Aug 05, 2008 | Amsterdam Yellow & Blue: investment fund for renewable energy projects
In February Nuon announced the launch of an investment fund for energy-related innovations. A big step has been taken in that direction by the appointment of Albert Fischer (51).
The fund, which has been given the name of Yellow & Blue Fund Management b.v., expects to make its first investments in the fourth quarter of 2008. It is an independent company with its own management structure and Supervisory Board.
Investing and bringing to the market
Nuon is giving Yellow & Blue a starting capital of €40 million. This venture capital will enable Yellow & Blue to invest worldwide in technology for clean energy and efficient energy use.
The technological discoveries involved are those that have got way beyond the laboratory stage. These include the second generation of bio fuels and software to optimise wind energy.
The investment fund aims to distinguish itself not only by investing but also by actively helping the innovative companies to grow quickly and efficiently on the market.
Return on investment or hair-shirt brigade
The actual moment of investment depends on the nature and stage of development of a particular innovation. The participation of Yellow & Blue in an innovative project may vary from 5 to 49 percent in the share capital, i.e. from co-investor to main investor. If Yellow & Blue is the main investor, it goes out itself and looks for co-investors.
Albert Fischer believes in his fund’s approach. "A fund for clean energy is currently big business and is no longer soft, nor does it smack of hair-shirt brigade ideals," he says. "The world of dreamers is old hat; I have seen it turn into fully-fledged business. Realism now transcends ethical considerations!"