The
Opportunity
The Change
The world is in the early stages of a food transformation.
The world is in the early stages of a protein transformation.
As global food production continues to climb, it faces a 56% food gap in calories produced versus calories required for the projected 10 billion population by 2050. Major macro trends toward environmental sustainability and consumer demand for health are propelling developments in food and agriculture practices. Strong and steady shifts in consumer concerns, government policies, and natural resource constraints are driving a fundamental shift in the way food is created and consumed.
The Addressable Market
Environmental and health challenges in the food system reveal exciting opportunities for innovation and growth.
The food system impacts the planet’s health and every individual’s well-being. As we seek to address the impacts on human health and the environment, there’s a clear opportunity to invest in transformative food technologies.
With the global food and agriculture market valued at nearly $15 trillion, there is immense potential for companies and investors to drive positive change. Shifting consumer preferences and evolving policies are creating a dynamic landscape where private markets can play a crucial role in developing sustainable solutions and unlocking substantial economic benefits. This is a time of great potential to reshape the future of food and agriculture for the better.
The Drivers
Government regulations, climate instability, and consumer demand for better foods are reshaping the food system.
An increasing number of governments—including the U.S., China, the U.K., India, Singapore, Germany, and the Netherlands—have begun to directly support sustainable food production to boost food security, advance technological development, and reduce GHG emissions. In response, multinational companies are developing and investing in new technologies to achieve these goals, such as seed innovation, precision agriculture, and regenerative farming.
A similar pressure is driven by rising consumer health consciousness and the preference for sustainable and ethical food choices, particularly among younger generations. This evolving demand is creating a vibrant market for sustainable products, driving the growth of better-for-you foods, plant-forward meals, and climate-friendly options that align with both consumer values and regulatory goals.
The Opportunities
The global food and agriculture market is valued at nearly $15 trillion.
The food and agriculture sector offers a vast array of investment opportunities, from the technologically undercapitalized and inefficient animal protein value chain to the increasingly pressured field crop space, the breadth of potential is immense.
There is significant potential in the novel ingredient space, especially for ingredients that enhance sustainability or nutrition, such as low-sugar and reduced saturated-fat products. Advances in biotechnology further amplify these opportunities by enabling the production of commodities like cocoa, coffee, fats, and flavorings with lower environmental impact and reduced price volatility. Additionally, the protein value chain offers key investment opportunities, ranging from alternative protein sources to innovative technologies and production systems to improve and reduce the environmental impact of traditional protein production.
The Entrepreneurs
In short, the world is in the early stages of a total food and ag transformation.
The shift towards sustainable food systems presents a significant economic opportunity. Addressing the environmental and health challenges of the current food system is driving innovation and investment in food and ag tech sectors. By focusing on sustainability, we can unlock economic benefits and create a resilient food system.
The pressing need for new technologies, such as novel input ingredients, food waste solutions, alternative proteins, and animal agriculture emissions reducers, will transform the food industry, making it a critical area for long-term investment and growth. With substantial economic and environmental benefits at stake, the future of food is ripe for transformation.
Lever VC invests in the entrepreneurs and innovators developing and commercializing these new technologies. With a forward-looking approach, Lever VC is committed to fostering the next generation of solutions and pioneers that will lead us to a more sustainable, efficient, and equitable food system.
