Milan-based Maia Ventures, an Article 8 SFDR fund, has launched its first €55 million fund to invest in 20–25 agrifood tech startups that use science and technology to enhance the food system, as Vestbee was informed.
- Maia Ventures, founded in 2024 by Andrea Galassi and David Bassani, invests in early-stage agrifood tech startups, mainly at the seed stage, with some pre-seed and Series A rounds.
- Maia’s portfolio already includes Foreverland, Exolab Italia, Biorsaf, Lembas, Cappellini Veg Lab, and GenoGra, companies developing innovations such as sustainable chocolate alternatives, plant-based bioactives, food safety software, functional food peptides, ready-to-eat plant-based meals, and genomic analysis tools.
- Maia Ventures will use the €55 million fund to back 20 to 25 early-stage startups in the agrifood sector. It will target companies applying science and technology to improve nutrition, develop new ingredients, and strengthen supply chains, with investments ranging from €0.5 to €1.5 million.
“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," explains David Bassani, Founding Partner at Maia Ventures.
- The fund’s Limited Partners include the European Investment Fund (EIF), CDP Venture Capital Sgr, and private investors such as Teseo Capital sicav-sif, Cereal Docks, via Grey Silo Ventures, and Andriani.
“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,” claims Claudia Pingue, Head of Tech Transfer Fund of CDP Venture Capital.
