The biomass energy industry in Europe focuses on producing renewable energy using organic materials like wood, agricultural residues, and waste. Companies in this sector span from large utilities to innovative startups. They develop technologies for biomass conversion into electricity, heat, and biofuels, contributing to the region's sustainability goals. Significant investments and supportive policies are driving growth amidst a push for carbon neutrality. Insights reveal Europe’s commitment, with biomass contributing to approximately 60% of renewable energy in the EU. As technologies advance, the industry aims to enhance efficiency and integrate seamlessly into existing energy systems.


This article highlights 12 prominent investors active in the European biomass energy sector. Featured investors are primarily venture capital and corporate entities, headquartered in locations such as Sweden, Belgium, and France. They range in size from medium-sized firms to large corporations, with founding years spanning from 1834 to 2017. In 2024, these investors collectively made 370 significant deals, showing an increasing interest in supporting innovative biomass energy solutions. Each investor possesses a distinct investment focus and strategy that aligns with Europe's transition to renewable energy.


Top 12 Biomass Energy Investors in Europe


1. InnoEnergy

  • Website: innoenergy.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 52
  • LinkedIn: innoenergy

EIT InnoEnergy is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2010, based in Eindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands, dedicated to accelerating sustainable energy innovations. It serves as a marketplace for energy solutions, offering training programs and support for innovators and corporates in the energy sector. InnoEnergy collaborates with various stakeholders to tackle the challenges of energy transition and sustainability. Notably, InnoEnergy has been involved in several transactions relevant to the biomass energy sector, including investments in Phoenix BioPower, which focuses on biomass energy solutions, and AgroNergy, which raised $2,440,000 in a venture round in 2018. Additionally, they have supported Meva Energy in multiple funding rounds, indicating a strong interest in innovative energy solutions that may include biomass technologies.


2. European Investment Bank (EIB)


The European Investment Bank (EIB), founded in 1958 and based in Luxembourg, is a public entity that provides a range of financial services, including loans, equity investments, guarantees, and advisory services. The EIB focuses on supporting sustainable projects across various sectors, aiming to promote growth and job creation. In recent transactions, the EIB has been involved in significant debt financing for companies like Husk Power Systems, which raised $20 million in March 2024 and $60 million in October 2023, both of which are relevant to the renewable energy sector. Additionally, the EIB has financed major players in the renewable energy industry, such as Enel Green Power and Ørsted, indicating its commitment to supporting sustainable energy initiatives, including those related to biomass energy.


3. Shell

  • Website: shell.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 1907
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 20
  • LinkedIn: shell

Shell plc is a multinational oil and gas company based in London, England, operating in the energy and chemicals sectors. Founded in 1907, Shell provides essential products such as fuels, lubricants, and chemical solutions to businesses and consumers worldwide. In recent years, Shell has expanded its portfolio to include significant investments in renewable energy, particularly in biomass. Notably, Shell Petroleum NV acquired Nature Energy Biogas A/S for nearly USD $2 billion, enhancing its position as the largest producer of Renewable Natural Gas in Europe. Additionally, Shell has invested in Virent Energy Systems, which is focused on scaling its BioForming® process for biofuel production. These strategic investments reflect Shell's commitment to diversifying its energy portfolio and advancing biomass energy solutions.


4. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC also provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in multiple sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in transactions relevant to the biomass energy context, such as funding for Electrochaea, which raised over $20 million in a venture round, and Carbo Culture, which focuses on large-scale CO2 removal using woody waste and received grants totaling over $2.3 million. These transactions highlight the EIC's engagement with innovative projects that could intersect with biomass energy initiatives.


5. TotalEnergies


TotalEnergies is a French energy company founded in 1924, focusing on producing and marketing a diverse range of energy solutions, including oil, gas, and renewable energy. The company is committed to sustainability and aims for carbon neutrality by 2050. In recent years, TotalEnergies has made significant investments in the renewable energy sector, including the acquisition of Polska Grupa Biogazowa, which enhances their biogas production capacity to 1.1 terawatt hours. Additionally, they have invested in Renmatix, a company involved in cellulosic sugar production, which is relevant to biomass energy. These transactions highlight TotalEnergies' strategic focus on expanding its renewable energy portfolio, particularly in the biomass sector.


6. Crowdcube

  • Website: crowdcube.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: crowdcube-limited

Crowdcube is a London-based crowdfunding platform founded in 2010 that enables businesses, particularly startups and SMEs, to raise capital through equity investments. The platform connects these businesses with potential investors, facilitating the funding process. Crowdcube promotes diversity and inclusion within its workforce and provides investment management services to its clients. Notably, Crowdcube has facilitated several equity crowdfunding transactions in the biomass energy context, including Antaco, which raised $742,222 in November 2019, and multiple rounds for Carnot, which raised significant amounts in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Additionally, Caldera raised $3,075,575 in October 2023, further showcasing Crowdcube's role in supporting companies that may be involved in biomass energy initiatives.


7. EQT Group

  • Website: eqtgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a private equity investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. The firm specializes in managing diverse investment portfolios across multiple sectors, including private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. EQT Group has made significant investments in the energy sector, notably acquiring EEW Energy from Waste in 2013, which focuses on waste-to-energy solutions, potentially including biomass. Additionally, their acquisition of Midland Cogeneration Venture in 2009 marked their entry into the U.S. energy market, further emphasizing their commitment to energy investments. Other notable transactions include the acquisition of Adven in 2012, which also operates in the energy sector, showcasing EQT's strategic focus on energy-related assets.


8. Almi

  • Website: almi.se
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: almi-ab

Almi AB is a financial services company based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. It specializes in providing loans, risk capital, and business development support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden, aiming to enhance their growth and competitiveness. Almi has been involved in several transactions that align with the biomass energy sector. For instance, it participated in funding Biofrigas AB, a company focused on biogas production, which is a key aspect of biomass energy. Additionally, Almi has invested in C-Green, a company that develops sustainable energy solutions, further indicating its commitment to supporting green technologies. These transactions highlight Almi's role in fostering innovation and development within the biomass energy industry, making it a noteworthy investor in this space.


9. Engie

  • Website: engie.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1834
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: engie

ENGIE is a corporate investor based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, specializing in renewable energy and energy solutions. Founded in 1834, the company has grown to employ over 10,000 people and operates globally with a strong emphasis on sustainability and decarbonization. Engie's investment strategy includes a focus on biomass energy, as evidenced by its recent acquisitions. In December 2024, Engie acquired District Heating Eco Energías, a leading developer of biomass-powered district heating networks in Spain, enhancing its capabilities in urban heating solutions. Additionally, in September 2023, Engie acquired Ixora Energy Ltd, a UK-based leader in biomethane production, for £64.8 million, further solidifying its presence in the European biomethane market. These strategic moves highlight Engie's commitment to advancing biomass energy solutions alongside its broader renewable energy initiatives.


10. EDFI ElectriFI - The Electrification Financing Initiative


EDFI ElectriFI - The Electrification Financing Initiative is a not-for-profit impact investment facility based in Belgium, founded in 2016. It focuses on financing renewable energy projects in developing countries, providing both equity and debt financing along with technical assistance to enhance access to clean energy. The organization targets renewable energy companies and projects, particularly in rural and underserved areas, to help them achieve sustainable energy solutions. Notably, EDFI ElectriFI has invested in Sistema.bio, a company that develops affordable bio-gas equipment tailored for small and remote farms, which aligns with biomass energy initiatives. This investment, along with their broader focus on renewable energy, positions them as a relevant player in the biomass energy sector.


11. TotalEnergies Ventures


TotalEnergies Ventures is a corporate investor based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, and is part of TotalEnergies, a global integrated energy company founded in 2008. The firm focuses on a wide range of energy solutions, including oil, natural gas, and renewable energy, with a strong emphasis on sustainable practices and reducing carbon emissions. Notably, TotalEnergies Ventures has invested in companies like Gevo, which specializes in renewable fuels and chemicals derived from biomass, and Renmatix, which is involved in converting biomass into sugars for biofuels. These transactions highlight their engagement in the biomass energy sector, alongside their broader investment strategy in various energy domains.


12. Katapult

  • Website: katapult.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: katapult-accelerator

Katapult is an impact investment firm based in Oslo, Norway, founded in 2017. They focus on tech startups that address global challenges, particularly in sectors like climate-tech and ocean-tech. Katapult provides investment, accelerator programs, and mentorship to early-stage companies. Among their notable transactions, they have invested in BioEsol, which raised $210,241 in a seed round in December 2022, indicating their interest in biomass energy solutions. Additionally, they have been involved with GKinetic Energy and Inclusive Energy, which, while not directly related to biomass, showcase their broader commitment to sustainable energy innovations. Their recent investment in Planboo, which received a grant, further emphasizes their focus on supporting impactful energy solutions.



Biomass Energy Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
InnoEnergyEindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands201-500201052
European Investment Bank (EIB)Luxembourg1001-5000195899
ShellLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)10001+190720
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
TotalEnergiesFrance10001+192411
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
AlmiStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden201-50019947
EngieParis, Île-De-France, France10001+18343
EDFI ElectriFI - The Electrification Financing InitiativeBelgium11-5020162
TotalEnergies VenturesParis, Île-De-France, France10001+20080
KatapultOslo, Oslo, Norway11-5020178


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