Paine Schwartz Partners
Private equityNew York · Growth · 61 people tracked
Also known as Paine Schwartz
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Investment thesis
The firm invests in food and agribusiness, operating on the conviction that value creation and sustainability are complementary. Its team specializes in the food and agriculture sector and seeks to drive positive outcomes from a sustainability standpoint, integrating these goals across the firm and its portfolio. The investment thesis centers on the growth and value-creation potential of businesses that help solve global challenges such as food security, climate, and nutrition. The firm frames this focus as naturally aligned with several UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Source: firm website, verified Sep 29, 2026.
Team · 61 people
from the firm's website & curatedFounder mafia
2 people who came through Paine Schwartz Partners went on to found or lead other companies.
What they invest in
from 20 of 36 portfolio companiesAgTech ×13FoodTech ×11Biotech ×7Advanced Manufacturing ×3Circular Economy ×3Cleantech ×3Consumer ×3Enterprise Software ×3
HQs:United States×12Australia×1United Kingdom×1Netherlands×1Norway×1Singapore×1
Investments · 36 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2025 · 42023 · 12021 · 22020 · 12018 · 12015 · 110 dated
San Diego, US
Jeffrey Church(Executive Officer, Director)Eric Ethans(Director)in
BoardDuane Primozich(Director)inSanjeev Mehra(New Director)Rick Hess(Resigning Director)Julian Steinberg(Resigning Director)
Co-investorsBIGR Ventures
Axiota develops an animal health platform focused on cattle products designed to help cattle thrive during transition and stress periods, serving cattle producers and consumers.
AgTechBiotechHealthtechWamego, US
Chex is a specialty and natural foods distributor serving retailers with curated products from local New England producers and global brands.
B2B MarketplacesFoodTechLogistics & Supply ChainRetail TechSharon, US
Jay Isenberg(Founder)Dorothy IsenbergDavid Isenbergin
Hendrix Genetics develops and supplies animal breeding genetics and technology across multiple species including turkeys, laying hens, poultry, swine, salmon, trout, and shrimp to address global food demand.
AgTechBiotechFoodTech
Thijs Hendrix(Co-founder)inAntoon van den Berg(Co-founder)in
Co-investorsNPM Capital N.V.Rabo Corporate Venturing
Sterilex develops sanitation, disinfection, and microbial control products for use in food processing facilities, water systems, and animal environments.
BiotechCleantechFoodTechHealthtechHunt Valley, US
Colleen AkehurstinMatthew JurchakinStefan WrightinDr. Scott BurnettDavid AgrestiinMegan Macyin
AgBiTech develops science-based biological insecticides using Baculovirus/NPV technology to control major crop pests, including insecticide-resistant worms, for row crop farmers.
AgTechBiotechClimate Tech
Mark Kinkema(Vice President of Production)in
Co-investorsPaine & Partners
AgroFresh develops post-harvest solutions to extend the shelf life and maintain quality of fresh fruit and produce for commercial agriculture.
Advanced ManufacturingAgTechFoodTechIoTLogistics & Supply ChainPhiladelphia, US
Mark Zettler(Executive Officer)inStanley Howell(President)Stuart Gleichenhaus(Interim Chief Financial Officer)in
BoardMark Ein(Director)Stephen Trevor(Director, Promoter)Macauley Whiting(Director)
Co-investorsRabo Corporate Venturing
Costa Group is an Australian fresh produce company that grows and supplies avocados, berries, bananas, citrus, grapes, mushrooms, and tomatoes to markets in Australia and internationally.
AgTechFoodTech
Marc Werner(CEO)
Co-investorsBCI
Crisp is a Dutch online supermarket that sells fresh food ordered through an app and delivered across the Netherlands, buying directly from farmers, bakers, fishers and other producers to shorten the supply chain.
ConsumerE-commerceFoodTechMiami, US
Are Traasdahl(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Eric Klaassen(Founder)inTom Peeters(Founder)inDag Liodden(Director)
BoardRick Heitzmann(Director)in
Co-investorsFirstMark CapitalKeen Venture PartnersTarget GlobalBlue Cloud VenturesPrologisWellington Management
Crisp is an AI-powered platform that enables CPG brands, retailers, and distributors to integrate and share retail data for real-time visibility and optimization of sales and supply chain operations.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureFoodTechRetail TechSaaSSpringdale, US
Are Traasdahl(Founder)inDag Liodden(Founder)in
Co-investorsDnx VenturesEvolution VenturesFirstMark CapitalSwell PartnersWellington ManagementBlue Cloud Ventures+6 more
Elemental Enzymes develops peptide and biochemical solutions to protect plants from disease and stress.
AgTechBiotechCircular EconomyNew Materials
Brian Thompson(Executive Officer)
Co-investorsCentennial Investors
FoodChain ID provides software and consulting services for food and supplement companies to streamline product development, quality, safety and regulatory workflows.
AgTechEnterprise SoftwareFoodTechSaaSIowa, US
Conor Kearney(Chief Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsInverness
HGS BioScience produces liquid and powder agricultural products containing extracted humates to improve nutrient uptake and crop yield for farmers.
AgTechBiotechNew Materials
Kynetec provides data and market insights for the animal health and agriculture industries, serving farmers, veterinarians, pet owners, and agricultural experts globally.
AgTechAI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureEnterprise SoftwareSaaSLondon, GB
Nomman(Executive Committee Member)Marcos(Head of North America)Vadim(Chief Technology Officer)Richard(Chief Financial Officer)Colin(Executive Committee Member)André(Executive Director LATAM)
Co-investorsInflexion
Lucky Beverage Company produces beverages with a focus on authentic storytelling and resilience-oriented branding.
Consumer
Richard Laver(Founder)in
Co-investors359 CapitalDMG VenturesImaginary Venture CapitalInvestBevMaveronBrand Foundry Ventures+3 more
Lyons Magnus manufactures food products and ingredients for the foodservice and ingredient industries, serving restaurant and food brands in the United States.
Advanced ManufacturingConsumerFoodTech
Co-investorsTruelink CapitalWP Global Partners
Rivulis manufactures and distributes micro irrigation products and solutions for agriculture, horticulture, greenhouse, and mining industries.
Advanced ManufacturingAgTechCleantechHardwareIoTSingapore, SG
Co-investorsTemasekFIMI Opportunity Funds
Verdesian Life Sciences is a leading agrochemical platform focused on biological and nutritional fertilizer enhancers, seed treatments, and inoculants for specialty crops.
AgTechBiotechCircular EconomyImpact & Social GoodNew Materials
Clare Doyle(CEO)in
Co-investorsAea Investors
Verisem produces and supplies over 90 seed varieties including specialty herbs, microgreens, and high-yield vegetables for farmers and food producers, offering advanced processing and flexible packaging solutions.
AgTechFoodTech
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
555 Bryant Streetadvanced_agrilyticsAdvanta HoldingsBetterco HoldingsBloom Fresh InternationalIcicle Seafoods, Inc.Meadow FoodsMonterey Mushrooms AmycelMS Biotech HoldingsPrima WawonaPromixRegistrar CorpSeminis, Inc.Spearhead InternationalSunrise GrowersUrban Farmer
Exits · 1
1 IPOsSuja LifeNASDAQ: SUJA
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesCrisp · finsmes.com · Dec 10, 2025
Lucky Energy · finsmes.com · Nov 12, 2025
Fund performance · per public LP disclosures · 4
as of Dec 2025| Fund | Vintage | Committed | Net IRR | TVPI | DPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paine Schwartz Food Chain Fund VILPs: Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds, Minnesota State Board of Investment, District of Columbia Retirement Board +1 more | 2022 | — | 9.9% | 1.20x | 0.11x |
| PAINE SCHWARTZ FOOD CHAIN FUND V LPLPs: Minnesota State Board of Investment, Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island, Maine Public Employees Retirement System +2 more | 2019 | — | 15.9% | 1.51x | 0.43x |
| Paine Schwartz Food Chain Fund V PELPs: Maine Public Employees Retirement System | 2018 | — | — | 1.06x | 0.08x |
| Paine Schwartz Food Chain Fund IV, L.P.LPs: Minnesota State Board of Investment, Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island | 2015 | — | 6.3% | 1.42x | 0.50x |
Source: public limited-partner disclosures (CalPERS, CalSTRS). Net IRR / TVPI / DPI as reported by the limited partner; a fund's early-year IRR is an interim estimate (J-curve).
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Paine Schwartz Partners made?
- Paine Schwartz Partners has 36 tracked investments, 1 of which have exited, including 4 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Paine Schwartz Partners invest at?
- Paine Schwartz Partners invests at the Growth stage.
- What is Paine Schwartz Partners's typical check size?
- Paine Schwartz Partners typically writes checks of $50M – $300M.
- What sectors does Paine Schwartz Partners focus on?
- Paine Schwartz Partners focuses on AgTech, FoodTech.
- Where is Paine Schwartz Partners located?
- Paine Schwartz Partners is headquartered in New York, US.
- Does Paine Schwartz Partners lead rounds?
- Yes, Paine Schwartz Partners leads investment rounds.
- Who does Paine Schwartz Partners co-invest with?
- Paine Schwartz Partners most often shares deals with Rabo Corporate Venturing, Aea Investors, Inverness, among 9 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamLeaders on a Mission - Dexter Paine, Chairman & Co-Founder of Paine Schwartz Partners, Episode 3 - YouTube
Leaders on a Mission · Dexter Paine
Images
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