NextSTEP, a venture capital fund launched by NextEnergy Group in 2022, has taken significant steps to support sustainability by investing €590k in five UK-based CleanTech startups. These startups are at the forefront of developing innovative solutions in recycling, resource efficiency, and emission reduction, aligning with NextSTEP’s mission to create meaningful environmental impact. Headquartered in London and Milan, NextSTEP focuses on early-stage investments, fostering collaborations that bridge Italian and British markets while addressing critical ecological challenges.
The investment highlights NextSTEP’s strategic vision of empowering ventures that tackle pressing environmental issues. Claudio Colombo, Managing Director of NextSTEP, expressed the fund’s enthusiasm for driving sustainable innovation, emphasizing the importance of these efforts in building a better planet. According to Colombo, these achievements mark the beginning of a broader initiative to discover and nurture startups that can deliver lasting change.
Pulpatronics, one of the startups benefiting from this funding, is pioneering metal-free and chipless RFID tags through a laser-induced process that imprints conductive circuitry directly onto paper. This innovation eliminates the need for metal components, reduces costs, and significantly cuts carbon emissions. For every million tags produced, the startup saves an estimated 2,400 kilograms of CO2, showcasing its potential to revolutionize the sector.
Algapelago has introduced an innovative approach to regenerative agriculture using seaweed. By cultivating extensive offshore kelp forests, it produces natural fertilizers and animal feed supplements that do not rely on freshwater, land, or synthetic inputs. This method sequesters carbon, enhances marine biodiversity, and supports coastal communities by creating jobs and revitalizing local economies. As the largest licensed kelp cultivator in the UK, Algapelago is scaling its operations globally to establish sustainable networks of “algapelagos.”
ClearWatt offers a machine learning-powered app that measures and certifies EV range and battery health. Its unique GPS-based system avoids dependency on third-party data, enabling broad deployment across various platforms. By providing advanced EV health reports, ClearWatt fosters transparency in the electric vehicle market, instilling confidence among buyers and sellers alike.
Nina Energy, a British-Ecuadorian startup, transforms agricultural waste into biofuels and biochar, presenting an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Its technology generates secondary products that enrich soil and reduce CO2 emissions, offering sustainable energy solutions across industries. This approach addresses multiple sustainability challenges while contributing to cleaner energy practices.
The First Element has developed Smart Tank technology, enabling scalable and safe green hydrogen generation. Designed for both residential and industrial applications, this innovation empowers users to contribute to net-zero emissions through the use of water and renewable electricity. By simplifying the adoption of hydrogen energy, The First Element plays a pivotal role in advancing clean energy solutions.
Beyond these individual ventures, NextSTEP’s broader strategy includes identifying promising startups from accelerators, universities, and research centers. The fund collaborates with established companies to develop tailored open innovation programs aimed at solving specific sustainability challenges. While NextSTEP prioritizes investments in the UK and Italy, its portfolio also spans Europe and the US, ensuring a diverse and impactful reach.
NextSTEP’s focus on sustainable innovation underscores its role as a key player in the CleanTech sector. By supporting groundbreaking technologies in areas such as recycling, renewable energy, and resource efficiency, the fund reinforces its commitment to fostering a greener future. Looking ahead to 2025, NextSTEP aims to expand its investment portfolio, deepening its collaboration with Italian and British markets while continuing to drive impactful environmental change.
