Contrarian Ventures, founded in 2017 and based in Vilnius, Lithuania, with offices in Berlin and London, supports entrepreneurs across Europe and Israel whose technology-based businesses aim to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. The firm invests primarily at the pre-seed, seed and Series A stages, providing capital and direct operational support to help startups scale quickly. By setting clear criteria and acting swiftly, the team helps founders bring products to market within a limited timeframe to address pressing environmental concerns.
The investment thesis centers on ventures offering solutions for energy generation, transportation, carbon management, the built environment, industrial processes and sustainable materials. To maintain focus, the firm excludes food and agriculture from its scope. They maintain a portfolio spanning 11 countries, reflecting their global reach in environmental technology. Typical funding ranges from $1 million to $5 million per round, with the firm often taking a lead position. In addition to financial backing, portfolio companies benefit from fundraising guidance, hiring support, and connections to an international network of partners and technical advisors.
A significant share of investments targets clean technology innovations such as renewable energy systems, energy storage, hydrogen production, grid management, battery technologies, carbon capture tools and smart building efficiency solutions. Portfolio highlights include a solar design platform, a carbon markets analytics firm and an electric mobility service. As of the latest update, the portfolio comprises 28 companies and more than 70 founders working across 11 countries. By combining financial resources with hands-on mentorship and strategic introductions, Contrarian Ventures helps pioneers of energy-efficient solutions deliver measurable reductions in emissions.
