Emerald marks 25 years with EUR €1 billion in global cleantech assets
Emerald Technology Ventures is marking its 25th anniversary, having grown from Europe's first independent cleantech venture capital fund to managing more than EUR €1 billion in assets with a global presence.
Founded in 2000, Emerald Technology Ventures was an early investor in sustainability and climate technology both in Europe and North America. Over the past quarter-century, it has become an investment partner to more than 50 Fortune 500 corporations, including Microsoft, Temasek, ABB, Caterpillar, Nestlé, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Chevron.
Asset growth
Emerald now manages over EUR €1 billion in assets under management and advisory. The firm has built a worldwide network of investors and investment targets, reflecting its reach and the growing demand for sustainable technology solutions.
With offices located in Zurich, Toronto, and Singapore, Emerald's team evaluates thousands of start-up opportunities annually in sectors such as clean energy, water, industrial information technology, and advanced materials. The firm operates four active venture funds and manages five investment mandates, focusing on transformative start-ups that can offer strategic value to its corporate partners.
Corporate collaborations
The investor base includes over 50 of the world's largest corporations. These companies work with Emerald to accelerate their growth, explore new markets, and solve innovation challenges through partnership and open innovation services.
The company's approach differs from most venture capital firms in that its team is composed of PhDs and specialists in engineering, chemistry, and physics. This deep technical expertise is cited as a factor in the confidence shown by large industrial backers.
Water fund and sustainability initiatives
Looking to the future, Emerald is expanding its sustainability-focused initiatives. In the water innovation sector, the firm is preparing to launch a second Global Water Fund, aiming to drive progress in water treatment, monitoring, and infrastructure across the full value chain.
Veralto Corporation, a business specialising in technologies for the water sector, has committed EUR €20 million as a cornerstone investor in this new fund, demonstrating ongoing support for Emerald's collaborative model.
"When we launched Emerald in 2000, investing in sustainability was far from mainstream. Twenty-five years later, that vision has become an imperative for industries worldwide," said Gina Domanig, Managing Partner of Emerald Technology Ventures. "Our journey from one of Europe and North America's first cleantech funds to a global platform for investors from around the world, reflects the urgency and opportunity of this moment. As we mark this milestone, we remain as committed as ever to empowering the next generation of innovators to drive sustainable prosperity for the future."
Building climate tech ecosystems
Emerald has established itself not only as an investor but as a convener of major industry events. The firm organises the European Venture Fair in Zurich, which has run since 2001, and the Asia Climate Tech Venture Fair in Singapore, launched in 2024. These events bring together executives from industry, other investors, and start-ups to promote the deployment of climate-focused innovations.
By hosting these forums, Emerald aims to encourage collaboration among stakeholders and accelerate industrial transformation on the path to net zero emissions. The company's ongoing work reflects the move of sustainability from a 'nice-to-have' to a business-critical objective for companies worldwide.
