Key Takeaways
- Axeleo Capital’s Green Tech Industry I (GTI I) fund secures first closing at €125 million, targeting a final goal of €250 million.
- Fund supported by Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale, Bpifrance, Fonds National de Venture Industriel (FNVI), and Veolia.
- GTI I will invest in up to 20 European startups focused on green industrial technologies.
- The fund targets sectors such as renewable energy, biomaterials, sustainable agriculture, and decarbonized mobility.
- Leadership team includes industry veterans in green technology, automotive, and venture capital.
Axeleo Capital’s Green Tech Industry Fund Launch
French venture capital firm Axeleo Capital (AXC) has announced the first closing of its new Green Tech Industry I (GTI I) fund at €125 million, supported by investors including Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale, Bpifrance, and the Fonds National de Venture Industriel (FNVI) as part of France’s Plan France 2030. The fund, launched with the goal of reaching €250 million, focuses on financing industrial startups that drive ecological innovation in Europe.
Founded in 2017 and managing nearly €300 million in assets, Axeleo Capital is expanding its venture capital strategy with thematic funds like GTI I, dedicated to supporting green industrial transformation across the continent.
Targeting Strategic Sectors in Green Technology
The GTI I fund, categorized as Article 9 under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), plans to make 15 to 20 investments across Europe with investment amounts between €3 million and €10 million. The focus will be on key sectors vital for ecological transition, including:
- Energy: New renewable sources and energy storage solutions.
- Chemicals and Materials: Biomaterials and plastics recycling.
- Agriculture and Food: Bio-based fertilizers and sustainable pesticides.
- Mobility: Electric motors and decarbonized air and sea transportation.
GTI I’s recent investment includes funding for Sweetch Energy, a startup specializing in osmotic energy, a renewable and controllable energy source. This capital will support the development of Sweetch Energy’s INOD® technology, aimed at generating electricity in the Rhône delta.
Multidisciplinary Team Leads European Green Transition Effort
GTI I’s leadership brings diverse experience from tech, automotive, and venture capital, combining industrial expertise with financial acumen to support the first plants of industrial startups. The fund’s leadership includes:
- Guillaume Sarlat: Venture Partner in London with over 20 years in tech and Greentech.
- Marc Lechantre: Partner in Paris with 16 years in the automotive sector, including roles at Stellantis.
- Mathieu Viallard: Co-founder of Axeleo Capital.
- Sandra Dubos: Investment Director with 15 years in tech, specializing in deeptech, chemistry, and healthcare.
Remarks from Axeleo Capital’s Leadership
Eric Burdier and Mathieu Viallard, co-founders of Axeleo Capital, expressed enthusiasm for the GTI I fund, stating, “Following the success of our Software B2B strategies, the launch of GTI marks a significant step in our growth. This fund allows us to address major innovations around decarbonization, green technologies, and the renewal of industrial sectors in Europe.”
Guillaume Sarlat and Marc Lechantre also noted, “With this first closing, we are accelerating our efforts to contribute to the emergence of tomorrow’s European green industrial sectors. We are grateful for the confidence of our sponsors and investors in this collective ambition.”
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