Climate-positive entrepreneurs invited for investment pitchfest Cleantech Venture Week 

Oxfordshire Greentech director Nicole Lazarus said: “We are proud to partner with Cambridge Cleantech to organise Cleantech Venture Week. We had a number of Oxfordshire Greentech companies pitch at the last event in February, a testimony to the quality and investment-readiness of companies in our network. We look forward to a week of excellent pitches and networking.”

Nicole Lazarus. Pic: Oxfordshire Greentech

“The pandemic has created a challenging environment for climate positive start-ups to raise funding,” added Martin Garratt, Cambridge Cleantech CEO. “But we know we have no time to wait to bring these innovative ideas into fruition – we need solutions today. I am excited to host Cleantech Venture Week in a digital format, building on our past successes and creating ways for investors and innovators to engage in new ways.”

Tom de Wilton, chief operating officer of eco-laundry firm OxWash, commented on the firm’s successful pitch to investors at Cleantech Venture Day in February 2020:

“Pitching at Cleantech Venture Day was an invaluable experience and allowed us to connect with some of the biggest investors in the greentech sector. Cambridge Cleantech is a brilliant organisation and through their introduction we were represented by the Cambridge MBA team in the MIINT competition, winning second place and securing £25,000 of investment from a US impact fund,” he said, adding:

“I wish all success to this year’s cohort and can confidently say that Cleantech Venture Day will open doors for you in the future!”

Tom de Wilton (left) and OxWash founder Kyle Grant. Pic: Oxwash

Cleantech Venture Day has grown in popularity since its first run in Finland in 2006. In the last 14 years, 250 companies have pitched at the events, and as much as 650 million euros invested.  Cambridge Cleantech has been running Cleantech Venture Day in the UK since 2017, and is partnering with Oxfordshire Greentech to launch the first online version.

The events are an opportunity for cleantech businesses seeking to secure funding, and for experienced fund managers, business angels and corporate investors looking to invest in climate-positive technologies.

Cleantech Venture Day in February 2020, attracted over 100 applications and was attended by sustainable impact investment firms including Engie, Carbon Trust Ventures, Sustainable Ventures and Grid. The organisers reported that Cleantech SMEs were introduced to four multinational corporates, Schneider Electric, Lafarge Holcim, Capgemini and Bouygues in a Meet the Buyer event in London.

Cleantech Venture Week will be online from November 23 to 26, 2020, and will appeal to  cleantech start-ups in Future Mobility, Energy Transition, Smart Cities & Building Tech or Circular Economy, Carbon Reduction & Water Resource, looking for seed/Series A/Series B investment. Deadline for entries is September 21 2020.

About the Author

Karen David

Karen has a long career in writing and communications in technology, finance and creative sectors in Oxfordshire, the UK and internationally.