Zero Carbon Fund leads pre-seed investment in Phycobloom.

We are super-excited to announce our investment in the pre-seed funding round of Phycobloom, a UK-based bio-technology company engineering algae that will enable cheap, carbon-neutral biofuels that can power future air travel and more.



Phycobloom is using synthetic biology to create novel strains of algae that will use atmospheric CO₂ to create affordable and sustainable hydrocarbons. The founders are Dr Ian Hu, who has been genetically engineering algae for a decade, and Dr John Waite, with a background in materials science and a passion for creating the sustainable energy systems of the future. The new investment round will enable them to build on their cutting-edge research in gene editing, and move toward commercial validation by building several lab-scale prototypes.

“We are thrilled to joining the Zero Carbon Fund portfolio and to have their support while building the next generation of climate mitigation technologies that the world so desperately needs" Dr John Waite, CEO of Phycobloom.

This is exactly the type of company we want to support. John and Ian are incredibly smart, mission-driven founders, working on an innovative scientific solution to a part of our Carbon Economy that is responsible for over half-a-gigaton of CO₂ emissions per year.

The round was oversubscribed, which is no mean feat in these times and Pippa will take an investor director board seat with Phycobloom.

Welcome Ian and John to the Zero Carbon Capital family.

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.