Fund investments
If you're an entrepreneur with a plan for success, talk to one of our investment fund partners listed below. If you’re an investment manager looking to focus on Canadian agriculture and food, contact us.
Funds FCC invests in
Bonnefield Agribusiness Fund LP I
Bonnefield Agribusiness Fund (BAF) supports established lower- and middle-market agribusinesses with significant growth opportunities. BAF and FCC share a commitment to build support for Canadian agribusiness with a focus on key topics like sustainable productivity, food security and increasing export capabilities.
Builders Venture Capital Fund III makes investments in early-stage North American technology companies and applies new business models in sectors, like agriculture, that have traditionally underinvested in new technology. Builders III complements FCC’s existing venture capital fund investments by focusing on companies in earlier stages of development – primarily Seed and Series A investments. The fund is based in San Francisco with investment professionals also located in Canada.
Carrot Ventures Fund I LP was launched to address systemic challenges faced by many agri-tech start-up companies. Created by Verdex Capital (formerly AVAC Group) of Calgary, in partnership with FCC, the team sources and screens new technologies, recruits experienced leadership and creates new companies. It connects technological innovators with professional leadership to ensure companies are properly structured and financed.
District Ventures’ second fund focuses on investing in companies operating in the food and beverage sector, health, wellness and beauty consumer goods categories. In addition to capital, District Ventures provides recipient companies with marketing, programming and commercialization support.
Glengarry Farm Finance Corporation (GFFC) is a Canadian, private agricultural lender that offers flexible financing solutions to Canadian growers who may not qualify for traditional bank loans. The partnership with FCC aims to bridge the funding gap for transitional farmers by offering them improved access to capital as they look to return to the mainstream banking system.
The Indigenous Growth Fund helps Indigenous entrepreneurs get the capital they need to start or expand their businesses. It provides loans to Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFI) who, in turn, lend to Indigenous entrepreneurs across the country. It’s managed by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, which has a 30-year track record of lending to Indigenous-led small- and medium-sized businesses.
InvestEco Sustainable Food Fund III LP
InvestEco Sustainable Food Fund invests in expansion-stage private companies with the goal of promoting health and sustainability in the food and agricultural sector. The fund manager offers expertise in sustainable agriculture and food production and believes these activities are important to environmental and health outcomes. InvestEco has previously invested in many leading food and agriculture brands across North America.
LIOS Fund I LP invests in mid-market companies operating across the food value chain in North America, partnering with owners and operators to accelerate growth. Through majority or meaningful minority ownership participation, the fund aims to support companies who are well-positioned to prioritize and improve sustainability across the food system, addressing changing consumer behaviours, constrained natural resources and building greater resilience.
Natural Products Canada Investment Fund LP (Nàdarra Ventures)
Nàdarra Ventures is positioned at the forefront of investing in sustainable biotechnology for agriculture, food, and materials with a mission to improve the health of our people and our planet. This fund formed out of the work of Natural Products Canada, a national innovation cluster exclusively dedicated to bio-based innovation.
Raven Indigenous Impact Fund II LP
Raven Indigenous Capital Partners’ second fund (Raven Indigenous Impact Fund II) invests in innovative, scalable Indigenous enterprises at the forefront of advancing the well-being of Indigenous Peoples. Raven Indigenous Capital Partners is North America's only Indigenous-led and owned venture capital intermediary. FCC’s investment in this fund supports Indigenous-led Canadian agriculture and food companies who are creating meaningful change and driving impact in their communities.
SEMINAL Food & Nutrition Fund (Canada) LP
SEMCAP is a global impact investment firm that invests in trends having a great impact on humanity, including healthcare, education, and food and nutrition. FCC has invested in SEMCAP’s Food & Nutrition Fund, which is focused on supporting later-stage companies whose products emphasize organic, natural, non-GMO, and sustainable foods as well as efficient supply chain and delivery and low-waste packaging.
The Pioneer Fund supports global agri-food start-ups developing innovative and sustainable technologies. The fund focuses on early-stage Seed to Series A investments with a heavy emphasis on Canadian entrepreneurs and technologies that revolutionize global food systems while addressing climate change.
Tall Grass Ventures Fund I is actively investing in pre-Series A technology companies across the agriculture and food supply chain. The fund primarily invests in companies across Canada and those that have strong applicability to Canadian agriculture. Tall Grass supports the transformational entrepreneurs who are changing the world’s relationship with its food, fuels and fibers.
The51 Food and AgTech Fund I LP
The51 is a Financial Feminist™ platform where current and aspiring investors (particularly women and gender-diverse individuals) come together to democratize access to capital for women and under-served founders. FCC has signed on to be the lead investor in The51's Food and AgTech Fund, focused on investing in under-represented founders transforming the business of food and agriculture.
Westcap MBO III Investment LP focuses on management buy-outs of western Canadian businesses with valuations of less than $150 million (considered small- to mid-market), a history of proven cash flows and growth potential with experienced management teams. They also invest growth capital into businesses where management has a material equity commitment – growing them, then realizing investment yields and gains. Agriculture is a key sector for the fund.
Outstanding FCC funds closed for new investment
Builders VC Fund II (Canada) LP
District Ventures CPG-1 LP
Forage Capital - Ag & Food Business Solutions Fund LP
New Acres Capital Ag & Food LP Fund
Forage Subordinated Debt Fund LP II
Forage Subordinated Debt Fund LP III
Strategic support partnerships
Are you an entrepreneur at an early stage of development? Talk to one of our partners.
Cultivator | AGTECH ACCELERATOR
AgTech Accelerator is a Saskatchewan-based accelerator program that brings both agriculture and technology together to accelerate the growth of Canadian ag-tech startups to solve global problems. The program is run by Cultivator, an innovation hub launched by Conexus Credit Union.
The CDL-Rockies’ AgriFood stream is based in Calgary and leverages the region’s vast pool of expertise in agricultural innovation to help founders rapidly scale and commercialize their science- or technology-based startup. CDL is an objectives-based program whereby founders work with and learn from experienced entrepreneurs, as well as world-class scientists, economists and business students with deep subject matter expertise.
Foresight Canada's agriNEXT program is a sector-specific accelerator and network hub designed to advance sustainable ag-tech innovation across Canada. The program offers tailored training, mentorship, and industry connections to help agri-food and ag-tech ventures scale and commercialize their solutions.
The THRIVE Canada Accelerator supports early-stage agri-food tech startups across the entire value chain, focusing on technologies that promote a more efficient, sustainable and secure agricultural future. In addition to driving innovation for sustainability, the program offers participants the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, meet like-minded founders from around the world and build valuable industry connections across Canada and globally.
Startup TNT is a not-for-profit that works with entrepreneurs, investors, government and sponsors to rally communities to collaborate and invest in their top startups, providing them the roots to grow and reach the world from home. The organization has facilitated over 100 investments, with 40% of those going to portfolio companies that are women-led and 25% that are led by founders belonging to visible minority groups. Starting in Edmonton in 2019, the organization has run programming in BC, Saskatchewan and Manitoba with a vision of further expansion in 2025 and beyond.