VC

Green Angel Syndicate

Niche focus:
Climate Tech
Address:
42 Charlwood Road, London, SW15 1PW
Overview

Green Angel Syndicate assesses and selects innovative businesses that can contribute to fighting climate change and invests in them.

Size of investment

Between £200k and £1.5 million

Funding stage
Visit website

About Green Angel Syndicate

Green Angel Syndicate is accelerating climate action through its specialist, mission-driven investment approach. As the UK’s largest network of angel investors dedicated exclusively to fighting climate change, Green Angel Syndicate brings together more than 350 experienced professionals to back ambitious startups developing the technologies and systems needed to address the climate crisis. With over £45 million deployed into 45 portfolio companies, the syndicate invests across sectors such as energy, food and agriculture, water, the built environment, waste, and natural resources, supporting innovations that deliver measurable carbon reduction and ecosystem restoration. Headquartered in the UK, Green Angel Syndicate leverages its collective expertise and active community to help founders scale impactful businesses, driving real, lasting change for the climate, society, and the economy.

Mission, Goals and Values

Green Angel Syndicate’s mission is to accelerate the fight against climate change by investing in early-stage companies whose innovations deliver measurable reductions in carbon emissions and, in some cases, contribute to restoring natural ecosystems. The syndicate is dedicated to supporting solutions that benefit both the environment and commercial success, firmly believing that impactful climate action and strong financial returns go hand in hand.

Green Angel Syndicate’s goals focus on catalysing systemic change across key sectors such as energy, food and agriculture, water, the built environment, and waste by backing founders with the expertise and vision to scale transformative technologies. The syndicate is committed to rigorous impact measurement, transparency, and collaboration, ensuring that every investment contributes meaningfully to a lower-carbon, more sustainable future.

At the heart of Green Angel Syndicate’s values is the belief that collective expertise and purposeful investment can create lasting positive change for both society and the planet. The syndicate fosters a vibrant community of investors and entrepreneurs united by a shared passion for climate action, responsible stewardship, and sustainable growth.

Founders and Origin Story 

Green Angel Syndicate was co-founded by Nick Lyth and Simon Acland. Nick Lyth, with a background in sustainable resource innovation and applied research, established the syndicate to bring together experienced investors focused on climate solutions. Simon Acland, who serves as Founder and Chairman, has spent over 30 years investing in early-stage technology businesses, with a strong track record in venture capital and angel investing. Together, they built Green Angel Syndicate into the UK’s largest specialist climate investment syndicate, uniting more than 350 members to support early-stage companies delivering measurable environmental impact.

Nick Lyth continues to lead the syndicate as President, while Simon Acland brings extensive expertise in company building, investment, and governance, chairing and advising several climate tech ventures. Their combined vision and experience have shaped Green Angel Syndicate’s mission to accelerate climate innovation through collective expertise and targeted investment.

Explore the founders' professional journeys: Nick Lyth Linkedin, Simon Acland Linkedin.

Investment Focus

Green Angel Syndicate invests exclusively in early-stage companies developing technologies and solutions to address climate change. The syndicate’s primary objective is to support innovations that deliver measurable reductions in carbon emissions or contribute to ecosystem restoration, enabling systemic change across the global economy.

Geographic Scope

Green Angel Syndicate primarily invests in UK-based businesses. Its network and deal flow are rooted in the UK, supporting domestic climate innovation and leveraging the expertise of more than 350 specialist members. While the investment focus is national, many of the technologies and solutions backed by the syndicate have global relevance and scalability.

Sectors of Interest

Green Angel Syndicate is sector-agnostic within the climate space, investing across a wide range of industries as long as the core criterion, potential for significant carbon impact at scale, is met. Key areas include:

  • Renewable energy and energy efficiency
  • Sustainable food and agriculture
  • Water management and circular economy solutions
  • Built environment and construction
  • Natural resource management
  • Sustainable materials and carbon capture

Investment Criteria

To be considered for investment, companies must meet the following criteria:

  • Demonstrate potential for significant carbon emission reduction
  • Be eligible for the UK Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS)
  • Have a clear and credible exit strategy
  • Be investor-ready with a minimum viable product
  • Fit within the syndicate’s early-stage investment range

These criteria ensure that Green Angel Syndicate backs scalable, impactful companies capable of delivering both environmental benefit and strong financial performance.

Assessment

Green Angel Syndicate follows a rigorous multi-stage assessment process designed to identify and support the most impactful climate innovations. The process begins with an online application, where each opportunity is screened for alignment with the syndicate’s mission to deliver measurable carbon reduction and support scalable, commercially viable technologies. The team evaluates the expertise of the founders, the maturity of the technology, typically looking for companies with a minimum viable product or at least Technology Readiness Level 5, and the strength of the business model, including market demand and competitive advantage.

After the initial filter, a member of the investment team engages directly with the company to gather further details and explain the investment process. Next, a group of Green Angel Syndicate’s specialist members, each with relevant sector expertise, reviews the opportunity to assess where the syndicate can add value to the company’s growth. If there is consensus, the company is invited to present to the full membership, but only a small percentage of applicants reach this stage.

If there is strong investor interest, the opportunity moves to a comprehensive due diligence phase that follows a venture capital standard. This includes technical validation, market fit analysis, intellectual property review, and an assessment of the company’s financial projections and exit strategy. The Investment Committee then reviews the proposal, particularly where there is potential for co-investment from the Climate Change Fund or the Regional Angels Programme.

Throughout the process, Green Angel Syndicate benchmarks each opportunity against global early-stage data and, when appropriate, consults external experts to validate both the technology and its potential for scale. This thorough approach ensures that every investment delivers measurable environmental benefits and real-world commercial value, with ongoing support from the syndicate’s extensive professional network.

Notable Portfolio Companies

Green Angel Syndicate has invested in a diverse range of early-stage companies focused on climate innovation, each delivering measurable environmental impact across sectors such as energy, food, water, built environment, and nature-based solutions. Some of the most notable portfolio companies include:

NatureMetrics: NatureMetrics provides DNA-based biomonitoring services that enable accurate, cost-effective measurement of biodiversity and environmental change. Their technology supports organisations in tracking ecosystem health and making data-driven conservation decisions. Visit NatureMetrics.

Oceanium: Oceanium uses green biorefining of sustainably sourced seaweed to produce biopackaging, food ingredients, and nutraceuticals. Their products address the need for sustainable materials while supporting the growth of the seaweed farming industry and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. Visit Oceanium.

StormHarvester: StormHarvester offers an innovative technology platform that uses IoT, cloud, and machine learning to reduce flooding and sewerage pollution. Their solutions help utilities and cities manage water infrastructure more efficiently, protecting communities and the environment. Visit StormHarvester.

Discover more successful investments: Green Angel Syndicate Portfolio.

Funding Sources

Green Angel Syndicate is supported by a combination of private investors, strategic partners, and co-investment from major public sector programmes in the UK. Key funding sources include the British Business Bank’s Regional Angels Programme and the Green Angel Climate Change Fund, which provide matched capital to amplify the syndicate’s investments in early-stage climate solutions. These partnerships enable Green Angel Syndicate to mobilise greater funding into high-potential startups tackling the climate crisis. The syndicate’s network of over 350 experienced angel investors also plays a crucial role, contributing both capital and specialist expertise. This blended funding approach strengthens Green Angel Syndicate’s ability to support impactful, scalable innovation across the climate technology ecosystem.

Investment Details

Stages:
Green Angel Syndicate invests from pre-seed and seed through to Series A, supporting companies at the earliest stages of development and helping them scale through their initial growth rounds.

Equity:
The syndicate typically invests on a pure equity basis, with individual deal sizes usually ranging from £0.5 million to £1.5 million per company. All investments are eligible for EIS or SEIS tax relief, providing additional benefits to qualifying investors.

Funds:
Green Angel Syndicate manages the EIS Climate Change Fund, which provides diversified exposure by investing in 10 to 12 early-stage UK climate tech companies over a 12-month period. The fund is open to High Net Worth Individuals and Sophisticated Investors and benefits from the syndicate’s rigorous deal selection and due diligence process. In addition, the syndicate has secured up to £10 million in matched funding from British Business Investments through the Regional Angels Programme, amplifying the capital available for high-potential climate solutions across the UK.

Recent Developments:
The EIS Climate Change Fund has consistently exceeded its fundraising targets and enabled the syndicate to expand its support for climate tech startups, particularly those based outside London. The partnership with British Business Investments has further strengthened Green Angel Syndicate’s ability to back impactful early-stage innovation nationwide.

Impact

Green Angel Syndicate is deeply committed to delivering measurable climate impact and embedding responsible business practices across its investments and operations. The syndicate’s core mission is to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and support ecosystem restoration through early-stage investment.

Green Angel Syndicate measures and reports the climate impact of its portfolio companies, tracking key metrics such as tonnes of CO₂ equivalent avoided or removed. The syndicate publishes regular, transparent impact reports that detail the environmental benefits achieved by its investments. As of the most recent reporting, Green Angel Syndicate’s portfolio companies have enabled the avoidance of over 206,000 tonnes of CO₂e .

The syndicate maintains a strict investment policy, only backing companies whose solutions deliver clear, quantifiable environmental benefits. Green Angel Syndicate does not invest in sectors or companies that conflict with its mission, such as those involved in fossil fuels, unsustainable resource extraction, or activities that violate fundamental human rights or environmental regulations.

In addition, Green Angel Syndicate encourages its portfolio companies to adopt best practices in sustainability, governance, and social responsibility. The syndicate’s approach ensures that every investment not only supports commercial success but also contributes positively to society and the planet.

Community

Green Angel Syndicate actively cultivates a dynamic community of climate-focused investors, founders, and innovators across the UK and beyond. Members join a network of more than 350 experienced professionals who share a commitment to fighting climate change through investment and collaboration .

The syndicate hosts regular online and in-person events, including pitch sessions where founders present their climate solutions, educational webinars, networking socials, and sector-focused discussions. These gatherings foster knowledge sharing, peer learning, and direct connections between investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts . Members can participate in deal selection, due diligence teams, and portfolio support, leveraging their specialist backgrounds to add real value to early-stage companies.

Green Angel Syndicate also offers a platform for passive investors through the EIS Climate Change Fund, enabling broader participation in climate impact investing without the need for active involvement . The community extends its reach through a public newsletter, which keeps over 8,000 subscribers updated on portfolio news, investment opportunities, and the latest developments in climate innovation .

By bringing together like-minded individuals and fostering an environment of collaboration and support, Green Angel Syndicate empowers its members and portfolio companies to drive meaningful progress in the fight against climate change.

The Green Angel Syndicate Team

Green Angel Syndicate is led by a team of experienced angel investors, sector specialists, and climate innovation experts dedicated to supporting early-stage companies tackling climate change. Founded in 2013 by Nick Lyth, who serves as Founder and President, the syndicate’s leadership brings extensive expertise in marketing, sales, and climate-focused angel investing .

The team includes over 350 specialist members with diverse backgrounds spanning technology, sustainability, finance, entrepreneurship, and applied research . Many members have founded, scaled, or advised successful companies themselves, providing firsthand insight into the challenges faced by climate tech founders. This blend of operational experience and investment acumen enables Green Angel Syndicate to identify, support, and scale high-potential companies across the UK.

Members contribute deep expertise in climate technology sectors, investment due diligence, and business development. The team provides portfolio companies with strategic guidance, technical validation, market insights, and operational support, ensuring founders have access to the resources and mentorship needed at every stage of growth. United by a shared commitment to accelerating impactful climate innovation, the Green Angel Syndicate team is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs build enduring companies that drive positive environmental and societal impact.

Learn more about the team on the Green Angel Syndicate team page.

FAQs

  1. What is Green Angel Syndicate’s investment strategy?
    Green Angel Syndicate focuses on investing in early-stage British companies developing technologies that address climate change and deliver measurable carbon reduction or ecosystem restoration. Their strategy targets scalable innovations with significant environmental benefits, aiming to drive both climate impact and long-term financial returns. The syndicate prioritises solutions that tackle critical challenges in the transition to a net-zero economy, supporting the UK’s climate leadership.
  2. What sectors does Green Angel Syndicate invest in?
    Green Angel Syndicate invests across a range of climate impact areas, including energy, food and agriculture, water, built environment, waste and recycling, and natural resources. The syndicate backs technologies that can significantly reduce emissions, improve resource efficiency, and contribute to environmental resilience.
  3. What does Green Angel Syndicate look for in founders?
    Green Angel Syndicate seeks mission-driven founders with a clear vision for solving urgent climate and environmental challenges. The syndicate looks for entrepreneurs with strong technical expertise, commercial awareness, and a commitment to delivering scalable, high-impact solutions.
  4. What stage does Green Angel Syndicate invest in?
    Green Angel Syndicate invests from pre-seed to Series A stage companies. The syndicate supports early-stage businesses that are typically beyond the proof-of-concept phase, looking to develop and scale commercially viable solutions with measurable climate impact.
  5. What is the typical investment size?
    Green Angel Syndicate typically invests between £500,000 and £1.5 million per company. This investment size is designed to help early-stage climate tech ventures build out their teams, develop products, and bring innovations to market.
  6. What support is available to portfolio companies?
    Beyond capital, Green Angel Syndicate offers strategic guidance, technical and market validation, and extensive networking opportunities. Portfolio companies benefit from the syndicate’s industry connections, mentoring, business development support, and help navigating scaling challenges. The team also assists with ESG best practices and market access to accelerate both climate impact and commercial growth.
  7. Where is Green Angel Syndicate based?
    Green Angel Syndicate is headquartered in London, with a strong focus on supporting domestic climate technology innovation.
  8. When was Green Angel Syndicate founded?
    Green Angel Syndicate was founded in 2013 by Simon Acland and Nick Lyth to bridge the funding gap for early-stage British climate tech startups and drive meaningful environmental impact.

Contact

Are you an innovative climate tech founder seeking funding? Discover how Green Angel Syndicate can support your journey by visiting: Green Angel Syndicate Website.

Stay updated with the latest news and opportunities by following Green Angel Syndicate on LinkedIn: Green Angel Syndicate LinkedIn.

Explore more UK opportunities for greentech investment at Adopter’s Greentech Investors Map.

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