The cleantech sector has not been affected by the health crisis, and even seems to have benefited from it. In 2020, investment exceeded one billion euros for the third time in 10 years, according to France Invest's Climate Commission barometer.
1.2 billion euros raised for 96 transactions
Cleantech companies specializing in eco-innovations cover a wide range of fields. They offer solutions in the fields of energy, transport, waste treatment and resource consumption management.
In 2020, they raised €1.194 billion in investments through 96 transactions, including two of unknown value.
This result makes 2020 the second-best year for the sector in terms of investments since the creation in 2010 of the barometer by the Climate Commission of France Invest, the Association des Investisseurs pour la Croissance, carried out in partnership with the GreenUnivers media and financial auditing firm EY.
The level reached is close to 2018's record in terms of amount, and to 2019's in terms of number of funds raised. The health crisis linked to the Covid-19 epidemic has therefore not discouraged investors, who have made the cleantech sector one of the most protected from the consequences of the pandemic.
The renewable energies sector leads the way in investment
The renewable energies sector, which usually leads the way in terms of amounts invested, maintained its top position in 2020, with 314 million euros of funds raised. Solar power producer Amarenco alone attracted 163 million euros.
In second place was the energy storage sector, with 214 million euros of private equity. TheAgtech sector, specializing in agricultural and food innovations, raised €172 million, almost on a par with thecircular economy (€171 million) and ahead ofenergy efficiency (€167 million).
The transport and mobility sector had the highest number of deals, 18 in 2020, for a total investment of 85 million euros. In all, 64 startups have benefited from investments totalling 790 million euros, out of the 94 companies that have raised funds of a known amount.
"The government's stimulus plan, which will devote €30 billion of the €100 billion to green stimulus, will strengthen the mobilization of private investors who, within France Invest, have set themselves the collective ambition of reaching €5 billion in financing per year by 2030," said Sophie Paturle, President of France Invest's Climate Commission, in a press release.