Pitch Me: Germany's €100 billion climate bombshell, and investing in the energy transition.
Jan Lozek, Managing Partner and Founder of Future Energy Ventures (FEV) talks all things green energy investing
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Jan Lozek, Managing Partner and Founder of Future Energy Ventures (FEV) talks all things green energy investing
Germany just dropped a €100 billion climate bombshell — and it’s a signal to the world that the energy transition is not slowing down despite geopolitical turbulence.
In a major win for the Greens, the German government has secured a game-changing 100 billion fund dedicated to hitting its climate targets and accelerating the shift to renewables. It’s the kind of bold move that reminds us just how fast the clean energy race is heating up — and just how many opportunities there are for climate founders and investors ready to tackle the planet’s biggest challenges.
Few know this landscape better than Jan Lozek, Managing Partner and Founder of Germany-based fund Future Energy Ventures (FEV). With more than two decades of experience straddling the worlds of energy and tech, Jan has been at the forefront of Europe’s renewable energy revolution. His mission? Backing the startups and founders building the net-zero future — for him, it’s not just about the returns; it’s about securing the future of our planet.
And what a backdrop Germany offers for that mission. The country has become a powerhouse in the global energy transition, hitting milestone after milestone. In the first nine months of 2024, renewables accounted for a staggering 59% of Germany’s power generation — up from 52% the year before. For the first time ever, wind and solar outpaced fossil fuels, generating more electricity than coal and gas combined.
Germany’s ambitions don’t stop there. By 2035, the nation aims to run on 100% renewable electricity. Solar is booming — in 2023 alone, Germany doubled its solar installations, putting up more than 15 GW of new capacity. That’s over 100,000 solar panels a day in 2024. Wind power isn’t far behind, with Germany targeting 145 GW of wind capacity by 2030 — third globally, just behind China and the US.
But as Jan points out, scaling this fast creates new headaches — outdated grids, bottlenecks, and the growing pains of success. Still, for climate tech founders and investors, these challenges ignite opportunity: there’s an urgent need for smarter grids, storage, decentralisation — the innovation runway is wide open.
For Jan, his path from early stock market tinkerer to climate VC was shaped by a passion for technology, sustainability, and solving big problems. Now, leading FEV, he’s focused on backing the startups that will turn climate ambition into reality:
“With our funds, we want to support asset-light business models based on scalable software solutions that are key to decarbonizing the energy landscape. Investing is about finding visionary entrepreneurs and helping them bring their ideas to life, and that's what motivates me every day,” says Jan.
When he’s not busy scouting for and supporting energy startups, he keeps things moving outside of work: “I’m always up for a run. Sports are a big part of my routine. I find it a great way to stay active and clear my mind. I also make sure to spend quality time with family and friends, catching up, and enjoying each other's company.”
His life philosophy? “Try hard and be consistent. Be prepared to fail and learn as quickly as possible, and then try again and again until you reach your goal. Above all, enjoy the journey, be humble and resilient.”
Were there any key life events that led you down the path you’re on now?
I’ve always been driven by a passion for innovation, technology, and sustainability. My career in the energy and tech sectors has spanned over 25 years, during which I’ve had the opportunity to work in senior roles at companies like RWE, Innogy, and E.ON. These experiences gave me deep insight into the energy landscape, particularly the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions. When I co-founded Future Energy Ventures (FEV) in 2016, it was a direct response to the growing need for capital to support the scaling of Climate-Tech innovations. I’ve witnessed the remarkable growth of the Climate-Tech sector, which has grown by a factor of ten since we launched FEV. This journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to supporting businesses that will drive the global transition to clean energy.
The energy transition in Germany has become trapped by grid and infrastructure limitations. How can this be fixed?
As renewable energy capacity has grown, particularly with large-scale photovoltaic installations, it's become clear that the grid infrastructure isn’t equipped to manage this rapid increase in generation. One of the main issues is that the distributed nature of solar generation makes it difficult for grid operators to have full visibility and control, leading to inefficiencies and challenges in managing energy flow. Without the proper infrastructure and management tools in place, we’re at risk of facing serious problems despite the successes of the solar boom.
Rapid growth in large-scale solar has outpaced grid infrastructure, creating challenges for operators who struggle with limited visibility and control over decentralized generation. Without smarter systems, the grid risks instability despite record renewable capacity.
The fix?
✅ Roll out smart meters and decentralized controls for better real-time management
✅ Invest in energy storage and stronger grid interconnectivity to handle surpluses
✅ Optimize local energy use to reduce inefficiencies
Ultimately, Germany’s renewable future depends on upgrading infrastructure and planning — ensuring its success doesn’t become its own downfall and solidifying its leadership in Europe’s energy transition.
What kind of company would you like to receive pitches from?
We’re looking for pitches from companies driving innovation in energy, infrastructure, and the future of urban living.
Companies developing digital technologies for a decarbonized, decentralized, and digitally interconnected energy system
Startups focused on energy storage, renewable energy generation, smart grids, and microgeneration technologies
Companies integrating energy systems with smart city solutions to address traffic, pollution, and resource scarcity
Innovators advancing AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and other deep tech shaping the future of energy and urban living
Solutions that bridge energy and adjacent sectors to increase system-wide flexibility and integration
What’s the best and worst pitch you’ve seen?
In my experience, there are good pitches and not-so-good pitches. It also depends on where they are coming from. I think in the UK they tend to have better pitch presentations with great ideas, while in the rest of Europe founders can be a little less outspoken. But in the end, it is not about style.
The most important thing for me is authenticity: the ideas and the problem they want to solve.
A good approach and a strong team are also key. A bad pitch doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea, but there are differences in pitching styles and execution. Even if someone isn’t good at pitching but has a great idea, it still matters.
On the other hand, when I’m pitching as an investor, I know that I need to get better and better, learn fast in order to raise my fund. The essence of pitching is to try, fail, and keep trying.
What are necessary ingredients for a successful investor/founder relationship?
A strong investor-founder relationship is built on trust, open communication, and shared goals. Alignment on vision and values is key, but so is honest dialogue — founders should feel safe sharing challenges, while investors offer constructive feedback and strategic support.
Mutual respect is essential: founders lead the business, and investors add value without micromanaging, bringing industry insights and connections beyond just capital. Patience and a focus on long-term growth are critical, recognizing that success takes time.
Both sides must stay flexible and adaptable as the startup evolves. At its core, a great partnership thrives on collaboration, understanding, and a shared commitment to the company’s success.
What areas of climate tech have the biggest growth potential in coming years?
Digital solutions for energy systems will continue to play a central role in transforming how we manage energy. Smarter, decentralized energy grids powered by digital technologies are essential.
Companies like Kugu and reev are already leading the way with their data-driven approaches to optimizing energy use.
As renewables continue to scale efficient energy storage and management solutions will become increasingly critical.
Advancements in battery technology and real-time energy management systems will be pivotal in ensuring the reliability of clean energy sources and reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
I also foresee tremendous growth in decarbonization across industries such as manufacturing, transport, and agriculture. There is huge potential for scalable solutions that can significantly reduce emissions in these sectors, which will be vital in helping achieve global climate goals. The transition to a circular economy is gaining momentum. This focus on resource efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable materials is poised for expansion in the coming years, and it will be an essential part of the larger climate tech landscape.
In 2025, scaling existing promising technologies will be key.
What are you most proud of?
First and foremost, my kids. They mean everything to me. I’m also incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved with FEV, especially managing almost 700 million euros in funds to support the energy transition. It’s been a remarkable journey.
On a personal level, I’m proud of the growth I’ve experienced. There have been challenging moments, but what matters is moving forward, staying consistent, and learning quickly. This mindset has helped me become a better person than I was a few years ago. I’ve become a better friend, a better father, and overall, just a better version of myself through hard work and perseverance.
………………………….……..if Jan could teleport himself 10 years into the future, he’d be “surprised by what we have achieved in climate tech and climate adaptation. The progress will likely be more than we initially believed. Innovation and scaling in this space will create exciting opportunities. I see myself enjoying life and living in a world where electricity and renewables are the majority of the energy consumed by people and industries.”
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Further reading:
EU Supply Chain Regulations are Reshaping Business - Here’s What You Need to Know
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🥂SparkTheTransition,
"The spring came suddenly, bursting upon the world as a child bursts into a room, with a laugh and a shout and hands full of flowers." – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
