Hamburg-based VC Oyster Bay broadcasts the ultimate closing of its second fund of over €100 million – rating among the many largest European VC funds completely devoted to the long run meals market.
The fund was reportedly considerably oversubscribed, with buyers such because the European Funding Fund (EIF) and KfW taking part.
Christoph Miller, Founder and Managing Accomplice of Oyster Bay: “Meals has to this point been seen in enterprise capital primarily as a short-lived development funding – which is improper. Diet is probably the most underestimated future problem of our society, and thru our investments, we goal to seek out options to its advanced issues.”
Oyster Bay’s second fund locations it among the many most important devoted “future meals” buyers in Europe this 12 months. Throughout the continent, a number of specialised funds have additionally superior in 2025.
In Finland, Nordic Foodtech VC introduced a primary shut of €40 million on its second fund, focusing on €80 million to again technology-driven options for the meals and agriculture sectors. In Italy, Maia Ventures launched a €55 million car aiming to hyperlink the nation’s established meals trade with rising AgriFoodTech innovation.
In the meantime, pan-European gamers such because the Netherlands-based Future Meals Fund and France’s 5 Seasons Ventures have continued to deploy capital throughout the sector, underscoring the sustained investor curiosity in applied sciences that improve meals system resilience, effectivity, and sustainability.
In contrast with these 2025 fund bulletins, Oyster Bay’s newest closing stands out for its scale and for being one of many few German-based automobiles solely devoted to remodeling world meals techniques – indicating a strengthening of the area’s position in Europe’s evolving AgriFoodTech funding panorama.
Oyster Bay was additionally famous among the many buyers taking part in Nukoko’s €1.3 million spherical in March 2024.
Felix Leonhardt, Managing Accomplice of Oyster Bay: “We aren’t conventional monetary buyers, however entrepreneurs with a profitable observe file. Lower than 0.1% of startups that apply to Oyster Bay make it into the portfolio – our involvement is a seal of high quality. Solely the easiest are in our portfolio, these whose options sustainably enhance the meals system.”
The meals sector is the biggest trade on the earth: €8.6 trillion ($10 trillion) in income, 12% of world GDP, and 40% of the worldwide workforce. On the similar time, it generates roughly a 3rd of world emissions and drives water shortage and biodiversity loss.
But, the VC outlines that solely 8% of climate-related enterprise investments at the moment circulation into meals and AgTech.
Massive meals firms are dealing with monumental challenges of their provide chains. Startups creating new options alongside the worth chain – from sustainable uncooked supplies to various proteins to data-driven provide chains – are due to this fact gaining important significance.
Oyster Bay was based in 2018 by Christoph Miller and Felix Leonhardt. Each are entrepreneurs themselves: Miller has greater than 30 years of expertise within the meals sector and constructed Columbus Drinks, whereas Leonhardt based and invested early in sustainable meals merchandise.
Oyster Bay has already confirmed that their strategy will be economically profitable. Fund I ranked among the many high 10% of all European VC funds. The portfolio already included profitable corporations reminiscent of Oatly, AirUp, True Gum, and GoodBytz.
Fund II follows the identical precept: investing entrepreneurially, combining return with influence, and supporting founders who drive the transformation of the worldwide meals system. It’s structured to be a 10-year fund with round 20 investments
Miller added: “It’s within the provide chains that the success of the transformation is determined. Environment friendly, clear, and resilient constructions are the muse of any sustainable meals economic system.”
