A global leader in impact investing
Our theory of change
Astanor invests in planet and human health by targeting the agrifood system, the root cause of many environmental and societal challenges. We provide more than capital, bringing hands-on sustainability expertise to work closely with founders to embed regenerative principles, refine impact measurement, and scale their solutions. This deep engagement strengthens their positive contribution while improving operational resilience.
Investing for impact with operational resilience
From seed to growth stage, impact and operational resilience are embedded throughout our investment lifecycle. We back entrepreneurs tackling the root causes of the agrifood crisis, applying both lenses at due diligence and throughout our holding period.
Investment Process
ESG and impact are systematically integrated in to each step of the investment process, led by our six guiding principles and six impact KPIs. Collaboration with portfolio companies and transparency are the key cornerstones of our impact creation process.
We continuously engage with our portfolio companies to improve their ESG profiles and scale their impact throughout each step of the relationship, from initial screening to exit. Transparency on our impact creation process is a fundamental element of our approach, as we strive to lead and inspire both entrepreneurs and investors in their impact creation journeys.
Our approach
Impact KPIs
Positive impact
We have defined six impact KPIs to capture a holistic image of our positive impact. This includes three planet KPIs for addressing climate change challenges, which are GHG Emission, Biodiversity & Water Use, two people KPIs for improving Social and Health crises, and one enabler KPI, Impact Intelligence, to support global climate goals.
Impact valuation
What is impact valuation
Our portfolio companies generate impact across environmental and social dimensions, measured in different physical units (tons of CO₂, litres of water, jobs created). Impact Valuation translates these into a single monetary value using science-based pathways, letting us compare strategies, aggregate outcomes and track progress at company and fund level.
The Impact Valuation Hub
In 2024, Astanor co-founded the Impact Valuation Hub with leading industry players. Its mission: advance the use of monetary valuation of impact among investors and align best practices across the field.
Measuring operational resilience to de-risk and improve
Operational resilience
While impact remains our primary focus, we use operational resilience to describe the governance, sustainability, and risk practices that allow companies to withstand disruption and grow durably. The process starts with a maturity assessment during due diligence, from which we co-develop a roadmap with clear milestones. We support companies with various resources (policy templates, diversity and leadership modules, talent guidance), alongside hands-on coaching, expert introductions, and stage-specific guidance. Engagement with suppliers, customers, co-investors, and employees helps embed sustainability into day-to-day operations, and create resilient operations for the long-term.
Climate strategy
As impact investors in a period of accelerating climate change, we recognise a responsibility to act. At Astanor, reducing our own operational carbon footprint is only a starting point. We are committed to measuring and ultimately reducing the emissions of our portfolio companies, as well as the financed emissions associated with our investments.
Inge Van Daele
Portfolio management and ESG
Astanor brings much more than capital to Aphea.Bio. Their team helps us sharpen our long-term vision, measure what matters, and align our growth with real environmental impact. Together, we’re not only scaling our science but building the foundations for a more sustainable food system
Impact Ecosystem
Astanor plays an active role in responsible investing organizations and working groups to help strengthen and facilitate the adoption of impact investing. Astanor is a signatory of the PRI and a member of Invest Europe and its Responsible Investment Roundtable.
Good Harvest Ventures I, Astanor’s first fund, is a signatory of the Impact Principles and an Article 9 investment fund.
Our B Corp journey
From Astanor’s inception, we have been driven by a vision where profitability and sustainability are interconnected. Astanor was ‘born’ with the vision that businesses must be a force for good, and this conviction has shaped our trajectory. This commitment is reflected in our achievement of a strong B Corp score of 121.3. This score is a source of pride and a recognition of our genuine commitment to fostering positive change through investments that prioritize both the people and the planet.
Our B Corp achievement does not mark the end of our journey; rather, it serves as a milestone that propels us forward. We believe that sustainability is an ongoing journey, and there is always room for improvement.
Social
We invest in solutions that support equity and socioeconomic stability for producers and consumers across the globe.