Earthworm is an environmental fund manager that backs projects aimed at generating positive social and environmental impact. The firm works with professionals across food, energy, and waste to support commercially viable start-ups and scale-ups.
Portfolio
3
companies
AUM
£100M
under management
Vertical Future
Vertical Future produces ethical food in controlled urban environments using advanced agricultural technology.
Weedingtech
Weedingtech provides herbicide-free weed control technology for managing outside spaces.
Verv
Verv builds smart energy hubs and renewable electricity trading platforms.
Laurence Blair
Investment Manager
Laurence brings experience as chief executive across multiple ventures, alongside background in investment management. He currently leads Dineticq as chief executive.
LinkedIn
Ben Prior
CEO
Ben brings clean energy and sustainability experience, having previously founded Groundworks and Earthworm Energy, alongside leadership roles at Effective Energy Group, Beyond Solar, and ECO Edge Commercial.
LinkedInThe London-based food technology company has raised £4m from Earthworm and other backers to build new plant factories and scale production.
"Following several years of hard work, today's raise validates our growth strategy and strong position in the London market, furthering our mission to improve the food and health of urban inhabitants, starting in London"
Earthworm has provided a £2.2m Series B investment to support Weedingtech as it expands its herbicide-free weed control technology internationally.
"We believe the investment from Earthworm recognises two key things. Firstly, the success Weedingtech has had to date supplying the market with a popular and essential alternative to traditional chemical herbicides. And secondly, the global high-growth potential that the herbicide-free sector holds as organisations increasingly look to reduce their reliance on traditional chemical herbicides. Weedingtech was founded on very similar values to Earthworm in that we wanted to develop and supply products that benefit the environment. It’s an exciting time to be in this sector and we are delighted to have a new investor who shares our vision and values."
The Series A round was led by Earthworm with participation from InnoEnergy, Crowdcube, and Centrica to accelerate international expansion and product development.
"At Earthworm we are driven by sustainability and Verv represents a brilliant example of ‘enabling’ technology. Its energy metering, analytics and renewable energy trading platform will help millions to reduce energy consumption, to shift their demand to minimise cost and CO2."