Key Takeaways
- Cibus Capital’s Major Funding Rounds: The investment advisory firm successfully closed funding for Cibus Fund II and Cibus Enterprise Fund II, accumulating over $645 million to promote innovation and sustainability in the agri-food sector.
- Sustainable Investment Strategy: With a focus on mid-sized companies leading in food innovation and sustainability, Cibus Capital aims to address significant challenges in food security and environmental conservation.
- Support from High-Profile Investors: The funds have garnered support from notable investors like LACERA and Rest, highlighting a trend towards impact investing focused on sustainability.
- Promotion of Carbon Reduction and Biodiversity: Cibus Capital’s investments prioritize ventures that contribute to carbon reduction, enhance biodiversity, and offer attractive financial returns.
- Advancement in Agrifood Technology: The Cibus Enterprise Fund II focuses on late-stage venture investments in disruptive technologies across robotics, precision agriculture, and natural capital to drive the agrifood technology revolution.
Cibus Capital (Profile), a specialist investment advisory firm, has closed two major funding rounds, signaling a strong commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and resource efficiency in the agrifood sector. With over $645 million secured across its second mid-market private equity fund, Cibus Fund II, and its venture fund, Cibus Enterprise Fund II, the firm is poised to impact the future of food production significantly.
Investment Strategy Focused on Sustainable Growth
Advised by London-based Cibus Capital, which has raised over $1 billion for its investment strategies, the funds are dedicated to sustainable food and agriculture investments. Targeting mid-sized companies at the forefront of food innovation, disruption, and sustainability, Cibus aims to address key challenges in food security and environmental conservation.
Rob Appleby, the founder and chief investment officer (CIO) of Cibus Capital, recently highlighted the significance of backing ventures that promote carbon reduction, biodiversity enhancement, and provide attractive financial returns. In an interview with Global AgInvesting, Appleby stated that farmers and landowners have become crucial in discussions surrounding food security and environmental preservation.
High-Profile Backers and Impact Investing
The funds attracted investments from an impressive array of high-profile names, including the Los Angeles County Employee Retirement Association (LACERA) and the Retail Employees Superannuation Trust (Rest), one of Australia’s largest profit-to-member superannuation funds. Rest’s recent commitment to Cibus Fund II marks its first alternative impact investment, reflecting a growing trend among institutional investors to prioritize sustainability and impact alongside financial returns.
Leilani Weier, head of responsible investment and sustainability with Rest, articulated the fund’s strategy with Global AgInvesting: “Impact investing represents a powerful opportunity for us to grow our members’ super while helping to build a more sustainable future.” This investment aligns with Rest’s goal of allocating one percent of its total portfolio to impact investments by 2026, focusing on initiatives that promote modern agriculture and environmental sustainability.
Advancing Technological Innovation in Agrifood
Cibus Enterprise Fund II is set to make late-stage venture investments in companies developing disruptive food production and processing technologies. With 10 investments already made across robotics, precision chemistry for crop protection, and natural capital, the fund aims to accelerate the agrifood technology revolution.
