In 2023, the agri-tech landscape experienced a significant contraction, with investments plummeting to $7.1 billion—nearly 40% below the previous year’s $11.8 billion. This downturn, indicative of a broader decline in venture capital enthusiasm, was particularly pronounced in indoor farming, where investment fell sharply from over $2 billion in 2022 to less than $500 million, as reported by PitchBook.
Yet, this financial retreat paradoxically sets the stage for robust M&A activity, fuelled by start-ups striving for more sustainable business models and incumbents pursuing innovative solutions.
Additionally, the sector is drawing a new breed of participants, especially technology companies, attracted by the critical role of data in agriculture and the urgent need to evolve the industry in response to climate change. This convergence of factors signals a pivotal shift towards resilience, sustainability, and technological integration in agri-tech, promising a dynamic future for agricultural innovation.
Valuations Expectation Reset to Enable Dealmaking
Valuations have adjusted to levels more favourable for acquisitions. The agri-tech Unicorn Index, tracking venture-backed start-ups valued at over $1 billion, witnessed a 20% decline in 2023, according to the Morningstar Unicorn Market Monitor Q4 2023 update. This shift also affected earlier-stage start-ups, which now face a challenging fundraising environment expected to continue into 2024.
According to PitchBook, the number of disclosed Agri-tech rounds with valuation declined from 35% in 2020 to 23% in 2023, underscoring an increased use of internal and bridge rounds. These rounds often served to prepare companies for exits or raise subsequent funding in 2024. With the fundraising environment remaining tough in 2024, M&A is anticipated to become a key focus. Companies are expected to seek partnerships to leverage economies of scale or attract acquisitions by strategic buyers, with the valuation reset also drawing more financially oriented buyers.
Agri-tech Focused Platforms and PE Funds Driving Consolidation
The growing emphasis on climate action is leading to expanded regulations and a heightened focus on agri-tech solutions. Food and agriculture companies, pressured to reduce Scope 3 emissions—with agricultural production accounting for two-thirds of these emissions—are looking increasingly towards sustainable practices [1]. This shift is attracting both impact and financial investors to the sector.
Significant PE funds are being raised to support food and agriculture technology. Paine Schwartz Partners closed a $1.7 billion fund, Butterfly Equity assembled a $1 billion food-focused fund in Los Angeles, and Cibus Capital secured $645 million to support mid-and-late-stage agrifood companies. This influx of capital is poised to fuel acquisitions.
New agri-tech entities, backed by financial sponsors, are emerging to consolidate start-ups and explore opportunities in targeted verticals. For example, a consortium including Sofiproteol, Sofina, Unigrains, Tikehau Capital, and M&G invested $400 million into Biobest, aiming to fund acquisitions and position it as a leader in biological crop protection and pollination. Moreover, collaborative partnerships, exemplified by the joint venture between Trimble and AGCO to deliver integrated precision farming solutions for diverse equipment fleets, showcase the transformative nature of the industry.
The Tech Opportunity in Agri-tech Attracting Non-Traditional Acquirers
Historically, the limited adoption of agri-tech solutions among farmers, attributed to factors such as low ROI and lack of data standardisation, posed challenges [2]. However, recent market shifts, driven by a regulatory focus on climate and farmer efforts to optimise yield, are set to broaden tech applications within the sector. AI, in particular, is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing data standardisation and interoperability, leading to higher ROIs for farmers and creating entry points for tech giants such as Microsoft’s partnership with Bayer to create data solutions for the agriculture industry.
Microsoft is not the only player in the sector; Google has recently launched Mineral.ai, which aims to provide foundational and actionable data. Google states that it has already analysed 10% of the world’s farmland in early 2023. Additionally, AWS has initiated a partnership with Leaf, making Leaf’s Unified Farm Data API available on the AWS Marketplace.
These developments signal a transformative period for the sector, where collaboration between technology and agriculture promises to address longstanding barriers to adoption. This not only provides farmers with the tools needed to make informed decisions, improve yields, and reduce environmental impact but also creates a new group of potential buyers and partners that could lead to mergers and acquisitions within the agri-tech sector.
The entry of tech giants may also help break the agri-tech M&A valuation ceiling, which has seen only a dozen companies surpass the $250 million mark over the last decade, with most acquisitions remaining in the hands of incumbents. Furthermore, it could unlock fundraising opportunities for growth-stage players in the sector, whom investors have longed to be sceptical on their ability to cross the $250 million valuation mark.
Exits are Coming into Agri-Tech
Attracting the right buyers requires nuanced messaging tailored to the distinct challenges and opportunities within agri-tech verticals. For example, the focus for indoor farming might be on improving unit economics through geographical expansion or targeting higher-value produce, while precision farming could emphasise technological synergies to attract tech buyers. Fintech solutions for farmers, on the other hand, might appeal to fintech investors by demonstrating their capability to manage funding requirements.
The sector’s future is intrinsically linked to farmers’ economics and the regulatory environment. Additionally, there’s a natural connection to the physical world and a dependency on commodity prices. Educating new types of buyers about many of these elements is essential; companies need to articulate the challenges of the sector and their ability to manage them effectively.
Companies that start preparing for exits early, by strategically positioning themselves and articulating value propositions aligned with ESG and data-centric imperatives, are best positioned for successful exits and providing substantial returns to their investors.
Learn more about us.
View our transactions.
