Pontifax AgTech Closes $105M Food and Agriculture Technology Fund

SANTA MONICA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pontifax AgTech Management (“Pontifax AgTech” or “the Firm”), a leading
growth capital investor in the global food and agriculture sector, today
announced the close of its first fund, the Pontifax Global Food and
Agriculture Technology Fund (“the Fund”), with commitments totaling $105
million. The Fund attracted commitments from leading investors,
comprised of financial institutions, university endowments, investment
firms, large-scale growers and family offices.

Pontifax AgTech invests globally in revenue-generating businesses with
proven technologies that improve the productivity, sustainability and
efficiency of the agriculture supply chain. The Firm’s principals work
with a proprietary network of leading growers, technology experts and
strategic corporate partners to thoroughly evaluate and maximize the
success of the Fund’s investments.

The announcement follows the Fund’s successful exit from Blue River
Technology, a next-generation robotic crop management platform which was
acquired by John Deere in an acquisition valued at $305 million in
September 2017.

Ben Belldegrun, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Pontifax AgTech,
said: “We are very pleased to bring our fundraising to a successful
close. The overwhelmingly positive response to the Fund by a wide range
of leading investors reflects growing investor enthusiasm for the AgTech
sector. Our recent exit from Blue River Technology underscores the value
of growth stage investments in the space, and we are pleased that
investors are recognizing the compelling trends and sustainability
benefits from AgTech investing."

Phil Erlanger, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Pontifax AgTech,
added: “Food demand is increasing dramatically, with global
population trending to 10 billion by 2050 and increasing per-capita
consumption. In contrast, the agriculture supply chain is confronted by
declining resources and increasing sustainability pressures. Significant
innovation is critical to address these market dynamics. We see numerous
opportunities to invest in disruptive technologies which add value to
the agricultural supply chain. We are excited to play an instrumental
role in supporting the growth of disruptive AgTech businesses which
improve one of the largest and most important industries in the world.”

To date, Pontifax AgTech has made seven investments in five
industry-leading companies: Blue River Technology, AgBiome, Conservis,
Caribou Biosciences and Anuvia.

Notes to Editors

About Pontifax AgTech

Pontifax AgTech is a leading growth capital investor in the global food
and agriculture sector.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and founded in 2014, Pontifax
AgTech makes growth capital investments in fast-growing businesses with
proven technologies that improve agricultural productivity, nutrition,
health, sustainability and supply chain efficiency. Pontifax AgTech
works in partnership with its extensive network of growers, technology
experts and strategic corporate partners.

For more information please visit https://www.pontifaxagtech.com/

Contacts

Hawthorn Advisors
Zinka MacHale, +44
(0)20 3745 4960
[email protected]
Edward
Jones-Davies, +44 (0)20 3745 4977
[email protected]
or
Owen
Blicksilver Public Relations
Kristin Celauro, +1 732-433-5200
[email protected]
or
Joanne
Lessner, +1 212-222-7436
[email protected]