Passionate about financing the transition to sustainable food systems, Laura Thissen is Venture Partner at Grey Silo Ventures, a first check to Series A CVC investor in international f&a startups. Previously Laura served as Managing Director of StartLife, where she led the growth and professionalization of its global food, agri, and biotech ecosystem. She has a strong international track record in agrifood innovation, strategy, and ecosystem building. She also played a key role as part of the Impact division Management Team at Wageningen University & Research, contributing to ecosystem building and spinoff creation.
Earlier in her career, Laura worked for 15 years as a global finance consultant, and held roles in business development for sustainable chemicals and ingredients. She has an MSc in Biochemistry from Utrecht University and Stockholm University, and holds post-graduate certificates in Economics and Econometrics from Tinbergen Institute.
Laura is committed to advancing nature-positive food systems and a regenerative economy. She supports startups, scaleups and investors, and regularly contributes to international events as a speaker, judge, and moderator.
