Takeaways

• Superorganism has raised over $25 million for its debut fund to invest in biodiversity-focused startups at the pre-seed and seed stages.
• The firm backs scalable ventures that link biodiversity protection with strong commercial opportunities, often using advanced technologies.
• Interest in biodiversity investing is growing, but Superorganism positions itself as one of the few funds fully dedicated to the theme.

Venture capital firm Superorganism has raised more than $25 million for its first fund, aiming to support early-stage startups that address biodiversity loss while building commercially viable businesses.

Launched in 2023, Superorganism focuses on pre-seed and seed investments, typically committing between $250,000 and $500,000 per company. Co-founders and managing directors Tom Quigley and Kevin Webb said the firm has already invested in 20 startups and plans to expand its portfolio to around 35 companies through the debut fund, according to an interview with ESG Dive.

The firm targets companies operating in industries that have historically driven biodiversity loss, as well as those working at the intersection of climate and nature. It also looks closely at conservation-enabling technologies with strong commercial potential, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and space-based tools.

Read More: Biodiversity Reporting: The Next Big Thing After Carbon

Quigley said investment decisions ultimately depend on whether a startup can scale and whether the founders have the vision and capability to build a durable business. Webb added that the firm is guided by a broader shift in how nature and the economy are viewed.

“The idea that nature and economic progress must always conflict is outdated,” Webb said. He noted that nature already underpins the global economy, from supply chains and food systems to clean air, and said Superorganism is backing entrepreneurs who aim to align economic activity with ecological health.

Superorganism’s current portfolio reflects that approach. It includes Inversa, which produces leather from invasive species such as Burmese pythons and lionfish; Sway, which develops thin-film materials from seaweed as an alternative to plastic; and Array Labs, a company focused on 3D imaging from space.

The firm’s inaugural fund has attracted backing from a mix of private investors and climate-focused funds, including AMB Holdings, Stray, and Understorey Ventures. Individual backers include venture capitalist Jeff Jordan, former Nature Conservancy CEO Mark Tercek, and philanthropists Sven and Kristin Lindblad.

Before the fund’s close, Superorganism raised much of its capital from family offices, corporate foundations, and select corporations. Quigley said the fundraising process revealed strong interest in biodiversity, alongside a need to educate investors about how venture capital can work in this space.

Also Read: Sustainable Investment Products Surge as ESG Goes Mainstream

Data from MSCI shows that as of September 2024, at least 24 funds listed in European Union markets included biodiversity in their name or investment strategy, managing a combined $1.6 billion in assets. Still, Webb said Superorganism often invests alongside climate, agriculture, ocean, materials, or generalist funds rather than biodiversity-only peers.

“We are one of a small number of funds that have biodiversity as a core named focus,” Webb said. “We certainly hope we won’t be the last.”

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Source: ESG DIVE