In this podcast series, Alex Shandrovsky interviews traders about benchmarks for funding Alt Proteins in 2025 and uncovers the funding playbooks of profitable Local weather Tech CEOs and Main VCs.
Podcast Host Alex Shandrovksy is a strategic advisor to quite a few world meals tech accelerators and corporations, together with various proteins and mobile agriculture leaders. His focus is on investor relations and post-raise scale for agrifood tech firms. This podcast is syndicated by means of our media companions, Foodtech Weekly and Vegconomist.
Episode 33: Rainbow Crops
On this episode, I talked with Giacomo Bastianelli, CEO of Rainbow Crops, a VIB spinout centered on engineering advanced traits in crops utilizing AI-driven multiplex genome modifying. Giacomo shares how Rainbow Crops emerged from a enterprise studio mannequin at VIB, the place deep science is matured earlier than bringing in an entrepreneur-in-residence to form the enterprise.
We discover constructing belief with traders, the nuances of cap desk building, and the way he addressed investor considerations round lengthy growth timelines by securing LOIs with main seed firms. Giacomo’s perspective on transparency, empathy, and utilizing web current worth to set valuations gives a masterclass in deep-tech fundraising.
Key Details Rainbow Crops:
- Purpose: To develop resilient crops that tackle local weather and meals safety challenges powered by a complete AI mannequin skilled on plant “omics” information.
- Not too long ago acquired funding from PINC, the enterprise arm of Paulig.
Alex’s High Findings:
- Enterprise Studio Spin-Out: VIB’s Confirmed Strategy. Rainbow Crops originated from VIB (Flemish Institute of Biotechnology) utilizing a enterprise studio-style mannequin — constructing on mature in-house expertise and making ready the enterprise case earlier than elevating exterior capital. “They [VIB] put cash to mature the expertise and preserve it underneath wraps. Then they create in somebody like me as an entrepreneur-in-residence to construct the enterprise case and key milestones.”
- Cap Desk & Incentives: Founder, VIB, and Traders. VIB holds the bulk stake initially (reflecting their tech growth and money funding). The entrepreneur-in-residence receives founding shares or inventory choices. Traders be part of after the corporate’s creation. “The FIB is the founding shareholder, then shares go to the entrepreneur-in-residence, after which traders are available.”
- Strategic Partnerships & Early LOIs. The workforce secured letters of intent from breeding firms to show industrial traction and reassure traders about exit timelines. “ We had a letter of intents, a number of. We demonstrated that we have been in superior discussions with one participant and a scientific plan already being carved. We had already mentioned enterprise phrases. There are some others that may’ve required a little bit bit extra negotiation. So it was very clear in sharing that info, in fact, underneath a confidentiality settlement. That was, I believe, what helped reassure me that I used to be transferring in the proper course.”
Hyperlink to Apple Podcast here.
Catch the complete podcast series here.
