Growth capital for Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector
A growth equity fund targeting up to $500 million, with Farm Credit Canada as lead investor, backing Canadian companies to scale at home and export into Asia.
Velocity Agri-Capital launches $500 million fund to grow Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector, with Farm Credit Canada as lead investor
New Canadian growth equity fund creates a partnership with a Singapore-based manager to help Canadian agriculture and agri-food companies export into Asian markets, and to bring new Southeast Asian investment into Canada's ag and food sector.
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Velocity Agri-Capital today announced the launch of a growth equity fund targeting up to $500 million dedicated to Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector, following today's announcement that Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has a term sheet commitment of $150 million as the fund's lead investor.
Velocity Agri-Capital is led by entrepreneur and investor Arlene Dickinson as General Partner, who has established a joint partnership with a Singapore-based investment firm with a track record of more than $1 billion invested in food and agriculture across Asia. Additional capital of up to $350 million from Canadian and international limited partners is in discussions.
Global demand for food and agriculture products continues to grow, and Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector remains significantly undercapitalized relative to that opportunity. Velocity is targeting growth-stage Canadian companies positioned to scale into that demand, in a sector that is drawing increasing investor interest as global supply chains diversify and food security becomes a growing priority worldwide.
Velocity is one team, with experienced fund professionals in Canada and Singapore. It backs companies across agriculture and agri-food, from vertical farming and aquaculture to processing and branded food, helping them to scale at home, across North America, and export into Asia. The fund also identifies opportunities for Southeast Asian companies to expand and domicile in Canada, bringing new jobs and foreign direct investment into Canada.
“Canada is home to some of the best agriculture and agri-food companies in the world, and this is a sector with serious growth opportunity ahead of it. We're backing the companies with the proven fundamentals to scale, and bringing a partner to the table who brings more than capital through their deep understanding and knowledge of the Southeast Asian market. And, when Southeast Asian companies see opportunity here, we will work to partner in helping them set up and create jobs and facilities, bringing economic impact in Canada.”
All figures in Canadian dollars. [confirm]
What we back
- Vertical farming and aquaculture
- Processing
- Branded food
- Southeast Asian companies expanding and domiciling in Canada
About Velocity Agri-Capital
Velocity Agri-Capital is a growth equity fund targeting up to $500 million, led by Arlene Dickinson as General Partner. The Velocity team will be based in both Canada and Singapore. The fund backs Canada's agriculture and agri-food companies, from vertical farming and aquaculture to processing and branded food, to scale at home and export into Southeast Asia, and helps Southeast Asian companies set up and grow in Canada.