Maples Group Supports Natural Ventures with Fund Administration Services

Natural Ventures has chosen the Maples Group (“Maples”) as the fund administrator for its Natural Ventures Fund I LP (“the Fund”). This fund adopts an impact-driven investment strategy, aiming to expedite the shift towards a sustainable, healthy, and economically viable food and water supply. Natural Ventures invests in scalable, proven technologies with commercial success that directly enhance water and food security.

The Maples Group will provide comprehensive fund administration services and was selected because of its reputation and unmatched capabilities, significant presence in the Middle East, and well-established track record with leading fund managers and institutions. 

The $100 million, 10-year closed Fund is backed by a consortium of investors that includes HELM AG, a German corporate with global operations across the agriculture, fuel and energy, and chemical sectors with more than 100 offices in 40 countries; a UAE strategic investor, and Chemovateq, a Swiss family office with a strategic interest in the agri-food supply chain. The Fund’s portfolio is targeted at global startups that are solving the challenge of global food and water security. It is domiciled within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”), an international financial free zone within the emirate.

“We are privileged that Natural Ventures has selected the Maples Group as its fund administration partner for this groundbreaking fund,” says Fred Tabbal, Regional Head of Fund Services- Middle East. “Impact investment is an asset management segment with global implications for the future, and we are excited to partner with a fund that is looking to effect such positive change.”

Amid global population growth and an increase in extreme weather, access to clean water is an issue that transcends borders. According to statistics from the UN, 2.4 billion people live in countries with stressed water supplies. Innovation in agriculture, which consumes 72 percent of global freshwater supplies, will help mitigate threats to global food and water security. The Fund’s goals align with achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”) and creating sustainable global impact.

Natural Ventures’ Managing Partner Mark Jenkins, commented, “Maples immediately understood our requirements and have been incredibly responsive to both Natural Ventures and our investors. The Natural Ventures team looks forward to continuing to partner with Maples as we continue to build out the fund and our portfolio.”

In addition to its strong reputation and deep experience across fund platforms and investors Maples is committed to providing fund managers with an industry-leading ESG service and product suite so their portfolios will meet investor mandates and regulatory targets.