Chipotle's Cultivate Next

Chipotle's Cultivate Next is the corporate venture fund of Chipotle Mexican Grill, established in 2022 with an initial commitment of $50 million, later increased to $100 million. The fund focuses on early-stage investments in companies that align with Chipotle's mission to cultivate a better world and support its growth plans to operate 7,000 restaurants in North America. Cultivate Next seeks to invest in sectors such as supply chain innovation, agriculture, restaurant technology, automation, and sustainability.

The fund's investment strategy includes backing companies that enhance food production efficiency, sustainability, and quality. Notable investments include Lumachain, an AI supply chain platform that uses computer vision-based artificial intelligence to improve safety, yield, efficiency, quality, traceability, and trust in food production, and Brassica, a Mediterranean-inspired fast-casual restaurant concept committed to wholesome ingredients and sustainable practices. Other investments encompass Greenfield Robotics, which aims to make regenerative farming more efficient through AI and robotics, and Nitricity, which develops climate-smart fertilizers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Cultivate Next's portfolio also features companies like Local Line, a local food sourcing platform that helps farms and food buyers digitize operations, and Zero Acre Farms, which produces cultured oil to reduce dependence on vegetable oils. By investing in these companies, Cultivate Next supports Chipotle's commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible sourcing, contributing to the company's broader goal of making food more accessible and environmentally friendly.