Solving the World’s Biggest Challenges
by supporting the World’s Best Entrepreneurs, Scientists and Engineers
Big Idea Ventures is solving the World’s Biggest Challenges by supporting the World’s Best Entrepreneurs, Scientists and Engineers. We’re a venture capital fund with startup accelerators in key locations, investing in and accelerating top performers in the new food space.
Our first fund, The New Protein Fund I (size USD$50M), is investing in the most innovative companies working on plant-based meat, seafood and dairy products, cell-based meat, seafood and dairy products, as well as ingredients and technologies that facilitate the growth of these categories. We combine capital, mentorship and a strong ecosystem of partners to support and grow the world’s most compelling plant-based and cell-based alternative protein companies. If you are a young company focused on plant-based or cell-based foods, ingredients or technologies, apply
GENERATION FOOD RURAL PARTNERS FUND
The Generation Food Rural Partners fund commercializes university-developed intellectual property focused on food, protein, and agriculture innovation. We launch new companies, recruit seasoned management teams, and provide support from inception alongside our university and strategic partners. Our mission is to support economic development in rural communities and drive innovation in university ecosystems across the United States. If you’re interested in joining our network of university partners or strategic LPs, please contact us here.
We are evaluating a combination of virtual/physical activities for our next program. To join our next cohort, apply here.
THE PROGRAM
Twice a year, we select the best alternative protein startups to undergo a rigorous 5-month accelerator program in New York City, Singapore or Paris. Through our program, we aim to help our companies break barriers on product development, scaling and distribution, market entry, channel development, pitching and fundraising. We make sure you have everything you need to succeed at scale both domestically and globally.
HOW
Having led other food accelerators, we went back to the drawing board and created a new approach to make sure you get the support you need to succeed. Our program combines capital and partnership in the form of mentor engagement, team building, peer support and access to an active network to help your company grow rapidly. Areas of focus include the whole spectrum of support for high growth food companies. Key areas of focus include those where young companies often have the toughest challenges. These areas of support include product improvement by leveraging on our in-house food scientists and also scaling production by bringing experts and partners in to support our portfolio companies.
THE DEAL
We invest USD$200K ($125K USD cash and $75K USD of in-kind services). Post-accelerator, we may invest up to USD$2.5M in our top performing companies. To join our next cohort, apply here.
In-kind Investment
We will invest in the best companies, with the most innovative technologies, around the world and have already made investments in the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Approximately half of our portfolio companies are led by female founders and our portfolio includes founders-of-colour as well. If you have a Minimum Viable Product in the plant-based or cell-based sector and would like support and funding, or are a later stage technology company in the food industry, apply here.
