Kagome and SVG Ventures launch USD 50m SVG Ventures Sunrise Agri Fund
Fund to tackle global agriculture and sustainability challenges
Kagome, through its U.S. subsidiary GARBiC USA LLC, and Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm SVG Ventures have formed a strategic partnership, under which SVG will serve as the General Partner for a newly formed corporate venture capital fund aimed at accelerating innovation in the agricultural sector. The fund, named SVG Ventures Sunrise Fund, has $50 million under management and a 10-year investment horizon.
Kagome, a company with a legacy dating back to 1899, has consistently evolved its value chain from farm to table, creating value through agriculture and delivering it to society. However, recent challenges, including rapid climate change, frequent heat waves, droughts, and the spread of crop diseases, have significantly impacted this value chain. To ensure sustainable growth, Kagome recognizes the need to address these agricultural challenges head-on and further strengthen its value chain to be both competitive and sustainable.
The newly established Sunrise Agri Fund is a strategic initiative designed to support and collaborate with cutting-edge startups that are pioneering innovative agricultural technologies worldwide. The fund will focus on early stage opportunities, with typical investments ranging between $0.5-1.0 million initially, with reserves for follow-on investment. By investing in these startups, Kagome and SVG Ventures aim to tackle the pressing issues facing global agriculture, including the development of drought- and heat-resistant crop varieties and cultivation technologies that can thrive in extreme conditions.
Kagome’s existing U.S. operations, including Ingomar Packing Company and United Genetics Seed Company, will play a pivotal role in this initiative. The fund will leverage these assets to validate and implement breakthrough agricultural solutions, ultimately contributing to a stronger, more resilient agricultural value chain.