Sesame Summit 2026 – application open

Materials World: The VC Firms Betting on Composites for Circularity

As its name suggests, the JEC Investor Day that Sesamers is co-organizing only lasts one day, during JEC World, a must-attend event for all things composites. But several firms in attendance are worth keeping tabs on all year round.

That’s particularly true if you are a founder whose startup helps advance circularity through new materials. The good news is that there is funding out there for you. But as usual with fundraising, it is worth knowing the nuance: Some firms invest pre-idea, while others only look at growth-stage companies.

Taking a step back, it is also useful to know what is driving investors into this space, for instance a climate-oriented thesis, and what other companies they may have already backed.

Without further ado, here are some investors that should be on your radar, and additional details about each of them:

4elements

4elements describes itself as a “venture studio for a sustainable future.” As its venture director Vanessa Amaral explained, its focus is on “pre-seed investments in impact-driven startups that develop breakthrough technologies in materials science, particularly those enabling decarbonization, circularity, and resource efficiency.”

Whether it co-founds new businesses from scratch or joins pre-seed startup founders who already had an idea, it can finance ventures internally up to €6 million. But there’s more than capital, Amaral said:

“Our approach includes helping founders refine their technology roadmap and scale from lab-scale to pilot and industrial production; connecting startups with industrial partners, early customers, and supply chain stakeholders; helping assemble high-performing teams, recruiting key talent, and setting up governance structures; and supporting startups in securing follow-on funding from institutional investors, grants, and corporate partners.”

Infinity Recycling

Infinity Recycling established the Circular Plastics Fund, an Article 9 ‘dark green’ impact fund under the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation — as such, its ultimate goal is a combo of “great impact and financial returns.”

Infinity Recycling is based in Rotterdam, but its portfolio is international — and growing. It already invested in seven companies, but there’s more to come. By the end of its cycle, the fund aims to have invested in 10-14 companies working with waste valorization technologies that convert end-of-life plastic waste into virgin-grade commodities.

Mandalore Partners

Mandalore Partners is a Corporate Venture Capital as-a-Service firm that specializes in four domains: Insurtech, InvestTech, ImpactTech and IndustryTech. Under its IndustryTech vertical, it has a mandate of driving France’s industrial transformation. 

New materials are central to this mission, founder & managing partner Minh Tran told Sesamers. In particular, the fund is interested in how composites can drive sustainable production, reduce reliance on foreign technologies, and support innovations in key areas like 3D printing, energy storage, and advanced manufacturing.

NOVA 

Created in 2006, NOVA is the corporate venture arm of Saint-Gobain. It invests from Seed to Series A in startups in construction tech, mobility, industrial decarbonation and material sciences.

It also has deep pockets: According to its website, Nova’s total investment in startups corresponds to almost 100 million US dollars. But like other firms on this list, it provides more than capital, and works with Saint-Gobain’s teams to set up strategic co-development partnerships, distribution, marketing or licensing agreements with startups.

Past investments in new materials have included companies like FibreCoat, a German startup developing new fiber-based products for the mobility and construction sectors.

Slate Venture Capital

Slate Venture Capital is a B2B climate tech fund, and materials are core to its investment thesis. “We are actively looking at companies creating advanced materials, bio-based materials, or material using carbon. We are also very interested in recycled materials,” founding partner Sébastien Léger said.

Compared to other firms, one difference is that two of Slate Venture Capital’s founders are ex-entrepreneurs who sold their companies — Eventbrite and PeopleDoc. “Helping portfolio companies is of paramount importance to us. We do so across multiple topics, from overall strategy, growth acceleration to capex execution,” Léger said.

Portfolio companies related to new materials include Arda and Fairmat.

Starquest

Founded in 2008, Starquest supports startups that have the potential to drive significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, whether that’s in energy, transportation, agriculture, industrial processes — or new materials. It takes a particular interest in supporting initiatives including circular economy practices, waste recycling, product life extension, and recycling.

In 2022, the Paris-based firm joined forces with Montefiore, a private equity firm dedicated to service SMEs and mid-market companies. Starquest, however, remains focused on high-impact investing, with checks typically ranging from €1 million to €10 million, often for minority stakes.

Syensqo Ventures

Syensqo Ventures is the corporate venture capital (CVC) arm of Syensqo, which emerged after Belgian chemicals group Solvay was split into two entities. Syensqo focuses on clean mobility, electric vehicle batteries, green hydrogen and thermoplastic composites, which also inspires the thesis of its CVC.

“Our investment thesis in composites is centered on addressing the growing needs of our customers for composite parts,” said Syensqo Ventures’ managing partner, Matt Jones. These needs evolve around the objectives of “creating lighter, more manufacturable, cost-effective parts.”

Portfolio startups in this sector include iCOMAT and Plyable. “Both bring innovation to speed up and lower the cost of manufacturing composite parts, in line with our thesis on meeting customer needs in this space,” Jones said.

We hope these investors will find valuable dealflow opportunities at JEC Investor Day 2025, and that some of the exciting composites startups in attendance will soon join their portfolios!

you might also like

Fundraising 23 hours ago

Despite ongoing conflict, Ukrainian fintech companies continue demonstrating remarkable resilience in securing international investment, challenging preconceptions about wartime entrepreneurship in Europe’s eastern frontier. The latest proof comes from Fintech IT Group, which has successfully raised €16.5M in growth funding from the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF), marking one of the most significant wartime investments in the Ukrainian startup ecosystem. This funding round represents more than capital allocation—it signals international confidence in Ukraine’s tech sector durability and the strategic importance of maintaining financial infrastructure during crisis periods. Ukraine wartime funding attracts international backing The Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund’s investment thesis centres on supporting critical financial infrastructure that serves both civilian and business communities during unprecedented circumstances. UMAEF, backed by the U.S. government, specifically targets companies providing essential services that maintain economic stability in challenging geopolitical environments. “We’re investing in companies that demonstrate not just financial potential, but strategic importance for regional economic resilience,” noted UMAEF representatives familiar with the deal. This approach differs markedly from traditional European venture capital, which typically prioritises pure growth metrics over strategic infrastructure value. The investment reflects broader international recognition that Ukrainian fintech companies have proven their operational capabilities under extreme stress conditions—a unique value proposition in European markets where regulatory compliance and operational resilience increasingly matter to institutional investors. Monobank’s European expansion strategy Fintech IT Group, operating primarily through its flagship Monobank platform, has established itself as Ukraine’s leading digital bank with over 7 million active users. The company’s mobile-first approach and robust API infrastructure have proven particularly valuable during wartime, when traditional banking channels face physical disruption. The €16.5M funding will primarily support technological infrastructure expansion and enhanced security measures, according to company leadership. This includes strengthening cross-border payment capabilities and developing additional financial products tailored for both domestic and international Ukrainian communities. “Our experience maintaining financial services during conflict has given us unique insights into building resilient fintech infrastructure,” explained Monobank leadership. “These capabilities position us well for expansion into other European markets where operational reliability is paramount.” The funding also enables deeper integration with European financial systems, potentially positioning Monobank as a bridge between Ukrainian diaspora communities and their homeland—a strategic advantage as refugee populations establish new lives across European capitals. This investment underscores how wartime innovation often produces solutions with broader European market applications, particularly in financial services where trust and reliability prove more valuable than flashy features. For Ukrainian startups, proving operational excellence under extreme conditions may well become their unique competitive advantage in European expansion.

Fundraising 1 day ago

The UK’s fintech landscape is witnessing a new wave of institutional backing as specialised accelerators emerge to bridge the gap between early-stage innovation and scalable growth. Against this backdrop, Antidote has secured €2.95M (£2.5M) in funding to launch its accelerator programme focused on fintech and Bitcoin-adjacent technologies. The funding signals renewed confidence in the UK’s position as a global fintech hub, despite ongoing regulatory uncertainties around digital assets. Led by Fulgur Ventures, the round reflects the growing appetite among European investors for infrastructure plays that can nurture the next generation of financial technology companies. The timing aligns with increasing institutional adoption of Bitcoin and digital assets across traditional finance, creating demand for specialised support structures. Fintech accelerator funding attracts specialist investors Fulgur Ventures’ decision to lead this round underscores the firm’s thesis around Bitcoin infrastructure and the tools needed to support mainstream adoption. The Venice-based venture capital firm, known for backing Lightning Network infrastructure companies and Bitcoin-native startups, sees Antidote as a strategic platform to identify and develop promising UK fintech talent. “The UK remains one of Europe’s most vibrant fintech ecosystems, but there’s a clear gap in specialised support for Bitcoin and crypto-adjacent innovations,” notes a Fulgur partner familiar with the investment. “Antidote’s approach combines traditional accelerator methodology with deep domain expertise in digital assets.” The investor’s portfolio strategy focuses on companies building critical infrastructure for Bitcoin adoption, from payment rails to custody solutions. Antidote fits this thesis by positioning itself as a talent pipeline for the next wave of Bitcoin-enabled financial services. Bridging traditional fintech with digital asset innovation Antidote’s programme targets the intersection between established fintech verticals and emerging digital asset opportunities. This positioning reflects broader market dynamics where traditional financial services increasingly integrate blockchain-based solutions, creating demand for hybrid expertise. The accelerator plans to support 8-12 startups per cohort, providing €50,000 in initial funding alongside mentorship from industry veterans. The programme specifically targets companies working on payment infrastructure, trading platforms, custody solutions, and compliance technology for digital assets. “We’re seeing exceptional talent in the UK who understand both traditional financial services and the technical nuances of Bitcoin,” explains Antidote’s founding team. “Our role is to provide the runway and expertise needed to turn these insights into scalable businesses.” The funding will support programme operations, mentor network development, and follow-on investment capacity for portfolio companies. Antidote also plans to establish partnerships with major UK financial institutions seeking exposure to digital asset innovation without direct investment risk. This launch reflects the maturation of Europe’s digital asset ecosystem, where specialised support infrastructure is emerging to complement general-purpose accelerators. With regulatory clarity improving across EU markets, accelerators like Antidote are positioning to capture the next wave of fintech innovation at the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets.

Fundraising 1 day ago

Germany’s tax advisory sector faces a looming crisis. With 57% of the country’s tax advisors aged over 50, the profession confronts both a demographic cliff and mounting pressure to digitalise decades-old processes. Into this gap steps AnyTax, which has secured €1 million in pre-seed funding from IBB Ventures to modernise Germany’s tax infrastructure through intelligent automation. The Berlin-based startup’s timing couldn’t be more strategic. As Germany’s Mittelstand grapples with increasingly complex tax regulations whilst traditional advisors edge towards retirement, AnyTax’s platform promises to bridge the growing expertise gap through technology that augments rather than replaces human judgment. German tax modernisation attracts strategic investment IBB Ventures’ investment reflects a broader recognition that Germany’s tax advisory market—worth billions annually—requires urgent technological intervention. The Berlin-based VC, backed by the city’s investment bank, has consistently backed companies addressing structural inefficiencies in German business processes. “The German tax system’s complexity creates both challenges and opportunities,” notes an IBB Ventures spokesperson. “AnyTax’s approach of augmenting advisor capabilities rather than replacing them aligns perfectly with how German professional services are evolving.” The funding round positions AnyTax within a growing cohort of European RegTech companies that specifically address continental European regulatory environments, rather than adapting Anglo-Saxon solutions. This localised approach proves increasingly valuable as EU member states maintain distinct professional service requirements. Addressing Germany’s tax advisor shortage through technology AnyTax’s platform targets the critical bottleneck facing German businesses: accessing quality tax advice amid advisor shortages. The company’s technology enables existing advisors to handle larger caseloads whilst maintaining compliance standards, effectively multiplying capacity within the existing professional framework. The startup’s solution addresses uniquely German challenges, including the complex interplay between federal and state tax obligations that confounds even sophisticated international businesses operating in Europe’s largest economy. By automating routine compliance tasks, AnyTax frees advisors to focus on strategic tax planning—precisely where human expertise adds most value. Founder insights suggest the €1 million will primarily fund platform development and partnerships with established German tax advisory firms, recognising that success requires deep integration with existing professional networks rather than attempting to bypass them entirely. AnyTax’s funding reflects broader momentum in European professional services technology, where regulatory complexity creates sustainable competitive moats for startups that truly understand local market dynamics. As Germany’s tax landscape grows increasingly sophisticated, platforms like AnyTax become essential infrastructure rather than mere efficiency tools.

Subscribe to
our Newsletter!

Stay at the forefront with our curated guide to the best upcoming Tech events.