ZCC closes £20M fund to accelerate early-stage scientific solutions to deep decarbonisation.

The ZCC team

We are thrilled to announce that ZCC has successfully closed our £20 million fund dedicated to investing in pre-seed and seed-stage companies across Europe that are developing groundbreaking scientific solutions for deep decarbonisation. This is an amazing milestone on the journey started by Pippa 8 years ago, and now continued by the group of scientist VCs she has assembled as our team.

"We want a future where humans are thriving on a healthy planet with healthy ecosystems. We believe deeply that the combination of brilliant scientific advances with sustainable, scalable commercial models is the best way to get there. Our team is uniquely positioned to catalyse those opportunities at the earliest moments, supporting ambitious scientists that are building businesses to tackle the hardest problems in decarbonisation." Pippa Gawley, Managing Partner at ZCC

The fund attracted investment from a diverse group of both institutional, corporate and individual investors, including Isomer Capital, Green Future Investments, Bunge Ventures, and Extantia Climate All-stars. This mix of investors underscores the broad support for ZCC's mission to tackle the planet's most pressing environmental challenges through science.

"We are thrilled to partner with Zero Carbon Capital, given their extensive experience in climate tech and the strong team they have built. Their unique blend of scientific research capabilities and operational experience positions them to identify, analyze, and support leading early-stage climate tech companies across Europe." Chloe Dagnell, Principal at Isomer Capital.

ZCC portfolio company founders

The fund has already made significant progress, investing in twelve innovative companies aligned with our mission, including:

  • Level Nine: Pioneering chemical manufacturing from biological feedstocks.

  • Ionate: Developing smart transformers to bolster the renewable grid.

  • NetZeroNitrogen: Utilising bacteria to fix atmospheric nitrogen in plants, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers.

  • RepAir: Innovating low-power electrochemical direct air capture technology to efficiently remove CO₂ from the atmosphere.

These investments reflect our commitment to transformative change in areas of critical need. Beyond providing capital, we are dedicated to fostering a community of climate tech innovators and leaders, offering strategic support to ensure our portfolio companies can scale effectively and contribute significantly to global carbon reduction.

"ZCC were our first investors, and their guidance has been invaluable in our journey to decarbonize concrete. Their team's support has been instrumental to our growth." Liv Anderson, CEO of portfolio company Biozeroc.

The successful close of this fund marks a pivotal milestone for us at ZCC, reaffirming our dedication to leading climate tech investment and supporting the development of solutions that will have a profound impact on our planet's future. If you are a European pre-seed startup with the ambition to have a big impact on decarbonisation, we want to hear from you!

Risk to capital

This website is intended solely for professional clients and eligible counterparties.

Zero Carbon Capital Limited is an appointed representative of Sapphire Capital Partners LLP which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Sapphire Capital Partners LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number 565716). Registered office: 28 Deramore Park, Belfast, BT9 5JU, United Kingdom.

Zero Carbon Capital Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company Number 12028532). Registered office: Lake House, 2 Port Way, Port Solent, Portsmouth, PO6 4TY, United Kingdom. Firm Reference Number 916588. Sapphire Capital Partners LLP is responsible for the regulated activities carried on by Zero Carbon Capital Limited.

This website constitutes a financial promotion for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and is communicated by Sapphire Capital Partners LLP in its capacity as principal. It is directed only at persons who are professional clients or eligible counterparties, or who fall within exemptions available under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005. It must not be relied upon by retail clients or any other person. The fund is a closed-ended alternative investment fund structured as a limited partnership.

Nothing on this website constitutes investment

advice, a personal recommendation, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Any investment opportunity will be subject to separate legally binding documentation and appropriate investor classification and due diligence.

On this website, "we" refers to the combined activities of Zero Carbon Capital Ltd, Sapphire Capital Partners LLP and the funds they advise and manage. 

Investments in early-stage and growth companies involve a high degree of risk. Capital is at risk and investors may lose the entirety of their investment. The value of investments and any income derived from them can go down as well as up. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in future.

Where investments are made through arrangements operated by Sapphire Capital Partners LLP under its FCA permissions, eligible claimants may have access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) subject to the FSCS rules and limits. Not all investment activities or losses are covered by the FSCS.

Any references to sustainability, climate impact, carbon reduction or decarbonisation relate to the investment strategy and objectives of portfolio companies. Such statements are based on current methodologies, assumptions and expectations and are not guarantees of future performance or environmental outcomes.

Risk to capital

This website is intended solely for professional clients and eligible counterparties.

Zero Carbon Capital Limited is an appointed representative of Sapphire Capital Partners LLP which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Sapphire Capital Partners LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number 565716). Registered office: 28 Deramore Park, Belfast, BT9 5JU, United Kingdom.

Zero Carbon Capital Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company Number 12028532). Registered office: Lake House, 2 Port Way, Port Solent, Portsmouth, PO6 4TY, United Kingdom. Firm Reference Number 916588. Sapphire Capital Partners LLP is responsible for the regulated activities carried on by Zero Carbon Capital Limited.

This website constitutes a financial promotion for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and is communicated by Sapphire Capital Partners LLP in its capacity as principal. It is directed only at persons who are professional clients or eligible counterparties, or who fall within exemptions available under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005. It must not be relied upon by retail clients or any other person. The fund is a closed-ended alternative investment fund structured as a limited partnership.

Nothing on this website constitutes investment

advice, a personal recommendation, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Any investment opportunity will be subject to separate legally binding documentation and appropriate investor classification and due diligence.

On this website, "we" refers to the combined activities of Zero Carbon Capital Ltd, Sapphire Capital Partners LLP and the funds they advise and manage. 

Investments in early-stage and growth companies involve a high degree of risk. Capital is at risk and investors may lose the entirety of their investment. The value of investments and any income derived from them can go down as well as up. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in future.

Where investments are made through arrangements operated by Sapphire Capital Partners LLP under its FCA permissions, eligible claimants may have access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) subject to the FSCS rules and limits. Not all investment activities or losses are covered by the FSCS.

Any references to sustainability, climate impact, carbon reduction or decarbonisation relate to the investment strategy and objectives of portfolio companies. Such statements are based on current methodologies, assumptions and expectations and are not guarantees of future performance or environmental outcomes.