European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF)

Let's explore the latest developments in the European circular economy for October! 🔄 We'll delve into the exciting updates together!♻️🧐 Norwegian cleantech company Ocean Oasis secured a €6 million EU grant to support its sustainable desalination technology, which uses offshore platforms to convert seawater into freshwater. This funding, part of the EU’s Horizon Europe program, will accelerate the development of Ocean Oasis's innovative approach to freshwater production, emphasizing renewable energy and reducing environmental impacts associated with traditional desalination. 🌊♻️ OroraTech, a German space-tech startup, recently secured €25 million in a Series B funding round. This funding will support the company’s wildfire monitoring and prediction system, primarily by expanding its satellite network to provide critical data during peak wildfire periods. The expansion will involve the launch of nine additional satellites in 2025, boosting OroraTech’s coverage and providing faster, more frequent updates on wildfire activity in high-risk regions such as North America and Asia-Pacific.🔥🌳 We are excited to support our new portfolio company in advancing sustainable innovation. Together, we’re enabling impactful solutions that address global challenges and promote resilience, creating a meaningful pathway toward a more sustainable future. 💚 FarmDroid, a Danish agricultural technology company, has raised €10.5 million to expand its autonomous, solar-powered field robots globally. Led by Convent Capital and joined by EIFO and Navus Ventures B.V., this funding will support FarmDroid’s mission to enhance sustainable agriculture by reducing farmers' dependency on pesticides, manual labor, and operational costs. The FarmDroid robot, designed to sow, weed, and spray autonomously, uses solar energy to operate 24/7. It has primarily served organic farms but is increasingly attractive to conventional farms due to new precision spraying technology, helping reduce pesticide usage by up to 100% in certain cases. 🌾 Valencia-based cleantech company Matteco has secured €15 million to advance green hydrogen production by developing affordable, platinum-free electrolysis materials. This investment, led by European investors, will fund a new facility in Paterna, producing components to enable 1 GW of electrolysis annually. Matteco’s technology aims to cut hydrogen production costs, making green hydrogen more competitive with fossil fuels. The company, which emerged from the Universitat de València, plans to increase its workforce to support global demand.💧 #sustainability #venturecapital #circulareconomy

🌟 Greetings from Smau Event in Milano! 🌟   Looking to connect with inspiring minds and forward-thinking leaders in the field of bioeconomy and sustainable investment?   👉 Here’s your chance!   Meet our colleague Clara Martinez, Head of External Relations at European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF), today and tomorrow at #SMAU in Milano, Italy. 📅 October, 29-30th 📌 Fiera, Milano City, Italy   Clara brings a wealth of experience and passion for driving impactful collaborations and partnerships. Whether you’re interested in learning more about #ECBF’s mission to foster a sustainable future or exploring potential synergies, Clara is the go-to person. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with her and discuss exciting ideas!   Let’s make meaningful connections that drive positive change. Reach out, set up a time, or simply stop by – Clara will be thrilled to connect with like-minded professionals.   🌍 Let’s innovate, collaborate, and build a sustainable future together!   #Networking #SustainableInvestment #SMAU #ECBF #ExternalRelations #Innovation

🚉 Meet me and Tobias Schomerus at the IMPACT FESTIVAL in Frankfurt on 30-31 October! If you're also attending, I'd love to connect with you - whether at the event for a 1:1 meeting or additionally at the 👩💼 Female Investor & Founder Lunch 📅 30 October from 🕛 12:00 to 13:15 📍 in the Investor Lounge. This is a fantastic opportunity to network with inspiring women in the investment and entrepreneurial space. For anyone interested in learning more about the ECBF (European Circular Bioeconomy Fund), I'd be happy to take the opportunity to connect. Feel free to get in touch to arrange a meeting and let's explore how we can make a positive impact together! 🌱 Looking forward to some amazing conversations and a fantastic event in Frankfurt! #ImpactFestival #ECBF #FemaleFounders #Investors #Networking #Sustainability #CircularEconomy

ECBF Welcomes Tobias Schomerus: Our new Analyst (ESG Team) 🥳 Join us in welcoming Tobias Schomerus as the newest member of the ESG Team at ECBF! Tobias brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for #sustainability and the circular economy, and we’re thrilled to have him on board. 🌍 Tobias has a background in Sustainable Management & Technology from the Technische Universität München, where he focused on Circular Economy & Sustainability during his thesis at EY. Prior to joining ECBF, Tobias gained invaluable experience as a Junior Analyst at HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds and the DTCF | DeepTech & Climate Fonds . 🔄💡 “Amid a global climate crisis with irreversible impacts on our societal and ecological systems, businesses find themselves at the forefront of both the problem and its potential solutions. To me, the most promising solution to this issue is a holistic and systematic change in our societal and economic thinking to transition from a fossil-based to a regenerative, bio-based circular economy. Joining the ECBF allows me to combine my expertise in circular economy with my passion to building a sustainable future that does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” — Tobias Schomerus 🌱 Want to join Tobias and the ECBF team on our mission to realign the economy with nature? Check out exciting career opportunities on our #career page and be part of a movement driving positive impact on climate, biodiversity, and social equity! 🌿🌏 #welcometotheteam #circulareconomy #sustainability #innovationmatters

The World Resources Institute recently highlighted alarming trends in global forest fires. These fires are becoming more frequent and intense, driven by climate change and human activity. Regions that were previously unaffected, such as the Amazon and parts of Asia, are now facing rising wildfire incidents, with extreme weather conditions like heatwaves and droughts playing a major role. Traditional fire-prone areas, like Australia and the Mediterranean, are experiencing longer and more severe fire seasons. 🔥🌳 The loss of tropical forests is particularly concerning, as they are vital carbon sinks. 📉 When these forests burn, large amounts of carbon are released, exacerbating climate change. Additionally, human activities, including deforestation and land-use changes, are significantly increasing fire risks globally. 🚨 It’s crucial that we intensify efforts to mitigate these fires through improved monitoring and protective measures, safeguarding both ecosystems and the planet's climate. Our newest addition to our portfolio OroraTech tackles this issue: The Munich based start up is a global leader in satellite-based wildfire monitoring and environmental intelligence, offering a scalable solution to protect ecosystems and communities in an era of escalating climate risks. Their advanced thermal data, space technology, and automated image processing capabilities address the urgent need for real-time fire detection and environmental monitoring, making OroraTech a vital player in climate resilience.💪 The international team of over 90 passionate engineers, software developers, and business experts is guided by: Martin Langer, Thomas Grübler, Axel Roenneke, Viktor Gauk, Marina Pott, Florian Mauracher and Rupert Amann. OroraTech also frequently collaborates with the European Space Agency - ESA, such as on a project to develop a wildfire management system for Greece using thermal imaging satellites, led by the Greek Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance Hellenic Space Center. #impactinvesting #sustainability #bioeconomy #venturecapital

Where to meet the ECBF in October? - Part 2 🚌📍 October is a month of innovation, sustainability, and forward-thinking discussions! 🚀 We’re excited to be involved in another five major events shaping the future of food, agriculture, and sustainability in the second half of the month. If you're passionate about these topics, make sure not to miss them! 👇 Tech Tour Sustainable Construction | 🗓️ October 16th - 17th The Tech Tour Sustainable Construction 2024 programme is designed to foster meaningful connections, strategic partnerships, and (co-)investments within the Design, Construction, Materials & Infrastructure sectors. 🌾 Don’t miss the opportunity to meet up with Julia Seeliger. ABIM - Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting ABIM 2024 | 🗓 October 21st - 23rd Meet Hakan Karan at ABIM 2024. The place for the biocontrol industry to discover and unveil new products, discuss market opportunities, present research findings, learn about the latest regulatory situation and liaise with fellow professionals from all over the world. 💪 Tech Tour South East | 🗓 October 22nd Tech Tour South East 2024 will bring together active investors and experts in the sector with 30 pre-selected top Digital/Health/Sustainability companies, based in South East Europe and Israel. Get together with Clara Martinez Velandia and discuss new opportunities and approaches at Tech Tour South East 2024. 🌍 Smau | 🗓 October 29th - 30th Meet up with Clara Martinez Velandia at SMAU 🌍 From Agrifood to Energy & Environment and Health & Wellness to Smart Manufacturing and Smart Mobility: Italian startups interested in expanding their business internationally, belonging to different areas will be present at SMAU. IMPACT FESTIVAL 2024| 🗓 October 30th - 31st Don’t miss the opportunity to have a chat with Cornelia Mann who will be attending the Impact Festival 2024. The festival is Europe's largest B2B event for sustainable innovation and connects sustainability solutions with companies and investors to accelerate economic transformation. ♻️ These events are not just gatherings — they're opportunities to be part of the change. Let’s connect and make an impact together! 💡 #venturecaptial #sustainability #circularbioeconomy

✨ We are exited to share that Aphea.Bio has been selected as one of the four finalists for the Flemish Government award for Scale-up of the Year! ✨ It's a great honor to be included alongside Lighthouse, Equine Care Group and icometrix in the selection of finalists! So keep your fingers crossed for us until Dec 10th when EY Belgium is going to announce the winner! https://lnkd.in/eAw6Q6KT #OVHJ24 #ScaleupvanhetJaar2024

I caught up with FoodHack, along with other investors, to share the top 60 AgriFood solutions we’re looking to back next 🥞. We at European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF) are currently looking into: Picks and Shovels (Enabling Tech) for Food Processing and Food Safety:  Our FoodTech team focuses on solutions that can reduce the carbon footprint of the food industry. In the overall value chain, we see that mid-stream technologies like food processing and food safety are often overlooked. Food Ingredients with Functionality (e.g., Clean Label):  Any food ingredients that can help meet customer demands for clean labels, taste, texture, and lowering costs. One key lever we look for here is the cost in use for the applications that the ingredient is targeting. Digital Solutions for the Food Value Chain:  Software and SaaS solutions that can scale easily along the food value chain (or a part of it) and result in the reduction of food waste or any other resources. Discover all the solutions from investors like Mélody, Lauri, Matteo, and others: https://lnkd.in/dwsh7zTG

ECBF welcomes Isabelle Laurencin: Our new Venture Partner (AgTech Team) 🚀 Join us in extending a warm welcome to Isabelle Laurencin, the newest addition to our team at ECBF! Isabelle brings her exceptional expertise and passion to the AgTech Team as a Venture Partner, continuing our mission to drive innovation and sustainability in agriculture and technology. 🏦 Isabelle has built an impressive career in the world of impact investing and sustainable development. Most recently, she served as the Global Lead for Climate Tech VC at the International Finance Corporation (The World Bank Group), where she led transformative investments in climate technology. 🌱As a former Fund Manager for the Triodos Investment Management Food Transition Europe Fund, Isabelle played a key role in supporting sustainable food systems across Europe. In addition, as Managing Director of Plug and Play Tech Center Netherlands, she worked with startups and investors to shape the future of Tech startups and foster meaningful innovation. “I’m thrilled to have joined a fund that is committed to demonstrating that it’s possible to deliver strong financial returns while fostering virtuous, regenerative production systems that benefit both the economy and the planet.” - Isabelle Laurencin #welcometotheteam #sustainability #AgTech #circulareconomy

Take a deep dive into our investment in OroraTech! 🛰 Yesterday, we announced our investment in OroraTech, a groundbreaking startup at the intersection of innovation and environmental impact. As impact investors, we see immense potential not only for strong financial returns but also for driving meaningful environmental change. Want to know why we believe OroraTech will be a game changer for both investors and the planet? Read our latest article for a deeper dive into our decision and the bright future ahead. 🚀🌱 #climateadaptation #impactinvesting #AI #SeriesB #DeepTech