Investment Climate Podcast: Lawrence Pratt of ClearLeaf, How to Get Funded in 2025

In this episode of the Investment Climate Podcast, Lawrence Pratt, co-founder and president of ClearLeaf, discusses the journey to closing their seed round led by Hawthorne Food Ventures. ClearLeaf, a Costa Rica–based agtech startup, focuses on developing non-toxic, broad-spectrum fungicides and bactericides. Pratt shares insights on why ClearLeaf targeted agtech VCs familiar with the slower scaling realities of agriculture, and how strategic moves such as participation in accelerator competitions and a licensing deal in Japan helped build investor trust.

The fundraising process for ClearLeaf took 18 months, longer than initially planned, due to market cycles and fit. The team employed global mapping and relentless follow-up with potential investors, using Excel spreadsheets to track progress. Hawthorne Food Ventures, ClearLeaf's lead investor, was initially introduced to the startup at World AgriTech in 2023 and established a meaningful connection through a referral from another fund. Through strategic partnerships and persistence, ClearLeaf successfully secured funding for their sustainable crop protection strategies.