Successful RFSI in February
The busy month of February wrapped up with The Nest’s team gathering at RFSI Europe. The event included a strong presence from The Nest team and our portfolio. We cherished the chance to reconnect with familiar faces and welcome new ones, building relationships that will shape the conversations and collaborations ahead.
On 25 February, Hallie Fox participated as a panelist for the Pre-Event Workshop, Introduction to Investing in Regen Ag & Food Systems. She shared more about The Nest's journey and the opportunities and challenges of investing in regenerative agriculture. The workshop was a great way to meet and bring together investors in the space before the conference officially kicked off!
Anouk Schoors opened the conference with a moving keynote highlighting the deeper connections between agriculture, nature, and humanity. She emphasized that true regeneration goes beyond systems thinking– it’s about nurturing the land, each other, and a way of leading that balances logic with heart. Drawing attention to the often-overlooked gifts of soil, she spoke of its role not just in sustaining biodiversity and food production but also in fostering a sense of belonging, mental well-being, and even spirituality. Her words challenged us to rethink our approach, encouraging us to align our actions with nature’s own rhythms and interconnected ways of thriving.
Zymofix was one of four startups featured in the pitch session, Driving Planetary and Human Health Through AgriFood Innovation. And Eric Smith of Edacious presented for the session, Health is Wealth: How Investing in Regenerative Food Can Move Our Health Goals Forward.
RFSI Europe hosted 300 attendees, 65+speakers and 10 hours of networking time.
The Nest News
We are excited to welcome Justine Verstraeten to our Nest! Justine is joining us as a Program Manager to lead our philanthropic efforts in food and agriculture. Wellbeing, especially of kids, has always been her passion and we're thrilled she decided to join The Nest Family Office to turn her passion into impactful projects!
Portfolio News
Edacious
Edacious closed an $8.1m seed round led by Patagonia's venture fund Tin Shed Ventures. In addition to The Nest, the round was also backed by Trailhead Capital, Grantham Environmental Trust’s Neglected Climate Opportunities, iSelect Fund, The First Thirty, Pelican Ag, and other private investors.
Edacious also announced their partnership with Local Line, a supplier-buyer matching service. The new partnership will enable farmers to offer detailed nutrition labeling and compare their product against industry benchmarks.
Pymwymic
Pymwymic issued a call for Dutch Series A or B entrepreneurs that are focused on building a healthy food system. Startups who are based in the Netherlands and who have traction with customers should apply. The push for new investments focused on sustainable farming, food waste reduction, and soil health, follows closure of Pymwymic’s second fund at €71.5m. The fund plans to invest €500k-€5m tickets in 15-20 companies.
BiocSol is among Pymwymic’s recent investment activity. The company develops sustainable crop protection solutions that preserve both soil and crop health, including biofungicides. Pymwymic joined existing investors AIF, VIVES IUF, Invest. BW, and IMBC Spinnova SA.
Monarch Tractor
Monarch announced their release of Row Follow, the technology is a first in autonomous steering for the specialty crop market.
Foundation News
Marifish
Marifish held a matchmaking session on the 21st of February, in Ostend. Featured projects from the pitches included:
· Acoustic Measurement for Marine Particles and Structures (VLIZ)
· eDNA Technology for Marine Biodiversity Monitoring (VLIZ-ILVO)
· Antibiotic-Free Solutions for Aquaculture (UGent)
· Probiotics Research for Sustainable Aquaculture (UGent)
Top 50 Farmers
The Top 50 Farmers selection panel has completed their review of applications. T50Fwill hold a virtual ceremony on 18 March to introduce the first cohort of 50 farmers. Stay updated for the event details at the T50F website.
Biotope by VIB
Annick Verween, head of Biotope by VIB, shared predictions for the biotechnology sector in 2025 in an interview with Science | Business.
Farm for Good
Farm for Good announced a partnership with Université Catholique de Louvain 's FERM technology platform, one of the eight players involved in their ABC to Food project.
Other News and Updates
Ardo
Ardo had been nominated for the Changemakers Award, organized by De Tijd, L’Echo and BNP Paribas Fortis, which recognizes Belgian companies making a real difference through sustainable innovation. With MIMOSA+, Ardo’s approach to regenerative agriculture, Ardo empowers farmers to restore soils, protect biodiversity, and build climate-resilient food systems. By financially rewarding farmers for proven regenerative practices, Ardo supports them in securing their future while ensuring long-term food security for our children.
Your vote can help Ardo scale this impact even further! Cast your vote for Ardo and support a food system that is sustainable, resilient, and affordable for future generations.
Want to learn more? Read Ardo’s full pitch here.
AgFunder
Regenerative forestry offers “significant upside to investors” according to new research from asset manager SLM Partners.
Access to land and money still bars the way for many regenerative farmers, according to a Farmer panel at RFSI Europe.
Quick Organics
Quick Organics was recently featured as a guest presenter for Clear Frontier’s Grower Field Day. We love to see our network connecting!
Propagate
Latest posts from the Propagate team include the following:
· Cold Climate Syntropic Agroforestry
· How to Grow Hay with Trees (and Why You Should)
Astanor
Astanor’s Investment Principal Laetitia de Panafieu will be speaking at Tech Tour Growth50 Europe 2025 in Paris on March 4th.
Buoyant Ventures
Buoyant Ventures promoted Laura Katzman and Alex Behar to Partner roles.
Zymofix
Emile Redant of Zymofix was interviewed on the Vegconomist and Food Tech Weekly podcast. The episode covered how Zymofix raised $2M to develop a new way to produce microorganisms used for microbial fertilizers, biostimulants, and biocontrols and their strategy for managing CapEx investment.
Blume Equity
Blume announced a successful exit of Sensorfact to ABB, the Swiss engineering company. Acquiring Sensorfact, a fast-growth energy management company headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands, will further expand ABB’s digital energy management offering.
Opportunities
Our portfolio and network are hiring for roles in climate tech and agriculture.
· Pymwymic is hiring an investment associate.
· Arborview lists 36 jobs at 8 portfolio companies.
· Ardo has 72 job openings posted.
· AgFunder’s career listings include roles across their portfolio including an Agroforestry Program Manager at Propagate.
· Edacious is hiring for a Food System Sales Account Executive.
· Walden Mutual has five job openings including Portfolio Manager.
· Astanor listed 46 job openings across 29 companies in their portfolio.
· Buoyant Ventures posted 26 jobs, including 10 with Raptor Maps, for their climate tech portfolio.
· Monarch Tractor has four openings including Regional Sales Manager.
· Omnivore posted 169 jobs across 35 portfolio companies.
· Wageningen University & Research is looking for a student (MSc Thesis) to contribute to exciting research in regenerative agriculture.
From the Farm
This month, the team at Domaine de Graux began their outdoor school program. In collaboration with CRIE de Mouscron, local classes participate in activities that teach math, art, and school curriculum in the context of nature and food. CRIE de Mouscron runs the sessions, trains the teachers, and provides the teaching sheets. Local schools who are interested in participating in this unique program should contact the team at Domaine de Graux. The school project is the newest initiative in The Nest’s mission of raising awareness of sustainability and creating a positive impact for younger generations.
Art in Nature
The first art pieces are in place for a 3-kilometre walk at the farm. The works will focus on reflection of nature and sustainable agriculture that respects the earth, animals, and people. Valerie Delfosse, the project curator, is selecting pieces that will gradually be placed on the Domaine before it reopens in 2026. The art installation will integrate some local “roots”, from the Ecole Supérieure des Arts Saint-Luc in Tournai as well as some known national and international artists.
