Core Viewpoint - Mondelēz International, Inc. is launching a new wave of impact-first investments through its Sustainable Futures Impact Investment platform, focusing on scalable solutions that address climate, community, and circularity, aligning with its sustainability strategy and Vision 2030 ambitions [1][4]. Investment Approach - The company employs a three-pronged investment strategy consisting of direct investments, fund investments, and technical assistance to scale promising solutions that generate measurable impact [2][4]. Direct Investments - New additions to the Sustainable Futures portfolio include investments in regenerative agriculture, inclusive financing, and circular packaging through innovative technology [4]. Fund Investments - Mondelēz International supports impact funds that align with its goal of catalyzing positive change across various geographies [3][4]. Technical Assistance - The company provides capacity-building support to early-stage ventures, helping validate their technologies through larger-scale pilots and scientific approaches [3][4]. Specific Investments - eAgronom is an ag-tech company aiding farmers in improving soil health and reducing carbon emissions, with over 1 million hectares under sustainable practices [5]. - ZIRO is a fintech startup providing affordable inventory financing to small merchants, aiming to reach approximately 100,000 merchants in three years [5]. - Pack2Earth is focused on replacing 60,000 metric tons of plastic packaging with compostable materials by 2028, part of a coalition supporting the Circulate Capital's Ocean Fund [5]. Impact Metrics - In 2024, investments in the Circulate Capital Ocean Fund contributed to circulating or avoiding over 7,600 tonnes of plastic, reducing more than 10,700 tonnes of GHG emissions, and creating over 34,900 tonnes in recycling infrastructure capacity across Southeast Asia and India [5]. Strategic Importance - Sustainability is a key pillar of Mondelēz International's growth strategy, with investments aimed at addressing challenges and creating long-term business resilience [6].

Core Insights - PepsiCo has made significant advancements in sustainability through its pep+ initiative, focusing on regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, sustainable packaging, and climate change since its launch in September 2021 [1][2]. Sustainability Goals - The company is refining its sustainability goals to enhance business resilience and focus on areas with the most positive impact, including an increased target for regenerative agriculture from 7 million acres to 10 million acres by 2030, with 3.5 million acres already achieved as of 2024 [5][6]. - PepsiCo aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, aligning its Scope 1, 2, and 3 targets with a 1.5°C trajectory, reflecting updated scientific guidance [6][10]. - The company is updating its packaging goals to prioritize key markets and reduce the use of virgin plastic, while also sunsetting its reuse target but continuing efforts to design packaging that is reusable, recyclable, or compostable [7][8]. Water Management - PepsiCo has exceeded its previous water-use efficiency goals, achieving a 25% improvement in operational water-use efficiency in high-risk watersheds and a 15% improvement in agricultural water-use efficiency ahead of schedule. The company maintains its goal to become net water positive by 2030 [9][23]. Transparency and Reporting - The company emphasizes transparency in its sustainability journey, committing to detailed reporting on progress in its 2024 ESG Summary, which will include both successes and challenges faced [10][5].

Investment Rating - The report indicates a cautious investment environment in the agtech VC sector, with a notable decline in deal activity and value in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024 [15][16]. Core Insights - The agtech VC sector experienced a total of $1.6 billion in deal activity across 137 deals in Q1 2025, reflecting a 3.7% decrease in deal value and a 24.7% decrease in deal count from the previous quarter [15][16]. - Investors are becoming more selective, focusing on fewer, higher-quality opportunities, as evidenced by the increase in median pre-money valuations and deal sizes [16][24]. - The agricultural biotechnology segment led the investment activity, attracting $797.4 million across 55 deals, while precision agriculture followed with $266.2 million from 38 deals [22]. Summary by Sections Agtech Landscape - The report outlines various segments within the agtech landscape, including ag biotech, agrifinance & e-commerce, indoor farming, animal agriculture, and precision agriculture [9]. VC Activity - Q1 2025 marked a cautious start for the agtech VC sector, with a total of $1.6 billion across 137 deals, down from $1.7 billion and 182 deals in Q4 2024 [15]. - The median pre-money valuation for VC-backed agtech companies increased from $15.1 million in 2024 to $20 million in 2025, while the median deal size rose from $3.2 million to $4.4 million [16][24]. - The shift towards larger, later-stage deals continued, with early-stage investments remaining subdued [17]. Agtech VC Deal Activity - The report provides a detailed breakdown of deal activity by segment, highlighting that ag biotech and precision ag were the dominant segments in terms of deal value [22][30]. Exit Activity - Exit activity in Q1 2025 was subdued, with only $40.3 million exited across 11 deals, a significant decline from $274 million in Q4 2024 [23]. Valuations and Deal Sizes - Despite the overall slowdown, the increase in median pre-money valuations and deal sizes indicates strong competition for high-quality assets [24]. Events and Emerging Themes - Significant developments included major funding rounds and strategic partnerships, such as Eion's $33 million carbon-removal agreement and Avalo's $11 million funding for AI-powered plant breeding [25][26]. Looking Ahead - The outlook for the agtech sector remains cautiously optimistic, with a focus on capital efficiency and operational resilience as the market stabilizes [27][28].

Core Insights - The Vita Coco Company, Inc. released its 2024 Impact Report, highlighting significant progress in its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, particularly through its Seedlings for Sustainability program [1][2] Group 1: Environmental Initiatives - The Seedlings for Sustainability initiative has successfully distributed over 1 million seedlings, moving towards a goal of 10 million by 2030 [2][7] - The company completed its first climate impact assessment, identifying supply chain vulnerabilities to weather changes, and implemented two water-reduction projects estimated to conserve 1.5 million liters annually [7] Group 2: Social Contributions - Vita Coco built three new classrooms in the Philippines, increasing the total to 39 schools and positively impacting over 24,500 students [7] - The Growing Roots Grant Program was launched in the U.S. to create green spaces at underserved schools, starting with Oak Street Elementary in Los Angeles [7] Group 3: Governance and Community Engagement - Approximately 97% of the company's primary packaging materials met its responsible packaging definition, and 100% of its branded products are certified non-GMO [7] - The company provided cash and in-kind donations to various nonprofit and community-based organizations across the U.S., U.K., Latin America, and Europe, addressing food insecurity and disaster relief [7] Group 4: Future Outlook - The company plans to expand its regenerative agriculture programs, set climate targets, and grow the reach of the Vita Coco Community Foundation [5]