New Zurich-based venture capital fund focuses on tech for sustainability

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06.05.2022
Una Terra founders

Una Terra plans to raise €200 million for Series A investments. The first closing at €50 million is scheduled for May. The new fund has invested in five scale-ups including two companies based in Switzerland.

The €200 million Series A+ fund, launched this week in Zurich, is focused on empowering European ESG start-ups to accelerate growth and broaden global impact, through harnessing the power of sustainable innovation. Headquartered in Zurich, Una Terra is domiciled in Luxembourg, and has additional management offices in the UK (London), the Netherlands (The Hague), and Sweden (Stockholm). The fund was established by a very experienced team composed of Luca A. Zerbini, Chiara Covone, Costas Papikonomou and Marcela Navarro.

According to a press release, “Una Terra is well on its way to achieving its first closing at €50 million in June.” The fund has invested in five scale-ups, two of them are incorporated in Switzerland.

Beauty Disrupted, based in Engelberg OW, focusses on beauty products including shampoo, body wash and shaving, which come as solid bars. They are designed in Stockholm and consciously crafted in the South of France. All products are free of plastic and harsh ingredients. Instead, each bar contains ingredients such as 100% organic fragrances and oils known for their moisturizing and nourishing properties. The two founders exited theit tech business careers to start Beauty Disrupted. First products were launched a year ago.

PIO, based in Lausanne is a stealth mode impact start-up developing decentralized beverage systems with the goal to make the consumption of beverages more environment friendly and healthier for humans.

The founders are intent on creating the next generation of industry-leading ESG businesses, dedicated to fostering solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss. The fund is also keen on diversity and inclusion, with the team representing dozens of different nationalities, as well as having at least 50% female partners and female portfolio companies’ CEOs. 

Focusing on strategic, talent and operational support for the companies it invests in, Una Terra is also an open-ended evergreen fund, and so will not stop investing in companies or be closed to investors. Its ultimate goal is to raise €1 billion by 2025, becoming the de facto platform of choice for ESG investing in venture capital across all relevant sectors and EU geographies. 

Speaking ahead of the launch, Founding Partner and CEO, Luca A. Zerbini, said the Zurich launch represents a major milestone for the business: “Zurich is a hugely important base for our fund and is a key location for us, in the centre of the Swiss and European innovation ecosystem. I am extremely proud and excited about the launch of Una Terra Venture Capital Fund. For a couple of years, we prepared for this moment – listening to the advice of LPs and investors, creating the best possible Luxembourg-based fund, investing in various start-ups, assembling the best possible team, creating strong connections with impressive founders across Europe. Una Terra will be the platform to invest in sustainable innovation, and truly have an impact for our only planet and our children”.

(Press release / SK)
Picture: Una Terra

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