What Extantia Is All About
Founded in 2020, Extantia is a venture capital firm that’s all in on backing pioneers in climate tech. They’re not picky about software or hardware — if it tackles big, near-term market opportunities and has the power to shake up entire industries, Extantia is interested. Think of them as climate tech generalists with a sharp focus on early-stage companies, from Seed to Series A. Headquartered in Berlin, with team members spread across the UK and Germany, Extantia mainly invests in Europe. But it’s not just about the money; they’re long-term partners who roll up their sleeves to help with commercialization, scaling, and fundraising.
The Main Benefit: Bold Climate Impact and Growth
Extantia’s mission is crystal clear: capital is the greatest asset in the fight against climate change. Here are some key highlights that show their journey and impact:
- 2019: Founded by Yair, Sebastian, and Joern-Carlos to back climate tech innovators early on.
- 2020: Oliver and Torben join, and the first fund is launched.
- 2021: Made 9 investments in early-stage climate tech companies, including GA Drilling.
- 2022: The Allstars fund completes 10 climate tech funds, expanding the network to over 160 companies.
- 2023: Launched Super Climate globally, with events in New York and Dubai during COP, which evolved into a standalone company.
- 2024: Closed their Flagship fund at €204M, actively deploying capital and scouting for bold boundary-breakers.
Searching for the Next Gigacorn
Extantia isn’t just looking for any startup — they’re hunting for what they call “Gigacorns.” These are exceptional companies with the potential to save over 1 gigaton (that’s 1Gt) of CO2e emissions per year. And it’s not just about the environment; these companies need to be commercially viable with scalable business models. The firm measures and forecasts CO2e savings over time, putting this impact corridor front and center in their investment decisions. Simply put, they back companies capable of reducing at least 100 million tonnes of CO2e annually, whether directly through technology or indirectly as a digital enabler across sectors.
Meet the Team Behind the Vision
The brains and passion behind Extantia come from a diverse and experienced team. Partners like Yair Reem, Torben Schreiter, Sebastian Heitmann, Joern-Carlos Kuntze, and Oliver Schwarzer lead the charge. Supporting them are principals, investment associates, analysts, and experts in impact and ESG, marketing, and carbon math. This mix of talent ensures that Extantia doesn’t just invest money but also brings hands-on support to help companies grow and scale effectively.
Extantia’s Philosophy: Beyond Fossil Fuels
At its core, Extantia is about survival — not just of the planet but humanity, values, and a culture of inclusion and progress. Their VC fund focuses on deep decarbonization technologies that pave the way to a world beyond fossil fuels. This isn’t just investment; it’s a mission to redefine what’s possible in climate tech and to back those who dare to break boundaries.
Project Impact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Connecting and Growing the Climate Tech Ecosystem
Extantia doesn’t just invest and walk away. They actively build networks and communities, hosting global events like Super Climate during COP in New York and Dubai. These platforms bring together innovators, investors, and stakeholders to accelerate climate solutions. Their ecosystem approach means they’re constantly scouting for bold ideas and boundary-breakers who can drive the next wave of climate innovation.
