Member Investments

Members have invested in 21 companies since we launched. Seven have closed or been taken over. Of the remainder, we expect successful exits from around ten. Two companies have performed outstandingly, with valuations over £100m.

Companies in the portfolio span most agritech sectors: drones and remote sensing, sensors, plant breeding, crop protection, high‑tech farming, agri‑fintech, farm data management, robotics, agri‑cleantech, and novel products and services.

Below are some case study examples of how we analyse companies, what interests us about them, and how members have engaged.

Case Study: Oxbury Bank

Oxbury is a start‑up bank for the agricultural sector, developing services specific to the needs of farmers. We were introduced to them by a member in autumn 2019, met them, and reviewed their deck. They pitched to members in spring 2020, and nearly all members signed the NDA and reviewed the data room. We carried out due diligence, and they presented again later that spring. In the end only three members invested, but the total invested was substantial.

We liked Oxbury for several reasons:

  • although an agrifintech business, they were adapting existing, off-the-shelf systems rather than developing new ones, so the product risk was small;
  • they were taking an existing service and tailoring it for a specific market – agriculture – which had long been unhappy with the banking services available;
  • the team had strong traditional banking experience and knew how to start and run the operation;
  • they had already received their banking licence, so the regulatory hurdles were dealt with;
  • although only a few members invested, there was a wider view that the service was worthwhile;
  • the team size was relatively small, and they were conscious of cash flow constraints.

Cambridge Agritech’s ability to unite well‑matched investors with high‑quality agri‑innovation opportunities, underpinned by robust analysis and clear recommendations, demonstrates their professionalism and effectiveness.

Nick Evans, Managing Director, Oxbury Bank Plc

Case Study: Olombria

Olombria is developing the use of hoverflies as a supplement to bees for pollination, as well as a natural system for aphid control, supported by smart AI sensor devices to monitor insect and environmental activity.

We first met them in autumn 2019 but felt they were too early. We reconnected in spring 2024, when Sean met the CEO/founder. We liked what they were doing and invited them to pitch in autumn 2024. Members signed an NDA, reviewed the data room, and conducted due diligence. We arranged a second meeting in early 2025, after which some members invested.

We liked Olombria for several reasons:

  • the CEO was knowledgeable and solid in her approach to developing the business;
  • their technology was sound, using existing hoverfly production systems alongside natural lures and AI sensors;
  • they were meeting an existing market demand currently only met by bees;
  • their sales were small but growing steadily, with all existing customers renewing;
  • although currently focused on soft-fruit pollination, there are larger markets (e.g. tomatoes, avocado) and related markets (e.g. aphid management) suitable for future expansion.

Cambridge Agritech understood our business quickly because their members know farming and understand how the sector works in practice. They understood the market, the grower relationships involved, and the wider networks that help an agritech startup gain traction.

They challenged us in a useful way to strengthen how we presented the opportunity, and their process was transparent and efficient throughout. We have always found them straightforward to deal with, and their support has continued beyond the initial investment through mentorship and ongoing engagement.

Tashia Tucker, CEO/Founder, Olombria

Case Study: Albotherm

Albotherm has developed a dynamic paint for glasshouses that changes from transparent to opaque‑white as it heats up. This enables growers to benefit from lower levels of sunlight while avoiding the harm from too much sunlight – and the cost of fans to cool glasshouses – making operations more efficient and reducing energy use.

We first met them in summer 2020 but felt they were too early for us to invest. We reconnected in spring 2022, had another call, and visited their labs in Bristol. We reviewed their deck in detail and raised various concerns for them to address.

They pitched to members in autumn 2022. Members were interested, signed an NDA, conducted due diligence, and met them again later that year. Seven members invested just under £100k.

We liked Albotherm for several reasons:

  • we felt the founders were very competent and measured about the business potential, so they would avoid expanding too quickly;
  • We liked the underlying technology – the dynamic paint itself
  • the product simply substituted the existing product – growers already buy and apply paint every year, so switching would not be difficult;
  • we were satisfied with the data available and the recent trials completed at a highly reputable UK research organisation;
  • we were attracted by the simplicity of the process and the measurable savings for growers from reducing use of electric fans.