Strategy

We believe that integrated capital - private, public, and commercial finance complemented by investments in advocacy, organizing, creativity, policymaking - is required to catalyze systems change in the global transition to a regenerative, equitable, and climate-resilient food future.

TIFS works to seed and scale regenerative and agroecological innovators by unlocking access to integrated capital and growing the field of systems investing.

The Challenge

Effective food systems provide food security and nutrition for all, maintain dignified livelihoods for food producers and workers, and contribute to a stable climate and healthy ecosystems. Current food systems fall far short of these goals.

Agriculture is the primary driver of biodiversity loss
Food systems – including agriculture, transport, and food waste - contribute upwards of 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions
Almost 10% of the global population is hungry or undernourished, while nearly 33% of the population suffers from diet-related diseases
Wealth inequality continues to increase, with the bottom half of the population, in all societies of the world, almost entirely deprived of capital

The true cost of food is disproportionally high and business as usual is extremely risky. The Scientific Group of the UN Food Systems Summit in 2021 estimated the annual costs of environmental, health and economic impacts of food systems at roughly USD 29 trillion per year, compared to the economic value of food sold at market prices of USD 9 trillion per year. The world needs new business and financial models that support sustainable, just, and secure food systems.

The Opportunity

Entrepreneurs everywhere are creating solutions to the world’s big challenges. To thrive, these entrepreneurs need access to an ecosystem of services, including finance, business assistance, peer networks, market development, and connection to consumers. They also need supportive policies, regulations, and markets. 

An estimated investment of USD 300-350 billion per year is needed to transition the global food system.
Investments in sustainable and just food systems would result in estimated new business opportunities worth up to USD 4.5 trillion a year by 2030.

Regenerative and agroecological innovators can create pattern-breaking change and build a market for the future of food that is regenerative, equitable, and climate-resilient by design.

Our Strategy

Our strategy is focused on removing systemic barriers to accessing capital for regenerative and agroecological innovators. 

Phase 1 focused on building cultural power. During phase 2, TIFS focuses on building modeling power and activating economic power.

TIFS is guided by the Global Alliance for the Future of Food’s principles for food systems transformation: renewability, resilience, equity, diversity, healthfulness, inclusivity, interconnectedness.