DiCaprio Joins Regeneration.VC's Climate Push as Firm Eyes European Expansion

January 22, 2025
DiCaprio Joins Regeneration.VC's Climate Push as Firm Eyes European Expansion
  • Regeneration.VC, launched in 2022, has invested in various innovative European companies, including Colorifix, a developer of green pigments, and Greyparrot, an AI platform for waste analytics.

  • Both Regeneration VC and Sky Ocean Ventures emphasize investing in consumer startups that address climate issues, which have historically received less funding compared to energy and mobility sectors.

  • The firm's founding partner, Michael Smith, relocated to the Netherlands in 2023, indicating a strategic shift towards European investments.

  • To bolster its UK presence and raise capital for a second $150 million fund, Jamie Rowles joined Regeneration.VC in November 2024.

  • The firm has further strengthened its team by hiring Narina Mnatsakanian, former head of impact investment at UBS, as its chief impact officer.

  • The portfolio also features companies like Xampla, a next-generation plastic startup, and Notpla, a sustainable packaging company.

  • The article notes a proliferation of climate-focused funds in Europe since 2022, with predictions of consolidation in the sector.

  • Regeneration.VC has taken over the management of Sky Ocean Ventures' climate portfolio, which focuses on early-stage climate and cleantech startups.

  • This transition includes the involvement of Leonardo DiCaprio as a limited partner, highlighting the fund's commitment to sustainability.

  • While Regeneration.VC will continue to invest in the US due to its access to capital and risk appetite, it will also prioritize alignment with European Union climate policies.

  • Despite the management transition, Sky Ocean Ventures retains a financial stake in the companies within the managed portfolio.

  • The changing political landscape in the US, particularly with Trump's support for oil and gas, is influencing climate investors to focus on Europe as a more favorable investment environment.

Summary based on 2 sources


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