Big Idea Ventures Partners with NC State

In late January, Big Idea Ventures announced the launch of the Generation Food Rural Partners (GFRP) fund and its intent for NC State University to be its first partner. A leader in early-stage alternative protein investing, Big Idea Ventures’ goal is straightforward: they strive to “solve the world’s biggest challenges by supporting the world’s best entrepreneurs.” 

Growing Rural Economies

The $125 million GFRP target fund seeks to promote the economic development of rural U.S. communities by commercializing nearby universities’ intellectual property, with the hope of impacting food and agricultural innovation. Big Idea Ventures’ CIO Tom Mastrobuoni said NC State was chosen due to its “forward-looking investments in plant science and plant-based innovation and its historical excellence in plant breeding and agricultural research.” 

“Forward-looking investments” like NC Food Innovation Lab, Plants for Human Health Institute, N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative and the Office of Research Commercialization are part of NC State’s food innovation ecosystem, making the university an attractive collaborator for Big Idea Ventures. 

Find Out More

To learn more about Big Idea Ventures and the GFRP fund, read the NC State article here. 

A hub for plant-based food innovation, NCFIL is ready to support Big Idea Ventures’ plan to transform rural economic development in North Carolina.