Meet the Activator is a regular series designed to highlight the incredible and diverse solution builders activating capital for regeneration across the agriculture and food system.
Activator: Fanny Corpet
Company: Lively Earth
Description of Company: Lively Earth is a non-profit collective bringing together key players committed to regenerative agriculture (Omie, Naturalia, Axa Climate, Alpina Savoie, CrowdFarming and Farm for Good) together with a dedicated team of experienced farmers and experts in critical areas like nutrition, biodiversity, and climate science, all working together to redefine the role of agriculture in regenerating our ecosystems.
Our core purpose is to finance and champion the mass deployment of regenerative organic agriculture across Europe. We stand for a future where nature and humanity thrive together, restoring balance to our Earth.
Founded in: 2023
Funds Raised: As of now, Lively Earth has been primarily self-funded. We are seeking $250,000 in philanthropic capital to build our team and equip us with the necessary resources to raise a $5 million financing vehicle. This funding is a crucial step in advancing our journey towards regenerative agriculture.
We caught up with Fanny Corpet Sauvageon President of Lively Earth who is on a mission to bring mission aligned financing to entrepreneurs building regenerative systems. She has been an investor, a consultant and a CFO throughout her time working with 15+ high growth companies and has an entrepreneurial mindset. Read on to learn about Lively Earth’s journey, lessons learned, and what lies ahead.
What prompted you to start Lively Earth?
Fanny: Lively Earth was born from two realizations: 1) a staggering €63 billion funding shortfall in Europe’s agricultural world, of which a third directly related to transitions; 2) the need to engage the entire food ecosystem to solve for successful transitions to regenerative.
We’re not just a company; we’re a movement, determined to fill this void with purposeful financial intervention, catalyzing a regenerative revolution in farming.
Can you tell us a little about your background and how it prepared you to take on this work?
I began in venture capital in 2005, gaining insight into funding and growth strategies. Transitioning to CFO roles in tech companies, I developed a deep understanding of financial operations. I moved to San Francisco in 2014 and while there, I became deeply passionate about environmental preservation and shifted my career focus. I joined Provenance Capital and spent the next two years supporting CEOs of ecosystem players (from agricultural projects to brands) in their series A rounds. It was during this time that I identified the lack of accessible funding for farmers. Returning to Europe a year ago, I decided to bridge this gap. My approach combines philanthropy with sound investment practices, aiming to create a sustainable financial model that supports farmers and contributes to environmental conservation.
What problem are you solving for?
Fanny: We help farmers overcome the many hurdles to regenerative adoption: psychological, technical, financial, and market barriers. Our mission is not just to provide farmer-friendly loans but to create a thriving ecosystem of success stories, inspiring a new generation to steward our lands and ecosystems.
“We’re not just a company; we’re a movement, determined to fill this void with purposeful financial intervention, catalyzing a regenerative revolution in farming.”
How do you characterize the impact of your work?
Fanny: We aim to have a revolutionary and far-reaching impact.
We have an ambitious definition for regenerative agriculture, with practices at the intersection of organic and soil conservation, as well as a commitment to fairness and transparency in the supply chains. We’ll track Environmental, Social, Economic, and Ecosystem resilience metrics, going beyond carbon to measure erosion control, water cycle efficiency, and biodiversity regeneration. We’re not just changing practices; we’re transforming mindsets and relationships at the heart of our food systems.
Can you describe how your collective model – with partners Omie, Naturalia, Axa Climate, Alpina Savoie, CrowdFarming and Farm for Good, as well as farmers and experts – operates together toward your mission?
One key hurdle in transitioning to regenerative agriculture is aligning the diverse needs and perspectives within the ecosystem. By gathering all stakeholders ‘around the same table,’ we facilitate a deeper mutual understanding of each player’s needs and challenges. This approach helps us to effectively navigate and resolve these complexities, leading to unified and practical solutions for a successful transition to regenerative practices.
What’s the biggest challenge you have faced on your fund-raising journey?
Fanny: Our greatest hurdle has been dispelling myths and skepticism around regenerative agriculture. In a landscape clouded by greenwashing claims, our challenge lies in convincing stakeholders that regenerative organic agriculture is a tangible, scalable solution, backed by compelling evidence.
What are your next steps as an organization?
Fanny: Looking ahead, our priority will be to close the €5M financing vehicle to start delivering on our main goal: activate transitions at the farmer and processor level. In the meantime, we’re launching pilot projects as beacons of regenerative success, and amplifying our educational efforts to raise awareness about the potentials of regenerative agriculture. We’re also expanding our reach beyond France and Belgium, opening regional chapters throughout Europe.
What’s the most important lesson you have learned on your journey so far?
Fanny: The cornerstone of our journey has been the power of diversity and unity. The success of Lively Earth is a testament to the synergy of various experts and stakeholders, each infusing unique perspectives and skills into the fabric of regenerative agriculture.
Learn more about Lively Earth here.
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