Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam
Your technology works. The market is there. But the step toward industrial deployment, infrastructure or large-scale rollout is capital-intensive, high-risk and often difficult to finance through the market.
That’s exactly where we step in. The Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam (ETFR) invests in scale-ups that are turning the energy transition and circular economy into reality. Not at the idea stage, but at the point where proven technology needs to scale into production. We invest where commercial financiers remain cautious, enabling projects that would otherwise stall between pilot and real-world application.
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Companies driving energy transition and circular industry with our support
More than funding
We don’t just help you grow. We help you scale.
- €1 – €10 million per investment.
- Equity, (subordinated) loans, guarantees and hybrid instruments.
- A hands-on investor with deep experience in energy and industry.
- Active involvement from experienced investors.
- Access to 250+ co-investors and partners.
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What founders are saying
“With the Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund, we have a strong partner to further develop our hub for CO₂ unloading and processing.”
About ETFR
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ETFR is for founders and management teams who:
- Have a proven technology and are ready to scale.
- Are working on the energy transition or circular economy.
- Face high capital requirements or technological risk.
- Are building industrial or infrastructure-driven solutions.
- Want to partner with an investor who understands risk
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When do I qualify?
- You are in the scale-up phase (TRL 6 or higher).
- You have an investor-ready business case with a positive return outlook.
- You operate as a separate legal entity.
- Your solution contributes to the energy transition or circular economy.
- You demonstrate measurable impact on Rotterdam and the region.
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What do we invest in?
Technologies that create system-level impact:
- Electrification of industry and transport.
- Energy storage and conversion (including hydrogen).
- Sustainable mobility and logistics.
- Circular production and materials.
- Solutions for the built environment and heat.
- Industrial cleantech.
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When is ETFR not the right fit?
- You are still in the idea or proof-of-concept phase.
- You are looking for small tickets or grants.
- You do not yet have a realistic scaling plan.
- There is no clear path to co-financing or a funding structure.
In that case, another fund within InnovationQuarter is likely a better fit. Take the quickscan.
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What impact has ETFR achieved so far?
ETFR was established to accelerate the scale-up of the energy transition and the results reflect that:
- A total fund size of €100 million.
- €50 million already invested in 15 scale-ups.
- Hundreds of jobs created in Rotterdam and South Holland.
- Contributions to CO₂ reduction, a more circular industry, the decarbonisation of industry and infrastructure, and the growth of strong, scalable companies in the region.
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What other Energy Investment Funds are there in the Netherlands?
Each Dutch province has its own regional energy fund. Since 2025, these funds have also formally joined forces through the Association of Regional Energy Funds Netherlands.
While each fund has its own approach and investment mandate, they share a common goal: accelerating the energy transition by ensuring promising projects do not stall due to a lack of financing. Together, the regional energy funds can finance more than €1.5 billion in projects.
Regional energy funds in the Netherlands
- North Brabant – Energy Fund Brabant (managed by the Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM))
- Groningen – Fonds Nieuwe Doen
- Zeeland – Transition Fund Zeeland (managed by Impuls Zeeland)
- Gelderland – Gelders Klimaatfonds (Oost NL)
- North Holland – PDENH (managed by ROM InWest)
- Utrecht – Energy Fund Utrecht
- Friesland – Fûns Skjinne Fryske Enerzjy (FSFE)
- Limburg – Limburg Energy Fund (LEF)
- Flevoland – Energy Expertise Centre Flevoland (EEF)
- Drenthe – Energy Fund Drenthe
- South Holland – ENERGIIQ & Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund (ETFR) (managed by InnovationQuarter)
- Overijssel – Energy Fund Overijssel
National financing partners
From first proof to international scale – we finance every stage of your growth
Quickscan
Find out which fund fits your growth
In just 5 minutes
“At the Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund we back technologies that bridge the gap between innovation and industrial scale.”
