Japan-based, grafting-focused agribusiness Berg Earth launched a ¥500m ($4.7m) corporate venture capital (CVC) vehicle yesterday dubbed Farm to Table Fund.
Founded in 2001, Berg Earth produces and distributes grafted vegetable, fruit and flower seedlings in Japan and other countries.
Farm to Table Fund will have a 10-year investment period, extendable by two years. It will target agricultural and food technology developers in a bid to establish a farm-to-table ecosystem, leveraging artificial intelligence and robotics.
CVC-focused consulting firm Anew Holdings will manage the fund, which is also backed by Evolution Japan Asset Management, the asset manager formerly known as Vivace Capital Management. Anew will also identify investment opportunities and provide strategic support to portfolio companies.
