PARIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Total announced that it will focus its global venture fund on fostering carbon neutrality. The fund will increase its capital to a cumulative $400 million within five years’ time.

Its investments will support start-ups that develop innovative technologies and solutions which help companies to reduce their energy consumption or the carbon intensity of their activities. The fund will be known as Total Carbon Neutrality Ventures (TCNV).

“The Total Carbon Neutrality Ventures fund will fully support Total’s ambition to become the responsible energy major. It will allow us to expand the reach of our low carbon- businesses beyond our own borders,” said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of Total. “Over five years, the $400 million fund will invest in start-ups whose technologies or innovative solutions could contribute to carbon neutrality”.

TCNV will invest globally, with teams based in Europe and the U.S., focusing on the areas such as smart energy, energy storage, smart mobility, bioplastics and recycling.

The fund builds on Total Ventures’ existing portfolio of 35 global start-ups that directly and indirectly contribute to carbon neutrality. That portfolio includes Solidia, Sunfire, Scoop, Shyft Power Solutions, Ionic Materials, MTPV, AutoGrid, Stem and OnTruck.

Edited by Kiran Khan