The ECBF's capital comes from private and public investors. The venture capital fund was initiated by the European Commission to build a long-term sustainable economy and drive the transition from a fossil-based to a bio-based, circular economy. It was established in 2020 with a €100 million commitment from the European Investment Bank (EIB). This commitment has mobilized additional investors to invest in the fund. The ECBF is based in Luxembourg. Michael Brandkamp, co-founder and managing partner of the ECBF, says:
"We are proud and grateful to have received the trust of investors from seven different countries to advance this important growth sector. Exceeding our original target of €250 million is a major commitment for us: With the necessary expertise, the strong commitment of the ECBF team, and the right partners, we can make our vision of a bio-based economy a reality. Many European founders have enormous potential to ride the wave of the bio-revolution, and we will do everything we can to support them. Only in this way can we significantly support a sustainable economy—and thus a secure future for all."
ECBF contributes to the “European Union’s transition to a carbon-neutral circular economy”
Christian Kettel Thomsen, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, says:
"We are delighted to be one of the anchor investors in the European Fund for the Circular Bioeconomy, which provides critical financing for innovative companies in the bioeconomy sector. From solutions to address water stress to insect-based ingredients or the recovery of orange peels that would otherwise end up in landfill, the fund's first investments demonstrate the potential of the bioeconomy sector to contribute to addressing the environmental challenges of our time and the European Union's transition to a carbon-neutral, circular economy."
