autarkize raises €2.3 million in seed funding to drive sustainable energy transition

October 23, 2024

Pfronten, Germany, 23.10.2024 – The climate tech start-up autarkize, based in Pfronten, has successfully closed a €2.3 million seed funding round. With the fresh capital, autarkize plans to accelerate its expansion, especially in the areas of biogas technology and heat and steam production. autarkize aims to advance the decarbonization of industrial processes and create large-scale CO2 sinks to positively impact the global climate. The round was led by High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF). Other investors include Dutch impact investor Fair Capital Impact Fund, Interface Capital, Innovation for Impact, Floris Capital and renowned business angels Lucas von Fürstenberg and Ulrich Blessing.


autarkize has developed a groundbreaking technology that converts biogenic residues—such as waste wood, shells, and fermentation by-products—into renewable gas and certified biochar. The gas substitutes fossil fuels in industrial processes, while the biochar acts as a CO2 sink and can also be used in agriculture and construction. Each autarkize plant can sequester between 1,400 and 5,500 tons of CO2 annually and generate up to 10 GWh of renewable energy, making a significant contribution to climate change mitigation.

“The financing allows us to launch our systems on a large scale, creating value for customers and contributing to climate protection. autarkize is positioned to be a leading provider in the transition to a sustainable energy future,” says Michel Konder, CEO of autarkize.

autarkize’s solutions are highly standardized systems installed in sea containers with a capacity of up to 2.5 megawatts. These containerized systems can be seamlessly integrated with existing biogas plants and industrial applications. Additionally, they provide an excellent solution for decarbonizing heat, especially for local and district heating networks in municipalities.

Maximilian Scholz, Investment Manager at HTGF, says: “We see great potential in the utilization of previously unused waste streams and biomass, which can be converted and utilized into high-quality synthesis gas and biochar using the innovative plant technology. This solution not only provides climate-neutral energy, but also makes an important contribution to CO2 reduction.”

Patrick Knodel, CEO of Innovation for Impact, looks for: “solutions that enable humanity to thrive within planetary boundaries, that enable circularity and that are pushed forward by purpose driven founders with strong backgrounds in their respective fields of expertise. autarkize ticks all the boxes.”

Michelle de Rijk, Impact Investor at Fair Capital Impact Fund, adds: “autarkize’s solution is a critical step towards becoming more resilient to the impacts of climate change. This investment aligns perfectly with our energy transition program, aimed at creating lasting, positive change for both people and the planet.”

Michel Konder and Sophie Peter, founders of autarkize (Image: autarkize)

About autarkize
Founded in 2022, autarkize has successfully brought to market a basic technology developed over 25 years for the production of high-quality gas and certified biochar. With its innovative pyrolysis plants, autarkize makes companies and entire regions self-sufficient in energy and fertilisers. At the same time, autarkize slows down climate change by removing CO2 and can even reverse it. autarkize brings together a highly experienced team of experts from the fields of pyrolysis, biomass, gas, automation technology and digital.

Media contact
autarkize GmbH
Jan Kempfert, Manager Marketing & Sales
T.: +49 174 8239531
jan.kempfert@autarkize.com

About Fair Capital Partners Impact Investing
The Fair Capital Impact Fund, based in The Netherlands, invests growth capital in young companies that contribute to a sustainable world. These companies help combat climate change by focusing on renewable energy, fair and sustainable food systems, and a circular economy. With the Fair Capital Impact Fund, investors deploy their assets to create lasting positive impact. For further information please see https://faircapitalimpactfund.nl/

About Interface Capital
Interface was founded by Blinkist co-founder Niklas Jansen and Wunderlist co-founder Christian Reber and invests early stage in the best founders in the world.

About HTGF – High-Tech Gründerfonds
HTGF is one of the leading and most active early-stage investors in Germany and Europe, financing start-ups in the fields of deep tech, industrial tech, climate tech, digital tech, life sciences and chemistry. With its experienced investment team, HTGF supports start-ups in all phases of their development into international market leaders. HTGF invests in the pre-seed and seed phase and can make significant investments in further financing rounds. Across all funds, HTGF has over EUR 2 billion under management. Since its foundation in 2005, it has financed more than 750 start-ups and successfully sold shares in over 180 companies.
Fund investors in the public-private partnership include the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, KfW Capital and 45 companies. 
Further information can be found at HTGF.de or on LinkedIn.

Media contact
High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH
Tobias Jacob, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager
T.: +49 228 – 82300 – 121
t.jacob@htgf.de

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