German VC Rethink Ventures launches €50M fund to focus on the future of mobility and logistics

Munich-based Rethink Ventures, a venture capital firm that specialises in investing in transportation sustainability, announced on Tuesday the launch of a €50M specialist fund.

The fund is backed by ZF Ventures (CVC arm of tier 1 automotive supplier ZF Friedrichshafen AG), Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, KION Group, Berylls, and HAVI. 

Additionally, the European Investment Fund, experienced entrepreneurs, and several family offices, also backed the fund. 

The Fund’s focus

The VC says the fund will concentrate on Seed to Series A investments across Europe, with a focus on:

• Next-generation vehicle technologies (software defined, connected, autonomously operated, new powertrains) 
• Mobility (providing comfortable, safe, and affordable mobility for everyone) 
• Logistics (digital, automated, and sustainable operations) 
• Energy (infrastructure to power a clean, emission-free future of transportation)

Invested in three startups

Founded by Matthias Schanze and Jens-Philipp Klein, Rethink Ventures is regulated as an SFDR article 8 fund. 

The VC has created a sustainability framework which they use to evaluate the potential impact of each investment in the early stages of the investment process. 

So far, Rethink Ventures has already invested in three startups:

Deftpower – an automotive charging platform that allows companies to launch, manage, and scale electric charging offerings to their customers. 

Shipzero – a data-driven platform to measure and reduce CO2 emissions in global freight transportation, 

Rydes – a SaaS solution for corporations to foster sustainable employee mobility by giving their employees access to various transport offerings.

Jens-Philipp Klein says, “The transportation sector faces significant challenges as the global demand for mobility and logistics continues to grow.” 

“With more than 25 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions coming from this sector and externalities such as congestion and the significant usage of physical space, there is a lot of pressure to rapidly change the way we move people and goods.”

“Our mission is to back early-stage startups that address these challenges and help them scale their technologies and products using our capital, deep domain expertise, and network,” he adds. 

Matthias Schanze says, “As a specialist fund, our top priority is to provide unparalleled support to our portfolio companies while adding long-term value to our corporate partners.” 

“We are creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem that creates a positive impact for all. For our corporate partners, we facilitate access to the dynamic startup ecosystem, providing a rich source of innovation and opportunities for growth,” adds Schanze.