# Cultivian Sandbox

Cultivian Sandbox is a RIA based in Chicago, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** RIA
- **Headquarters:** Chicago, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Chicago, IL, United States
- **Founded:** 1995
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** cultiviansandbox.com

## Regulatory record

- **CRD number:** 292259
- **SEC file number:** 802-112480
- **Registration status:** Registered
- **Reports private funds:** Yes
- **IAPD record:** https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/292259

## About

Cultivian Sandbox Ventures resulted from a partnership between Cultivian Ventures and Sandbox Industries. It invests in startups disrupting the food and agriculture industry and receives backing from Strategic LPs. The firm directs capital across the value chain from sustainable production to supply chain technologies and novel food products.

## Sectors

- AgriTech & FoodTech

## People

- Tom V. Shepherd — Managing Partner
- John A. Schoettler — Partner
- David R. Rolfe — Partner

## Questions

### How does Cultivian Sandbox source proprietary deal flow?

The firm uses a network built over three decades in agrifood tech, including relationships with university ag departments, food conglomerates like Kraft and Cargill, and agtech accelerators. They do not rely on investment banks; most deals come through referrals from portfolio company founders or academic spinouts. The firm also attends agtech conferences (e.g., World Agri-Tech Summit) to scout early-stage companies (per industry reporting).

### Does Cultivian Sandbox participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

Cultivian Sandbox invests only in direct deals. It does not commit to external venture funds or fund-of-funds. The firm prefers to co-lead or lead rounds alongside specialist agrifood VCs, such as S2G Ventures and Acre Venture Partners, where it can provide operational expertise alongside capital.

### What investment stages does Cultivian Sandbox typically target?

The firm targets Series A and B rounds, occasionally participating in later-stage growth rounds. It has a strong preference for companies with a working prototype or initial commercial traction. Seed and pre-seed rounds are rare, as the team prefers to see some market validation before deploying capital (per public statements and deal history).

### Which sectors does Cultivian Sandbox explicitly avoid?

The firm avoids commodity food production (like row-crop farming), real estate, and non-agricultural venture categories such as fintech, healthtech, or consumer internet. Its focus is strictly on technology-enabled agrifood and climate solutions. Cultivian Sandbox also does not invest in pure biopharma or medical-device companies (per firm profile on its website).

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- [CICCHETTI, ANTHONY N.](https://altss.com/profile/cicchetti-anthony-n)
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Last updated: 2026-08-10T20:11:24.188Z

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