2022 Decarbon8 AgTech funding round open now
Summer 2022
Decarbon8-US Request for Application:
AgTech Innovation & Decarbonization
Apply online by June 27 at the latest
E8, an impact investor community specializing in climate tech and cleantech, invites applications from early-stage companies to its 2022 Decarbon8-US funding round focused on technological solutions that advance regenerative agriculture and reduce its environmental impacts. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with a June 27 final deadline.
Decarbon8 leverages both philanthropic and personal capital to support early-stage companies whose technologies and business models can dramatically accelerate the transition to more environmentally sustainable solutions. Winners will receive investment from the Decarbon8 Fund and will have the chance to attract personal co-investment from the E8 Member community, consisting of more than 130 families and funds in North America and beyond.
This year’s Decarbon8 round prioritizes innovation in greenhouse gas reduction in the agriculture sector and welcomes applications from various AgTech sectors. Agriculture accounts for about 20% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, including a major share of methane and nitrous oxide (McKinsey). Critical issues also include regenerative inputs, carbon emissions, productivity, water quality and scarcity, soil health, crop diversity, labour supply and food supply. Investment interest and potential is keeping pace with the problems: according to CropLife’s analysis, 2021 saw an increase of more than 125% in early stage AgTech investment, to $12.23B, with a 179% increase in exits.
For AgTech entrepreneurs, the E8 and Decarbon8-US opportunity includes:
Investment capital for your next stage of growth. Winners of the 2021 transportation-themed Decarbon8 round received an average of $175,000 in investment, including as high as $450,000. Our portfolio in other sectors includes early-stage innovators such as Xeal, C-Motive, and recently-acquired Earthly Labs.
A base for future rounds: E8 investors readily participate in future fundraising rounds.
Engagement and support from cleantech investment specialists: E8’s subject-matter expertise and longstanding cleantech networks provide knowledge and social capital to complement our financial investment. Further, a large number of Members own active farms and have relevant knowledge, and agricultural contacts and networks.
Visibility and advocacy for your enterprise, with member engagement, press, and other benefits from successfully receiving Decarbon8-US investment.
Further, E8 partner, Craft3, will offer finalists a cleantech lending team consultation to inform current or future debt financing opportunities.
Decarbon8-US 2022 investments will be announced in early September, followed by presentations on September 15 to attract co-investment from E8 members. Learn more about the Decarbon8-US Fund’s principles and operations from the Fund Brief (www.decarbon8-us.org).
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible enterprises should:
Be a part of the AgTech sector and support the production of food or decarbonization through agriculture. These include, but are not limited to:
Solutions that reduce carbon emissions in agriculture, or leverage agriculture to sequester carbon
Ag and ecosystem biotechnology (e.g. crop and animal inputs, including microbiome, breeding, pollinators, and animal health)
Business and farm data management tools (e.g. online platforms, data capture and decision support, sensors and IoT)
Farm equipment and gear (e.g. irrigation, robotics, machinery solutions, automation, other equipment)
Midstream and supply chain tech (e.g. food safety, waste reduction, traceability and processing)
Novel solutions and systems (e.g. aquaculture; feed production; alternative ingredients and proteins)
Have generated some revenue, not exceeding $2.5M in 2021, or have field-trials/pilots that can lead to implementation in 2023.
Be raising investment capital from July - November 2022. We can accommodate companies closing rounds in July with a fast-tracked decision, as well as investment rounds planned to close by November, or even later.
Be incorporated as a for-profit entity in the United States or Canada.
Please note: E8 portfolio companies and former applicants that fit the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply.
Evaluation Criteria
An Investment Committee with expertise in cleantech investing and agriculture will review all applications. Primary evaluation criteria are:
Decarbonization and/or sustainability and environmental impact. Applicants are encouraged to explain how their solution offers an outsized and distinctive impact, what the impact may be at scale, and climate and economic equity factors.
Product development and competitive advantage, considering intellectual property, market opportunity and incumbents, alternatives, and threats.
Management and execution, including factors such as founder, team and advisor qualifications and diversity; business model; and go-to-market planning.
The investment opportunity, considering deal terms, valuation, financials and exit scenarios.
Selection Timeline
June 27, 2022, 6pm Pacific Time: applications due, with rolling applications encouraged.
July: application review and semi-finalist screening pitches
August: streamlined due diligence completed with 3-5 finalists
Early September: selection of 2-4 companies for investment
September 15, 2022: investment celebration and pitch opportunity to the full E8 membership for additional co-investment.
To Apply
Apply to the Decarbon8-US Fund by visiting E8’s website and applying through Dealum, E8’s secure deal management platform:
* Please submit your short application. *
Due to the large number of applications, we regret that we are not able to respond to all applicants regarding application status. Companies that do not advance to the final rounds of the Decarbon8-US process may still be considered for E8’s standard funding process, which runs from September to May.
For more information contact us at decarbon8@e8angels.com.
You can learn more about E8 and our community and portfolio at www.e8angels.com.