Sogrape launches venture capital to accelerate the wine and beverage sector

Sogrape is investing in venture capital to accelerate innovation in the sector. The company launched the Sogrape Ventures venture capital fund, in partnership with Beta Capital, which is responsible for management, and is already “in the process of identifying and analyzing startupsin Portugal and other countries”, he announced this Tuesday.

The first venture capital fund of the family company, leader in the wine sector in Portugal, has an initial allocation of five million euros and, according to the statement, represents “a strategic investment that strengthens the ongoing commitment to innovation”. The objective “is to invest in and accelerate the ecosystem of startups disruptive solutions with innovative solutions within the value chain of the wine industry in particular, and beverages in general”.

In addition to monetary investment, Sogrape “is committed to actively contributing with its knowledge, its partnerships and established relationships, as well as its position as a leader in the national market and its strong international presence” in new projects, “ with a focus on startups disruptive and projects ‘early stage’with a positive approach to ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance) aspects and with innovative products or business models with scalability potential”.

“We are very optimistic about the launch of the Sogrape Ventures fund and the opportunity to give innovators, entrepreneurs and startups the support necessary to test, develop and expand innovative solutions capable of creating a real impact on the wine industry”, says the company’s president, Fernando Cunha Guedes.

Continuing the family legacy

“This project continues the legacy that was born from my grandfather’s (Fernando Guedes) dream and which has been built over 80 years through several generations. For our family, wine, more than a business, has always been a way of being in life and this Fund is another natural step in this direction”, adds the businessman who represents the third generation in this business.

In his view, and that of the Guedes family, he notes, “active collaboration, combined with financial investment, is the key to accelerating innovation, as a source of transformation and business sustainability that contributes to the growth of the wine sector”.

The Fund’s Investment Committee is made up of Sogrape staff and independent members with experience in venture capital and agribusiness.foodtech.

Founded in 1942 by Fernando Van Zeller Guedes, Sogrape began by conquering the world with Mateus Rosé, but became global, with a presence in more than 120 markets, holding more than 1,600 hectares of vineyards spread across Portugal, Spain, Chile, Argentina and New Zealand.