ASN Impact Investors & Startgreen Capital launch new investment strategy to fund local projects.

27 March 2025

In the Netherlands, an estimated €30 billion funding gap threatens to delay the energy transition. This 'local funding gap' makes it harder for Dutch projects to get off the ground. Precisely local projects are crucial for the next phase of the energy transition and can make the Netherlands less dependent on fossil energy from abroad. Financing these projects requires expertise and flexible customisation. That is why ASN Impact Investors together with StartGreen Capital a new investment strategy with three funds, bridging the gap between Dutch projects and professional investors from a one-stop shop.

The advance of clean energy from solar and wind is now so far advanced in the Netherlands that the sustainable transition is entering a new phase. The peaks and troughs in power supply and demand are causing grid congestion and localised shortages of power connections. This must be remedied as soon as possible. Only if the Netherlands uses its energy more efficiently and fully will sustainable energy independence come closer.

In the second phase of the energy transition, the way we use energy will be better matched to supply, but this will require quick investments in the right place, at the right time. In the generation, distribution and storage of energy, and in all new ways of using energy in mobility, manufacturing and the built environment.

Local and regional energy projects play a key role. But it is precisely these projects, which scale up proven technologies, that face unmet funding needs. This 'local funding gap' makes it harder for them to get off the ground and delays the next phase of the energy transition. It is estimated that an unmet financing need for these projects alone of an estimated €30 billion is looming until 2030.

One-stop shop with three funds as a bridge between projects and investors.

Financing the 'local funding gap' requires expertise and flexible customisation. That is why ASN Impact Investors developed a Climate Impact Strategy together with StartGreen Capital. It offers projects a one-stop shop to match funding to their specific business case. In turn, it gives professional or institutional investors access to investments tailored to their own risk-return profile. Both parties can choose from financing options senior debt, junior debt, equity or a combination of the three.

The Climate Impact Strategy creates a bridge between projects with strong investment cases and investors who want to benefit from and contribute to them. Examples include projects around grid management, battery technology and green hydrogen, but also circular production, EV infrastructure and energy efficiency of buildings. Projects that make the Netherlands' energy infrastructure CO2 neutral and energy independent. Circular projects that reduce dependence on critical raw materials.

Climate Impact Equity fund open for applications. Junior dept and senior dept funds will follow later this year.

ASN Impact Investors and StartGreen Capital are rolling out the Climate Impact Strategy in phases. Today, ASN Impact Investors introduces the Climate Impact Equity fund. The Climate Impact junior debt and senior debt funds will follow later this year. The aim of the strategy is to accelerate the second phase of the energy transition, scaling up proven innovations for this purpose and growing to a size between € 500 million and € 1 billion.

Erhan Yildiz, Investment Director StartGreen Capital:

"The momentum for local projects is huge. The Netherlands needs CO₂-neutral. We also need to make the country less dependent on foreign, fossil energy as soon as possible. The Dutch government and the European Commission are ambitious with measures to drive development and investment in key energy technology. This creates many investment opportunities."

Rosemarijn van der Meij, Strategy Manager at ASN Impact Investors:

"By offering flexibility in three different asset classes, we can help realise a large and broad group of projects in the Netherlands while appealing to a broad group of professional investors. We only invest in proven technologies that are ready for scale-up, with mostly predictable returns."

About ASN-SG Climate Impact Equity Fund.

The Climate Impact Equity Fund invests through equity and related equity instruments in local businesses and projects with proven technologies that accelerate the energy transition and circular economy, making the Netherlands less dependent on (fossil) energy and raw materials from abroad. Focus on equity gives property developers and entrepreneurs space to deploy own resources more efficiently and thus achieve larger-scale lasting impact.

More information on this fund can be found at the fund page.

Looking for investment/financing?

We expressly invite project developers, entrepreneurs and consultants active in energy transition, clean industry, circular economy, sustainable construction and mobility to contact us about the new financing opportunities that arise thanks to the cooperation with ASN Impact Investors.

Go to the fund page and discover the financing possibilities.

Interested in investing in the ASN-SG Climate Impact Strategy?

On the ASN Impact Investors website you will find all the information you need.