Cultivian Sandbox Ventures
UnclaimedAt a Glance
- Check Size
- $1M – $10M
- Stage
- Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B+
- AUM
- $300M
- Sectors
- Agriculture, Biotech, Climate
- HQ
- Chicago, IL
About Cultivian Sandbox Ventures
Cultivian Sandbox Ventures is a Chicago-based venture capital firm investing in early-stage food and agriculture technology, from pre-seed through Series B and beyond, with roughly $300 million under management and a team of 10 to 25. Its stated focus is sustainable agriculture and food system innovation, and its portfolio includes Indigo Agriculture, Pivot Bio, Iron Ox, Memphis Meats and AeroFarms. Steve Engelberg is among the partners associated with the firm.
The thesis is a supply-side argument. Cultivian holds that demographics, globalization, sustainability pressure, new energy sources and food safety and security concerns are forcing the sector to increase sustainable production, distribute more equitably and shift consumption, and that meeting those demands requires new companies rather than incumbent research budgets. The firm therefore invests across the full food and agriculture value chain rather than concentrating in a single segment such as crop inputs, indoor growing or alternative protein.
What makes the approach unusual is the limited partner base. Cultivian is backed by strategic corporate LPs drawn from large food and agriculture companies, and its partnership is staffed by operators from those same companies, which gives portfolio companies a route to commercial validation and channel access alongside capital. The firm is a member of the National Venture Capital Association and the Global AgTech Investors Network.
Investment Thesis
“Invests in early-stage agtech and food technology companies focused on sustainable agriculture and food system innovation.”
Sector Focus
Investment Stage
Notable Portfolio Companies
Fund History
Cultivian Sandbox raises dedicated food and agriculture funds out of Chicago, and has filed two of them with the SEC. Cultivian Sandbox Food & Agriculture Fund II, LP came to market in June 2013 against a $200 million target, recorded its first sale on May 31, 2013, and reported $85,025,510 sold by the June 2014 amendment, at which point the target had been trimmed to $150 million. Fund III followed in November 2017, again seeking $200 million; its November 2018 amendment reported $105,375,000 sold against a first sale of November 21, 2017, making it the firm's largest vehicle to date. Together the two funds account for roughly $190 million of reported commitments. The management entities changed between vintages, from Cultivian Sandbox Venture Management, LLC and Cultivian Sandbox Venture Partners, LLC on Fund II to Venture Partners III, LLC and Venture Management II, LLC on Fund III. The SEC adviser registry also carries a predecessor entity, Cultivian Ventures, LLC. The firm says its limited partner base is anchored by strategic corporate LPs, none of whom are named publicly.
Team (7)
Amanda Donohue-Hansen
Managing Director, Cultivian Sandbox Ventures
Andy Ziolkowski
Managing Partner, Cultivian Sandbox Ventures
Bob Shapiro
Managing Director, Cultivian Sandbox Ventures
Dan Phillips
Managing Director, Cultivian Sandbox Ventures
Nick Rosa
Managing Director, Cultivian Sandbox Ventures
Ron Meeusen
Managing Director, Cultivian Sandbox Ventures
Taryn Goodman Gallery
Managing Director, Cultivian Sandbox Ventures
Frequently Asked Questions
What stage does Cultivian Sandbox Ventures invest at?
Cultivian Sandbox Ventures primarily invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B+ stages. This means they focus on companies that are at the earliest idea or prototype phase.
Where is Cultivian Sandbox Ventures located?
Cultivian Sandbox Ventures is headquartered in Chicago, IL. Many of their portfolio companies are also based in this region, though they invest across geographies.
What sectors does Cultivian Sandbox Ventures focus on?
Cultivian Sandbox Ventures focuses on investments in Agriculture, Biotech, Climate. Their portfolio reflects deep expertise and networks within these sectors.
What is Cultivian Sandbox Ventures's typical check size?
Cultivian Sandbox Ventures's typical investment check size ranges from $1M to $10M. Actual amounts may vary based on the stage, sector, and specific opportunity.
How much does Cultivian Sandbox Ventures have under management?
Cultivian Sandbox Ventures manages approximately $300M in assets under management (AUM) across their funds.
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