What is Emerald?
Emerald is one of the first venture capital firms to focus on sustainable industrial innovation. Since its founding in 2000, Emerald has been a pioneer at the crossroads of industry and technology, driving forward cleantech investments that matter. From intelligent water efficiency to smart packaging, and innovations in electrification of transport and industrial automation, Emerald has consistently been at the forefront of sustainability. With offices in Zurich, Toronto, and Singapore, the firm connects multi-national corporations with rich deal flow and insights into the sectors and markets of tomorrow.
Main Benefits and Key Figures
Emerald’s impact and scale are impressive. Here’s a quick snapshot:
- Founded in 2000 as the venture capital arm of Sustainable Asset Management (SAM), the creator of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
- Launched the first sustainability fund with €100 million assets under management.
- Managed and advised assets totaling over €1 billion.
- Completed over 500 venture transactions.
- Handled five third-party investment mandates, including loan guarantees to more than 100 start-ups.
- Offices strategically located in Zurich, Toronto, and Singapore to cover Europe, North America, and Asia.
Emerald’s Journey Through Time
Emerald’s history is a story of resilience and innovation. Starting as part of SAM in 2000, it quickly established itself in sustainable industrial technologies. After separating from SAM in 2007 and rebranding as Emerald Technology Ventures, the firm stayed laser-focused on cleantech despite the financial crisis of 2008-9. Thanks to a solid track record of minimizing risk and partnering with dedicated co-investors, Emerald weathered the storm better than most.
Innovative Fund Structures and Expansion
In 2016, Emerald broke new ground by launching the first flex-term (“evergreen”) fund in a world dominated by fixed-term VC funds. This move responded to partners’ desire for open-ended relationships rather than arbitrary deadlines. Then, in 2020, Emerald expanded its footprint by opening an office in Singapore and launching a dedicated water fund to tackle global water stress. This was just the beginning of a series of specialist funds targeting specific industrial sustainability challenges.
Specialized Funds for Targeted Impact
Emerald’s approach to sustainability is pragmatic and focused. In 2021, the firm launched a dedicated energy fund, aiming to capitalize on the massive $4 trillion annual investment needed to decarbonize the energy sector by 2030. The following year, Emerald introduced a packaging fund to address plastic waste and meet growing demand for sustainable alternatives. By 2023, Emerald had secured mandates to manage external corporate VC organizations like Sasol Ventures and SIG InnoVentures, further cementing its role as a leader in sustainable innovation.
Emerald’s Commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
- Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9)
- Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
- Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
- Climate Action (SDG 13)
- Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)
Why Emerald Stands Out
Emerald’s roots run deep in sustainability, tracing back to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. But it’s not just about ideals — it’s about results. The firm takes a pragmatic, results-focused approach to sustainable investing, always linked to the UN SDGs. Their mission? To deliver solid returns for limited partners while making a positive impact on the world. Simply put, Emerald is all about doing well by doing good. And with a track record spanning over two decades, it’s clear they’re not just talking the talk.
