Maia Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Milan, Italy, focused on backing the next generation of innovators in Agtech and FoodTech. Founded and led by David Bassani and Andrea Galassi, the firm supports founders at the intersection of food, health, and sustainability. Maia was established to accelerate solutions that improve individual well-being while strengthening the global food system through technology and responsible innovation.
Maia Ventures invests in startups operating within the agrifoodtech ecosystem, emphasizing the convergence of agriculture, food production, health, and sustainability.
The firm seeks early-stage companies emerging from leading accelerators, research institutions, and universities that are developing scalable technologies for the food and agricultural value chain.
In October 2025, Maia Ventures announced the launch of its first fund at €55 million. The fund is structured as an Article 8 SFDR vehicle, integrating sustainability considerations into its investment decisions.
Backed by prominent institutional and strategic Limited Partners, including the European Investment Fund (EIF), CDP Venture Capital Sgr, Teseo Capital sicav-sif, Cereal Docks (through its CVC Grey Silo Ventures), and Andriani, the fund reflects strong confidence in Europe’s agrifood innovation ecosystem.
The fund aims to invest in 20 to 25 companies, with initial ticket sizes ranging from €0.5 million to €1.5 million, and plans to maintain follow-on reserves for top-performing portfolio startups.
As of its public announcement, the fund was already fully operational with six active investments and expects a final closing in the coming months.
The vehicle is managed by Praesidium S.A., a Luxembourg-based AIFM with extensive experience across multiple verticals, and advised by Maia Advisors SRL, a Milan-based advisory firm specializing in alternative investment funds within the AgriFoodTech space.
Leadership
The firm is led by Founding Partners David Bassani and Andrea Galassi, both of whom bring deep expertise in venture capital, sustainable innovation, and agrifood systems. Together, they represent a new generation of European investors aiming to connect capital with science-driven, impact-oriented entrepreneurship.
Investment Strategy
Maia Ventures applies a thematic investment strategy centered on the intersection of food security, health, and environmental sustainability. The firm identifies early-stage startups leveraging science, data, and technology to reshape food production, supply chains, and nutrition. Its approach combines financial rigor with impact-driven evaluation, ensuring that portfolio companies deliver measurable environmental and social outcomes. Maia invests primarily in European startups, though it maintains a global perspective through partnerships with accelerators and research ecosystems.
Notable Investments
Although Maia Ventures’ portfolio is still emerging, the fund has already completed six investments across Agtech and FoodTech, signaling an active deployment strategy and a strong pipeline of deals within its target verticals.
Specific portfolio names have not yet been disclosed publicly.
Notable Exits
As this is Maia Ventures’ inaugural fund, no exits have been reported to date.
Other
The fund’s sustainability framework aligns with EU ESG standards under Article 8 of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR).
Founders seeking to engage with Maia should note that the fund values innovation grounded in measurable impact and scientific validation.
