Fifth Season Ventures

Fifth Season Ventures is a dynamic early-stage venture capital firm with a keen focus on investing in transformative food tech and sustainability startups. Based in Paris, the firm has a strong track record of backing companies that aim to lead in their categories and champion sustainability. Notable investments include Full Cycle, which tackles environmental challenges in agriculture, and HarvestPort, a productivity software for agribusiness that saw significant early success before closing operations​. Their investment strategy emphasizes seed and early-stage funding, particularly in companies innovating within agriculture, water, chemistry, manufacturing, and waste management sectors. Fifth Season Ventures is well-positioned geographically to support European startups but remains open to opportunities globally. Their approach is to provide not just capital but also strategic support to help startups scale quickly and effectively. Typically, Fifth Season Ventures leads funding rounds, often taking an active role in guiding their portfolio companies towards growth and market leadership. They are known for their detailed due diligence process and preference for startups with strong, scalable business models and a clear path to profitability. The firm’s average check size varies, but they are committed to significant early-stage investments that can drive meaningful impact​. Key team members include Adam Balinsky, who brings extensive experience in life settlement investments, and Ryan McTernan, who focuses on policy underwriting and portfolio management, ensuring that the fund's investments are strategically sound and poised for success​. For startups looking to partner with Fifth Season Ventures, a clear demonstration of sustainable innovation and market potential is crucial. The firm values proactive engagement and comprehensive business planning in their investment considerations.