Fact panel
| Investee: Ampacimon | Investor: Junction Growth Investors |
|---|---|
| Sector: Grid enhancing technology (environment) | Range of Investment tickets: >€1 million (€2 - €15million) |
| Type of organisation: SA (Private Limited Company) | Sector: Energy transition, climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation |
| Yearly turn-over : Not disclosed | Type of investor: Private investor |
| Type of investee: Series C-funded private company | Type of investment: Private equity (late stage VC until buy-out) |
| Country of investee: Belgium | Expected return (of the fund): Above market return |
| Investment strategy: Impact investment | Specifics: Both lead and follower investor |
| Ticket size of the investment: N/A | Some LP’s: European Investment Fund, BNP Paribas Fortis, Keeling Capital, well-known technology entrepreneurs and large family offices |
| Year of investment: 2023 |
The what: Ampacimon, a C type private company
Problem addressed
Widespread rollout of intermittent renewables and growing energy demand are pushing existing grid infrastructure to its limits: both Europe and the US get increasingly confronted with traffic jams on the grid (congestions), as well as with connection queues for new renewable energy installations. Traditionally, Transmission System Operators (“TSOs”) tend to lean towards grid expansion projects through the construction of new lines, driven by longstanding incentive models. Grid Enhancing Technologies (“GET”) offer a faster and more cost-effective digital solution, serving as a complement.
Both in the United States and Europe regulators are stimulating or enforcing the adoption of GET due to their significant societal benefit (minimizing costs while maintaining grid stability and reliability).
Solution provided by Ampacimon
Established in 2010 as a spin-off from the University of Liege, Ampacimon offers hardware and software to allow real-time monitoring of high-voltage lines, enabling TSOs to manage congestion on the grid. As a result, TSOs can prevent lengthy and expensive cable replacement investments, while integrating more renewables on the grid. Ampacimon’s patented dynamic line rating (“DLR”) technology allows TSOs to increase capacity at peak moments up to 30%. The company has deployed a large number of its DLR systems at major utility companies in Europe, North America and Asia.
Ampacimon is scaling rapidly, enforced by its unparalleled technology, regulatory stimuli and societal benefits (such as avoiding re-dispatching costs, EUR 5bn per year in Germany alone!).
The how: Junction, a private investor
General Presentation of Junction
Junction is an Article 9 SFDR investment fund dedicated to scaling proven solutions for the energy transition. Junction is neither a pure-play impact fund nor a not-for-profit entity. The fund deploys capital in line with the Paris Agreement, aiming to fulfill its fiduciary duty by creating long-term value through high-potential opportunities that deliver superior investment returns while advancing climate-change solutions.
Junction has already deployed capital across seven investments in key verticals such as grid- enhancing technologies, B2B solar and storage installation, and sustainable buildings. The team is a junction of former entrepreneurs and investment professionals, actively working together with founders to navigate the challenges and complexity of the energy transition.
Intentionality
Most of the transition towards a net-zero Europe by 2050 can be achieved with existing mature and early adoption technologies. The challenge resides in scaling-up such businesses to implement the transition in due time. Junction is purpose-built to meet this challenge by scaling proven, high-impact climate solutions, beyond pure infrastructure and without relying on financial engineering. The fund invests in proven solutions that play a critical role in the transition, either by driving significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or by enabling adaptation to a warming world. Junctions’ strategy is part of a broader value creation agenda, supported by a sector-focused ecosystem built around the Junction team, its portfolio companies, co-investors, select LPs, and trusted advisors.
Impact measurement and management
The fund is committed not only to avoiding harm, but to making a measurable, positive contribution to climate goals. Junction operates at the intersection of scale and purpose, ensuring the low-carbon transition happens both rapidly and at scale.
To support this ambition, Junction defines company-specific KPIs throughout the entire investment lifecycle, focusing on two key dimensions:
Additionality
From a financial perspective, Junction served as the lead investor in Ampacimon’s €10 million Series C funding round in 2023, which was focused on further acceleration of the company’s international expansion.
Nonetheless, Junction offers more than mere financial support. Junction aims to create added value by putting decades of operational experience in energy tech, grid management and market regulation to work for the benefit of Ampacimon and its clients. As such, Ampacimon welcomed Neil Chatterjee, former Chairman of the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), as a board member in 2023, an important opportunity made possible through Junction’s network.
More information
- Ampacimon
- Junction growth investors
