- 30
- May
2017
Perfect pitch: How to raise money for your startup
Startups not only got to pitch to and network with potential investors at Ecosummit Berlin 2017, they also got some valuable lessons on how to do it right. Leonie Baneke from Eneco Smart Energy gets sent lots of startup pitch decks, asking her for capital. This is the second year in a row Eneco has sponsored Ecosummit and Baneke says, they were part of the event since the beginning of their corporate venturing activities to look for cool and challenging ideas to invest in. The Dutch have money to spend, allocating 10 to 30 million euros per year to invest in external startups, follow-on investments and internal startups.
Read more- 18
- May
2017
Ecosummit Berlin 2017: An ecosystem for a growing smart green startup community
275 startups and investors flocked to Ecosummit Berlin 2017 to pitch their ideas, to network and to discuss a common vision for the future. Under the motto “Smart green unicorns made in Europe”, a total of 95 speakers took to the stage – including 61 startups, all looking for funding or partners to help their ideas grow. “Our investors are all innovative, creative and share our vision,” Christoph Ostermann from Sonnen explains. “And that is very important from my point of view.” The young German company offers solar energy storage for private homes, and allows private solar energy producers to share excess energy within the so-called sonnenCommunity. Sonnen is not far from becoming a unicorn itself. “Our revenue in 2016 was 42 million euros and we increased our capital by 76 million euros last year,” says Ostermann. And while he is not currently looking to raise new capital, he loves attending the Ecosummit to meet with current investors and potential partners. “Five of our seven investors are here this year, and over the years, I initially met all five investors at Ecosummit, who ended up investing in our Series A, B, C and D.”
Read more- 17
- May
2017
Restore, Visedo, Greenergetic, Freshland, Hydrogenious and Cleverciti win Ecosummit Award 2017 in Berlin
Ecosummit TV: Ecosummit Berlin 2017 was our best event ever. 275 participants came to the Radialsystem to be part of Europe’s leading conference for smart green startups, investors and corporates. Our flagship event was supported by 30 sponsors and presented 95 speakers including 61 startups on stage. During the last few days we published all Berlin videos on Ecosummit TV and linked them next to each speaker in the agenda. A highlight of Ecosummit Berlin is the Ecosummit Award that brings fame and fortune to 6 new startups every year. 37 judges screened 34 nominees from 10 countries and voted online before the conference. And the 3 winners in the late stage startup category (> €2M revenues 2016) are: Gold (€1.5K prize money) for Restore from Belgium, Silver (€1K) for Visedo from Finland and Bronze (€500) for Greenergetic from Germany. And the 3 winners in the early stage startup category (< €2M revenues 2016) are: Gold (€1.5K) for Freshland from Denmark, Silver (€1K) for Hydrogenious from Germany and Bronze (€500) for Cleverciti from Germany. Congratulations to the founders for convincing the Ecosummit judges of your growth potential. And thanks so much for joining us, it was a real pleasure hosting you.
Read more- 9
- May
2017
Inven invests in Cloud&Heat and Eneco invests in Next Kraftwerke
2 European corporate VCs announce their new investments today at Ecosummit Berlin 2017 proving that German smart green startups are innovative, competitive and very attractive investment opportunities. Inven Capital, funded by the Czech utility CEZ, met Cloud&Heat one year ago at Ecosummit and today invests in the Dresden-based early stage startup. Founded in 2011, Cloud&Heat provides energy efficient data centres that use server heat for hot water and heating in commercial buildings, reducing operating costs of data centres by 50%. The Dutch utility Eneco invests in Next Kraftwerke and acquires a large minority interest of 34%. Founded in 2009, the Cologne-based late stage startup operates a large Virtual Power Plant (VPP) across 8 countries in Europe with 2.8 GW of renewable energy capacity under management. After acquiring 50% of Lichtblick in January 2017, this is the second major smart green energy investment of Eneco in Germany.
Read more- 20
- February
2017
Call for smart green startups: Pitch at ECO17 Berlin and apply for ECO17 Award and Ecosummit Europe 100
Since 2010, we have established Ecosummit as Europe’s leading smart green innovation and impact conference for startups, corporates and investors active in energy, mobility, buildings, cities, materials and food. In 2017, we organise 4 conferences in Berlin, Amsterdam, Stockholm and London presenting over 150 startups. Our flagship event Ecosummit Berlin 2017 takes place on 9-10 May 2017 at the Radialsystem, unites over 300 participants and is supported by an innovative group of sponsors. Now we call the best smart green startups in Europe to get promoted by pitching at ECO17 Berlin, applying for ECO17 Award and getting featured in our new startup list Ecosummit Europe 100. Past Ecosummit Award winners include Sonnen (Series D), Heliatek (Series D), Tado (€20M from Inven) and Kiwigrid (Series C).
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