Maia Ventures, an Italian early-stage AgriFoodTech investment firm, has launched its debut €55 million fund to back promising startups reshaping the global food system.
The fund aims to support 20 to 25 companies, with initial ticket sizes between €0.5 million and €1.5 million, and has already made six investments. A final close is expected in the coming months.
The fund’s Limited Partner base includes major institutional investors such as the European Investment Fund (EIF) and CDP Venture Capital Sgr, as well as private investors from Italy’s food industry, including Teseo Capital sicav-sif, Cereal Docks via its corporate venture arm Grey Silo Ventures, and Andriani.
Maia Ventures, classified as an Article 8 SFDR fund, seeks to combine financial returns with positive social and environmental impact.
Its mission centres on creating a healthier, more efficient and resilient food ecosystem by connecting Italy’s strong industrial base with innovative startups emerging from top accelerators and research hubs.
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“What excites us is the calibre of science and operator talent now converging on topics such as food-as-medicine, innovative ingredients, and resilient supply chains,” said David Bassani, Founding Partner at Maia Ventures.
“As an early-stage partner, we want to be among the first institutional believers, helping founders link with industry leaders and lay the foundations for scale.”
The Maia Ventures team includes former founders, investors, scientists and industry operators, supported by a technical advisory group comprising representatives from leading agrifood universities and corporations.
Maia Ventures believes the current slowdown in AgriFoodTech funding presents a unique opportunity for investors with a long-term view. The firm is focusing on structural global shifts within the food sector, targeting innovations at the intersection of food, health and sustainability.
“By combining deep industry know-how with a strong industrial network, Maia is best positioned to identify and invest in solutions to problems that matter,” said Andrea Galassi, another Founding Partner. “This is how we can tangibly accelerate the much-needed evolution of our industry.”