As November closed, we started the holiday season. These late fall and winter months mark a time of gratitude and gatherings for many.
At The Nest, we are celebrating the accomplishments of our portfolio and foundation partners. We deeply appreciate the hard work and unshakable dedication of the people who power the change to our food and agriculture system. Thank you all.
Top 50 Farmers
This month in The Nest Journal we talked with Analisa Winther and Cindie Christiensen, the founders behind the Top 50 Farmers program. The Recognition Program highlights 50 outstanding farmers practicing or transitioning to regenerative agriculture every year. Benefits of the program include storytelling, access to new markets, financing, mentorships, and peer networking. Nominations are open from now until December 13, 2024. If you are a regenerative farmer in Europe, or know a farmer to nominate, apply or nominate a farmer here.
Learn how this new non-profit launch raised €1M to promote regenerative agriculture
Zymofix Joins The Nest Portfolio
Zymofix specializes in scaling the production of beneficial microorganisms by fermenting biomass residues. The innovative solution uses agricultural waste for fermentation of microbial inputs for soil health and crop productivity, helping degrade pollutants, and reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers. The industrial biotech startup secured €2M in funding in a round led by HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds, with participation from The Nest Family Office and VP Capital.
Learn more about Zymofix and the funding round
Pymwymic’s Second Fund Oversubscribed
Pymwymic’s Healthy Food Systems Impact Fund II successfully closed at €71.5M, surpassing their €70M target! Investing partners included AGCO Corporation, a.s.r., Invest International, Invest-NL, Klaverblad Verzekeringen, Leisurelands, Oost NL, PI Impact, Goeie Grutten Impact Fonds, The Nest Family Office, Van Lanschot Kempen and VP Capital.
Foundation News
biotope by VIB
Zymofix, featured above, was one of the many startups supported through the biotope by VIB program. The sixth biotope by VIB basecamp kicked off in November. The Nest’s Hallie Fox and Eva Somers met with the cohort of startups, sharing perspectives on impact evaluation and key attributes for early-stage companies in the food and ag sector. The Nest team also shared some practical tips and tricks for startups, and wrapped up the session with an interactive Q&A.
Marifish Inc.
Marifish Inc. celebrated their first operating year this month. Six start-ups are actively participating in the incubator, getting tailored business coaching and access to a state-of-the-the art workspace and lab facilities. Marifish Inc. is proud of the trajectory of the past year and looks forward to continuing building an innovative aquaculture ecosystem in Belgium.
Regenerative Aquaculture Series
The latest episode of the Regenerative Aquaculture series is posted on the Investing in Regenerative Agriculture podcast site. This episode features John Holmyard, founder and managing director of Offshore Shellfish. Mussels provide a sustainable protein source that helps regenerate marine biodiversity and captures carbon.
Take a deep dive into the largest offshore mussel farm in Europe.
Other Portfolio Updates
ReelData
ReelData will partner with The Kingfish Company to trial its AI biomass camera, ReelWeight, at a Kingfish site in Zeeland, Netherlands.
Land-based Icelandic farmer Samherji has partnered with ReelData to scale its feeding technology to all three of its land-based sites in Iceland.
ReelData was also featured in s2gventures report, “The AI Opportunity: Unlocking Climate Solutions and Productivity in a Volatile World.”
Ardo
The recent masterclass by renowned vegan chef Pieter-Jan Lint for Ardo's food service customers was an enlightening experience for all attendees. This event, which included two demo sessions focused on "vegan in the commercial kitchen," provided a wealth of knowledge and practical techniques for anyone looking to expand their culinary skills in plant-based cuisine.
Buoyant Ventures
Buoyant published their latest overview and market map, “Diving into the Blue Economy: Harnessing Ocean Data for a Sustainable Future.”
Walden Mutual
Walden Mutual’s latest blog post explores the True Cost of cheap food, including the cost of healthcare for millions who fall ill with diet-related diseases and the cost of our food system’s contributions to water and air pollution and reduced biodiversity.
Propagate
Propagate’s latest audio and article “Cows Can Eat Trees –Silvopasture for Browse” covers perennials that add fodder when grass growth slows.
Monarch Tractor
Monarch posted a cost comparison and business case for electrification over diesel, “A Battery-Powered Tractor: MK-V Electrification Savings Beyond Diesel.”
Omnivore
Omnivore’s portfolio company Stellapps raised $26M in series C funding. Stellapps is a startup focused on dairy tech. Investors included Blume Ventures, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, IDH Farmfit Fund, 500 Startups, Blue Ashva Capital, and Miledeep Capital.
Opportunities
Astanor posted 41 job openings within their portfolio.
Buoyant shared 17 job openings including Robotics Software Engineers.
Monarch has four job openings including Director of Product.
Omnivore posted 158 job openings across 34 companies in their portfolio.
Events
In November, The Nest committed to join The Biodiversity Shift a community of practice led by The Shift. Starting in January 2025, 20 Belgian organizations including The Nest will work on a biodiversity strategy to embed nature into their core operations.
The Nest’s Anouk Schoors will be speaking at the Soil Health Now conference, April 8-10, 2025, at the Wageningen International Conference Center (WICC). The conference will also feature workshops and discussion forums.
From the Farm
As winter approaches, the team at Domaine de Graux is still hard at work. Efforts include renovation of the shelters for their Angus cattle. Over the coming months, the farm’s landscape will be enhanced with more hedges and trees, a biodiversity effort in collaboration with Commensalist. The team is also preparing gift boxes of juices and jams for the holiday season.
Winter is also a time for planning the next season’s crops. Domaine de Graux will be doubling its market garden production area to one hectare and the farm will continue growing wheat and mustard with Farm for Good and barley with Cultivaé in 2025.
Keep up with Domaine de Graux on LinkedIn and Instagram
