Zero Carbon Capital (ZCC) has announced the successful closure of its £20 million fund, dedicated to investing in European pre-seed and seed-stage companies developing transformative scientific solutions for deep decarbonisation. The fund attracted a diverse group of investors, including institutional, corporate, and individual investors, underscoring the broad support for ZCC’s mission to tackle the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges through science.
Led by Pippa Gawley, who has eight years of climate tech investing experience in both the US and Europe, ZCC is positioned as a venture capital firm that deeply integrates science into its investment philosophy. Pippa’s experience and passion for climate tech have been instrumental in building a talented team of scientist VCs, shaping the fund’s strategy, and making meaningful investments that will address the challenges of climate change.
“Our vision is a future where humans are thriving on a healthy planet with healthy ecosystems. We firmly believe that combining brilliant scientific advancements with sustainable, scalable commercial models is the best way to achieve this,” said Pippa. “Our team is uniquely positioned to catalyze these opportunities at the earliest moments, supporting ambitious scientists who are building businesses to tackle the toughest decarbonisation problems.”
Chloe Dagnell of Isomer Capital expressed excitement about partnering with Zero Carbon Capital. “We are confident that, with their prior experience in the climate tech space and the strong team they have built, ZCC will be able to identify, analyze, and support leading early-stage climate tech companies across Europe.”
The fund has already made significant strides by investing in 12 companies that align with its mission. Some examples include: Level Nine, which manufactures chemicals from biological feedstocks; Ionate, which is building smart transformers to support the renewable grid; NetZeroNitrogen, which uses bacteria to fix atmospheric nitrogen in plants, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers; and RepAir, which is developing low-power, electrochemical direct air capture technology to efficiently remove CO2 from the atmosphere. These investments highlight ZCC’s commitment to aligning its portfolio with areas that require transformative change.
Beyond providing capital, ZCC is dedicated to building a community of innovators and leaders in the climate tech space. The firm offers strategic support to its portfolio companies, ensuring their success and ability to scale solutions that contribute to global carbon reduction.
CEO of ZCC portfolio company Biozeroc, Liv Anderson, attested to the firm’s support, stating, “ZCC was the first investor to come onboard our journey to decarbonize concrete at Biozeroc. Since their investment, they have helped us navigate our growth and provided invaluable support. It’s a great team, and we love working with them.”
This fund marks a significant milestone for ZCC, reaffirming its commitment to leading the charge in climate tech investment and supporting the development of solutions that have a meaningful impact on our planet’s future.
About Zero Carbon Capital (ZCC):
Zero Carbon Capital specializes in pre-seed and seed-stage investments in companies developing hard-science solutions to the critical challenge of decarbonization. Operating across Europe, ZCC backs teams with the ambition and potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, leveraging a deep commitment to scientific rigor and environmental stewardship.
ZCC was founded in 2020, and its team consists of:
– Pippa Gawley – Founder / Managing Partner
– Alex Gawley – Founder / General Partner
– Sarah Jones, PhD – Principal
– Chloe Coates, PhD – Research and Analysis Lead
– Max Werny, PhD – Venture Associate
For media inquiries, please contact: Alex Gawley – alex@zerocarbon.capital
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.