The biofuels industry in the DACH region focuses on producing renewable energy sources from biological materials. Companies involved range from innovative startups to established corporations, specializing in the development of bioethanol, biodiesel, and advanced biofuels derived from waste and algae. With growing concerns surrounding climate change, the sector is evolving rapidly, emphasizing sustainable practices and technologies. A noticeable trend is the shift towards integrating biofuels into existing energy infrastructures, which could lead to significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Investment in R&D is thriving, pointing towards an optimistic future for biofuels as a viable energy alternative.


The 18 investors listed here hail from various sectors, including venture capital and corporate investments, reflecting their commitment to biofuels. Headquarters are spread across major cities in the DACH region, such as Berlin, Munich, and Zurich. Sizes range from small teams in startups to large firms managing billions in assets. Established between 1865 and 2022, these investors engaged significantly in 2024, with notable deal counts highlighting their focus on renewable energy. They share a common goal: to fund innovative biofuels companies that contribute to a sustainable energy future.


Top 18 Biofuels Investors in DACH


1. 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 and the bioeconomy. The firm supports mission-aligned founders by providing funding and resources to scale innovative solutions, particularly in alternative proteins and sustainable practices. Notably, Blue Horizon has made significant investments in companies that contribute to the bioeconomy, such as Planetary, which raised $8 million to enhance bioprocessing capacity in the food fermentation industry, potentially applicable to biofuels. They also invested in Polybion, which focuses on sustainable bioproducts, and Chromologics, a biotech company that raised funds to commercialize natural food colorants, showcasing their commitment to sustainable innovations. Their portfolio includes various plant-based companies, indicating a broader interest in sustainable practices that could intersect with biofuels.


2. Deutsche Bank

  • Website: db.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
  • Founded year: 1870
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 32
  • LinkedIn: deutsche-bank

Deutsche Bank AG is a prominent investment bank and financial services provider based in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, founded in 1870. The bank offers a wide range of solutions including investment banking, corporate banking, cash management, trade finance, and securities services. In 2024, Deutsche Bank has been actively involved in various transactions, including a notable $3.33 billion financing for Varo Energy, which plans to allocate two-thirds of its investment towards sustainable energies, including biofuels. Additionally, Deutsche Bank led a €335 million loan for Ignis Energía to develop solar projects, showcasing its engagement in financing renewable energy initiatives. These transactions highlight Deutsche Bank's role in supporting the transition to sustainable energy solutions, including biofuels.


3. Demeter-Partners


Demeter-Partners is a venture capital and private equity firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2007. The firm specializes in investments aimed at facilitating the energy and ecological transition, supporting innovative startups and small to mid-cap companies with funding and strategic guidance. With a focus on sustainable development, Demeter manages a diverse portfolio that includes investments in the biofuels sector. Notably, they have participated in funding rounds for companies like Fermentalg, which is engaged in the industrial scale-up and commercialization of microalgae production, a key area in biofuels. Their investment in Fermentalg includes a €12 million Series C funding round and a €5.3 million Series B funding round, highlighting their commitment to advancing biofuel technologies. Additionally, their involvement with other companies like Algaia and Methaneo further demonstrates their engagement in the biofuels and ecological solutions space.


4. Mercuria


Mercuria Energy Group Ltd. is a global energy trading company based in Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2004. With a workforce of 1001-5000 employees and a turnover exceeding USD 100 billion, Mercuria operates across various commodity markets, including crude oil, natural gas, and renewable energy. The company is committed to investing in sustainable projects, aiming for fifty percent of its investments to support the energy transition by 2026. Notably, Mercuria has made strategic investments in the biofuels sector, including the acquisition of Beyond6, which specializes in clean energy, and a $30 million investment in ClearFlame Engine Technologies, which develops technology for renewable liquid fuels. Furthermore, their acquisition of Roadgas Limited enhances their footprint in the biofuels market by supporting the decarbonization of heavy transport fleets through bio-CNG and bio-LNG stations in the UK. These transactions highlight Mercuria's active role in promoting biofuels and renewable energy solutions.


5. 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 of 1-10 members and has been active in various investment rounds, with a total of 9 investments in 2024 alone. Notably, Possible Ventures has invested in companies like Reverion, which raised $62,089,971 in a Series A round in September 2024, and Insempra, which secured $20,000,000 in a Series A round in May 2024. These companies are focused on innovative solutions in the biofuels sector, highlighting Possible Ventures' engagement in this industry. Additionally, they have supported Provectus Algae, which raised $11,400,000 in a Seed Round in December 2021, further emphasizing their interest in biofuel-related technologies.


6. 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 their notable transactions, Partners Group has acquired board seats in Grupo Gestcompost, a biogas company, for €250 million, marking a significant investment in the biofuels sector. Additionally, they have engaged in various other infrastructure and energy-related investments, such as the acquisition of CapeOmega, a midstream infrastructure company focused on natural gas, and the District Heating Platform in the Baltics, which aims to provide customer-centric energy solutions. These transactions reflect Partners Group's strategic interest in sustainable energy solutions, including biofuels.


7. 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, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, is a corporate investor founded in 2001. As a subsidiary of BASF, a leading chemical manufacturer, the firm focuses on innovation and sustainability across various industries, including automotive, construction, and agriculture. BASF Venture Capital has made significant investments in companies that align with their sustainability goals. Notably, they invested in Sea6 Energy, which raised $9.5 million in Series B funding in 2022, focusing on biofuel production from seaweed. They have also been involved with Heliatek, participating in multiple funding rounds, including a Series C round in 2014, which supports the development of organic solar technology. These transactions highlight BASF Venture Capital's commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions, including biofuels.


8. Basf

  • Website: basf.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
  • Founded year: 1865
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: basf

BASF SE, founded in 1865 and headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany, is a leading multinational chemical manufacturer. The company provides a diverse range of products and solutions across various industries, including agriculture, automotive, and construction. BASF emphasizes innovation and sustainability, helping its customers address environmental challenges and enhance operational efficiency. In 2023, BASF participated in a significant investment in LanzaTech, raising $185 million in post-IPO equity. LanzaTech is known for its innovative technology that converts carbon emissions into sustainable fuels and chemicals, which is directly relevant to the biofuels sector. This investment highlights BASF's commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions. Additionally, BASF has made several acquisitions over the years, such as the acquisition of Ciba Holding and Wintershall Group, which, while not directly related to biofuels, demonstrate their strategic growth in the chemical industry. Overall, BASF's activities indicate a potential interest in biofuels, particularly through their investment in LanzaTech.


9. Siemens Financial Services


Siemens Financial Services, based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, is a corporate investor that specializes in providing financial solutions to support technological advancements across various sectors, including industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. Founded in 1997, Siemens combines its technological expertise with financial services to foster growth and efficiency for its customers. In recent years, Siemens has made significant investments in companies that are pushing the boundaries of sustainability. For instance, they participated in the seed and pre-seed rounds for FertigHy, a company focused on innovative biofuel solutions. Additionally, their investment in Mission Zero, which raised over $27 million, further underscores their commitment to supporting sustainable technologies. These transactions highlight Siemens Financial Services' active role in the biofuels sector, making them a relevant player in this investment category.


10. Aenu

  • Website: aenu.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2022
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: pirate-impact

Aenu is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2022. The firm focuses on empowering climate tech founders by providing investment brokerage and advisory services, primarily targeting tech entrepreneurs addressing climate change and sustainability challenges in Europe. Aenu aims to drive systemic change in venture capital through intentional investments in impactful technologies. Notably, Aenu has participated in several relevant transactions, including a seed round investment in XFuel, which raised $9 million for its biofuels initiatives. They also invested in ZeroAvia, which is working on hydrogen-powered aviation, and Agreena, a climate-focused fintech firm that supports carbon farming initiatives. These investments reflect Aenu's commitment to supporting innovative solutions that contribute to sustainability and climate action.


11. Extantia

  • Website: extantia.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: beyond-black-capital

Extantia is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2020. The firm focuses on climate technology and sustainability, investing in innovative solutions for carbon reduction and providing consulting services on ESG practices. Extantia supports entrepreneurs and investors in the climate tech sector, facilitating the transition to a sustainable economy. Among its notable transactions, Extantia participated in the Series A funding for Reverion, a German climate tech start-up that is accelerating the production of biogas power plants, and also invested in Ineratec, which is scaling up sustainable e-fuel production. These investments highlight Extantia's active role in the biofuels industry, demonstrating its commitment to supporting sustainable energy solutions.


12. Planet A Ventures

  • Website: planet-a.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: planet-a

Planet A Ventures is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2020, dedicated to investing in green technology startups across Europe and Israel. The firm aims to support founders tackling significant environmental challenges through innovative solutions. Planet A not only provides financial investment but also offers mentorship and resources to help startups scale effectively. Notably, Planet A has participated in several relevant transactions in the biofuels sector, including a significant investment in INERATEC, a sustainable e-fuels startup that raised over $129 million in its Series B funding round. This company is focused on scaling the production of sustainable e-fuels, with ambitious plans to transform renewable energy into substantial quantities of e-fuel by 2030. Additionally, Planet A led a $5 million seed financing round for Carbon One, which is developing proprietary catalysis for methanol production, a key component in biofuels. Their involvement in these transactions highlights their commitment to advancing biofuels and related technologies.


13. Glencore

  • Website: glencore.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Baar, Zug, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1978
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: glencore

Glencore plc is a multinational commodity trading and mining company based in Baar, Zug, Switzerland, founded in 1978. With over 10,000 employees, Glencore operates across various sectors, including metals, minerals, and energy. The company supplies essential commodities such as copper, cobalt, and oil to businesses and organizations worldwide. Notably, Glencore has made significant investments in the biofuels sector, including the acquisition of Biopetrol Industries in December 2009, which specializes in biofuel production. This strategic move highlights Glencore's interest in diversifying its portfolio to include renewable energy sources. Additionally, Glencore's acquisition of Astron Energy in South Africa, while primarily focused on oil, reflects its broader engagement in the energy market, which can intersect with biofuels. Glencore is committed to responsible sourcing and sustainability in its operations, aligning with the growing demand for renewable energy solutions.


14. eCAPITAL ENTREPRENEURIAL PARTNERS


eCAPITAL ENTREPRENEURIAL PARTNERS is a venture capital firm founded in 1999, based in Neunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The firm specializes in investing in technology companies, particularly in sectors such as cleantech, software, and cybersecurity. eCAPITAL provides early to growth stage funding and strategic support to startups, helping them navigate challenges and achieve growth. Notably, eCAPITAL has made significant investments in the cleantech sector, including a €4.5M investment in Subitec GmbH, a manufacturer of fully automated algae photobioreactors, which are relevant for biofuel production. They also invested in Smart Hydro Power GmbH, further demonstrating their commitment to sustainable energy solutions. While their portfolio includes a variety of technology sectors, their active participation in cleantech and biofuel-related companies positions them as a relevant investor in the biofuels industry.


15. 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 companies scale their operations. Their investment focus spans various technology sectors, including Deep Tech, Fintech, and SaaS. Recently, Speedinvest has participated in funding rounds for cleantech startups like NeoCarbon, which focuses on CO2 removal technology, and Tibo Energy, which is involved in energy solutions. These investments reflect Speedinvest's commitment to supporting innovative companies that contribute to sustainability and energy efficiency, aligning them with the broader goals of the biofuels industry.


16. 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 was involved in several significant transactions, including a $9 million Series A investment in Metafuels, a company likely engaged in biofuels or related technologies. Additionally, they participated in a Seed funding round for Turn2X, a Munich-based startup that is developing RNG production plants across Europe, directly linking them to the biofuels industry. Their support for Bcomp, which raised over $39 million in Series C funding, and their involvement with Insolight, which focuses on agrivoltaic solutions, further demonstrate their commitment to sustainable technologies that can intersect with biofuels. Overall, Verve Ventures is positioned as a proactive investor in the climate tech space, with relevant interests in biofuels and renewable energy solutions.


17. IBB Ventures


IBB Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1997. The firm specializes in early-stage financing and has invested in over 270 startups, providing not only capital but also expertise and resources to help these businesses thrive in competitive markets. Among their notable transactions, IBB Ventures participated in the funding of Spark e-Fuels, which raised approximately $2.4 million in a pre-seed round in January 2025, indicating their engagement in the biofuels sector. They have also invested in other innovative companies like Meloon and Lumenaza, showcasing their commitment to supporting startups that drive technological advancements and sustainability. Their diverse portfolio reflects a willingness to invest in various sectors, including those related to renewable energy and biofuels.


18. Nucleus Capital

  • Website: nucleus-capital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: k16-ventures

Nucleus Capital is a Berlin-based venture capital firm founded in 2021, dedicated to investing in purpose-driven entrepreneurs who are tackling systemic challenges to planetary health. The firm primarily focuses on sectors such as Programmable Biology, Food Technology, and Green Industrials, with a strong emphasis on supporting startups in Europe and the US. Notably, Nucleus Capital has participated in several transactions that align with biofuels and sustainable technologies. For example, they invested in Spark e-Fuels, which raised $2,395,484 in a Pre-Seed round aimed at developing e-fuels. They also backed Planetary, a company that is enhancing the food fermentation industry through industrial-scale bioprocessing, which can have implications for biofuel production. Their investment in Farmless, which focuses on innovative agricultural solutions, further demonstrates their commitment to sustainability. Overall, Nucleus Capital's portfolio reflects a strategic interest in sectors that contribute to environmental sustainability, including biofuels.



Biofuels Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Blue HorizonZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-5020162
Deutsche BankFrankfurt, Hesse, Germany10001+187032
Demeter-PartnersBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5020070
MercuriaGeneva, Geneva, Switzerland1001-500020047
Possible VenturesMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020219
Partners GroupBaar, Zug, Switzerland1001-5000199619
BASF Venture CapitalLudwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany10001+20013
BasfLudwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany10001+18651
Siemens Financial ServicesMunich, Bavaria, Germany1001-5000199715
AenuBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5020229
ExtantiaBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5020206
Planet A VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-5020207
GlencoreBaar, Zug, Switzerland10001+19783
eCAPITAL ENTREPRENEURIAL PARTNERSNeunkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany11-5019992
SpeedinvestVienna, Vienna, Austria51-200201145
Verve VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50201025
IBB VenturesBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50199718
Nucleus CapitalBerlin, Berlin, Germany1-1020215


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