
World Fund
Description
World Fund is a prominent European venture capital firm headquartered in Berlin, Germany, exclusively dedicated to investing in climate tech startups. The fund's core mission is to back companies developing solutions to the climate crisis, aiming for a significant positive environmental impact alongside financial returns. In January 2023, World Fund successfully closed its inaugural fund, World Fund I, at an impressive €385 million, positioning it as one of Europe's largest dedicated climate tech funds. This substantial capital base underscores their commitment to scaling innovative technologies essential for a sustainable future.
The firm primarily targets Seed and Series A stage companies, providing crucial early-stage capital to promising ventures. World Fund typically deploys initial checks ranging from €1 million to €10 million, demonstrating their capacity to support a wide spectrum of early-stage needs. Beyond initial investment, they are prepared to follow on with up to €25 million over the lifetime of a portfolio company, indicating a long-term partnership approach. Their investment strategy is deeply rooted in scientific rigor, focusing on technologies with the highest potential for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and carbon capture solutions.
World Fund differentiates itself through its deep expertise in climate science and its ambitious impact targets. The firm has set a bold objective for its portfolio companies to collectively abate 100 megatons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions per year by 2040. This impact-driven approach is complemented by a team with strong entrepreneurial and scientific backgrounds, enabling them to provide strategic guidance and operational support to their portfolio. By combining substantial capital with a clear climate mandate and expert mentorship, World Fund aims to accelerate the development and deployment of technologies critical to achieving global decarbonization goals.
Investor Profile
World Fund has backed more than 24 startups, with 6 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 17 rounds, about 71% of its total and boasts 0 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Seed, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in Germany, United Kingdom, Finland.
- Strong thematic focus on Sustainability, Manufacturing, Food and Beverage.
- Led 3 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $1.1M – $10.8M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (50%)
- Seed (33%)
- Series B (8%)
- Pre Seed (4%)
- Series C (4%)
Country Focus
- Germany (54%)
- United Kingdom (29%)
- Finland (4%)
- The Netherlands (4%)
- Slovenia (4%)
- Sweden (4%)
Industry Focus
- Sustainability
- Manufacturing
- Food And Beverage
- Battery
- Cleantech
- Hardware
- Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemical
- Energy
Frequently Asked Questions
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