Energy Revolution Ventures Unleashes $18M Fund to Transform the Energy Landscape with Revolutionary ‘New Chemistry’

In a bold move signaling the future of energy innovation, Energy Revolution Ventures (ERV) has successfully secured an impressive $18 million Seed and Series A fund aimed at revolutionizing the energy sector through deep technology investments. This fund will primarily focus on cutting-edge fields such as energy storage, carbon capture, and pioneering hydrogen technologies.

Marcus Clover, Co-Founder and Partner at ERV, is a chemical engineer with a remarkable background that includes developing hydrogen-powered drones. He shared his journey with TechCrunch: "I initially pursued a career in oil and gas but found myself as the first employee at an aerospace startup focused on building hydrogen drones for telecommunications applications."

After gaining invaluable experience in this role, Clover transitioned to a firm specializing in hydrogen fuel cells for heavy-duty vehicles, where he witnessed firsthand the rapid innovation within the energy space. This experience propelled him to delve into the venture capital world alongside his partners, aiming to back revolutionary startups.

The newly launched fund boasts a diverse lineup of Limited Partners (LPs), which includes family offices linked to the metals and energy industries, high-net-worth individuals, and notable entities like Bidra Innovation Ventures, the corporate venture capital branch of Morocco’s OCP Group. ERV’s portfolio already features nine groundbreaking companies, among them Green Li-ion (focused on lithium-ion battery recycling), Anthro (creators of structurally innovative batteries), and Oort Energy (specializing in low-cost renewable hydrogen production).

In an innovative twist, ERV operates both a fund and a venture builder known as Prosemino. This dual approach allows ERV to not only invest in promising independent startups but also to incubate new ventures, leveraging their in-house technical expertise. Clover revealed impressive resources like "4,000 square feet of wet chemistry and dry lab space here in London," which he believes is unique outside of Europe and separate from university associations.

Clover elucidated the firm’s strategy, which is rooted in the understanding that significant innovations in chemistry and energy are on the horizon: "Back in 2015/2016, while working with hydrogen technologies, the most advanced applications were in the space sector. We were attempting to adapt this cutting-edge technology for aircraft. This integration of first-principles design and collaboration in tight-knit teams formed the bedrock of our investment approach today."

He emphasized that ERV's vision extends beyond mere decarbonization; it encompasses the essential need for electrification across various sectors: "Transforming the economy requires extensive technological advancements not just in electrical generation but in power storage and transmission. We are on the brink of rewiring the entire economic framework, mirroring how software has revolutionized space launch costs and capabilities."

Reflecting on the current state of investments, Clover noted, "Compared to those homing in solely on decarbonization, the opportunities generated through electrification present even more thrilling market prospects."

To date, the ERV Fund 1 has made nine strategic investments, including:

- **Blixt:** Pioneers in software-enabled power electronics, now recognized as a participant in NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) program.

- **Ecolectro:** Innovators creating new polymer materials designed for the next generation of electrolyzers aimed at advancing the hydrogen industry.

As the world grapples with energy challenges, the launch of Energy Revolution Ventures' $18 million fund could signify a turning point in the energy sector that may well lead to breakthroughs we can only begin to imagine. Are you ready to witness the energy revolution? Stay tuned!