Lightrock invest in growth-stage companies globally, that pursue scalable and technology driven business models that help to build a better tomorrow.
Lightrock is a global private equity and growth capital platform headquartered in London, dedicated to building a sustainable future by backing purpose-driven entrepreneurs tackling the world’s biggest challenges. Established in 2009, Lightrock operates across private and public markets and partners with innovative start-ups and scale-ups developing science- and technology-based solutions that address critical issues in climate, health, education, financial inclusion, mobility, and the circular economy.
With offices in London, Zurich, Bangalore, São Paulo, Nairobi, and Utrecht, Lightrock manages over $5.5 billion in assets. Its portfolio is among the largest impact-focused growth portfolios across Europe, Latin America, India, and Africa, comprising more than 80 high-growth companies globally.
Lightrock’s mission is to accelerate positive systemic change by investing in companies that generate measurable social and environmental impact alongside strong financial returns. The firm is committed to responsible investment practices, robust governance, and supporting ventures that deliver real-world benefits for people and the planet. Lightrock’s core values are rooted in sustainability, integrity, and innovation. The firm seeks out scalable business models and technologies that address urgent global challenges, believing that sustainability and commercial viability must go hand in hand.
Internally, Lightrock fosters a culture of collaboration, fairness, and purpose, uniting its diverse team around the shared goal of driving meaningful societal progress while generating leading returns for investors and communities. As a certified B Corp, Lightrock upholds the highest standards of ethical conduct and transparency throughout its operations and supply chain, ensuring governance is foundational at every level. These principles are reflected in Lightrock’s commitment to supporting not only commercial ventures but also broader community and industry initiatives that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and promote lasting positive outcomes for society and the environment.
Lightrock was founded in 2009 by Prince Max von Liechtenstein, who also serves as Chairman of Lightrock and Chairman of LGT Group.
The firm was established in response to the growing need for capital that supports systemic change and addresses the world’s most pressing challenges, including climate, health, education, and financial inclusion. Prince Max’s vision was to create a global private equity platform that invests in purpose-driven entrepreneurs and scalable, tech-enabled business models with measurable impact. Under his leadership, Lightrock has grown into a leading impact investor, backed by LGT Group and the Princely House of Liechtenstein, and is managed by a diverse team led by CEO Pål Erik Sjåtil. The founding team’s combined expertise in finance, strategy, and international development has shaped Lightrock’s collaborative, impact-driven culture and global reach
Geographic Scope:
Lightrock invests globally, with a primary focus on Europe, North America, Latin America, India, and Africa. The firm is committed to supporting innovation in both developed and emerging markets, backing companies with the potential for international relevance and scalability
Sectors of Interest:
Lightrock concentrates on transformative technologies and business models that accelerate progress across three core impact themes:
Within these themes, Lightrock targets sectors such as renewable power and heat generation, energy storage, distributed energy and smart grid technologies, sustainable mobility and e-mobility, circular economy and advanced materials, artificial intelligence and data analytics for impact, connectivity and digital infrastructure, and financial inclusion and access to essential services
Lightrock backs high-impact companies led by purpose-driven founders, focusing on ventures with scalable business models and technologies that address urgent environmental and social challenges. The firm seeks investments where positive impact is intrinsic to the company’s core operations, products, or services, ensuring that profit and impact are mutually reinforcing. Each investment is expected to generate lasting value for both the planet and its communities, with the potential for strong long-term returns.
Lightrock follows a rigorous, multi-stage assessment process for potential investments. Initial screening ensures strategic fit with Lightrock’s mission to drive systemic change and support impactful, commercially viable solutions. The team evaluates founders’ expertise, the maturity and scalability of the technology, and market potential. Formal due diligence includes the use of proprietary tools, such as the Lightrock Impact Scorecard and the Impact Model, to assess, measure, and manage both impact and ESG performance throughout the investment lifecycle. This process covers technical validation, market fit analysis, and impact assessment over a multi-year horizon, with external experts consulted as needed. Each opportunity is benchmarked against global data and sector standards, ensuring every investment delivers measurable environmental or social benefits and real-world commercial value.
Lightrock has invested in a range of growth-stage companies focused on accelerating the energy transition, decarbonisation, and sustainable impact through innovative technologies and scalable business models. Some of the most notable and operational portfolio companies include:
Sunfire
Sunfire is a leading producer of green hydrogen, developing high-temperature electrolysers that enable the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as chemicals, steel, and aviation. Sunfire’s technology supports the large-scale adoption of renewable hydrogen as a clean energy carrier, directly advancing the energy transition. Visit website: Sunfire.
Mainspring Energy
Mainspring Energy develops next-generation linear generators that deliver clean, affordable, and dispatchable power. Their technology supports grid reliability and the integration of renewables, providing a flexible solution for distributed energy and backup power needs. Visit website: Mainspring Energy.
Kebony
Kebony produces sustainable wood using a patented modification process that enhances the durability and performance of softwood, offering a renewable alternative to tropical hardwoods. This supports sustainable construction and reduces the environmental impact of the built environment. Visit website: Kebony.
Discover more successful investments: Lighrock Portfolio.
Lightrock is backed by a diverse group of institutional investors, pension funds, charitable foundations, and high-net-worth individuals who are committed to supporting climate innovation and sustainable impact at scale. The firm’s anchor investor is LGT, the global private banking and asset management group owned by the royal family of Liechtenstein, which provides substantial backing and strategic partnership. Additional investors in Lightrock’s funds include major pension funds such as AP1 of Sweden and NGS Super of Australia, as well as charitable foundations like New Zealand’s Bay Trust and Netherlands-based Carbon Equity.
Capital is raised through multiple private investment vehicles and dedicated funds, including the Lightrock Climate Impact Fund, which recently closed at €860 million, well above its initial target, thanks to strong demand from both existing and new investors. Lightrock also manages growth and regional funds and has recently launched a global public equities strategy with €400 million of seed capital to expand its impact across listed companies.
By partnering with investors who share its long-term vision, Lightrock is able to provide growth capital and strategic support to founders developing breakthrough technologies for a sustainable future. This collaborative approach ensures the firm can continue to identify, invest in, and scale high-potential companies across Europe, North America, Latin America, India, and Africa, driving positive and lasting change in climate, health, and inclusive economic development.
Investment Stage:
Lightrock primarily invests in growth-stage companies that have moved beyond proof of concept and are demonstrating commercial traction. The firm typically makes initial investments of €10–40 million in companies that are scaling innovative solutions for the net-zero transition, especially in Europe and North America. While Lightrock’s focus is on growth-stage ventures, it may also selectively participate in earlier-stage rounds for companies with clear potential to become leaders in their climate themes and that are already showing emerging commercial momentum.
Equity:
Lightrock typically makes equity investments, acquiring significant stakes in the companies it supports. The firm maintains flexibility to use co-investment structures and may participate alongside other institutional and strategic investors to provide adaptable funding solutions for founders and to accelerate company growth.
Funding:
Lightrock is backed by a diverse group of funding partners, including its anchor investor LGT (the global private banking and asset management group owned by the royal family of Liechtenstein), major pension funds (such as Sweden’s AP1 and Australia’s NGS Super), charitable foundations (like New Zealand’s Bay Trust), impact investment platforms (such as Carbon Equity), and other institutional, family office, and private investors. Capital is raised through dedicated private investment vehicles and funds, including the oversubscribed €860 million Lightrock Climate Impact Fund, as well as regional and growth funds.
Recent Developments:
Lightrock is currently in an active investment phase, having recently closed its inaugural Climate Impact Fund at €860 million,well above its initial target, reflecting strong demand from both anchor and new investors. The firm has made several high-profile investments in companies such as Sunfire (green hydrogen), Mainspring Energy (clean distributed power), and Kebony (sustainable wood), all of which exemplify its focus on scaling climate solutions with measurable impact. Lightrock continues to lead or co-lead funding rounds in companies driving decarbonisation, energy transition, and sustainable innovation across its core markets.
Lightrock invests in growth-stage companies developing scalable technologies and business models that address urgent global challenges in climate, sustainability, and social inclusion. Its portfolio targets high-impact areas such as the energy transition, decarbonisation of industry, sustainable food and agriculture, and clean transportation across Europe, North America, Latin America, India, and Africa. The firm’s investments are selected for their potential to deliver measurable real world impact such as Sunfire’s green hydrogen technology, Mainspring Energy’s clean distributed power, and Aerones’ robotics for wind turbine maintenance, each contributing directly to emissions reduction, resource efficiency, and the scaling of renewables.
Lightrock uses a proprietary impact assessment framework that includes the Lightrock Impact Scorecard and Impact Model, ensuring that every investment is evaluated for its strategic fit, expected outcomes, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The firm defines meaningful impact KPIs and targets for each company during due diligence, tracking and supporting progress throughout the investment lifecycle. This rigorous process is complemented by active engagement with portfolio companies, providing strategic and operational support to maximise both financial and impact outcomes.
Lightrock supports its portfolio companies with more than just capital, offering founders strategic guidance, operational expertise, and access to a global network of industry experts, entrepreneurs, and co investors. The firm’s hands-on approach helps companies address key scaling challenges, from product development to international expansion and impact measurement. Lightrock’s team of over 130 professionals works across six offices worldwide, fostering collaboration and sharing best practices in sustainability, governance, and impact management.
As a certified B Corp and an active member of the global impact investing community, Lightrock engages with leading industry bodies and collaborates with institutional partners such as LGT Group and the Princely House of Liechtenstein. This broader engagement connects its portfolio with the latest sector insights, partnership opportunities, and standards in responsible investment, reinforcing Lightrock’s mission to accelerate systemic change and deliver lasting positive outcomes for people and the planet.
Lightrock is led by a world-class team of professionals with deep expertise in venture capital, private equity, sustainability, and business development. United by a shared commitment to accelerating positive systemic change through innovation, the team combines experience in investment, corporate strategy, technical innovation, and operational management to support founders with strategic guidance and access to a global industry network.
Leadership and Key Team Members:
Pål Erik Sjåtil, Managing Partner & CEO
Pål Erik Sjåtil leads Lightrock globally, bringing extensive experience from his previous role as Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company in Europe. He joined Lightrock in 2020 and is responsible for the firm’s strategic direction and global operations. Pål Erik holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Economics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and also serves on the board of Statkraft, Europe’s largest renewable energy producer.
Samir Abhyankar, Partner, Head of India
Samir leads Lightrock’s India operations, focusing on high-growth, impact-driven investments across the region.
Shakir Merali, Managing Partner Africa
Shakir heads Lightrock’s activities in Africa, leveraging deep expertise in growth capital and impact investing.
Alex Moore, Head of Fund Finance
Alex oversees fund finance operations, ensuring robust financial management across Lightrock’s global funds.
Aletia Munien, Chief of Staff
Aletia supports executive leadership and coordinates cross-functional initiatives across the firm.
Andrea Gluscevic, Investment Team
Andrea is part of Lightrock’s investment team, contributing to deal sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio management.
Amanda Chin, Researcher
Amanda supports research and analysis for investment decisions and impact measurement.
Alasdair Lennon, Marketing & Communications Manager
Alasdair manages Lightrock’s communications strategy and external engagement.
The broader Lightrock team consists of over 100 professionals based in offices across London, Zurich, Bangalore, São Paulo, Nairobi, and Utrecht, covering investment, platform, finance, legal, and operational roles. This diverse and collaborative team structure ensures that Lightrock can provide hands-on support to portfolio companies, helping them scale impactful solutions globally.
Learn more about the team on the Lightrock Team Page.
Are you building innovative solutions for the energy transition and seeking growth-stage funding? Discover how Lightrock can accelerate your journey by visiting: Lightrock Website.
Stay updated with the latest news, events, and opportunities by following Lightrock on LinkedIn: Lightrock LinkedIn.
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