AGRAIN_Anretning_331_HIGH_V2.jpg
 



PRESS RELEASE

Copenhagen, May 17 2023

 

 

Important financial backing from new and existing investors

 

Agrain is strengthening its innovative efforts to make the world's food system more circular

 

 

Agrain completes important late seed round, with new and existing investors, and adds a total of new capital of DKK 26 million. New investors are North East Family Office, EIFO and Collateral Good Ventures. Planetary Impact Ventures, an existing investor, is also part of the capital increase. The company is significantly strengthened and ready to lead the way with innovative solutions to make the world's food system more circular.

 

 

Agrain offers a future  oriented and innovative solution to tackle the massive issue og global food waste. With a realized waste of more than a third of the world's food production, it is time to put an effective end to both waste and overproduction of resources - food, energy, and agricultural land - that suffer from a resource balance in minus.

 

Agrain purchases and upcycles surplus side streams from, among others, breweries and oat milk producers, to produce new, tasty and nutritious ingredients for the food industry. Ingredients with a significantly lower CO2 footprint, produced without requiring or utilizing agricultural land. 

 

Aviaja Riemann-Andersen, CEO and founder of Agrain, says: 

 

"We are ready with a significant climate-saving solution for the food industry. This round of investors proudes us with great recognition, which shows a market that is ready to innovate. Agrain's approch makes logical sense on a large-scale climate perspective. The outcomes of our efforts and influence on the food system are inheretly linked to volume. With a validated Product Carbon Footprint reference, we know that when one kilogram of spent bear grain flour replaces 1 kilogram of wheat flour, 2,7 square meter agricultural land is saved. It represents a huge potential that everyone can understand, both the large industrial bakery and the individual," 

 

 
AGRAIN__056.jpg
 

 

Volume with a direct climate-saving impact

In the future, Agrain will develop the company with the backing of a new and strong team of investors. All are carefully selected for their deep insight, understanding of the market and the company's potential. With respect for Agrain's mission and an ambitious strategy, the next years of development and growth will focus on increased knowledge and sales of upcycled and specialized flour ingredients, to the food industry and foodservice.

 

Thomas Høgenhaven, Investor and founder of Planetary Impact Ventures, says:

 

"Sustainability is our fundamental investment parameter and Agrain is well on its way to taking a crucial role in improving the health of the planet. At the same time, we recognize a sensible and interesting business model that supports the company's sustainability vision. Therefore, we have also chosen to participate in this new capital increase,". 

 

New capital to accelerate commercialisation

The first step is the establishment of an R&D team to support customers in product development and use of Agrain's ingredients. At the same time, Agrain continues an already ongoing growth and development of new upcycled options and ingredients at the company's factory in Denmark, which will be expanded in 2023 with a 200% increase in capacity. The company is also investing further in its patent portfolio, which supports the foundation of the company's future growth.

 

A strong team, new profiles

The team will continuously be strengthened with new skilled profiles within sales, development, production, and marketing. Just joined in new positions are: 

  • Jesper Clement (Head of Operations). Jesper comes from a position as General Operations Manager at Saadeddin Pastry Group; he was initially educated as a baker and, after a few months, has already doubled capacity and initiated important certification projects and onboarded new suppliers. Jesper's background also provides great support for the company's product development. 
  • Michael Forster (CFO). Michael comes from a position as Nordic Finance Manager at L'Oréal Denmark. Michael will digitize and optimize the company's financial management and ensure the important development of Agrain's circular business model, enabling the company's mission to implement a sustainable financial result.

New investors accelerate an ambitious and international growth strategy

It has been important for Agrain to expand its ownership with ambitious and international investors, as the company is already experiencing important growth in the largest European markets.

 

"Agrain has a strong vision and a solid data foundation for the company's impressive sustainability claims. We are very impressed with the depth of their knowledge and the huge impact the company has the potential to achieve. We believe Agrain will become an important reference point for innovative food manufacturers, focusing on future growth through a sustainable perspective. Collateral Good Ventures focuses on two areas - reducing food waste and sustainable packaging. Agrain hits us right in the heart and we look forward to showing the world the way to a more circular food system together," says Founder & Managing Partner Michael Kleindl, from Collateral Good Ventures.

 

" Agrain has taken a significant and interesting lead. And with their technology they will contribute to solve one of the food industry's major climate challenges. The company has strong growth potential, a strong team and new experienced and visionary forces on the board. At the Danish Export and Investment Fund (EIFO), we want to contribute to the development of new green, innovative solutions that make Denmark richer and the world greener. Therefore, we are very pleased that we, with this investment, contribute to Agrain's continued growth journey," says Jonas Bjaaland from EIFO, Denmark's Export and Investment Fund (Former Danish Growth Fund).
 

 
Aviaja Karin Agrain kopi.jpg
 

Agrain founders Aviaja Riemann-Andersen and Karin Beukel

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Please visit:  
Agrainproducts.com


Press contact: 

mette@thecentral.dk //+45 22949400

 
 
 
Social media icon Social media icon Social media icon
 
Unsubscribe // Agrain press information