In our new interview series, we quiz future food investors about the solutions that excite them the most, their favourite climate-forward restaurant, and what they look for in successful founders.
Daniel Skavén Ruben is the Founding Partner at Solvable Syndicate.
What future food technologies/solutions most excite you?
Our modern food system was built to deliver high yields and cheap calories, and it has been highly successful at that; we now need to transition to a nourishing, environmentally sustainable food system. Any technology or solution that can get us closer to that goal – in a big way – is exciting to me.
What are three future food verticals you are actively looking at for 2025?
Regenerative agriculture, supply chain data/digitisation, and sustainable alternatives to agrochemicals.
What do you consider the food tech sector’s greatest achievement in the past five years?
Frankly, I think the sector to some degree has overpromised and underdelivered both in terms of financial returns for investors, but also in terms of the real world impact these new technologies have had so far. So from this perspective, perhaps the greatest achievement is that we haven’t given up on the sector, and the potential it holds.
If you could wave a magic wand, how would you fix plant-based meat?
Make it truly craveable and irresistible on all key aspects; taste, texture, convenience, and nutrition.
What’s the top trait you look for in a founder?
I’m not sure it can be distilled to a single trait. It seems to me that top entrepreneurs are obsessed with solving real problems for real customers, and generating revenue and eventually profit throughout that process.
They are often great storytellers, and can successfully sell the company vision to customers, employees, investors, and other key stakeholders. They don’t let perfect stand in the way of good; they act, they execute, they get things done. They are curious and humble, and can push through the sea of rejection and uncertainty that comes with being a founder. They are honest and transparent; they deliver on their promises.
The One That Got Away: What is the deal you wish you had gotten into, but didn’t?
Have you heard the story of the Zen master and the little boy? Just a few years ago, some food tech companies and verticals raised billions, leading many people to think they’d take over the world; today, many of these companies are gone.
Sometimes, we have FOMO for missing out on investing in companies that eventually turn out to be nothing-burgers; sometimes we invest in things that we later regret. So, as the Zen master says: We’ll see.
What do you consider your most successful future food investment so far?
From a ROI or MOIC perspective, there are a couple of companies that look great so far – on paper. But it’s all air guitar until there’s an exit event. I’d like to hope it’s possible to balance profitability with purpose, and we only invest in purpose-driven startups.
One example is Nilus, which brings affordable groceries to low-income people in Latin America while cutting food waste in the process. Last year, the company served 250,000+ people and helped them save 21% on average on their daily grocery expenses. This allows people in these vulnerable communities to spend more of their precious money on essential resources like medical care or educational supplies for their children.
If that’s not a successful investment, I don’t know what is.
What has been your most disappointing investment so far?
Most startups fail, for various reasons. It’s tuition money for the future. It’s disappointing whenever a startup fails, and I haven’t learned enough around why that startup failed. Then I risk making the same mistake twice.
What do people misunderstand/get wrong most about VC?
VCs don’t necessarily look for good businesses; they want to find scalable businesses tackling big markets where there can be outsized financial returns. You can have a great company that is growing profitably, but it may not be a fit for the VC model. And that’s okay!
Another important thing to remember is that raising VC money is not the same thing as achieving success. I’ve seen companies raise huge amounts of VC money and eventually fail because they focused on growth at all costs. They would likely have been better off not raising money from VCs.
What is the most ‘future food’ thing you have eaten this month?
The plant-based whole cut loin from Juicy Marbles!
Where is your favourite climate-forward restaurant/dish/place to eat anywhere in the world?
I was once lucky and privileged to be part of a small group that was served some fantastic, sustainable dishes prepared by Chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, New York. We also got to experience the farm and tour the Stone Barns Center, a world-leading hub for food innovation, research, and sustainability. It was truly special.
What’s your ‘why’? What motivates you to do what you do?
The food system has a massive impact and is tightly linked to some of the greatest challenges facing humanity (e.g. climate change, environmental degradation, pandemics, diet-linked disease). We can and must solve these challenges in our lifetime; technology and innovation are part of the answer, and it feels incredibly meaningful to get to support the entrepreneurs and scientists that are building the future we want to see.
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