- Cooks Venture — announced it closed $12 million in senior secured financing provided by AMERRA Capital Management, LLC.
Cooks Venture — a next generation ag tech company that is committed to regenerative agriculture and a truly transparent supply chain — announced it closed $12 million in senior secured financing provided by AMERRA Capital Management, LLC. AMERRA is a private, alternative asset management firm with a focus in agri-business and aquaculture operating companies.
And Cooks Venture is setting up regenerative agriculture systems through crop science and genetic IP to build a superior and transparent food system for the future as well as redefining Ag Tech for monogastric animals. And the company’s first offerings are pasture-raised, slow-growth, heirloom chickens — which is the result of a nine-figure investment which has taken over a decade to come to fruition.
To increase the use of regenerative farming and further develop crop science, Cooks Venture is going to use the funding to expand their processing capabilities, lead farmers in the transition to regenerative processes, and work with agroecologists to improve and innovate industry practices.
“Our goal is to use crop science and state-of-the-art technology to build regenerative processes and change our current food system while mitigating climate change. We’re starting with the most impactful and prolifically eaten food in the world – poultry,” said Cooks Venture founder and CEO Matthew Wadiak. “AMERRA was an ideal partner for us and their provided financing will help us achieve our near-term growth objectives and allow us to expand our capacity to serve B2B and direct consumers nationally. Our financial adviser, Ivan Saval, also played an important role in sourcing and structuring this financing transaction.”
Prior to launching Cooks, Wadiak was a co-founder and former COO at Blue Apron. And Wadiak is also the founder and CEO of Plank Pilates Studio in New York.
Now Cooks Venture is the only independent genetics company of scale in the world. And the sole purpose of the business has been to develop the best, slow-growth, heirloom chickens available nationwide with a focus on better animal welfare and regenerative agricultural systems. This is supported through propriety poultry genetics and crop science technology developed by Cooks Venture and its acquisitions.
“We strongly support Cooks Venture and its dedication to improving the agriculture ecosystem through scientifically proven regenerative practices and innovation,” added AMERRA Managing Director Chris Chapman. “Matthew’s impressive background in the food and technology industries, combined with his drive to create lasting change in the agriculture space, will surely solidify Cooks Venture as a household name.”
Cooks Venture was founded on the scientific principle that sequestering 1% more carbon into the soil on agricultural lands could help reverse climate change. And The company operates on four pillars of regenerative agriculture: better soil health, increased biodiversity, the use of integrated pest management, and better energy use. These tenants reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers that harm ecosystems and destroy soil fertility which lowers energy consumption and decreases carbon emissions.
Once Cooks Venture launched in the spring of 2019, the company quickly partnered with online grocer FreshDirect nad made its pasture-raised, slow-growth, heirloom chickens available to customers across the Northeast. And two months later, the company’s poultry became available to customers, restaurants and food retailers across Northern California through its partnership with the region’s fourth generation meat distributor, Golden Gate Meat Company.
“Most importantly, this financing will give us the opportunity to further shape how regenerative farming is used within the larger agriculture space and help farmers who are looking to get more involved, all while providing consumers with responsible food choices driven by our proprietary systems,” explained Wadiak.
Cooks Venture has a mission to improve and bring innovation to the American food system. And they are focused on redefining how agriculture technology and genetics for monogastric animals interact in developing better practices to create economies of scale for farmers which provide profitable returns for farmers and private business.
National Securities Corporation — a wholly owned subsidiary of National Holdings Corporation — acted as financial advisor to Cooks Venture in connection with the financing.
