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Best of NAMA 2025












INVESTMENT IN AGTECH STARTUPS IS RETURNING
by Kyle Welborn, Managing Director, Yield Lab as it appeared in CropLife magazine

Last quarter, our analysis of Crunchbase data shows 190 AgTech startups raised a total of $1.6B. This represents a 15% increase in funding while the number of deals stayed flat from Q1 2024. There were six AgTech exits last quarter, all through M&A transactions.

Key Takeaways from Last Quarter

The AgTech sector saw increased venture investment last quarter, mirroring the overall trend in venture capital. AgTech maintained a steady 2% share of the $79B of venture dollars invested globally.

All six exits last quarter were through M&A. According to a recent Axios article using Pitchbook data, early-stage startups accounted for over 70% of all M&A activity in the first half of this year, meaning most acquisitions are occurring before a startup company raises a Series B round.

Public agribusiness companies have remained quiet on M&A so far this year, but earnings calls show more optimism for the second half of 2024 as challenges ease.

Whether this optimism leads to increased AgTech M&A, and at what stage, remains to be seen. Early-stage startups typically cost less but take longer to become profitable, while later-stage startups should be further along on commercial development but have often raised more capital and cost more.

Regardless of stage, AgTech needs a boost in M&A activity. Halfway through 2024, AgTech exits are on pace for a 21% decline from 2023, and nowhere near the 46 exits that occurred in 2021.

To review the businesses being invested in and the largest investors click here.


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