Brian Frank is a serial founder turned food tech VC at FTW Ventures who built seven startups with three venture-backed exits including a company sold to Google, then spent years hands-on in food and beverage before combining both worlds into his investment focus. He's known for his problem-first approach that optimizes for people, planet, and profit rather than just financial returns, and for his early bets on synthetic biology companies like Geltor and Plantible before mainstream recognition of designer proteins from microbial fermentation.

• Deep focus on agricultural and food technology innovation, specifically looking for startups improving supply chains, water usage, and manufacturing. Frequently highlights portfolio companies involved in areas like fermentation for natural products or artificial intelligence applied to crop adaptation, such as a partnership aimed at optimizing vegetable varieties for specific growing conditions.
• Strong enthusiasm for coffee culture and related technology, particularly services that automate inventory management. Regularly shares experiences with smart scale subscriptions that track bean consumption at home to trigger automatic refills, often mentioning specific roasters or brewing methods like pour-over devices as a dedicated morning ritual.
• Active interest in alternative protein sources and novel food production methods. Frequently shares personal taste tests of innovative products, such as 3D-printed meat sampled at industry expos in Singapore or plant-based chicken alternatives that successfully mimic the texture and flavor of the real thing.
• Advocacy for sustainability and climate-conscious solutions, extending beyond corporate investing into personal habits. Promotes tools that help monitor household energy consumption to reduce waste and attends summits discussing the transformative power of technology in creating a climate-smart food system.
• Dedication to supporting diverse founders and scientific entrepreneurs within the academic community. Actively recruits for fellowship programs that bridge the gap between doctoral research and venture capital, and seeks out impact-oriented startups across global hubs like New York and Asia-Pacific.