Antwerp-based VC Junction Growth Investors, an Article 9 fund, has closed its first oversubscribed €115 million fund. The fund focuses on growth and buyout capital for European energy transition scaleups and SMEs, a segment that needs greater funding and acceleration.
- Founded in 2022 by Bruno Vanderschueren, Pieter-Jan Mermans, Dirk Dewals, and Vincent Gregoir, Junction Growth Investors is a sustainable investment fund (Article 9, SFDR) backing non-listed European SMEs and scaleups in the energy transition.
- The firm offers growth and buyout capital, with equity investments of up to €15 million per deal, to scale established technologies in grid enhancement, solar and storage installations, sustainable buildings, and energy management. Its focus is on expansion-stage opportunities rather than early-stage startups or financial engineering.
"The energy transition is a pivotal opportunity for Europe to reduce its dependence on geopolitically sensitive carbon fuels. We firmly believe that electrification, particularly in the B2B sector, will play a crucial role in driving this shift, and we are actively seeking enablers to accelerate this revolution," explains Dirk Dewals, Managing Partner at Junction.
- With a team of eight investment professionals, the firm has supported seven companies across Europe, including:
- Ampacimon (BE) and Eneida (PT): These companies focus on grid-enhancing technologies for both high- and low-voltage grids, enabling low-cost grid expansion and greater renewable energy adoption.
- Eturnity (CH): Provides software solutions that improve efficiency and digitalization for installers, wholesalers, and manufacturers in the renewable energy sector.
- EET (AT): Offers a smart plug-in battery solution for apartments and renters, helping them save on energy bills while contributing to the energy transition.
- Hysopt (BE): A Software-as-a-Service platform that optimizes energy use and reduces carbon emissions in complex HVAC systems for commercial and industrial buildings.
- Haulogy (BE): Delivers software solutions for Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and energy utilities, managing assets, field services, and energy flexibility.
- Solora (BE): In partnership with BNP Fortis Private Equity, the firm is the majority shareholder in a leading solar panel and battery energy storage systems provider for commercial and industrial clients in the Benelux and France.
- Junction Growth Investors' first fund is backed by a diverse group of investors, including Keeling Capital, BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity, the European Investment Fund (EIF), PMV, and the Belgian Growth Fund.
- Junction Growth Investors fund also received support from several large family offices, including some owners of AB InBev and Umicore, as well as prominent technology entrepreneurs such as Jan-Willem Rombouts, Gregoire de Streel, and Jean-Guillaume Zurstrassen.
“Junction Growth Investors' distinctive approach to venture investing and deep domain expertise in building and scaling energy businesses make them an ideal partner as we work to accelerate the growth of innovative climate tech companies," Partner at Keeling Capital, Ross Madden, commented in a press release.
