innogy Ventures

innogy Ventures was the corporate venture capital arm of innogy SE, one of Europe's largest utility companies, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany. The firm was co-founded and led by Managing Partners Matthias Engel, Thomas W. Thomas, and Veronique Hordemann. innogy Ventures managed the Innogy Renewables Technology Fund I with a final closing of EUR 115 million, investing EUR 1 to 5 million per deal in software-based, data-driven business models aligned with the future utility industry. The firm leads rounds and focused on digital innovation across new energy, Internet of Things, smart city and mobility, renewable energy, and cybersecurity, investing primarily in Europe, Israel, and North America. The portfolio comprised 18 companies across energy technology, sustainability technology, enterprise applications, and environmental tech. Notable investments include eSmart Systems, which raised $34.4 million alongside Energy Impact Partners, Equinor Energy Ventures, and Kongsberg Digital for AI-powered grid inspection; and Akselos, which raised $10 million in a round co-led with Shell Ventures for predictive digital twins in energy assets. Although structured as a corporate VC, innogy Ventures operated with the discipline of a financial investor, prioritizing superior returns through profitable exits over strategic synergy alone. The team of six to ten professionals provided portfolio companies with access to the innogy group's resources for business development. Following E.ON's acquisition of innogy SE, innogy Ventures merged with E.ON's innovation scouting and co-investment teams to form Future Energy Ventures, a EUR 250 million fund continuing to invest in digital and scalable energy technologies from operational hubs in Germany, Israel, and Silicon Valley. The transition preserved the team's investment approach while significantly expanding its capital base.