Newsletter - March 2025
Welcome to the 15th edition of the AFI Venturesâ newsletter.
As a reminder, AFI Ventures (fund managed by Ventech) is an impact VC fund that invests in pre-seed/seed startups with a strong environmental and social ambition, producing a systemic change. We invest once a month in France & Europe tickets ranging from âŹ250K to âŹ500K.
Each month in this newsletter, you'll find :
đ A focus or key resources on an impact-related theme
đ°Our Top 15 must-read articles on the impact ecosystemđ± Even more news from the AFI: public fundraisings, portfolio updates, andânew âwhere weâve been spotted (at events) & where you can catch us next, plus a job board featuring open roles at our amazing startups.
More insights, more opportunities, more ways to connect. Letâs dive in! đ
đ Maritime Transport Decarbonation Deep Dive Our latest deep dive is setting sail next week! đ
Get ready for a comprehensive breakdown of the key drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the race to decarbonize maritime transportâa fast-emerging sector thatâs still widely misunderstood. This report is your one-stop read to grasp the marketâs fundamentals, identify pain points worth solving, and make informed investment bets in the space.
To give you a first taste, weâre sharing our exclusive startup mapping in this edition. Stay tuned for the full report! â
đ° Top 15 must-read articles - What Caught Our Eye This Month newClimate Change
Norrsken launches a Brussels hub to help impact startups influence EU policymaking and access funding more effectively, said Sifted.
25 climate opportunity areasâfrom carbon management to climate adaptationâwill define the next wave of climate innovation and investment in 2025, said Marble Studio.
Climate tech founders are increasingly frustratedâpolitical backlash, funding uncertainty, and shifting narratives are creating headwinds, said Sifted.
Marine biodiversity is deeply impacted by economic activityâthis Carbone 4 analysis proposes a framework to assess corporate pressures on ocean ecosystems.
The EUâs Omnibus proposal could hamper carbon accounting startups by delaying key regulations and creating uncertainty in the voluntary carbon markets, said Freya Pratty from Sifted.
European steelmakers are evaluating a new EU action plan to secure the sectorâs future amid competition and decarbonization pressure, said Reuters.
UK emissions dropped by 3.6% in 2024âcoal use fell to its lowest since 1666âyet long-term targets remain out of reach, said Carbon Brief.
Despite rising risks, water tech remains critically underfundedâSifted explores why investors still hesitate in a $500B+ global market.
Sustainable production and consumption
Global agrifoodtech showed some signs of recovery in 2024, reaching $16 billion in funding, AI bioengineering, and supply chain resilience are emerging as key innovation hotspots, said AgFunder.
Northvoltâs financial troubles raise concerns for Europe's battery sovereigntyâhighlighting the fragility of cleantech industrial policy, said Freya Pratty from Sifted.
Carbon removal is gaining traction, but the SBTi warns it must complementânot replaceâemissions reductions as a core climate strategy said Heatmap.
Geothermal energy could power nearly all new U.S. data centers by 2030âoffering a resilient and low-carbon solution for AIâs growing energy appetite, said TechCrunch.
A new push by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to bypass FDA approval for lab-grown meat highlights the legal gray zones in the alt-protein space and reignites debate on food safety standards, said Green Queen.
Health & Social Changes
Women entrepreneurs still face major systemic barriers, but ecosystems that provide access to networks and capital are critical enablers of inclusive growth, said the GEM Global Report.
Preventive care, AI-powered diagnostics, and health equity are the top 3 trends reshaping healthcare in 2025âaccording to Plug and Playâs latest industry outlook.
đ AFI Ventures HighlightsAFI Venturesâ Investments in February
Moonwatt đ«đ· â (âŹ8M / LEA Partners, Daphni, Founders Future, AFI Ventures)
Decentralized sodium-ion energy storage systems tailored for solar plants.
Investment rationale:
Booming market: Battery energy storage expected to grow 50x by 2050, reaching a $480B opportunity.
Unique architecture: 20â30% cost reduction vs existing solutions, thanks to sodium-ion tech and modular passive cooling.
Proven impact: Potential to avoid 2 GtCOâ/year by 2030 through fossil fuel displacement.
World-class team: Ex-Tesla and Freyr engineers with deep BESS expertise and strong industrial networks.
Strong demand: Early pipeline of 37 GWh by 2027 and partnerships with key solar players like EDF and Nextera.
Recent News from our Portfolio
Prolong has unveiled an innovative solution for the automotive after-sales market, aiming to transform customer experience and optimize retailer operations. Learn moreâ
Tilt Energy has partnered with advizeo and the MĂ©tropole du Grand Paris to launch the IA Eco-Pilot program, an initiative aims to automate the management of water and energy consumption in public buildings. âLearn moreâ
Stokelp was named "Coup de cĆur" in Challenges magazine's ranking of startups to watch, recognizing its disruptive potential in the logistics field. Learn moreâ
Verley has rebranded from Bon Vivant and launched FermWheyâą, a precision fermentation-derived whey protein portfolio offering enhanced functionality and sustainability for the food industry. Learn more
Kor has launched its digital health check-up application, aiming to make proactive healthcare accessible to everyone. Learn moreâ
Nova Carbon partnered with Epsilon Composite to build a circular economy around carbon fiber, aiming for industrialization of recycled products by 2026. Learn moreâ
Highcast deployed its energy optimization software at Constellium in Montreuil-JuignĂ©, helping to reduce environmental footprint and electricity costs. Learn moreâ
Bohr Energie assisted the commune of Villemur-sur-Tarn in a collective self-consumption project, enabling residents to directly benefit from local green electricity. Learn moreâ
vorteX-io collaborated with the Adour-Garonne Water Agency to deploy a network of 150 micro-stations, enhancing real-time monitoring of watercourses in the face of climate challenges. Learn moreâ
Estuaire published a detailed analysis of aviation emissions for 2024, providing valuable insights into the sector's evolution and airlines' sustainability indices. Learn more
Events
We were at:
JEC World from March 4th and 6thâ Constantin was on-site at the worldâs leading composites event, scouting whatâs next and backing Nova Carbon, one of our portfolio champions.
France Digitale Tour on March 05th â Sarah joined the FDTour, connecting with some of the brightest female founders in Franceâcelebrating and supporting inclusive entrepreneurship.
The 50 Day on March 11th â The team connected with inspiring impact entrepreneurs, reinforcing our commitment to mission-driven startups.
Deeptech Founders & VCs Meet at Ventech on March 12th â The whole team attended an evening dedicated to deeptech discussions, co-hosted with Kvanted and Matterwave, fostering exchanges with founders and investors in the sector.
Hello Tomorrow & Side Events from March 13th and 14th â Constantin and Sarah took part in this major deeptech event, strengthening our ties with the ecosystem and exploring emerging innovations.
Occitanie Invest on March 20th â Constantin connected with entrepreneurs and investors, and caught up with our amazing startup portfolio, vorteX-io and Bohr Energie.
"AI â An Energy Bomb?" Conference by Zenon on March 20th â Sarah participated in this event, exploring the growing energy impact of AI and potential technological solutions.
Nextly, join us at:
Smart Agrifood Summit in Brussels on April 2nd & 3rd â Sarah will be diving into the future of sustainable food and agtech.
HEC Launchpad Demo Day on April 4th â Constantin will be on the jury, spotting the next generation of standout founders.
ChangeNOW from April 24th to 26th â the whole AFI team will be there, so come say hi if youâre around!
Talent Wanted: Our Startups Are Building the Future
Senior Software Engineer - Tilt Energy (Paris)
Chief of Staff (Internship) - Tilt Energy (Paris)
Founder Associate (CDI or Freelance) - Elsee (Paris or remote)
Founder Associate (Internship) - Elsee (Paris or remote)
ESG & Impact Manager (Full-time) - Ventech (Paris)
đ€ Our TeamCharles Fourault - charles@afi.ventures
Constantin de Chaudenay - constantin@afi.ventures
Sarah Laznowski - sarah@afi.ventures
Romain Garrigue - romain@afi.ventures
Don't hesitate to reach out if you're an impact entrepreneur or just interested in any of these topics. đ