Asset manager Alantra has reached the first close at more than €80m ($97m) for its Klima Energy Transition Fund including commitments from Enagás, a Spain-based gas grid operator.
The fund aims to raise €150m in total to back companies accelerating the energy transition: low carbon gases, such as hydrogen, carbon capture, and biomethane; smart power grids, energy storage and renewable technologies; digitalization of the whole energy equation; and sustainable transportation.
Managing directors Bastien Gambini, former MD of Norway state-owned Equinor’s corporate venturing unit in Europe, and Lucille Bonnet, previously a principal at state and corporate-backed High-Tech Gründerfonds, lead Alantra’s team of six managing the Klima fund.
Gambini joined Klima at the end of 2020, while Bonnet joined on 1 June.
Jacobo Llanza, CEO of Alantra Asset Management, said: “The addition of the Klima investment team, which has a proven track investment record in the energy sector, puts us in a privileged position to take advantage of the numerous opportunities we are identifying in this segment.”
“The achievement of the Klima energy transition fund is an important step forward in Enagás’ commitment to decarbonisation and energy transition. Enagás Emprende, the corporate venturing program of Enagás, has invested in 15 startups to date, out of which seven were ideas or projects conceived by Enagás’ professionals,” added Marcelino Oreja, CEO of Enagás.
Photo of Bonnet from LinkedIn
