The environmental biotechnology industry in DACH is focused on innovative solutions that utilize biological systems to address environmental concerns. Companies in this sector contribute to waste management, pollution control, and sustainable agriculture through biotechnology applications. With growing awareness of climate change and resource scarcity, the industry is gaining momentum. Investors are increasingly interested in startups developing new technologies such as bioprocessing and bioremediation. These firms not only tackle environmental issues but also often provide cost-effective and efficient alternatives to traditional methods, positioning them well for future growth in an eco-conscious market.


The investors featured in this list represent a mix of venture capital, corporate investment, and private equity, primarily based in major DACH cities such as Zurich, Munich, and Berlin. With firm sizes ranging from small teams to large corporations, they collectively made over 100 investments in the environmental biotechnology sector in 2024. Founded between 2001 and 2021, these investors show a growing commitment to sustainable technologies and innovation, indicating a strong trend towards financing solutions that meet pressing environmental challenges.


Top 12 Environmental Biotechnology Investors in DACH


1. Leaps by Bayer

  • Website: leaps.bayer.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: leapsbybayer

Leaps by Bayer is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2015. It focuses on biotechnology and agriculture, investing in early-stage companies that are pursuing scientific breakthroughs to tackle significant global challenges in health and food security. The firm provides funding and active incubation to support the development of innovative solutions in these sectors. Notably, Leaps by Bayer has been involved in several relevant transactions, including investments in AgBiome, which raised significant funding to develop crop protection products aimed at enhancing agricultural sustainability. Additionally, their investment in Oerth Bio, which raised $55 million, further demonstrates their commitment to supporting companies that are likely to contribute to environmental biotechnology advancements.


2. Possible Ventures

  • Website: possible.ventures
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: possible-vc

Possible Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2021. The firm has a small team and has been active in various investment rounds, with a total of 9 investments in 2024 alone. One of their notable investments is in Epoch Biodesign, which raised $3.5 million in a Pre-Seed round in January 2021, focusing on biodesign solutions that can have significant environmental impacts. They also invested in Provectus Algae, which raised $11.4 million in a Seed round in December 2021, specializing in algae technologies that contribute to sustainable practices. Additionally, Possible Ventures participated in the funding of Farmless, a startup aiming to expand its operations in the environmental sector. These transactions highlight Possible Ventures' engagement in the environmental biotechnology space, showcasing their interest in supporting innovative solutions that address environmental challenges.


3. Blue Horizon

  • Website: bluehorizon.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2016
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: bluehorizoncorp

Blue Horizon is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2016, dedicated to investing in sustainable food systems. The firm supports mission-aligned founders in the bioeconomy by providing funding and resources to scale innovative solutions, particularly in alternative proteins and sustainable practices. Notable transactions include their co-lead investment in AgBiome, which raised $116 million to expand its product portfolio in agriculture, and their involvement in Planetary, a company focused on improving bioprocessing capacity in the food fermentation industry. Additionally, Blue Horizon participated in the Series A funding for Basecamp Research, which is developing products across pharmaceuticals, nutrition, and agriculture. These investments highlight Blue Horizon's commitment to fostering impactful change in sectors that overlap with environmental biotechnology.


4. Verve Ventures

  • Website: verve.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 25
  • LinkedIn: investiere-venture-capital

Verve Ventures is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2010, specializing in deep tech investments across Europe. The firm provides funding and strategic support to science and technology startups, focusing on sectors such as climate tech, industrial technology, and health & bio. In 2024, Verve Ventures has been particularly active, participating in significant funding rounds for companies like Puraffinity, which raised $8.8 million in Series A funding for its innovative PFAS removal technology, and Neustark, a carbon removal provider that raised $69 million. Their investment in Phlair, which raised over $16 million in a Seed Round, further demonstrates their commitment to supporting startups that address environmental challenges. Verve Ventures aims to help entrepreneurs and innovative companies grow and succeed in their respective markets, particularly those that contribute to sustainability and environmental health.


5. Demeter-Partners


Demeter-Partners is a corporate venture capital and private equity firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in investments that support the energy and ecological transition, focusing on innovative startups and small to mid-cap companies. With a commitment to sustainable development, Demeter-Partners manages a diverse portfolio aimed at promoting ecological solutions. Notable transactions include their participation in funding rounds for Fermentalg, where they contributed to the industrial scale-up of microalgae production, a key area in environmental biotechnology. They also invested in Algaia, which is involved in the production of natural ingredients from algae, and Lactips, which focuses on sustainable packaging solutions. These investments highlight Demeter-Partners' active role in the environmental biotechnology sector.


6. Sgs

  • Website: sgs.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1878
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: sgs

SGS S.A. is a leading testing, inspection, and certification company based in Geneva, Switzerland, with a global presence and a workforce exceeding 10,000 employees. Founded in 1878, SGS provides independent services to ensure product quality and compliance across various industries. In recent years, SGS has made significant strides in the environmental sector through strategic acquisitions. Notably, they acquired AXYS Analytical Services, which specializes in ultra-trace analysis of environmental pollutants, enhancing their environmental testing capabilities. In 2025, SGS acquired Aster Global Environmental Solutions, a provider of carbon and greenhouse gas validation and verification services, as part of their strategy to expand their sustainability offerings. Additionally, the acquisition of AMA Analytical Services, an environmental testing specialist, further solidifies SGS's commitment to environmental biotechnology. These transactions reflect SGS's dedication to supporting sustainable practices and addressing environmental challenges, making them a relevant player in the environmental biotechnology investment landscape.


7. Thia Ventures

  • Website: thiaventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: thia-ventures

Thia Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2021. The firm focuses on investing in early-stage companies at the intersection of food, biotech, and health, providing funding and support to innovative startups. Their portfolio includes a diverse range of companies specializing in enzyme engineering, cultivated meats, and biofertilizers, which are crucial for sustainable food systems and environmental biotechnology. Notable transactions include a $17 million seed round for Switch Bioworks, which is involved in sustainable bioprocessing, and a $15 million Series A for Allozymes, a company focused on enzyme technology that can enhance agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, Thia Ventures participated in a $9.5 million Series A funding for Pow.bio, which aims to expand operations in sustainable food production. Their investment in Protealis, a company innovating in sustainable plant proteins, further emphasizes their commitment to supporting environmentally friendly biotechnology solutions.


8. redalpine


Redalpine is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2006. The firm specializes in investing in technology and science sectors, providing funding and strategic support to startups. Redalpine focuses on identifying and empowering innovative companies that address significant global challenges, particularly in areas like AI, health tech, and energy. Notably, they have invested in Mushlabs, a biotech company that raised $10 million in Series A funding, which aims to increase production in the B2B realm, likely focusing on sustainable food sources. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for Infinite Roots, a mycelium company, which aligns with environmental biotechnology through its focus on sustainable materials. These transactions highlight Redalpine's engagement in the biotechnology sector with a potential emphasis on environmental applications.


9. Bayern Kapital

  • Website: bayernkapital.de
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Landshut, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 27
  • LinkedIn: bayern-kapital-gmbh

Bayern Kapital is a venture capital firm based in Landshut, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1995. The firm specializes in providing investment and growth capital to innovative high-tech startups and scale-ups in Bavaria. With a focus on sectors such as life sciences and software, Bayern Kapital supports its clients with financial resources and access to a network of industry experts. In recent years, Bayern Kapital has made significant investments in the environmental biotechnology sector, including a Series A funding round for FarmInsect, a company that utilizes insect technology for sustainable food production, raising $8.48 million in October 2023. Additionally, they participated in a seed financing round for FarmInsect in August 2021 to establish regional insect breeding facilities. Another notable investment was in mbiomics GmbH, a microbiome biotech company that raised EUR 13 million in March 2023 for the development of microbiome-based therapeutics. These transactions highlight Bayern Kapital's commitment to fostering innovation in environmental biotechnology, making them a key player in this field.


10. BASF Venture Capital

  • Website: basf.de
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: basf

BASF Venture Capital, based in Ludwigshafen, Germany, is a corporate investor founded in 2001. As a subsidiary of BASF, a leading chemical manufacturer, the firm focuses on investing in innovative companies that enhance product performance while addressing environmental challenges. Notable transactions include investments in Bota Biosciences, which is involved in developing sustainable bioproducts, and Sea6 Energy, which focuses on bioenergy solutions. These investments reflect BASF's commitment to sustainability and innovation in the environmental biotechnology sector, alongside their broader interests in various industries such as automotive, construction, and agriculture.


11. Partners Group

  • Website: partnersgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: partners-group

Partners Group Holding AG is a prominent investment management firm based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, specializing in private equity, private infrastructure, private real estate, and private debt. Founded in 1996, the firm manages over USD 149 billion in assets and is recognized for its innovative approach and commitment to sustainability. Among its notable transactions, Partners Group has acquired board seats in Grupo Gestcompost, a biogas company, for €250 million, marking a significant investment in the environmental biotechnology sector. Additionally, they co-led a CHF 600 million equity funding round for Climeworks, a company focused on carbon capture technology, further emphasizing their engagement in sustainable and environmentally focused investments. These transactions highlight Partners Group's strategic interest in supporting companies that contribute to environmental sustainability and biotechnology.


12. Hitachi Ventures


Hitachi Ventures GmbH is a venture capital firm founded in 2019, based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The firm specializes in early-stage investments across various sectors, including Healthcare and Environment. Hitachi Ventures aims to foster innovation and collaboration within the entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing financial support and strategic partnerships to startups. Notably, they have invested in several companies within the environmental biotechnology sector, such as Provectus Algae, which raised $11.4 million in a seed round to develop algae-based solutions. They also participated in Pow.bio's Series A funding, which raised $9.5 million to expand operations focused on sustainable food production. Furthermore, their involvement in WASE, a company developing electro-methanogenic reactor technology, highlights their commitment to supporting innovative environmental solutions. Their recent investments, including a $66.5 million Series A round for Samsara Eco, further demonstrate their active role in the environmental biotechnology landscape.



Environmental Biotechnology Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Leaps by BayerBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201516
Possible VenturesMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020219
Blue HorizonZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020162
Verve VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50201025
Demeter-PartnersBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5020070
SgsGeneva, Geneva, Switzerland10001+18785
Thia VenturesPlan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland1-1020213
redalpineZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50200618
Bayern KapitalLandshut, Bavaria, Germany11-50199527
BASF Venture CapitalLudwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany10001+20013
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619
Hitachi VenturesFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-50201916


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