Abhi Kumar

Abhi Kumar is a Senior Program Associate at Coefficient Giving (formerly Open Philanthropy) and a Venture Partner at Lever VC, specializing in alternative proteins and sustainable food systems. With a unique career spanning venture capital, research, and philanthropy, he has established himself as a leading voice in the effort to transform global food production and reduce farm animal suffering.

Abhi holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) in Psychology from Singapore Management University, where he developed foundational expertise in human behavior and decision-making. Following graduation, he began his career at EssilorLuxottica in Singapore, the world's largest eyewear company, working in organizational learning and development. He then transitioned to decision science research and technology business development in India, gaining experience at the intersection of behavioral science and commercial innovation.

Driven by a passion for building sustainable food systems capable of feeding a growing global population, Abhi pursued dual master's degrees—earning a Master of Management Studies (MMS) from Yale School of Management and a Master in Management from HEC Paris in 2019 through the prestigious MMS-GBS (Global Business and Society) program. During his time at Yale, he became affiliated with the Yale Center for Business and the Environment (CBEY), focusing on nature-based solutions and equity and justice in sustainable food systems. His Yale contact email remains [hidden]

In July 2019, upon completing his graduate studies, Abhi joined Lever VC as an Investment Associate, working on the investment team of one of the world's first venture capital funds dedicated exclusively to alternative proteins. At Lever VC, he helped evaluate and invest in startups developing plant-based and cell-cultured meat, dairy, and egg products across the United States, Europe, and Asia. He worked closely with founder Nick Cooney and the global Lever VC team from 2019 to September 2021, contributing to the firm's thesis of backing companies that could reshape the global protein supply chain.

After his tenure at Lever VC, Abhi conducted independent research as a visiting researcher at IAMECON, where he studied the future cost structures of plant-based meat production through expert elicitations and formal economic modeling. This research deepened his understanding of the economic viability and scalability challenges facing alternative protein companies.

In September 2022, Abhi joined Open Philanthropy (which rebranded to Coefficient Giving in November 2025) as a Senior Program Associate on the Farm Animal Welfare team. In this role, he investigates the most promising opportunities to reduce the suffering of farm animals, with a particular focus on accelerating the development and commercialization of alternatives to animal products. His work combines grantmaking, research, and strategic analysis to identify high-impact interventions in the alternative protein ecosystem.

Beyond his professional achievements, Abhi completed his first Ironman endurance competition, reflecting his commitment to personal challenge and resilience. He also serves as an advisor to The Cellular Agriculture Society (CAS), contributing strategic guidance to support the growth of the cellular agriculture industry.

Abhi Kumar's investment philosophy centers on backing companies that can fundamentally transform the global food system by providing scalable, affordable alternatives to conventional animal products. His approach is informed by both venture capital experience and philanthropic research, giving him a comprehensive understanding of what it takes for alternative protein companies to succeed commercially and at scale.

Sector Focus:

Investment Approach: During his time at Lever VC, Abhi was part of a team that invested globally across North America, Europe, Israel, and Asia-Pacific. Lever VC typically leads or co-leads seed and early Series A rounds in alternative protein startups, with check sizes ranging from $500K to $2M. The firm seeks companies with strong founding teams, defensible technology or brand differentiation, and clear pathways to achieving cost parity with conventional animal products.

Key Investment Criteria:

At Coefficient Giving, Abhi's work extends beyond traditional venture investing to include identifying philanthropic opportunities that can accelerate the alternative protein industry—such as supporting early-stage R&D, policy advocacy, and market development initiatives.

• Plant-Based Proteins: Companies developing plant-based meat, dairy, and egg products with superior taste, texture, and price parity to animal products
• Cellular Agriculture: Startups producing real animal proteins (meat, dairy, eggs) through cell cultivation rather than animal farming
• Enabling Technologies: Innovations in ingredients, production processes, fermentation, and food science that improve the economics and quality of alternative proteins
• Sustainable Agriculture: AgTech solutions that improve crop genetics, precision agriculture, and sustainable farming practices
• Founding teams with deep domain expertise in food science, agriculture, or consumer brands
• Technology or product innovation that can achieve competitive pricing at scale
• Potential to significantly reduce the environmental footprint and animal suffering associated with conventional protein production
• Scalable go-to-market strategies targeting both B2B and B2C channels
• Alignment with the long-term vision of feeding 9.8 billion people sustainably by 2050