# Restaurant Investment Initiatives Chipotle Launched Cultivate Next to Support Innovative Companies By Colin Smith | Published 2022-04-29 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cultivate-next References: [zdnet](https://www.zdnet.com/article/chipotle-launches-a-tech-focused-venture-fund/) & [ir.chipotle](https://ir.chipotle.com/2022-04-19-CHIPOTLE-ANNOUNCES-50-MILLION-NEW-VENTURE-FUND)  [Chipotle](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farmesa) launched a new investment fund and initiative called 'Cultivate Next.' The company will use this venture fund to invest in Series B companies with new innovations in the restaurant space that can enhance the Chipotle experience. This is not limited to point-of-sale networks or restaurant structures, as the company also specifically noted that it welcomes food-related innovations as well. One of the company's most recent initiatives saw the quick service restaurant partnering with [Miso Robotics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chippy) to test a robotic tortilla chip chef. With its willingness to welcome new and emerging technology, the restaurant hopes to rapidly expand its market size to achieve its ambitious goal of opening 7,000 new restaurants in the future. Chipotle stated that the initial size of its Cultivate Next fund is $50 million USD. Image Credit: Shutterstock ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 27% | Activity: 65% | Freshness: 12% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Restaurant Innovation Investment:** Companies investing in Series B restaurant innovations can enhance the overall customer experience. - **Food Technology Developments:** Innovations in food and culinary arts can be explored for better customer service. - **Robotic Culinary Automation:** Technology-driven robotic systems can improve restaurant processes and increase efficiency. ### Where This Applies - **Fast Food Restaurant Chains:** Fast food restaurants can explore investment opportunities in innovative restaurant technology to improve their brand. - **Venture Capital Firms:** Venture capital firms can invest in Series B companies and emerging technology in the food and restaurant industry. - **Robotics Industry:** Robotics companies can partner with restaurants to explore innovative FoodTech and robotics technologies to increase business efficiency. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Bowl-Focused Restaurant Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farmesa.md) - [AI Kitchen Assistants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chippy.md) - [Inaugural Mexican QSR Locations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chipotle-mexican-grills.md) - [Automated Fry Cook Initatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wing-zone-restaurants.md) - [Digital Fast-Casual Kitchens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chipotlane.md) - [Virtual Video Game Restaurants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/video-game-restaurant.md) - [Entrepreneurial Support Foundations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ambition-accelerator.md) - [Crypto-Themed Restaurant Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buy-the-dip.md) - [QSR-Backed Community Grants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-bell-8.md)