ECBF European Circular Bioeconomy Fund

What is ECBF European Circular Bioeconomy Fund?

ECBF (European Circular Bioeconomy Fund) is a venture capital fund specializing in the bioeconomy sector.

With headquarters in Poppelsdorfer Allee 17, 53115 Bonn, Germany, ECBF is dedicated to investing in growth-stage companies that are positioned at technology readiness levels from 6 to 9, meaning their underlying technology has been demonstrated in a relevant environment. ECBF's investment focus includes companies in the Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, and Pre-IPO stages, with a minimum investment threshold of €3,000,000 and a maximum of €10,000,000.

As the first private venture capital impact fund exclusively dedicated to supporting the (circular-) bioeconomy, ECBF aims to catalyze the transition towards a circular bio-based economy, thus contributing to achieving the European Green Deal's goal of making Europe climate neutral by 2050.

ECBF manages a fund size of €300 million and targets companies with high potential for innovation, favorable returns, and sustainable impact. It collaborates in syndicates with both private and public investors, offering flexible financing tools from equity to mezzanine.

ECBF's team boasts over 100 years of combined VC and industry experience and maintains an international and diverse network of investors, companies, industry experts, and regional organizations. The fund is operational across Europe and prides itself on its commitment to ESG criteria, believing that impact and financial returns are interlinked.

ECBF supports visionary entrepreneurs, fostering the growth of market leaders in the bioeconomy sector and bankrolling enterprises whose technologies revolutionize industries and improve lives and the environment.

What they say:

ECBF is the first venture fund exclusively focused on the bioeconomy and the circular bioeconomy in Europe. With a target size of €250 million, to which the European Investment Bank (EIB) has committed €100 million, ECBF will be an important financial instrument in achieving the European Green Deal goals of making Europe climate neutral by 2050.

What we look for: We invest in growth-stage companies in the bioeconomy sector that are at technology readiness levels from 6 to 9 (i.e., the underlying technology at least demonstrated in a relevant environment).

How we help: Today, the team has already almost 100 years of track record in investment, innovation management, and business development. Its team members have set up five funds and have gained experience with more than 2,000 financing transactions and more than 100 exits.