Crain’s
The founders of Sandbox Industries are going back to their roots, with a huge venture fund aimed at agriculture and food technologies.
Sandbox, the Chicago-based investment fund and incubator launched a decade ago by Monsanto Co. alums Bob Shapiro, Nick Rosa and Steve Engelberg, is teaming with Cultivian Ventures on a planned $150 million fund. Cultivian Sandbox Food and Agriculture Fund II closed its first tranche May 31 and has raised about $70 million.
It’s the fourth — and biggest — venture fund raised in Chicago in the past year. Origin Ventures raised $45 million, Chicago Ventures raised $40 million and Hyde Park Venture Partners raised $25 million.
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