Seminal Food and Nutrition Investments, LLC (SEMINAL INVESTMENTS) is an indirect subsidiary
of Seminal Capital Holdings, LLC (“SEMCAP”). SEMCAP was co-founded in 2020 by Walter W.
“Buck” Buckley and Cyrus Vandrevala. SEMCAP is an investment manager that invests in
companies at the forefront of disruptive seminal industry trends, creating value for its investors
and helping innovators on their mission to build category-leading companies in industries
aligned with positive societal impact.
Founded by Buck Buckley and Cyrus Vandrevala, SEMCAP has amassed highly experienced
investment, operating and advisory teams across each vertical of Food & Nutrition, Health, and
Education to identify and deploy both capital and expertise with category-disrupting businesses
to achieve above market returns for our Limited Partners while driving improved social and
environmental outcomes. As a committed signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible
Investing (“UN PRI”) and a registered Impact Capital Manager (“ICM”) SEMCAP has aligned its
investment process and impact reporting framework with the UN Sustainability Developed Goals
(“SGDs”).
SEMCAP is pursuing a generational opportunity to identify and invest behind underlying seminal
trends that are shaping the future of Food & Nutrition, Health and Education. Driven by recent
world events, seminal trends are emerging that are underpinned by: shifting societal preference
and environmental considerations, innovation, and regulatory change. We are building a global
investment firm to deploy capital across three core investment verticals in support of businesses
catalyzing that change while leveraging our networks and expertise to accelerate growth and
strong returns.
The core of SEMCAP’s near term strategy is to deploy three private growth equity funds ranging
in size between $250 million - $500 million each focused predominantly on making minority
investments in our key focus areas – Food & Nutrition, Health and Education, however other
investment structures and funds may be contemplated. Through our operating experience,
extensive cross- border networks and capabilities and focus area expertise, we empower
innovators to scale rapidly, we help portfolio companies maintain a competitive advantage and
deliver positive returns for investors and measurable positive outcomes for future generations.
We value a spirit of partnership with our portfolio companies and we dive into operating the
businesses with them to drive value for stakeholders. Our principals have operator DNA having
run businesses in each of our sector verticals and can provide unique insights, perspectives, and
connections to the entrepreneurs and management teams we partner with. We source and
invest in high-growth, high-impact companies that are transforming industries and are
category-makers in their respective sectors. SEMCAP’s ability to source unique transformative
investment opportunities is driven by deeply curated industry networks and experience, C-suite
relationships, and connections within government and business that have been cultivated over
decades.
The SEMCAP Food & Nutrition investment strategy invests in innovative natural food brands
and technologies that support modern health and a more sustainable future. Our goal is to
improve the way families eat and cultivate a nutritionally dense, sustainable, and low-waste food
revolution. The investment strategy investments in U.S.
and Canadian headquartered companies
with $25-75 million in revenue that are EBITDA positive (or within 12 months to being EBITDA
positive). We look for remarkable teams and products, a scalable brand and companies that are
driving seminal trends in food, including:
MODERN HEALTH & WELLBEING
Natural/organic, Non-GMO and pesticide free with functional ingredients. Nutritionally dense
and minimally processed.
SUSTAINABLE FOOD
Alt-dairy & alt-protein sources that are lower on the food chain and reduce C02 emissions, land
use & water. Ocean friendly, regenerative or sustainably sourced.
Efficient Delivery & Waste Reduction
OMNI channel production/delivery processes and technology that minimizes inefficiency, plastic
and waste and democratizes the food system.
Types of Investments
The strategy will typically focus on minority equity investments with Board involvement.
SEMCAP’s typical ownership should be between 15- 35% of a given company. The financings will
either be primary investment or primary with a secondary component. Such businesses will
typically have gone through prior funding rounds with seed investors (including friends and
family), angel investors and, in certain cases, Series A and/or B/C venture capital funding.
Consistent with our fiduciary duty, SEMINAL INVESTMENTS generally considers the individual
needs of all clients and tailors the advisory services it provides to clients as follows:
(i) Funds are managed in accordance with the relevant Fund’s investment objectives,
strategies and restrictions. A Fund can impose restrictions on investing in certain
securities or types of securities. The Funds are not managed in accordance with the
individualized needs of any particular interest holder in the Fund. Therefore, a Fund’s
investors should consider whether the Fund meets their investment objectives and risk
tolerance prior to investing.
(ii) Separately Managed Accounts are managed in accordance with the relevant client’s
investment objectives, strategies, restrictions and guidelines, as communicated to
SEMINAL INVESTMENTS by the client. Clients can impose restrictions on investing in
certain securities or types of securities.
Investment advisory services are provided directly to the Funds and not individually to the
investors who invest in Funds sponsored or advised by SEMINAL INVESTMENTS. Because
SEMINAL INVESTMENTS does not provide individual advice to Fund investors (and an
investment in a Fund does not, in and of itself, create an advisory relationship between the
investor and SEMINAL INVESTMENTS), prospective investors must consider whether a particular
Fund meets their investment objectives and risk tolerance prior to investing. Information about
Funds is available in the Fund Documents, as well as the Fund’s governing documents, which will
be available to current and prospective investors only through SEMINAL INVESTMENTS or
another authorized party.
As an asset manager, SEMINAL INVESTMENTS provides a specific service. SEMINAL
INVESTMENTS does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice, and clients should note that,
unless otherwise specifically agreed or disclosed in writing, SEMINAL INVESTMENTS will not take
tax considerations into account in managing a client’s portfolio.
As of March 12, 2024, SEMINAL INVESTMENTS had $167,455,460 million in discretionary net
assets under management, and did not have any non-discretionary assets under management.