Cleantech VC NextSTEP, focusing on pre-seed and seed-stage cleantech investments across the UK and Italy, has invested €590,000 in five UK-based pre-seed startups, as Vestbee was told. The funding recipients include Pulpatronics, Algapelago, ClearWatt, Nina Energy, and The First Element.
- Founded in 2022, NextSTEP is the venture capital arm of the NextEnergy Group, dedicated to fostering innovation in the CleanTech sector. With a primary focus on investments in Italy and the UK, the firm also extends its reach to pre-seed and seed-stage companies across Europe and the US.
- NextSTEP invests in ventures from incubators, accelerators, universities, and research centers, focusing on early-stage projects led by students and emerging innovators.
- In 2024, the firm invested £490,000 (€590,000) in UK-based startups and has plans for additional investments in the coming months.
NextSTEP's 5 Cleantech Investments of the Last 18 Months
- Over the past 18 months, NextSTEP has invested in five emerging CleanTech startups, each focused on innovative and sustainable solutions in recycling:
- The First Element (June 2023) – A Marlow-based startup specializing in clean energy solutions, offering Smart Tank technology for the safe and scalable generation of green hydrogen.
- Nina Energy (January 2024) – A British Ecuadorian startup that transforms agricultural waste into solid biofuels and biochar, providing sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.
- ClearWatt (July 2024) – A developer of an app with a proprietary ML-powered algorithm to measure and certify EV range and battery health, fostering trust between buyers and sellers.
- Algapelago (November 2024) – A startup focused on sustainable seaweed-based products, using offshore kelp forests to create natural fertilizers and animal feed supplements while promoting carbon sequestration and marine biodiversity.
- Pulpatronics (August 2024) – A startup revolutionizing RFID technology with metal-free, chipless tags made from laser-imprinted conductive circuitry on paper, significantly reducing costs, CO2 emissions, and environmental impact.
“We are immensely proud of the milestones achieved in 2024. Our commitment to identifying and supporting emerging initiatives that contribute to a better planet not only fosters their growth but also reinforces our dedication to a sustainable and innovative future," Managing Director of NextSTEP, Claudio Colombo, stated in a statement.
