Latest News Releases
Forage leads $20M US Financing in Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies Inc.
Ostara Raises US $20 Million to Acquire Strategic Assets to Scale Up Crystal Green Fertilizer Production
VANCOUVER, BC, and RIVERVIEW, FL – April 19, 2021 – Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies Inc. (“Ostara”) announced today the closing of a financing for proceeds of US$20M (the “Financing”). The Financing was led by Forage Capital, with additional participation from Export Development Canada (EDC), ADM Capital’s advised Cibus Enterprise Fund and Wheatsheaf Group. Proceeds of the Financing will be used to acquire and upgrade a strategically located fertilizer production facility in Missouri that significantly scales up Ostara’s capacity for the production of its Crystal Green fertilizers.
“Ostara is at the center of a movement in agriculture where end-users are demanding crop nutrition solutions that are superior from both an agronomic and environmental perspective. Our corporate philosophy is based on these fundamentals, and we are very pleased to be aligned with leading global investors in agriculture who support our strategy,” said Dan Parmar, President and CEO of Ostara.
“Forage is excited to support a Canadian Ag-Tech leader in the sustainable fertilizer business. Ostara’s global supply chain along with its world class IP portfolio will allow it to build a truly unique product portfolio that enables farmers to reduce the environmental impact of their operations,” said Jim Taylor, President of Forage Capital.
About Ostara: Ostara’s Crystal Green® fertilizers are the first continuous-release phosphorus fertilizers to release nutrients in response to plant demand; these Root-Activated™ granules are proven to increase yields, enhance soil health and significantly reduce phosphorus tie-up and runoff, thereby improving food security while protecting local waterways from nutrient pollution. In addition, the Company’s Pearl® technology recovers phosphorus and nitrogen from industrial, agricultural, and municipal water streams, and transforms these nutrients into its premium, sustainable Crystal Green® fertilizers which are sold into the agriculture and turf sectors through a network of established distributors in North America and Europe. To learn more about Ostara’s revolutionary technologies, please visit ostara.com | crystalgreen.com.
Media Contacts:
Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies Inc. | Koert VandenEnden | E kvandenenden@ostara.com
Forage Capital and Roynat Equity Partners Invest in S3
Bob Sonntag retires from S3.
March 1, 2021 - S3 Enterprises (“S3”) announced today that Bob Sonntag, President and owner, has retired and sold his interests in the organization. Bob has worked in agricultural manufacturing since 1985, when he joined Rem Manufacturing, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. He first made his mark in the industry selling springs, tynes and rake teeth out of a sample case. Bob bought S3 in 2006, expanding operations to include the Delta Harrow plant in Shenandoah, Iowa, and rebranding the company under the S3 name.
Sonntag served on the board of FEMA (Farm Equipment Manufacturers’ Association) and was a strong advocate of AMC (Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada) and SMI (Spring Manufacturers’ Institute). Bob has enjoyed travelling on behalf of his business, building relationships with friends, customers and suppliers around the world. His career has demonstrated a passion for and understanding of the industry, a keen sense of humor and ongoing dedication to the S3 team.
Bob began stepping back from day to day operations several years ago, appointing the very capable management team of Richelle Andreas, CEO, Joe Gallant, GM S3 Wireform, Al Marques GM S3
Manufacturing, and Ida van Scyoc, GM S3 Delta Harrows. Bob professed, “It’s amazing what they have accomplished without me holding them back.”
Forage Capital Partners and Roynat Equity Partners are pleased to have invested in S3 upon Bob’s retirement. Steven Leakos, Managing Director of Forage Capital commented, “The thing that impressed us about S3 was its culture, its willingness to approach the market differently, and its leadership. We are very excited about what the future holds for S3.”
“We look forward to expanding upon S3’s remarkable success and partnering with the S3 team as we continue to support the ongoing growth,” said Tobin Hayward, Director at Roynat Equity Partners.
For information concerning this news release, please contact: S3 Enterprises Inc.
inquiries@s3enterprises.com
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About The S3 Group
The S3 Group brings 55 years of experience to the farm equipment and agricultural component market, along with a flexible, customer focus and a values-based philosophy. For more information about S3, visit www.S3enterprises.com
About Forage Capital Partners
Forage Capital Partners is Canada’s most experienced team of Ag & Food Investors, having managed over $500 million in commitments to the industry over the last 18 years. Forage Capital Ag & Food Business Solutions Fund works to provide its portfolio companies with the stability and flexibility they need to expand their business models during these challenging times. The fund will invest with creative business owners that are looking to capitalize on new and innovative opportunities that will emerge in the coming months and years as the Canadian economy recovers and prospers. For more information on Forage Capital Partners, visit www.foragecapitalpartners.com
About Roynat Equity Partners
Roynat Equity Partners facilitates growth and creates wealth in established mid-market private companies by providing patient capital, advice and contact networks to Canadian entrepreneurs. With offices across Canada, Roynat Equity Partners is dedicated to helping mid-market companies grow and achieve their business goals. Flexible investment structures are tailored to the needs of partners and include common equity, preferred equity, and convertible debt. Roynat Equity Partners is a division of Roynat Capital Inc. which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Scotiabank. For more information, please visit www.roynat.com.
Forage Capital Invests in Mother Raw
Mother Raw Raises $6.1 Million In Series A Funding To Encourage Everyone Everywhere To Eat More Plants
TORONTO (November 24, 2020) - Mother Raw, the line of fresh, consciously crafted and delicious plant-powered dressings, marinades, dips, condiments and quesos, announced today the closing of their $6.1M USD Series A financing round. The round of funding is led by new investor Forage Capital Partners, alongside Export Development Canada (EDC) and with substantial support from existing investor Whitecap Venture Partners. The new capital will help further propel rapid growth of Mother Raw across North America, well timed with the massive growth in the plant-based foods sector and booming consumer demand. The brand plans to expand its distribution footprint, increase R&D efforts for new product innovation, and amplify marketing and sales initiatives.
Building on the initial Canadian-based start-up and following a significant rebranding and reformulation effort led by Mother Raw CEO Kristi Knowles, the brand has achieved impressive market presence and is now in approximately 3,700+ stores across North America. Sales for Mother Raw have grown 247% from 2019 – 2020 and they have secured over 1,600 new retailers in the U.S. including Meijer, Pavilions, Sprouts, Target, Walmart Canada, Whole Foods and more, even during the pandemic. Since the initial launch of Mother Raw in early 2019, the brand’s growth is rooted in their commitment to organic plant-based ingredients, the agility of self-manufacturing, prominent placement in the growing refrigerated segment, delicious product variety and an accomplished and tenacious team.
Despite the obvious business duress of 2020, Mother Raw flexed their scrappy start-up muscles, rising up to navigate challenges ranging from manufacturing continuity, cancelled consumer and trade events, retailer disruptions and changes to shelf reset timing. The added funding further enables the brand to continue to advance its mission to “Put Good on GoodTM” by encouraging everyone everywhere to eat more plants, while elevating the plant-based eating category to new heights with their delicious, versatile and convenient offerings.
“The Mother Raw team remains steadfast in our focus to delight our consumers, retailers and suppliers as we advance our mission and business to make consciously crafted plant-based foods that deliver on taste,” said Mother Raw CEO Kristi Knowles. “Now with added partners on board, Mother Raw is excited about the future ahead with investment partners who wholeheartedly believe in our mission, are a strategic fit and possess expertise and knowledge to complement our business. I’m confident our combined efforts and timely boost to the business will bring even greater success.”
“We were thoroughly impressed by the depth and accomplishments of the Mother Raw management team and their plans for the future, even more so during this very challenging time for most businesses,” said Jim Taylor, Partner at Forage Capital Partners. “We’re delighted to invest in Mother Raw during a critical time in the company’s development and are looking forward to being a part of their continued success.”
"Mother Raw's impressive growth is attributed to its focus on innovation and quality products that meet the demand of a growing industry," said Carl Burlock, Executive Vice-President and Chief Business Officer at EDC. "We are pleased to support Mother Raw through EDC's investment Matching Program which will enable the company to increase investment in business development and innovation efforts, helping it execute on its ambitious growth plans across North America."
The first investors behind Mother Raw, Whitecap Venture Partners, who have supported its growth since inception, have once again invested and are looking forward to what the future holds. “The team at Mother Raw is building a leading plant- based food brand and we are proud to continue our partnership with the company,” said Russell Samuels, Partner at Whitecap Venture Partners. “Having watched the business develop since 2016, we have never been more excited about the opportunity. We are excited to welcome both Forage and EDC to the Mother Raw team.”
For more information on Mother Raw, please visit www.motherraw.com or @MotherRaw on social.
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About Mother Raw
Mother Raw is on a mission to encourage everyone, everywhere to eat more plants. With a philosophy to Put Good on Good™ because what goes on your plants and veggies should be as healthy as your plants and veggies! Inspired and made by nature, not in a lab, Mother Raw offers an impressive variety of 20 delicious, refrigerated dressings, marinades, dips, condiments and quesos to help make eating more plants more tasty, convenient and versatile. Always non-GMO, plant- powered and sold in 100% recyclable glass containers, Mother Raw products are proudly free of the top common allergens - such as dairy, (nuts) gluten and soy. For more information about Mother Raw, please visit www.motherraw.com or @MotherRaw on social.
About Forage Capital Partners
Forage Capital Partners is Canada’s most experienced team of Ag & Food investors, having managed over $500 million in commitments to the industry over the last 18 years. Forage Capital Ag & Food Business Solutions Fund works to provide its portfolio companies with the stability and flexibility they need to expand and their business models during these challenging times. The fund will invest with creative business owners that are looking to capitalize on new and innovative opportunities that will emerge in the coming months and years as the Canadian economy recovers and prospers. For more information on Forage Capital Partners, visit www.foragecapitalpartners.com
About Export Development Canada
Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian companies of all sizes succeed on the world stage. As international risk experts, they equip Canadian companies with the tools they need – the trade knowledge, financing solutions, equity, insurance, and connections – to grow their business with confidence. Underlying all support is a commitment to sustainable and responsible business. To help Canadian businesses facing extreme financial challenges brought on by the global response to COVID-19, the Government of Canada has expanded EDC’s domestic capabilities until December 31, 2021. This broader mandate will enable EDC to expand its support to companies focused domestically. For more information visit www.edc.ca
About Whitecap Venture Partners
Whitecap Venture Partners is a Toronto based early stage venture capital fund investing in high growth companies across three verticals: Information and Communications Technology (ICT), MedTech and Food/FoodTech. Its team of operators and investment professionals partner with entrepreneurs in verticals where they have deep domain expertise and can bring significant operational and strategic value to companies. Additional information is available at www.whitecapvp.com.