Big returns for clean energy

European venture capital investors are on track to realise annualised gross returns above 50% from investment in clean energy companies, according to analysis by New Energy Finance for the European Energy Venture Fair.

The study looked at the returns of 37 investors with more than 129 investments in renewable energy companies, just over half of all venture-backed clean energy companies in Europe. Among the key findings were the following: Fifteen venture backed clean energy companies have completed IPOs and 10 have been sold to trade buyers. Twenty one portfolio companies have undergone a second or subsequent venture investment round at a higher valuation.