Max

Max

Max

Werny

Werny

Werny

Venture Associate

Venture Associate

Venture Associate

Max Werny is an Associate and PhD chemist at Zero Carbon. Based in Berlin, he leads Zero Carbon's activities in the DACH region. Before joining Zero Carbon, Max worked at the climate VC fund Extantia Capital, sourcing investments in metal recovery, biomining, and direct air capture. He also brings two years of chemical industry experience, having led projects on industrial catalyst development, CO₂ valorisation, the hydrogen economy, and precious metal recycling at Heraeus Precious Metals, BASF, and Alantum.

What got me here

What got me here

What got me here

“My PhD in catalysis and industry experience come in handy when assessing deep tech companies.”

My technical background and industry exposure, from working in business development and sales roles in the chemical industry, have really helped me develop a good gut feeling about where a technology has the potential to go.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT MY JOB

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT MY JOB

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT MY JOB

“I love working with exceptional founders and discovering frontier technologies.”

Working with highly driven founders who are trying to change the world is energising and, frankly speaking, a privilege. What makes it even better is that I get to follow what is happening at the frontier of science and technology.

FINDING GREAT COMPANIES

FINDING GREAT COMPANIES

FINDING GREAT COMPANIES

“Convincing unit economics are crucial.”

While we index heavily on the technical and commercial excellence of founders, as well as their interpersonal and communication skills, a company is only going to fly if its technology provides a clear economic benefit to customers - without relying on green premiums.

Max recommends

I love how he brings together history, politics, philosophy and technology in his books. Homo Deus and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century also recommended.

This book has a bunch of useful strategies on how to improve your productivity and avoid distraction.

Our team

Our team

Our team

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.