PeakBridge’s Nadav Berger Highlights People, Partnerships, and Strategic Discipline in Foodtech Investments

Nadav Berger, co-founder of PeakBridge, a leading foodtech investment firm established in 2018, shared insights on the firm’s strategy, focus areas, and evolving investment landscape, highlighting the importance of people and partnerships in driving sustainable growth. Speaking to AgFunderNews, Berger underscored the challenges of investing in foodtech, the role of AI, and the need for disciplined portfolio management.

Founded by Berger and Erich Sieber, PeakBridge has navigated the volatile foodtech sector with a measured approach, avoiding the hype cycles that have characterized alt protein investments in recent years. “Investing in food is a marathon, not a sprint,” Berger said, noting that the sector requires patience, careful due diligence, and an understanding of the long-term economics of the industry.

Focus on people and partnerships
At the core of PeakBridge’s strategy is the belief that investment is “kind of like a marriage,” with long-term alignment between founders and investors critical for success. Berger advised founders to evaluate potential investors thoroughly, including interactions with other portfolio companies, to understand how investors behave in challenging periods, not just at the point of funding.

PeakBridge’s approach emphasizes early engagement with strategic partners. Berger said, “Startups should interact with strategics from day one,” helping entrepreneurs navigate regulatory landscapes and identify potential exit pathways. Exits in the foodtech sector, he noted, are often M&A-driven rather than through IPOs, underscoring the importance of sustainable business models.

Investment strategy and portfolio discipline
PeakBridge manages multiple funds, including a seed fund of €26 million ($30 million), a growth fund of $40 million, and a third fund totaling $186 million. The firm focuses on scalable B2B technologies in five pillars: ingredient innovations, alternative proteins, digitalization & Food System 4.0, nutrition & health, and alternate farming systems. Berger explained that PeakBridge prefers predictable 2x–3x returns over chasing risky 10x exits, reflecting a conservative yet strategic approach to capital allocation.

Berger also described the firm’s selective participation in follow-on rounds and secondary sales to balance risk and liquidity for limited partners. “At the end of the day, we’re in the business of HR,” he said, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right teams, resolving management conflicts, and supporting founder development as a central part of PeakBridge’s investment philosophy.

AI and innovation in foodtech
Berger highlighted the transformative potential of AI and Generative AI for the food and agrifoodtech industry, particularly in reducing labor costs, accelerating R&D, and enabling personalized solutions for consumers. “AI must be relevant to this specific industry and provide measurable business outcomes,” he explained, distinguishing practical applications from generalist tools that fail to address sector-specific challenges.

He also pointed to restaurant tech as a key opportunity, given that about 55% of calories in the U.S. are consumed away from home, yet the sector faces significant operational and labor inefficiencies. PeakBridge continues to focus on technologies that can enhance efficiency and profitability in these high-impact areas.

Resilience and focus amid challenges
Berger praised the resilience of the Israeli startup ecosystem in the wake of recent geopolitical and economic challenges, noting that companies have adapted by relocating commercial operations abroad while maintaining R&D domestically. He emphasized that PeakBridge avoids oversold opportunities, particularly in consumer packaged goods, instead focusing on ventures aligned with its five pillars and sustainable growth potential.

Looking ahead, Berger sees a hybrid model emerging for alternative proteins, exemplified by portfolio company 50CUT, which leverages mycelium to enhance yield and reduce costs in foodservice operations. He also highlighted promising startups like inKind, a fintech platform providing upfront capital to restaurants, as examples of innovation driving measurable business outcomes.

“Exceptional founders create exceptional companies, but you have to have the ability to raise money. Without that, nothing else matters,” Berger concluded, reinforcing the enduring focus on people, strategic alignment, and disciplined portfolio management that defines PeakBridge’s investment philosophy.