Springing forward with a major investment and portfolio success stories
We are delighted to announce that The Nest Family Office is joining Ardo as a minority shareholder. Together, we will continue Ardo's international growth story and strengthen its position as the world leader in fresh-frozen vegetables, herbs and fruits.
Ardo, headquartered in Ardooie, Belgium, is a major global leader in the production and distribution of fresh-frozen vegetables, herbs and fruits. Its core mission is to process and preserve nature’s gifts into high-quality products.
We are forging a long-term partnership based on our passion for, focus on, and expertise in the food industry. Our connection runs deep – from our commitment to health and sustainability to our roots in family entrepreneurship. We are confident in the future, with a partnership built to last and benefit future generations worldwide.
March was also a busy month for events for The Nest team and our portfolio and foundation family with major conferences including RFSI Europe in Belgium, the Regenerative Agriculture & Food Systems Summit USA in Chicago, and the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in San Francisco.
View the highlights from RFSI Europe featuring The Nest team.
Olombria takes top honors at RFSI Europe
Olombria’s innovative solution to the pollinator crisis won the Regenerative Food Systems Investment-People's Choice Pitch Session Award at RFSI Europe. Congratulations to the Olombria team.
Buoyant Ventures recognized on Impact Assets 50 List
Congratulations to Buoyant Ventures on making the Impact Assets 50 list for third year in the row. Impact Assets 50 is the most recognized free database of impact investment fund managers.
Buoyant also led HData's $10M Series A financing. HData provides energy transition intelligence that will drive better decision-making around decarbonization and make the process more transparent. Buoyant co-founders Allison Myers and Amy Francetic will join HData’s board of directors.
Monarch Tractor named to Fast Company's World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024
Monarch ranked number one on the Fast Company Agriculture list which noted the innovative companies that will help feed the world with less stress on the planet. In March, Monarch also presented on its AI solution at the NVIDIA GTC global AI conference in San Jose and announced its expansion and wider availability of tractors across the US and Europe.
Quick Organics responds to organic industry changes with a Digital Transition Production Plan (TPP)
The quick launch of the Digital TPP supports the USDA Organic program’s new Organic Transition Initiative. Quick Organics is offering this digital solution free for transitioning producers. The USDA is a fan of the resource too.
Propagate publishes new case studies and a timely post on water quality
Just ahead of U.S. Water Week in April, Propagate authored a post on the role of trees in addressing the $2 billion in annual cleanup costs for water caused by non-point source agricultural runoff.
The Propagate team also published two new case studies and a post covering the investor perspective on tree crops and farmland assets:
· Why Investors are Turning to Tree Crops for Farmland Assets
· Impact Investing with Black Locust
Agricarbon team crosses the globe for key events
The Agricarbon team had a busy month attending the European Carbon Farming Summit in early March, the 98th Annual Conference of The Agricultural Economics Society, and the recent World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in San Francisco. The team has received recognition for its unique projects as well, including a rewilding effort in the UK. Learn more about their soil conservation and carbon work:
· The Carbon Sequestration Potential of Rewilding in the UK
· Agricarbon’s Partnership with Diageo featured on The Tillage Podcast
· Farmer’s Weekly Article: Soil carbon must be part of the equation for Dairy
In the Media
Investing in Regenerative Agriculture named both Propagate and Clear Frontier to a shortlist of funds leading the way on soil health and regenerative practices. Listen to the podcast episode, “Why these 21 Funds could transform agriculture,” at their website. The podcast page also includes a handy spreadsheet guide to the funds.
Impact Investor interviewed Lissy Smit, CEO of AquaSpark, about fundraising, the sector’s first unicorn and why it is launching a new Africa fund.
Opportunities
Edacious is hiring for Director Laboratory Science and Head Spectroscopy and Technology Development.
Synthesis Capital is hiring for their 2024 Summer Internships.
Trace Genomics is hiring a Bioinformatics Scientist as well as laboratory and engineer positions.
From the Farm
The start of spring has also been busy at Domaine de Graux. Managing Director Marie Delvaulx was one of the keynote speakers on sustainability at ECHO 24, an event industry conference.
While spring means more outdoor work and preparing for planting, the team at Domaine never rests, even in the depths of winter. Hear from the team at Domaine de Graux on their work in the winter season from protecting livestock to preparing for planting: Armand’s Story, Emilien’s and Eve’s Stories, and Astrid’s Story.