Venture capital fund invests in regenerative brands
Newly launched venture capital fund Regeneration.VC, based in Los Angeles, has announced the final close of its $45 million inaugural fund to “supercharge consumer-powered climate innovation,” according to a news release.
Participating limited partners include North American and European family offices, foundations, and institutional investors, the release said.
Reimagining apparel, food, and consumer products presents a $4.5 trillion opportunity, and the release said Regeneration.VC invests in design (packaging and materials), use (products and brands), and reuse (reverse logistics and marketplaces).
This is the first fund of General Partners Dan Fishman and Michael Smith, according to the release.
“Sustainability continues to attract a spotlight,” Regeneration.VC strategic advisor and limited partner Leonardo DiCaprio said in the release. “We need forward-thinking approaches that perform measurably better for our planet. It’s time for people to feel good about their purchases and for businesses to meet that challenge – every bite of food, every t-shirt, every product counts. I am excited to help Regeneration.VC supercharge these solutions and begin to reverse the climate emergency.”
In addition to strategic advisors, the advisory board includes Bonobos founder Andy Dunn, retired Gen. Wesley Clark, recent Mars Chairman Stephen Badger, United Nations Environmental Ambassador Petra Nemcova and others.
“My goal is a delightfully diverse, safe, healthy and just world – with clean air, soil, water and power – economically, equitably, ecologically and elegantly enjoyed,” strategic advisor William McDonough said in the release.
“Regeneration.VC is supporting cradle to cradle-inspired commerce to enhance the circular technosphere, where materials return to supply chains, and the Regenerative Biosphere, where materials can safely return to living ecosystems.”
The current portfolio of the fund features cutting-edge thinking around upcycled carbon, next-gen materials, and circular commerce, the release said :
- CleanO2 sequesters and repurposes commercial building emissions into carbon-captured products;
- VitroLabs leverages cell-cultured technology to design animal husbandry out of leather supply chains;
- Cruz Foam transforms aquaculture processing waste streams into a certified compostable polystyrene alternative;
- Arrive provides rental- and resale-as-a-service (‘RaaS’) to global retailers and brands; and
- Pangaia champions materials science innovation through a global lifestyle and apparel brand.
According to the release, Regeneration.VC Limited Partners include a global group of institutional investors (Tribe Capital/Pay It Forward, Commenda EU, ImpactAssets, SDG Impact Fund), family offices & foundations (Cameron Holdings, For Good Ventures, Passport Foundation, MFI Foundation), founders & culture (Bill Peck/Twist Biosciences, Courtney Nichols Gould & Gordon Gould/SmartyPants, Jennifer Meyer/Designer, Martin Gore/Musician, Mike Bryan/Athlete).
