NEW TECH FOODS

Maia Ventures, an early-stage AgriFoodTech investor, has launched its first fund with €55 million to back innovative food and agriculture start-ups.

The fund plans to invest in 20 to 25 companies, with initial tickets ranging from €0.5 million to €1.5 million. It’s already up and running, having made six investments, and expects to reach a final close in the coming months.

The investor base includes institutions such as the European Investment Fund (EIF) and CDP Venture Capital Sgr, alongside private investors including major Italian food corporates and family offices like Teseo Capital sicav-sif, Cereal Docks (through Grey Silo Ventures) and Andriani.

As an Article 8 SFDR fund, Maia aims to generate both financial returns and positive impact by supporting a healthier, more efficient and more resilient food system. The firm positions itself as a bridge between Italy’s strong food industry and the new generation of start-ups emerging from accelerators, universities and research hubs around the world.

David Bassani, founding partner at Maia Ventures, said: “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. As an early-stage partner, we aim to be among the first institutional believers, helping founders connect with industry leaders and lay the foundations for scale."

The team behind Maia Ventures includes former founders, investors, industry operators and scientists, supported by an advisory group with representatives from leading agrifood universities and companies.

Maia believes the current slowdown in AgriFoodTech investment is creating a unique opportunity for long-term investors. The firm is particularly focused on the intersection of food, health and sustainability, which are areas it sees as key to driving both individual well-being and broader industry resilience.

Andrea Galassi, founding partner at Maia Ventures, added: “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, instead of in solutions in search of a problem. This, we believe, is the key to tangibly accelerate the much-needed evolution of our industry."

Claudia Pingue, head of tech transfer fund of CDP Venture Capital, commented: “We invested in Maia Ventures because it connects Italy’s world-class food industry with breakthrough AgriFoodTech innovation. The team’s deep expertise and robust network enable them to identify high-impact deep-tech solutions at the intersection of nutraceutical, food and health, where long-term value and systemic resilience are established."