What is Ninepointfive and Its Portfolio?
Ninepointfive is a corporate-backed venture capitalist fund dedicated to accelerating digitisation and green transformation across Europe’s industrial value chain. Since 2020, it has been investing in early-stage companies that bring disruptive technologies to sectors ranging from design and engineering to logistics and maintenance. The fund operates two main vehicles: Fund 1, focusing on tech-based corporate ventures built closely with leading corporations, and Fund 2, targeting maritime, ports, offshore, and water-linked energy transition startups and scale-ups with investment tickets between €1M and €7.5M. Governed at arm’s length but coached closely, these ventures are independent equity partnerships involving management teams, corporate partners, and Ninepointfive itself.
Main Benefits and Key Figures
Ninepointfive’s portfolio companies are making waves in their respective industries, delivering innovative solutions that drive efficiency, sustainability, and digital transformation. Here are some highlights:
- Lissi: A platform enabling trusted credential exchanges through secure SSI (Self Sovereign Identity) interactions, poised for a breakthrough with the upcoming European eIDAS 2.0 directive. Strategic investor: Commerzbank.
- Eccocar: B2B SaaS digitising car rental services with self-service rental software connecting fleets to brokers and travel agencies. Strategic investor: Amadeus.
- Makerverse: On-demand manufacturing platform linking industrial clients to a distributed network of providers for early-stage product development. Strategic investors: Siemens Energy & ZEISS.
- Falcker: Digital twin solutions for petrochemical asset inspection and monitoring, aiming to lead the tank and piping industry. Strategic investor: Vopak.
- The Park: Immersive XR and VR entertainment experiences across Europe, betting on social and immersive futures. Strategic investor: Telenet.
- Heylog: Austrian platform automating communication by translating messages into drivers’ languages and managing orders on the go. Strategic investors: Schmitz Cargobull / KUBIKx & Walter Group / Wave-X.
- Penny Black: Personalised unboxing experiences using variable data and dynamic printing to revolutionise physical packaging marketing. Strategic investor: Agfa.
- Kando: Digital solutions improving wastewater quality and environmental health through data-driven insights. Strategic investor: Aliaxis.
Investment Categories and Industry Focus
Ninepointfive’s investments span a broad spectrum of industrial activities, carefully selected to cover the entire value chain. The categories include:
- Design & Engineering
- Material & Sourcing
- Manufacturing
- Internal Logistics & Warehousing
- Logistics & Transportation
- Maintenance & Services
This comprehensive approach ensures that the fund supports innovations that touch every critical part of industrial operations, fostering a more digital and greener Europe.
Corporate Spin-Outs and Co-Investments
Ninepointfive’s portfolio features a mix of corporate spin-outs and co-investments, each bringing unique value propositions. Corporate spin-outs like Makerverse, The Park, Heylog, and Penny Black leverage the backing and expertise of established corporations to scale quickly and innovate boldly. Meanwhile, co-investments such as Eccocar, Falcker, and Kando benefit from strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Amadeus, Vopak, and Aliaxis, respectively. This blend of investment styles creates a dynamic ecosystem where startups can thrive with both independence and strong corporate support.
Driving Digital and Green Transformation
The fund’s mission is crystal clear: to make Europe’s industry more digital and green. By backing startups that implement cutting-edge technologies, Ninepointfive aims to positively impact the industrial landscape and corporate ecosystems. The focus on sustainability and digitisation aligns with broader European goals, ensuring that investments contribute to long-term economic and environmental resilience.
Project Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation (via Kando’s wastewater solutions)
Contact and Location
For inquiries or further information, Ninepointfive can be reached at hello@ninepointfive.vc. The fund’s office is located at Van Diepenbeeckstraat 8, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium. This central European location supports its mission to foster innovation across the continent’s industrial sectors.
