Context: Big Idea Ventures is a venture capital fund that supports entrepreneurs and startups in the cellular agriculture space to solve our planet’s largest issues. Their team supports young food companies and the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. Their expertise ranges from industry, entrepreneurship, and investment strategy. Big Idea Ventures was looking for a strategic partner to support portfolio companies and contextualize startups value add. However, it is challenging to find applicants with a broad and deep knowledge of cellular agricultural startups and science that underlies the technology at these companies.

Specific Challenge: Big Idea Ventures was supporting three companies at a specific cohort. To support these startups, teams need to foster a collaborative atmosphere, find strategic partners to navigate the ins and outs of the industry, and partners who can coach, support, and provide technical direction. Big Idea Ventures needed to streamline the process of evaluating the tech at these companies, interfacing with the team, and creating relevant metrics for the team.

Helikon’s Work: Helikon met with program director Mia Medicus to identify her needs for the team. We then met with the startups, and held a question and answer session on the technology of the three startups, and advised Big Idea Ventures on the unique strengths, risks, and logistics of each. This allowed BIV to make an informed decision about their investments. The development of metrics that Helikon assisted with helped chart their investment success.