The anaerobic digestion industry in Europe plays a crucial role in waste management and renewable energy generation. It primarily focuses on converting organic waste into biogas, which can be utilized for energy or as a natural fertilizer. Companies in this industry range from innovative startups specializing in biogas technologies to established firms facilitating large-scale digestion systems. Recent advancements show a growing emphasis on integrating anaerobic digestion within broader sustainability goals. With increasing regulations and a push for greener energy sources, the industry is evolving, and the investment influx indicates a bright future for effective waste-to-energy solutions.


In 2024, a mix of corporate, venture capital, and private equity investors actively participated in the anaerobic digestion sector in Europe. Headquartered in key locations like London, Paris, and Stockholm, these investors range in size from small 51-200 employee companies to large multinational firms with thousands of staff. Established between 1834 and 2020, the entities on this invest list have collectively engaged in over 275 investment deals in 2024, showcasing their commitment and interest in supporting sustainable energy initiatives.


Top 17 Anaerobic Digestion Investors in Europe


1. 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 diverse sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in funding transactions relevant to the anaerobic digestion industry, such as FimusKraft, which raised funds in both a venture round and a grant, and Electrochaea, which also received significant funding through grants and venture rounds. These investments highlight the EIC's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the field of waste treatment and renewable energy, making it a relevant player in the anaerobic digestion sector.


2. 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 to raise capital through equity investments. It connects startups and SMEs with potential investors, facilitating the funding process. The platform promotes diversity and inclusion within its workforce while providing investment management services to its clients. Notably, Crowdcube has been involved in several transactions relevant to the anaerobic digestion industry, including Antaco, which raised $742,222 in 2019 for its innovative waste-to-energy solutions, and Elemental Digest, which raised $60,697 in 2021, focusing on sustainable energy production from organic materials. These transactions highlight Crowdcube's role in supporting companies that contribute to the anaerobic digestion sector.


3. 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 invested in companies like Ingelia, which raised $566,952 in a Series A round to develop anaerobic digestion technology, and Naoden, which secured over EUR 1.6 million to industrialize its waste-to-energy technology, demonstrating their commitment to advancing anaerobic digestion and related technologies. Additionally, they have supported Meva Energy in multiple seed rounds, further emphasizing their focus on innovative energy solutions.


4. 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, with a history dating back to 1907. It operates in the energy and chemicals sectors, providing essential products such as fuels, lubricants, and chemical solutions globally. Recently, Shell has made significant strides in the renewable energy sector, particularly in anaerobic digestion. Notably, Shell Petroleum NV, a subsidiary of Shell plc, acquired Nature Energy Biogas A/S for nearly USD $2 billion, enhancing its position as the largest producer of Renewable Natural Gas in Europe. This acquisition is expected to close in Q1 2023, pending regulatory approvals. Additionally, Shell has invested in companies like Nordsol and FORGE Hydrocarbons, indicating a broader interest in renewable energy technologies, including biofuels and anaerobic digestion. These transactions highlight Shell's commitment to diversifying its portfolio and investing in sustainable energy solutions.


5. 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 prominent investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, specializing in private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. Founded in 1994, EQT serves institutional investors by providing expertise in managing diverse investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. Notably, EQT Infrastructure has made significant investments in the waste management and energy sectors, including the acquisition of Covanta, a leading waste-to-energy firm, for $5.3 billion, and Synagro Technologies, which focuses on organic residuals management. These transactions highlight EQT's commitment to sustainable energy solutions and their strategic interest in companies that align with the principles of anaerobic digestion, making them a relevant player in this field.


6. EEP Africa

  • Website: eepafrica.org
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: eepafrica

EEP Africa is a not-for-profit organization based in Helsinki, Finland, founded in 2010. It focuses on clean energy financing, providing early-stage grants and support for innovative clean energy projects in Southern and Eastern Africa. The organization aims to enhance energy access and investment, collaborating with various funding partners to facilitate sustainable development in the region. Notably, EEP Africa has been involved in funding projects such as Sistema.bio, which specializes in biogas solutions, and The Waste Transformers, which also operates in the waste-to-energy space. These transactions highlight EEP Africa's commitment to supporting anaerobic digestion and related technologies, making them a significant player in the clean energy landscape.


7. TotalEnergies


TotalEnergies is a prominent energy company based in France, founded in 1924, that focuses on producing and marketing a diverse range of energy solutions, including oil, gas, and renewable energy. The company is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and serves both businesses and consumers with sustainable energy solutions. In recent years, TotalEnergies has made significant strides in the anaerobic digestion sector, acquiring a 20% stake in Ductor, a Finnish start-up specializing in processing high-nitrogen organic waste for biomethane production, announced on May 24, 2023. Additionally, TotalEnergies acquired Polska Grupa Biogazowa, a Polish group involved in biogas production, enhancing its biogas production capacity to 1.1 terawatt hours, announced on March 6, 2023. These strategic investments highlight TotalEnergies' commitment to expanding its biogas capabilities and integrating anaerobic digestion into its broader energy strategy.


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. Almi aims to enhance the growth and competitiveness of these businesses through tailored financial solutions and guidance. In recent years, Almi has been involved in various investment transactions, including notable investments in companies like C-Green, which raised significant funding in both seed and venture rounds. Although C-Green's specific focus is not explicitly stated, its involvement in sustainable practices suggests a potential link to the anaerobic digestion sector. Additionally, Almi's investment in Biofrigas AB, which raised funds in 2014, indicates a history of supporting companies that may operate within the renewable energy or waste management sectors. However, many of Almi's recent transactions, such as those involving Big Akwa, focus on aquaculture and do not directly relate to anaerobic digestion.


9. Scottish Enterprise


Scottish Enterprise is a public entity established in 1991, dedicated to fostering economic development in Scotland. Based in Glasgow, it provides a variety of services, including funding, business development advice, and support for innovation and exports. In 2024 alone, Scottish Enterprise was involved in 55 investments, reflecting its active role in enhancing Scotland's economic landscape. Notably, it has participated in funding rounds for companies like Carbogenics, which focuses on green energy technology, and FlexBio, an innovation center that supports biotech businesses. These investments highlight Scottish Enterprise's commitment to supporting sustainable technologies, including those related to anaerobic digestion, thereby positioning it as a relevant investor in this sector.


10. 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 leading energy company based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, specializing in renewable energy and energy solutions. Founded in 1834, the company operates globally with a strong emphasis on sustainability and decarbonization. Engie provides services to cities, industries, and individuals, focusing on reducing energy costs and emissions through innovative solutions in renewable energy generation, hydrogen production, and energy performance. Notably, Engie has made significant investments in the anaerobic digestion sector, including the acquisition of Ixora Energy Ltd, a UK leader in biomethane production, for £64.8 million in September 2023. This acquisition added three new production units to Engie's portfolio, enhancing its presence in the European biomethane market. Additionally, Engie's acquisition of Vol-V Biomasse involved a commitment of €800 million over five years and €2 billion by 2030 to develop biomethane projects, aiming to produce 5 TWh/year of biomethane by 2030. These transactions highlight Engie's strategic focus on expanding its capabilities in the anaerobic digestion industry, making it a relevant investor in this space.


11. SWEN Capital Partners

  • Website: swen-cp.fr
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 2014
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 12
  • LinkedIn: swen-capital-partners

SWEN Capital Partners is an investment management firm based in Paris, Île-De-France, specializing in responsible investment across private equity, infrastructure, and private debt. Founded in 2014, the firm serves institutional clients by providing tailored investment solutions that integrate environmental, social, and governance factors. With over 15 years of expertise, SWEN aims to create sustainable value and support the transition to a more responsible economy. Among their notable transactions, SWEN Capital Partners invested €30 million in CVE, which is involved in the biogas sector through its subsidiary CVE Biogaz. This investment highlights their commitment to supporting the growth of companies in the anaerobic digestion space. Additionally, they have engaged in other renewable energy investments, such as a $60 million funding round for REGA Energy Group, further demonstrating their focus on sustainable energy solutions.


12. Bgf

  • Website: bgf.co.uk
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: London, England, United Kingdom (UK)
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 53
  • LinkedIn: bgfinvestments

BGF Investment Management Limited is a venture capital firm based in London, UK, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in providing growth funding and value creation support to small and mid-sized businesses across the UK and Ireland. BGF focuses on addressing the funding gap in the market through minority investments and extensive support services. Notably, BGF has been involved in several transactions relevant to the waste management sector, which is closely related to anaerobic digestion. For instance, BGF invested in Keenan Recycling, which raised over $3.3 million in a seed round, and RiverRidge Recycling, a waste management operator that received £10 million in equity funding to enhance its treatment and operations infrastructure. Additionally, BGF's investment in Wales Environmental, a company focused on waste management, further highlights its engagement in sectors that could benefit from anaerobic digestion technologies. In 2024, BGF also participated in a Series A funding round for Descycle, which may indicate ongoing interest in innovative waste management solutions.


13. Agoranov

  • Website: agoranov.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 42
  • LinkedIn: agoranov

Agoranov is a startup incubator based in Paris, Île-De-France, founded in 2000. They specialize in supporting technology and science startups through personalized assistance, fully equipped facilities, and acceleration programs. Agoranov has been involved in various transactions, including investments in companies like TRYON Environnement, Naskeo Environnement, and Sublime Energie, which are engaged in environmental solutions and energy production. These transactions highlight Agoranov's commitment to fostering innovation in sectors that include anaerobic digestion, making them a valuable player in this industry.


14. Invest-NL

  • Website: invest-nl.nl
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 17
  • LinkedIn: invest-nl

Invest-NL is an impact investment firm based in Amsterdam, North Holland, founded in 2020. They focus on financing sustainable and innovative projects in the Netherlands, particularly in the energy and technology sectors. Invest-NL supports entrepreneurs with promising plans for societal transitions by mobilizing capital from various sources to make impactful investments that contribute to a more sustainable economy. Notable transactions include a €14 million investment in Paques Biomaterials, which aims to produce biopolymers as a natural alternative to plastic, and a €13 million investment in Pryme N.V., which focuses on reducing plastic waste through pyrolysis. These investments reflect Invest-NL's commitment to sustainability and innovation, aligning with the principles of anaerobic digestion.


15. Suez

  • Website: suez.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1997
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: suez

Suez SA is a utility company specializing in water and waste management, founded in 1997 and based in Paris, France. With over 160 years of experience, Suez provides essential services to public sector operators and industrial clients, focusing on sustainable practices and innovative solutions for water treatment, waste recycling, and resource management. In recent years, Suez has made strategic investments in companies and projects that align with their sustainability goals. Notably, they invested in CarbonWorks, which raised €11 million in a Series A funding round, indicating their interest in innovative waste management solutions. Additionally, Suez was involved in the Vinca waste-to-energy facility project in Serbia, a significant public-private partnership that highlights their commitment to sustainable energy solutions. Their acquisition of Degrémont SAS and the establishment of SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions further demonstrate their focus on enhancing their capabilities in water and waste management, which includes anaerobic digestion technologies. Furthermore, their investment in Airex Energy in 2024 reflects their ongoing interest in advancing technologies that contribute to waste-to-energy initiatives.


16. EDFI ElectriFI - The Electrification Financing Initiative


EDFI ElectriFI - The Electrification Financing Initiative is a not-for-profit impact investment facility based in Belgium, established 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 promote sustainable energy solutions. Notably, EDFI ElectriFI has invested in Sistema.bio, which raised $15 million in a venture round in October 2024, and previously secured $12 million in a Series A round in 2019. Sistema.bio specializes in developing affordable bio-gas equipment tailored for small farms, which directly supports anaerobic digestion initiatives. Additionally, EDFI ElectriFI has provided debt financing to Husk Power Systems for solar hybrid microgrids, further demonstrating its commitment to renewable energy solutions.


17. Proparco

  • Website: proparco.fr
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Paris, Île-De-France, France
  • Founded year: 1977
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 19
  • LinkedIn: proparco

Proparco is a not-for-profit development finance institution based in Paris, Île-De-France, France, founded in 1977. It supports economic growth in developing countries by providing financial tools, investment funds, and technical assistance to businesses and financial institutions. Proparco focuses on sectors such as agriculture, health, and infrastructure, aiming to enhance private sector contributions to sustainable development. In recent transactions, Proparco has participated in significant funding rounds, including a $103 million investment in Husk Power Systems, which is working on expanding mini-grids in various countries, potentially incorporating renewable energy solutions like anaerobic digestion. This involvement highlights Proparco's commitment to sustainable energy projects, further supporting its relevance in the anaerobic digestion sector.



Anaerobic Digestion Insights: Key Investors in Europe


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
CrowdcubeLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-20020103
InnoEnergyEindhoven, North Brabant, Netherlands201-500201052
ShellLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)10001+190720
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
EEP AfricaHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland11-5020100
TotalEnergiesFrance10001+192411
AlmiStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden201-50019947
Scottish EnterpriseGlasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)1001-5000199155
EngieParis, Île-De-France, France10001+18343
SWEN Capital PartnersParis, Île-De-France, France51-200201412
BgfLondon, England, United Kingdom (UK)51-200201153
AgoranovParis, Île-De-France, France11-50200042
Invest-NLAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202017
SuezParis, Île-De-France, France10001+19975
EDFI ElectriFI - The Electrification Financing InitiativeBelgium11-5020162
ProparcoParis, Île-De-France, France201-500197719


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