Superorganism Secures $25.9M for Biodiversity Startups

Superorganism, a venture capital firm started in 2023, has closed its first fund with $25.9 million in commitments. The money comes from groups like Cisco Foundation, AMB Holdings, and Builders Vision, plus people such as Jeff Jordan from Andreessen Horowitz. The firm wants to back startups that help protect nature and fight species loss.

Background

Superorganism began when two people with different backgrounds met by chance. Kevin Webb had started putting his own money into early biodiversity projects to test if it could work as a full venture fund. He reached out to Tom Quigley because of his experience in conservation and business. They started talking in 2022 and launched the firm the next year.

The firm calls itself the first one fully focused on biodiversity. It aims to act like a voice for nature on the ownership lists of startups that support the environment. Webb and Quigley bring years of work from conservation, starting companies, and investing. They built a network of over 50 female mentors and hundreds of people in nature tech, including founders and investors.

Since starting, Superorganism has put money into 20 companies. It plans to reach about 35 with this fund. The investments go to pre-seed and seed stages, with checks from $250,000 to $500,000 each. The firm also gives 10% of its future profits to conservation work and promises to keep doing that in later funds.

The world has seen big changes in talks about nature and climate protection, especially in the U.S. But that did not stop Superorganism from hitting its money goal. Some potential backers needed help to see how this differs from climate funds. Quigley said looking at the portfolio makes it clear.

“We are purposely building a diverse portfolio,” Quigley said. “It allows us to show what the best biodiversity companies look like across all industries, across all tech types.”

Key Details

Superorganism sorts its investments into three main areas. First, tech that slows or stops extinction by tackling big causes like habitat loss, over-use of resources, invasive species, and pollution. Second, startups at the mix of climate and biodiversity, covering things like nature-based fixes, adaptation to change, wildfires, and water issues. Third, tools that help conservation workers, such as mapping, AI, and gene tech.

Portfolio Examples

One company, Spoor, uses computer vision software to track bird paths and migration. This helps wind farms cut harm to birds, which follows strict rules. It aids both nature and project builders who face delays or shutdowns.

Inversa turns invasive pythons in Florida's Everglades into leather products. It removes the problem species and makes goods from them. Even Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, a Republican, praised the company for helping with the python issue.

Funga takes soil microbes from healthy forests and adds them to new tree seedlings in commercial woods. This rebuilds underground networks, grows trees 64% faster, and improves soil on over 500 million acres of U.S. timberland. It boosts carbon storage and makes forests healthier.

Other investments include Amini for environmental data in Africa, Array Labs for 3D satellite images, BluumBio for enzymes that break down pollutants, Planet A Foods, Ulysses, and Aarden for AI in land buying decisions.

The firm looks for businesses where making money and helping nature grow together. As companies get bigger, their good effects on biodiversity do too. This keeps them on track even with growth or changes.

Backers include Cisco Foundation, AMB Holdings, Builders Vision, and individuals like Jeff Jordan. No single group or three top ones control more than 25% to 49% of the capital, which spreads the support.

“You could think of us a lot like a climate tech fund, but instead of thinking about, where can we emit less carbon dioxide or avoid emissions in the first place, we’re doing the same thing for nature loss,” Kevin Webb said.

What This Means

This fund gives early money to startups that fix real problems in nature. Biodiversity loss affects food, water, health, and the economy in ways that go beyond climate fights. Many issues, like invasive species or bird safety near energy projects, cross political lines.

Superorganism wants to lead the way for others to join. It helps peer investors find good deals and acts as a first stop for nature-focused founders. The diverse mix of companies shows different paths forward, from turning pests into products to better data and soil fixes.

With 100% of its assets in impact investments, the firm pushes for scale. Healthier forests mean more carbon capture and sustainable land use. Tools like satellite images and AI help track changes across big areas, including places like Africa.

The political shifts have not slowed things. Praise from figures like DeSantis shows broad appeal. As the portfolio grows to 35 companies, it could draw more money and attention to nature tech. This setup aims to make biodiversity investing as common as climate tech.

Superorganism plans to keep building its community and sharing updates on nature tech progress. The firm sees itself as a bridge between business and ecology, backing founders with big goals for people and nature.