Trailhead Capital Closes Inaugural $50 Million Fund Focused on Regenerative Food and Agriculture Companies
BOULDER, COLORADO | September 20, 2023 ― Trailhead Capital (“Trailhead”), a Boulder, CO-based mission-driven venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies offering tech-enabled solutions to expand regenerative agriculture practices and products, is pleased to announce the closing of its inaugural fund, Trailhead Capital Regeneration Fund I (the “Fund”), with total commitments of approximately $50 million, underscoring strong investor confidence in the team and demand for the investment strategy.
The Fund, which has already backed 22 companies (with 2 exits to-date), was oversubscribed and received support from a global base of aligned investors including agricultural firms McDonald Pelz and the Rodale Institute; foundations such as The Argosy Foundation, Cisco Foundation, and the Zero Gap Fund (an impact investing collaboration between The Rockefeller Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation); climate-focused funds-of-funds including the Wire Group and WovenEarth Ventures; as well as several other high net worth individuals.
Jane Woodward, founder and Managing Partner of Palo Alto based WovenEarth Ventures says of her fund’s commitment, “WovenEarth Ventures is excited to invest with Trailhead Capital, an early category leader in U.S. early-stage climate tech focused on regenerative agriculture.”
Referencing the Fund’s closing and its overall mission, Bobby Pelz Jr., Founding Partner of Trailhead, says “I could not be prouder of our team for putting together a world-class group of investors and for so thoroughly selecting and vetting opportunities in this exciting space. Having been in the grain industry for 45 years, it is clear to me that regenerative food and agriculture is a major component of our future, and we are here to help drive its wider adoption.”
“Transitioning our food system towards one that is regenerative is critical for the planet and global health,” said Sunit Shah, Director of Innovative Finance at The Rockefeller Foundation. “We believe Trailhead will play a leading role in enabling that transition by supporting the entrepreneurs and technologies necessary, and bringing the market along with them.”
“The current food system has done what it was intended to do: feed the world,” notes Trailhead Managing Partner, Pete Oberle. “Regenerative agriculture can improve upon that through its unique ability to transform an industry from a major carbon source to a huge carbon sink, minimize the 30%-40% of food that is wasted every year, and improve the quality of the food we eat. Spurred by the convergence of tech progress and consumer demand, accelerating corporate commitments, government funding and investment dollars indicate improved recognition of that potential, and we’re honored and humbled to be partnering with our investors and entrepreneurs to make it a reality.”
About Trailhead Capital
Trailhead Capital is a mission-driven investment firm creating outstanding financial, societal, and ecological returns by backing entrepreneurs who are building the regenerative future of food and agriculture. Trailhead is uniquely positioned to build a bridge between the old and new paradigm in food and agriculture with an unparalleled network of the biggest established global players, as well as the start-ups working to disrupt their businesses. The firm believes that regenerative agriculture represents the single greatest opportunity to improve human, soil, animal and planetary health today, thereby leading to outsized returns for all stakeholders. The Fund targets Seed and Series A investments in innovative, tech-enabled companies spanning the entire food value chain (from farm to supply chain to consumer). Trailhead Capital, is a Certified B Corp and was founded by Bobby Pelz and Tripp Wall, and the Fund is currently managed by Managing Partners Mark Lewis and Pete Oberle.
For more information, please visit: www.trailheadcap.com
About The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn.
Media Contacts
Andrew Keesee
Investor Relations
Trailhead Capital
info@trailheadcap.com
Wyatt Goodwin
The Rockefeller Foudnation
Media@rockfound.org