Chipotle announced Wednesday that it’s doubling its Cultivate Next venture fund to $100 million, boosting its ability to invest in companies that will help accelerate plans to reach 7,000 restaurants in North America.

The 3,400-unit fast casual introduced the fund in 2022 and started at $50 million. The goal was to support seed to Series B stage companies that can push forward Chipotle’s strategic priorities around operating restaurants, building technology, expanding access and convenience for guests, and advancing its Food with Integrity mission.

The additional $50 million will allow the company to pursue new investments related to supply chain, agriculture, restaurant innovation, automation, and other areas.

“Our decision to double our commitment to our Cultivate Next venture fund is a clear indicator that we are investing in the right companies that we can learn from and utilize to improve the human experience of our restaurant teams, farmers, and suppliers,” Curt Garner, chief customer and technology officer, said in a statement. “The parallel growth of Chipotle and our partners will continue to further our mission to Cultivate a Better World by increasing access to real food.”

One of Chipotle’s most notable investments is Hyphen, a foodservice platform being used to develop an automated digital makeline. The machine builds bowls and salads underneath while employees use the top makeline to craft burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. Within the next few months, the technology will start testing in a single restaurant. Chipotle noted that it recently poured more money into Hyphen via the Cultivate Next fund.

Another is Vebu, a product development company that’s helping Chipotle scale the Autocado, a robot that can cut, core, and peel avocados. The innovation is currently progressing through Chipotle’s stage-gate process and will undergo an operational test in one restaurant this spring.

Here are Chipotle’s other investments:

• Local Line: A local food sourcing platform serving farmers, producers, food hubs, and food buyers. Chipotle has helped the company digitize operations, increase customers, and expand its farm database, and in turn, Local Line has helped the fast casual meet local produce sourcing goals.
• GreenField Robotics: A company looking to streamline regenerative farming by using AI, robotics, and sensing technology. It uses robots that can weed crops day and night without as much need for toxic herbicides.
• Nitricity: A company aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating environmentally friendly fertilizer products. The firm is using Chipotle’s funds to scale production of nitrogen, strengthen infrastructure, and launch a commercial product.
• Meati Foods: A company serving food products made from mushroom root. It’s assisting with Chipotle’s plant-based menu innovation efforts.
• Zero Acre Farms: A company that created a new category of healthy oils and fats made by fermentation. Chipotle is testing Zero Acre Farms at its Cultivate Center test kitchen in Irvine, California.

“It is incredible to see the possibilities that exist when we bring the right founders, startups or ventures into collaboration with Chipotle,” Christian Gammill, Cultivate Next Fund manager, said in a statement. “Witnessing the progress of our cohorts over the past two years has motivated us to scale our efforts and drive real change in the supply chain, agriculture, restaurant innovation, and automation sectors.”