Investing in Healthy Food Systems: From Farm to Fork
Tuesday September 22nd | 14:30 - 17:30
How can private investors contribute to the transition towards a more sustainable, resilient, and future-proof food system?
This summer, climate change became increasingly difficult to ignore. Record-breaking heat, long periods without rain and growing concerns about water shortages have made the effects of a changing climate very tangible. We see them at home, in our gardens and in the landscapes around us. For farmers and the ecosystems our food production depends on, the consequences are even greater.
Persistent drought and water scarcity are becoming increasingly urgent challenges. At the same time, nature is under pressure on multiple fronts: soils are becoming depleted in many places and biodiversity is declining. Meanwhile, farmers are facing greater swings between drought, heat and extreme rainfall.
These developments reinforce one another. Healthy soils, for example, retain more water, while greater biodiversity can make agriculture and ecosystems more resilient to change. So how can we build a food system that is better equipped to cope with these changing conditions?
This requires change across the entire food value chain: from restoring soil health and biodiversity to smarter water management, regenerative agriculture, farmer empowerment and the development of new technologies and business models.
For private investors, this transition is also creating new opportunities to contribute to the food system of the future. During Investing in a Healthy Food System: From Farm to Fork on 22 September, we will explore where these opportunities lie, what developments are already underway and how capital can contribute to a healthier and more resilient food system.
What to expect
We will start with a broad view of the food system: how are developments around soil, water, biodiversity, climate and health interconnected, and where are opportunities for innovation and investment emerging? We will then zoom in on nutrient density and the connection between healthy soils, the nutritional value of our food and human health.
From there, we move into practice. Experienced investors will share concrete examples from their portfolios, ranging from regenerative agriculture and water security to climate resilience, farmer empowerment and new financing models. Rather than only discussing what needs to change, we will look at where capital is already being deployed today and what investors are learning along the way.
We will conclude the programme with an interactive World Café session, where you can join small-group conversations with the investors and experts present and exchange experiences and perspectives with fellow participants.
Roy Montijn
Scientist and expert in microbiology, systems biology and microbiomes
Roy will introduce us to nutrient density as an emerging theme within the food transition. He will explore the relationship between microbiomes, soil health and the nutritional value of our food, and what healthier soils can mean for agriculture, nature and human health. This also provides a foundation for exploring the innovations and investment opportunities emerging around nutrient density.
Béla Jankovich de Jeszenice
Managing Director Jankovich Birtok | Advisor Anterra Capital
Until recently, Béla chaired the board of Commonland, which works on large-scale landscape restoration around the world. He is also an advisor to Anterra Capital, a venture capital investor focused on food and agriculture technology.
Béla will open the afternoon with a systems perspective on the food transition: how are developments around soil, water, biodiversity and climate interconnected, what needs to change, and where are opportunities for innovation and investment emerging?
Maarten van Dam
Partner Pymwymic | Founder Schevichoven
Eight years ago, Maarten and his family took that commitment one step further by developing Schevichoven, the regenerative farm where we will be gathering for this event.
Maarten will share how investments can contribute to regenerative agriculture, healthier soils and farmer empowerment, connecting his investment perspective with what this transition looks like in practice.
Hendrik van Asbroeck
Managing Partner Astanor Ventures
Hendrik van Asbroeck is Managing Partner at Astanor Ventures, where he invests in entrepreneurs and technologies contributing to the transformation of food and agriculture. Before joining Astanor in 2020, Hendrik spent two decades in the energy sector and founded Engie New Ventures, investing globally in cleantech start-ups.
Having witnessed first-hand how innovation transformed the energy sector, Hendrik sees a similar transition taking place in food and agriculture. During the event, he will explore investment opportunities around water security and climate resilience, and the role innovation can play in helping agriculture adapt to changing conditions.
Claudia Czigony
Investment Manager Sagana
Claudia has screened hundreds of investment opportunities and invested in more than 15 companies and funds. Her experience spans regenerative agriculture and climate-resilient crops to supply-chain traceability and new agricultural technologies. During our gathering, she will focus on farmer empowerment, exploring how new financing models and technologies can enable farmers to participate in, and benefit from, the food transition.
The setting
This gathering will take place at Schevichoven, a unique location where nature, agriculture and entrepreneurship come together. After the formal programme, there will be plenty of opportunity to continue the conversation over drinks or during a walk around the estate while connecting with other private investors.
Who is this gathering for?
This afternoon is designed for private wealth holders and family offices interested in impact investing and the future of food and agriculture.
Whether you are already investing in food and agriculture or are exploring the theme for the first time, the afternoon will provide insights, practical examples and opportunities to exchange perspectives with experienced investors, entrepreneurs and peers.
What is PYM?
PYM is an independent foundation that connects and guides wealth owners to invest their capital consciously for a better world. We are a peer-to-peer community of families, philanthropists, individual investors, family offices, and foundations.
We believe in the power of money as a force for good. That is why we promote listed and non-listed impact investing. You can invest successfully in businesses, directly or through funds, that have a purpose beyond profit.
We focus on investors in the Benelux, but we welcome everyone who shares our goals to join us.
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Contact
PYM Foundation: Amstel 256, 1017AL Amsterdam, The Netherlands