New climate fund launch with Australia's CEFC
Summary by AI BETAClose X
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FOR RELEASE ON |
30 March 2026
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IP Group announces new fund with Australia's Clean Energy Finance Corporation to support Australian cleantech companies
IP Group plc (LSE: IPO) ("IP Group" or "the Group"), which invests in breakthrough science and technology companies with the potential to create a better future for all, announces that it has launched the IP Group Climate Catalyst Fund with Australia's Clean Energy Finance Corporation ("CEFC").
The new fund will help scale Australian technologies that can decarbonise hard‑to‑abate industries and has a target size of up to A$150m. The launch demonstrates continued execution of IP Group's strategy to grow private capital under management and accelerate the commercialisation of breakthrough science and technology.
The IP Group Climate Catalyst Fund will target Seed and Series A investments in areas including industrial processes (cement, steel and chemicals); mineral processing and supply chain; heavy transport (aviation, shipping and freight); energy-efficient AI and data centres; agriculture and land use; and dispatchable energy and grid balancing. First close of the fund has been reached with IP Group contributing A$30m and CEFC A$20m as cornerstone investors. Fundraising is underway to bring additional third party investors into the Fund.
In Australia, IP Group's cleantech portfolio includes Hysata, developing the world's most efficient hydrogen electrolyser; Electralith, an innovator in lithium extraction and refining; Optigrid, an asset optimisation platform for grid-scale batteries; and Banksia Minerals Processing, which is developing a novel process for refining copper from challenging ores.
IP Group currently manages over £0.5bn in third‑party capital, including a A$435m mandate for Hostplus, one of Australia's top ten superannuation funds. The IP Group Hostplus Innovation fund, managed by the Group's Australian team, has already supported a range of IP Group portfolio companies including Oxford Nanopore, Genomics, First Light Fusion, Oxa and Hysata, providing additive growth capital as these businesses scale.
Greg Smith, Chief Executive of IP Group, said: "This fund strengthens IP Group's ability to back the breakthrough technologies that will define the next era of decarbonisation. The launch of the Climate Catalyst Fund with the CEFC, alongside the recently announced relationship with Aberdeen in the UK, is clear evidence that we are executing our strategy to grow institutional private capital under management and support the scale-up of high-impact science."
Malcolm Thornton, CEFC Head of Growth Capital, said: "This is a strategic relationship between IP Group Australia and the CEFC that is targeting a USD30-50 trillion global decarbonisation opportunity by investing in Australian-emerging climate technologies. Mobilising private capital directed at decarbonising industry is a huge part of what the CEFC is trying to achieve."
Alistair McCreadie, IP Group Australia CIO, said: "The global race to decarbonise is driving unprecedented demand for breakthrough technologies, and achieving material emissions reductions will require the largest reallocation of capital in modern history, creating a generational investment opportunity. While renewable energy has led the charge, the hard-to-abate sectors (accounting for over 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions) represent the next frontier. These sectors demand transformative innovation, not incremental change."
For more information, please contact:
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IP Group plc |
www.ipgroupplc.com |
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Liz Vaughan-Adams, Communications |
+44 (0) 20 7444 0062/+44 (0) 7967 312125 |
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Portland |
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Lewis Bendall-Craft |
+44 (0) 7931 973950 |
Notes for editors
About IP Group
IP Group accelerates the impact of science for a better future. As the most active UK based, early stage science and technology investor, we develop and support some of the world's most exciting businesses in healthtech, deeptech and cleantech. Including through Parkwalk, the UK's largest growth EIS fund manager, we back world-changing innovation emerging in leading universities and research institutions. Our specialist investment team combines sector expertise with an international approach. Together we have a strong track record of success, having backed high-profile companies including Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc, Hinge Health, Featurespace, First Light Fusion, Hysata, and Oxa. IP Group is listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange under the code IPO.
For more information, please visit our website at www.ipgroupplc.com.
About the CEFC
The CEFC is Australia's specialist climate investor, helping cut emissions in the race towards net zero by 2050. We invest in the latest technologies to generate, store, manage and transmit clean energy. Our discounted asset finance programs help put more Australians on the path to sustainability, in their homes and on the road. CEFC capital is also backing the net zero transformation of our natural capital, infrastructure, property and resources sectors, while providing critical capital for the emerging climate tech businesses of tomorrow. With access to more than A$33 billion from the Australian Government, the CEFC invests with commercial rigour and is governed by an independent board.
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