Corporate VCPuts its own capital into companiesLAST VERIFIED Oct 2026 · 9 SOURCES

Evonik Venture Capital

Corporate venture capital unit of Evonik Industries AG

Also known as EVC, Evonik Ventures

Corporate VC unit of Evonik (Essen): about 55 direct and fund investments since 2012, up to €15m per company, Series A/B, in biosolutions, energy transition and circular economy.

HEADQUARTERS: Essen, Germany
FOUNDED: 2012
AUM: —
OUTSIDE CAPITAL: No — own capital only
TEAM LISTED: 8 people

Focus

STAGES: Series ASeries BGrowth
SECTORS: Biotech & Life Sciences Climate & Energy Industrial & Manufacturing HealthTech Artificial Intelligence Food & Agriculture
ASSET MIX: Venture capitalDirect investmentsFunds (as LP)
GEOGRAPHY: EuropeNorth AmericaAsia-Pacific

Investment arms & vehicles

Sustainability Tech Fund
€150m vehicle launched in 2022 for technologies that reduce emissions and complement Evonik's Next Generation Solutions

Overview

Evonik Venture Capital (EVC) is the corporate venture capital unit of specialty chemicals group Evonik Industries, investing and partnering with start-ups for strategic value and financial return. It has made about 55 investments since 2012, both direct and in venture funds, from early to growth stage, with up to €15 million per portfolio company over its lifecycle and minority stakes typically up to 20%. From offices in Germany, the USA and China it invests in the growth areas Advance Precision Biosolutions, Accelerate Energy Transition and Enable Circular Economy. Its €150 million Sustainability Tech Fund was launched in 2022.

Investment thesis

Direct minority investments (typically up to 20%, usually Series A and B, proof of concept established) in start-ups in Asia, Europe and North America in precision biosolutions, energy transition and circular economy, plus selective fund investments in key geographies; active partner that often takes board seats and syndicates with top-tier (corporate) VCs.

PORTFOLIO (44)

Abolis
Biotech & Life Sciences · since 2024
Allay Therapeutics
Biotech & Life Sciences
Biograil
Biotech & Life Sciences
Castor
Industrial & Manufacturing
Circumfix Solutions
HealthTech
Citrine Informatics
Artificial Intelligence
HPNow
Climate & Energy
Interface Polymers
Climate & Energy · since 2023
JLand Biotech
Biotech & Life Sciences
Laxxon Medical
HealthTech
Modern Meadow
Biotech & Life Sciences
Numaferm
Biotech & Life Sciences
Revivo BioSystems
Biotech & Life Sciences
Smart AHC
Food & Agriculture
Strohm
Climate & Energy
Super C
Climate & Energy · since 2023
Union Tech
Industrial & Manufacturing
Velox
Industrial & Manufacturing
Algal Scientific
Biotech & Life Sciences · Exited (feed and food activities bought by Kemin Industries, 2017)
Biosynthetic Technologies
Climate & Energy · Acquired by Biosyn Holdings (2018)
CodeCheck
Consumer & E-commerce · Exited
FRX Polymers
Industrial & Manufacturing · Exited
InOvo
Food & Agriculture · Exited
JenaCell
Biotech & Life Sciences · Acquired by Evonik
Nanocomp
Industrial & Manufacturing · Exited
Nanotech Industrial Solutions
Industrial & Manufacturing · Exited
Structured Polymers
Industrial & Manufacturing · Acquired by Evonik (2019)
Synoste
HealthTech · Acquired by Globus Medical (2020)
Vivasure
HealthTech · Acquired by Haemonetics (2026-01)
chembid
Software & SaaS
Chrysalix Venture Capital – Carbon Neutrality Fund (fund commitment)
Azolla Ventures (fund commitment)
Capnamic (fund commitment)
Emerald Technology Ventures (fund commitment)
Global Brain (Fund VIII) (fund commitment)
GRC SinoGreen Fund (fund commitment)
Gründerfonds Ruhr (fund commitment)
High-Tech Gründerfonds (fund commitment)
Hosen Capital (fund commitment)
Pangaea Ventures Fund III (fund commitment)
Richland Capital (fund commitment)
Tech Council Ventures II (fund commitment)
Union Labs (fund commitment)
Yttrium (fund commitment)

People

Dr. Bernhard Mohr
Managing Director · source
Dr. Jens Busse
Investment Director North Europe · source
Mark Redshaw
Investment Director Europe · source
Lars Boehnisch
Investment Manager Europe · source
Erning Cao
Investment Director Asia · source
Qi Zhang
Investment Manager Asia · source
Yilei Huang
Investment Manager Asia · source
Lutz Stoeber
Investment Director North America · source

Frequently asked questions

Evonik Venture Capital is a corporate venture arm based in Essen, Germany, founded in 2012.

Yes. Evonik Venture Capital invests its own capital in private companies. It also commits capital to third-party funds as an LP.

Evonik Venture Capital invests at Series A, Series B and Growth stages in Biotech & Life Sciences, Climate & Energy, Industrial & Manufacturing, HealthTech, Artificial Intelligence and Food & Agriculture.

Evonik Venture Capital's stated ticket size is Up to €15M.

Key people at Evonik Venture Capital include Dr. Bernhard Mohr (Managing Director), Dr. Jens Busse (Investment Director North Europe), Mark Redshaw (Investment Director Europe) and Lars Boehnisch (Investment Manager Europe).

Evonik Venture Capital's investments include Abolis, Allay Therapeutics, Biograil, Castor, Circumfix Solutions, Citrine Informatics, HPNow and Interface Polymers, among others.

The most recent publicly reported investment by Evonik Venture Capital is Abolis Biotechnologies (Series A (€35m, co-lead with BOLD and DeepTech & Climate Fonds)), announced in Sep 2024.

No. Evonik Venture Capital invests its own capital and does not raise money from outside investors.