Agri-enterprises looking for Root Capital funding are targeting the "missing middle" of agricultural finance: a nonprofit lender, founded in 1999, that "partners with small and growing agricultural businesses to increase farmer livelihoods, fight climate change, uplift women, employ youth, build rural prosperity." Root Capital fills the gap for agri-enterprises too big for microfinance but too small or risky for commercial banks — through a "credit plus capacity" model: tailored loans plus free financial training, agronomic and climate advisory, and market connections. Its own numbers: $2.29B cumulative disbursements, 902 lending clients, 2,105 advisory clients, 2.48M farmers and employees reached, $41.2M average portfolio balance — and over $2B in loans over 25 years to 800+ agricultural businesses and 2.3M farmers.
Thesis and focus areas
Sectors: agriculture — coffee, cocoa, cashews, grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, natural gums, shea butter; clients buy crops from smallholder farmers. Loans of $200K–$2M, specially tailored to harvest and sales cycles; 89% of loans are ones commercial lenders would not have made.
Clients and track record
Named client enterprises: Maraba Cooperative (Rwanda) — ~1,300 members, ~40% women, Root Capital financing since ~2005; Musasa (Rwanda) — Root Capital's first lending client in Africa, partner since 2005 with 20+ loans; Manos Campesinas (Guatemala); La Flor de Cafe (Peru); Pangoa / APROCAM / Cacao Aroma (Peru) cocoa cooperatives; and Savannah Fruits Company (Ghana).
People behind the lender
Willy (William) Foote is Founder and CEO — a Skoll Entrepreneur, Ashoka Global Fellow and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader (2008); Marli Porth is Chief of Staff.
Programs
The climate strategy Root Regen 2035 runs on three pillars (farmer prosperity via a global platform of regenerative agri-businesses; new climate-resilience products; transforming the agrifinance market), with goals by 2028 of $600M+ disbursed and $15M in climate finance. It has delivered 44,510 training days and runs Gender Equity Grants.
How to apply for funding from Root Capital
The climate strategy Root Regen 2035 runs on three pillars (farmer prosperity via a global platform of regenerative agri-businesses; new climate-resilience products; transforming the agrifinance market), with goals by 2028 of $600M+ disbursed and $15M in climate finance. It has delivered 44,510 training days and runs Gender Equity Grants. Loans are identified via local loan-officer teams, existing-borrower referrals and website applications. Eligibility: legally established in a Root Capital country of operation; operating 3+ years; audited or management-prepared financials; minimum $250K revenue; strong relationships with established buyers; at least two professional references.
Why it matters for founders
Root Capital's $2B over 25 years is proof that the "missing middle" — agri-SMEs with $250K+ revenue and real buyer relationships — is bankable when the lender understands harvest cycles. For Indian agri-enterprises and FPOs with 3+ years of operations, the $200K–$2M loan plus free capacity-building is a rare combination. Check the country list, clear the eligibility bar, and apply through the site.