven Witthöft, Jelle Pentinga, CFA and Niklas Fischer for the great collaboration through each step and achieving this major milestone. More to come when we announce the second batch of Cohort 8 soon. For Cohort 9 which launched in May 2025, the team is currently traveling across East Africa to meet with potential candidates for the program. You are also welcome to refer companies who you believe are a good fit for the program in the upcoming cycles. https://lnkd.in/dTCYqSVf #develoPPPVentures #ImpactInvesting #VentureCapital #EastAfrica