Founders Factory builds and funds startups together with exceptional entrepreneurs and the world’s leading companies. Created by IPO-exited founders, we offer founders capital, operational support from a team of hands-on experts, and unrivalled access to a coalition of industry-leading corporate partners. Since 2015, our 300+ portfolio companies have raised $800mm follow-on funding from a roster of notable investors.
Our Studio partners with entrepreneurs on day one, developing new ideas, technologies and business models into high growth companies. Together with Nesta, the UK’s innovation agency for social good, we’re now creating ventures that deliver social impact by means of venture-backable scale.
We’re looking for an experienced operator with entrepreneurial ambitions to take a new concept created and validated by our Venture Design team into the Build Phase. You will lead the venture as Founder & CEO with our investment and the full backing of Founders Factory.
The Problem:
What we eat - its price, availability and nutritional value - is a product of the farming system that creates it. Our farming system is broken. ‘Conventional’ farming practices, such as the intensive use of agrochemicals, are driving negative outcomes for both our health and the environment.
There is a growing movement to transition towards regenerative farming practices that protect nature, improve health, fight climate change and build national food security. 72% of UK farmers are looking to use, or being pushed by retailers, regulation and rising costs, to use some regenerative techniques. But there are major barriers to transition to regen ag:
1 - Capital: Requires upfront capital (working and infrastructure) to manage the 3-5 yrs transition but traditional loans not appropriate.
2 - Knowledge: Farmers need support in knowing how to transition from conventional farming to regenerative practices.
Data sits at the core of regen farming, but currently exists in a siloed and analogue format. Farmers monitor soil health to understand fertility, crop rotations and to maximise yields. These data sets correlate with the data sets used for credits, financing and evidencing provenance. By digitising the data we can reduce the admin burden for farmers and unlock new revenue streams by selling nature credits to organisations looking to offset their environmental impact. Ultimately making farming more profitable in the long run whilst having a positive impact on health and the environment.
The Solution:
🌱 RE:GENO - the data management tool that finances the transition to regen
Re:geno is an app that organises your farming data and financially rewards you for regenerative farming practices.
- Centralising all your farm data into one dashboard.
- Use that data to:
- Sell ‘Nature Credits’ e.g. carbon credits
- Secure a business loan
- Communicate progress with investors/ buyers
- Access expert guidance on regenerative practices
- Monitoring and verification support
- Flexible approach: go field-by-field
Why Now?
- Post-Brexit agriculture policies focus on sustainability
- On the cusp of new, high growth biodiversity credits market
- Regenerative agriculture is a moving train
👀 What we’re offering
- A unique opportunity to build a business that will scale and make an impact with you as majority equity owner
- £500k total investment in cash and services to help you build your venture - including the founder stipend, specialist resource and infrastructure budget of £89,000
- A validated concept and intellectual property
- TEAM! - A studio squad lead and full time venture builder, as well as support from the wider FF team, including leadership, mentorship, and network access
- Experienced fundraisers supporting you in shaping your narrative and helping you unlock access to future sources of capital
- Unparalleled access to our corporate partners and wider network (for life!):
- Senior level access to Nesta, the UK innovation agency shaping policy and the market environment your venture will operate in
- This partnership will deliver a significant unfair advantage to Re:genoAccess to Founder Factory’s experts in AgTech and Climate such as Dr. Micol Chiesa Churchill
- Office space, co-located with other companies and our team
🫵 What you’ll bring
- Credibility in farming community (you’re not an outsider), and in particular nature friendly farming
- Knowledge of farmer workflows and priorities, in particular understanding food supply chain and retailer / farmer interactions, impact of sustainability targets and regulation on farmers
- Background in agtech software (ideally you’ve worked on natural capital or carbon credits exchange) OR background in a financial/insurance product OR data product for farmers
- Deep interest in sustainable farming, soil health, biodiversity, nature credits
- Commercially savvy operator - you can prioritise the right features to drive most value
- Risk appetite - you’ve directly been involved in building something from the ground up
- Grit - you can showcase how you’ve overcome difficult hurdles in your life
- Commitment to building a mission driven venture with a diverse team & inclusive culture
- Coachability - you have strong opinions, loosely held
Note - We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis. If your background and application meets our criteria, we will be in touch to schedule an intro call.
