– SET Ventures closed its fourth fund at €200 million to support digital technologies aiding the transition to a carbon-free energy system.
– The fund is double the size of its previous one, reinforcing SET’s investment strategy in renewable energy-focused digital solutions.
– Focuses on European startups offering data-driven solutions to integrate renewable energy technologies into mass markets.
– The fourth fund will back entrepreneurs who pioneer business models that incentivize immediate adaptation to clean energy.
– SET Ventures was founded in 2007 and is a long-standing VC in the clean energy sector.
– The firm believes physical technologies like solar panels and EVs are ready, but digital solutions are needed to scale and integrate these into the energy infrastructure.
– Issues like grid congestion, mismatched production, demand, and renewable energy storage arise as adoption rates grow and energy systems decentralize.
– Anton Arts, Managing Partner, highlights the role of digital technology in addressing the challenges of the energy transition.
– SET Ventures has a strong track record in electrification, decentralised energy, and grid management through its network of partners like utility firms and grid operators.
– Successful investments include Instagrid, Sensorfact, and sonnen, key players in industrial energy solutions and residential energy storage.
– Co-founder Wouter Jonk emphasizes that addressing energy emissions is the fastest route to reducing global emissions, with 76% of emissions stemming from energy.
– The firm’s portfolio companies helped avoid 3.3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions last year.
– SET Fund IV, an SFDR Article 9 fund, attracted investment from prominent organizations like the European Investment Fund (EIF), Triodos Investment Management Energy Transition Europe Fund, and European grid operators.
– Advisory Board: Arnold Stokking, Bahar Keskin den Doelder, Hans Mart Groen, Hans Streng, Hayat Chedid, Ricarda Peters, Stefan Grützmacher, Tim Meyer.
– Companies already receiving investments include vilisto GmbH, Fuchs & Eule, Tibo Energy Management Software, and e-mobilio.
