The e-waste recycling industry in DACH focuses on safely and sustainably handling discarded electronic devices. Companies in this sector range from dedicated recyclers to tech firms offering refurbishing services. They manage everything from data destruction to material recovery, ensuring harmful components are properly disposed of while valuable materials are reclaimed. As e-waste generation continues to rise, driven by rapid technological advancement, the industry is embracing innovative methods and technologies. Significant trends include increased investment in automated recycling processes and a push for regulatory compliance, thereby positioning e-waste recycling as a burgeoning field ripe for both opportunity and exploration.


The group of investors noted here reflects a mix of corporate and venture capital entities, predominantly headquartered in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Founded between 2001 and 2019, these firms vary in size, with employee counts ranging from small teams to thousands. Notably, in 2024, the investors collectively engaged in numerous funding rounds, signaling a strong interest in supporting the e-waste recycling sector. With each bringing unique expertise and resources, they are poised to influence the industry's growth trajectory significantly.


Top 13 E-Waste Recycling Investors in DACH


1. Borealis

  • Website: borealisgroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • LinkedIn: borealis

Borealis AG is a leading Austrian plastics manufacturer specializing in polyolefins and base chemicals, founded in 1994. The company serves various industries, including energy, healthcare, and consumer products, and is committed to advancing a circular economy and reducing environmental impact through innovative and sustainable solutions. Borealis has made several strategic acquisitions to bolster its recycling capabilities, including a majority stake in Renasci, an Austrian plastics recycling company, and 100% of Ecoplast Kunststoffrecycling GmbH. Additionally, they have acquired mtm compact GmbH and Integra Plastics, further enhancing their recycling capacity and supporting their strategy for a circular economy by 2030. These transactions reflect Borealis's dedication to sustainability and its role in the recycling industry, which is relevant to e-waste recycling.


2. Quadia

  • Website: quadia.ch
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: quadia-sa

Quadia SA is an impact investment firm based in Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in sustainable finance and provides investment advisory services aimed at generating financial returns while promoting social and environmental benefits. Quadia operates through various investment funds, including the Regenero Impact Fund, which targets companies contributing to a regenerative economy. Notably, Quadia has invested in Fairphone, a sustainable smartphone company that emphasizes the use of fair and recycled materials, raising €49M in funding to enhance sustainability efforts. Additionally, Quadia has participated in funding rounds for TerraCycle and Loop Global Holdings, both of which focus on innovative waste management and recycling solutions. These transactions highlight Quadia's commitment to supporting companies that align with e-waste recycling and sustainability initiatives.


3. Speedinvest

  • Website: speedinvest.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 45
  • LinkedIn: speedinvest

Speedinvest is a venture capital firm based in Vienna, Austria, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in funding early-stage tech startups across Europe, providing both capital and hands-on support to help these startups scale their operations. Their investment focus spans various technology sectors, including Deep Tech, Fintech, and SaaS. Recently, Speedinvest has made significant investments in the e-waste recycling context, including participation in funding rounds for Resourcify, a waste management and recycling platform that has processed over 500,000 tonnes of waste, and Cylib, a startup dedicated to establishing a lithium battery recycling facility. These transactions highlight Speedinvest's engagement in the recycling industry, particularly in areas relevant to e-waste.


4. Bonventure

  • Website: bonventure.de
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2003
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: bonventure

BonVenture is an impact investment firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2003. They focus on financing social enterprises with a mission to create both financial returns and social impact, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. BonVenture provides capital starting from €500,000 and offers expertise and networking support to help businesses grow. In 2023, they participated in significant transactions relevant to the e-waste recycling sector, including a €14M Series A investment in Resourcify, a waste management and recycling platform that has processed over 500,000 tonnes of waste. Additionally, they led a €8.5M Seed funding round for Circu Li-ion, a startup focused on battery recycling, further emphasizing their involvement in the recycling industry. These transactions highlight BonVenture's active role in supporting innovative solutions for waste management and recycling.


5. Hitachi Ventures


Hitachi Ventures GmbH is a corporate venture capital firm based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, founded in 2019. The firm invests in early-stage startups across various sectors, including Healthcare and Environment, with a strong emphasis on fostering innovation and collaboration within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In 2024, Hitachi Ventures participated in significant funding rounds for companies like Cyclic Materials, which focuses on sustainable materials, and Samsara Eco, which is involved in eco-friendly solutions. These investments reflect their commitment to supporting startups that contribute to environmental sustainability, making them a potential player in the e-waste recycling space.


6. ALPLA Group

  • Website: alpla.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Hard, Vorarlberg, Austria
  • Founded year: 1955
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: alpla

ALPLA Group, founded in 1955 and based in Hard, Vorarlberg, Austria, is a leading packaging manufacturer specializing in innovative plastic packaging solutions for various industries, including food, beverage, beauty care, and pharmaceuticals. With over 10,000 employees globally, ALPLA is committed to sustainability and customer satisfaction. Notably, in March 2022, ALPLA acquired Texplast, one of Germany's largest PET bottle recyclers, which enhances their capabilities in recycling and positions them as a significant player in the recycling sector. This acquisition aligns with their focus on sustainable practices and waste management. Additionally, ALPLA's acquisition of Verigreen Packaging's lubricants division in July 2021 further demonstrates their strategy to expand their operations and market presence, although this transaction is less relevant to e-waste recycling. Overall, ALPLA's involvement in recycling initiatives, particularly through Texplast, indicates a commitment to sustainability that could extend to e-waste recycling efforts.


7. SevenVentures

  • Website: sevenventures.de
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: 10262962

SevenVentures is a corporate investment firm based in Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in media investments and partnerships with consumer-oriented startups, providing media-for-equity and media-for-revenue investments to enhance brand visibility through tailored advertising strategies. In recent years, SevenVentures has been involved in several significant transactions related to e-waste recycling. Notably, they participated in the Series B funding round for Refurbed, which raised $54 million in August 2021, a company focused on refurbishing electronics. Additionally, they have invested in Wirkaufens, which raised $11 million in January 2015, and asgoodasnew, which has received multiple rounds of funding, including a €11 million venture capital round in March 2015. These investments highlight SevenVentures' engagement in the e-waste recycling sector, particularly through companies that promote the refurbishment and resale of used electronics.


8. Earlybird Venture Capital


Earlybird Venture Capital is a venture capital firm based in Germany, founded in 1997, that specializes in investing in European technology innovators. With a focus on early-stage companies, they provide financial resources and strategic support, particularly in the digital health and deep tech sectors. Notably, Earlybird has participated in several transactions relevant to waste management and recycling, including multiple funding rounds for Enevo, a company that offers waste logistics solutions, raising a total of $35.8 million across Series A, B, and C rounds. Additionally, they invested in Re-Fresh Global, a startup aimed at processing textile waste, securing €1.1 million in a pre-seed funding round. These investments reflect Earlybird's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in waste management, aligning with sustainability goals.


9. bmp Ventures

  • Website: bmp.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 1997
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: bmpventures

bmp Ventures AG is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1997. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage and growth startups across various innovative sectors, providing not only financial resources but also strategic advisory services to help startups navigate their growth journey. Notably, bmp Ventures has invested in companies relevant to the e-waste recycling industry, such as Saperatec, a Bielefeld-based recycling startup that focuses on providing dedicated recycling solutions for industrial products. Additionally, bmp Ventures has invested in Solar Materials, which is working to establish an industrial recycling line with an annual capacity of about 4,500 tons, specifically targeting the recycling of solar materials. These transactions highlight bmp Ventures' commitment to supporting innovative recycling solutions, making them a significant player in the e-waste recycling sector.


10. Vorwerk Ventures


Vorwerk Ventures is a venture capital fund based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage startups across various sectors, including consumer products, food, health, and climate. Vorwerk Ventures provides seed and Series A funding, along with follow-on investments, to support innovative companies that aim to create a positive impact. Notably, they led a Series A funding round for Resourcify, a waste management and recycling platform, which raised €14M to enhance its SaaS offering and expand its market leadership in waste management. This investment highlights Vorwerk Ventures' commitment to supporting companies that contribute to sustainable practices, including e-waste recycling. Additionally, they invested in Descycle, further indicating their engagement in the recycling and waste management space.


11. UVC Partners


UVC Partners is a venture capital firm based in Munich and Berlin, specializing in investing in B2B startups across Europe. Founded in 2011, the firm provides financial support and strategic guidance to early-stage companies, helping them grow in competitive markets. Their portfolio includes a diverse range of innovative startups in various sectors. Notably, UVC Partners led a funding round for Cyclize, a Stuttgart-based Climatetech startup that focuses on carbon recycling from plastic waste and CO2, raising 4.75 million EUR in February 2024. This investment highlights their commitment to supporting companies that contribute to sustainability and waste management, which is relevant to the e-waste recycling context. Additionally, UVC Partners has been involved in other transactions, such as Radical Dot and Kooky, further showcasing their active role in the startup ecosystem.


12. 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, founded in 2001 and based in Ludwigshafen, Germany, is the corporate venture capital arm of BASF, a leading chemical manufacturer. The firm focuses on investing in innovative companies that enhance product performance and address environmental challenges. Notably, BASF has participated in significant funding rounds for companies like DePoly, which is developing a universal chemical recycling process for plastics, and pH7 Technologies, which is involved in sustainable technology solutions. These investments reflect BASF's commitment to sustainability and innovation, particularly in the context of recycling and waste management, which are critical components of the e-waste recycling industry.


13. NRW.BANK

  • Website: nrwbank.de
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 2002
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10
  • LinkedIn: nrw.bank

NRW.BANK is a public development bank based in Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, founded in 2002. It provides financial services such as loans and equity financing to support small and medium-sized enterprises, affordable housing, and municipal infrastructure projects. The bank plays a crucial role in fostering economic growth and social development in the region. Notably, NRW.BANK has been involved in significant transactions related to the recycling industry, including a Series A investment in Cylib, which raised approximately $59.9 million in May 2024, and a seed funding round for Saperatec, which specializes in recycling high-tech composite materials and raised €3.3 million in March 2013. These investments highlight NRW.BANK's engagement in supporting innovative recycling solutions, particularly in the context of high-tech materials, which is relevant to the e-waste recycling sector.



E-Waste Recycling Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
BorealisVienna, Vienna, Austria5001-1000019940
QuadiaGeneva, Geneva, Switzerland11-5020100
SpeedinvestVienna, Vienna, Austria51-200201145
BonventureMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5020037
Hitachi VenturesFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-50201916
ALPLA GroupHard, Vorarlberg, Austria10001+19552
SevenVenturesFlensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany11-5020093
Earlybird Venture CapitalGermany51-200199729
bmp VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5019973
Vorwerk VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5020077
UVC PartnersGarching, Bavaria, Germany11-50201115
BASF Venture CapitalLudwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany10001+20013
NRW.BANKNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany1001-5000200210


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