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Author Archives: Desiree

  1. 10,000 voices. One shared conviction

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    Reaching this milestone is far more than a number. It’s a reflection of a community that understands what’s at stake.

    At ETF Partners, we’ve long held that transformative innovation and a sustainable future are not competing ambitions, but deeply interdependent ones.

    To have 10,000 of you actively engaged in that dialogue, challenging assumptions, sharing insights, and driving change, is both humbling and energising.

    The path to a more resilient world isn’t walked alone. Thank you for following, contributing, and building it with us.

    See full post HERE.

  2. Modern Milkman to collect unwanted electronics and toys with deliveries

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    Great coverage in The Guardian this week for our portfolio company The Modern Milkman, which has launched a new doorstep collection service for unwanted electronics and toys.

    The concept is elegantly simple. The same milkround that delivers fresh groceries in returnable glass bottles now picks up broken or obsolete gadgets and toys on the way back, partnering with recycling specialist EMR GROUP to ensure items are responsibly recycled or rehomed.

    With the average UK household sitting on around 30 unused tech items, the need for a convenient solution is clear.

    This is a natural evolution for a company that was founded on the principle of using the daily milkround to reduce waste. What started with returnable glass bottles to tackle single-use plastic has now expanded into tackling e-waste, with plans to add soft plastics and textiles next. It’s a powerful demonstration of how circular logistics infrastructure, once built, can be extended to solve adjacent environmental problems.

    Modern Milkman exemplifies what sustainability through innovation looks like in practice: smart, scalable systems that make doing the right thing the most convenient option for consumers.

    Read more HERE. 

  3. Celebrating Alessandro Cillario from Cubbit, among StartupItalia’s 100 Innovators of 2025

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    Congratulations to Alessandro Cillario, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of our portfolio company Cubbit, who has been named among StartupItalia‘s 100 innovators who made a difference in 2025.

    As global data production continues to surge, so does the environmental cost of storing it. Cubbit is tackling this head-on with geo-distributed cloud storage technology that requires up to 50% fewer IT resources than traditional solutions, extending hardware lifespans, reducing electronic waste, and significantly shrinking the carbon footprint of cloud infrastructure.

    It’s exactly the kind of innovation that drew us to the company: technology that enhances data sovereignty and resilience while meaningfully reducing environmental impact. A well-deserved recognition for Alessandro and the wider Cubbit team.

    Read more HERE.

  4. ETF Partners Newsletter – Issue #56

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    Our latest monthly newsletter is out, and there’s plenty to share as we settle into 2026. It’s been a busy start to the year, with new faces joining the team, recognition for our approach to ESG investing, and continued progress across our portfolio companies.

    Here are some of the highlights from across our team and portfolio.

    ♻️ We’re delighted to welcome Hitoshi Yoshida as Venture Partner, a strategic addition that deepens our bench at a pivotal moment for the fund.
    ♻️ The newest episode of our Sustainability Talks podcast features a rich conversation between Sir Danny Alexander CEO of Infrastructure Finance and Sustainability at HSBC, and our Managing Partner Rob Genieser, which is well worth a listen.
    ♻️ We’ve been shortlisted as a finalist for “Best ESG Investment Fund: Private Equity” at the ESG Investing Awards, a gratifying recognition of the work behind our approach.

    From our portfolio:

    ♻️ Open Cosmos continues to make headlines, with features in the Financial Times Times and The Times following the successful launch of its first two communications satellites via Rocket Lab, a meaningful step toward more resilient, sustainable and accessible global connectivity.
    ♻️ @ Wirepas CEO Teppo Hemiä shared an insightful perspective on the future of IoT in a compelling interview with VCCircle.
    ♻️ @ Flyability Co-Founder Adrien Briod took the stage at hashtagDavos2026 to explore how Physical AI and robotics are transforming hazardous industrial maintenance, making the dangerous work safer.
    ♻️ Modern Milkman marked seven years of pioneering circular retail through smart logistics and returnable packaging, proving that sustainability and convenience can coexist at the doorstep.
    ♻️ Nodes & Links unveiled a new Agentic AI Scheduling Operator, equipping major infrastructure projects with natural language-driven insights to better manage risk and cost.

    Read all the stories HERE.

  5. A decade of Zeelo!

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    When we first invested in the company, the thesis was clear: millions of people outside major cities were underserved by public transport and entirely dependent on their cars. Zeelo saw an opportunity to change that by using smart routing technology and data analytics to build shared mobility services that could genuinely compete with the convenience of driving.

    Ten years on, that bold vision has become a global operation spanning the UK and US, delivering over 15 million rides, taking thousands of cars off the road, and helping organisations from Tesco to Ocado Group offer their people a smarter, greener commute. Along the way, Zeelo also launched the UK’s first fully electric employee commute service, a tangible step in their goal to operate a fully electric fleet by 2030.

    Zeelo embodies what we mean by sustainability through innovation: technology that doesn’t just reduce emissions, but creates a better, more accessible transport experience for the people who need it most.

    A huge congratulations to Sam Ryan, Barney Williams and the entire Zeelo team. Here’s to the next ten years of redefining mobility.

    See full post HERE:

  6. Adrien Briod of Flyability, taking the global stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos

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    We are immensely proud to celebrate Adrien Briod, Co-Founder and CTO of our portfolio company Flyability, who took the global stage last week at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

    Adrien joined an esteemed panel to explore the transformative rise of Physical AI—a field rapidly redefining the intersection of robotics and real-world application. From inspecting hazardous, confined environments to delivering critical data that supports global infrastructure resilience, Flyability stands at the vanguard of this evolution, harnessing intelligent systems to safeguard human lives.

    At ETF Partners , our mission is to champion entrepreneurs who leverage deep technology to address the world’s most urgent and complex challenges. Flyability’s presence at hashtagWEF26 is a powerful testament to the ingenuity of Swiss innovation, and a compelling reminder of the pivotal role autonomous robotics will play in shaping a safer, more sustainable future.

    Read the full article HERE.

  7. A significant milestone in orbit

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    We are pleased to share that our portfolio company, Open Cosmos, has successfully launched the first two communications satellites from its new telecommunications offering—an important step in advancing resilient, sustainable, and more accessible global connectivity.

    The mission lifted off aboard a Rocket Lab launch vehicle from New Zealand, marking a notable achievement for the Open Cosmos team and a strong demonstration of the platform’s momentum.

    This is exactly the kind of outcome we are proud to champion: world-class engineering translated into real-world infrastructure, delivered at pace.

    Seeing Open Cosmos place new capability into orbit is a powerful reminder that the next era of connectivity will be built by companies pairing technical excellence with a clear commitment to sustainability, and we are excited to support their journey as it accelerates.

    CheckOpen Cosmos LinkedIn to learn more HERE

  8. Seven years ago, Modern Milkman set out on an ambitious path: to reimagine the classic milkround for a world waking up to the costs of a throwaway culture

    Comments Off on Seven years ago, Modern Milkman set out on an ambitious path: to reimagine the classic milkround for a world waking up to the costs of a throwaway culture

    Seven years ago, Modern Milkman set out on an ambitious path: to reimagine the classic milkround for a world waking up to the costs of a throwaway culture. Today, that vision stands as a powerful example of how persistence, values‑driven leadership and product‑market fit can turn a simple idea into a movement for more sustainable everyday living.​

    From those early days to a tech‑enabled platform helping households cut single‑use packaging and waste, Modern Milkman shows what it takes to build both a brand and a behaviour shift. The team continues to demonstrate that convenience, great customer experience and environmental responsibility can reinforce – not contradict – one another.​

    As investors, ETF Partners is proud to back founders like Simon M. whose determination translates into tangible climate impact and better choices on people’s doorsteps. Here’s to the next chapter of Modern Milkman’s journey and to many more households joining the refill‑and‑return revolution.​

    Congratulations to Simon M. and everyone at Modern Milkman on this milestone, and thank you for proving that better habits, and better systems, are possible.

    Read more HERE.

  9. Open Cosmos, featured in the Financial Times and The Times

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    We are thrilled to see our portfolio company, Open Cosmos, featured in the Financial Times and The Times for its breakthrough deal is securing key global spectrum rights for satellite communications.

    This could be a defining moment for the innovative European space ecosystem. It shows that Europe can step up and compete globally with bold, mission-driven innovation at speed.

    At ETF Partners, we champion Sustainability through Innovation. Few companies exemplify this ethos more profoundly than Open Cosmos, whose work demonstrates that space is a foundational tool for climate resilience, data sovereignty, and inclusive connectivity on Earth.

    Kudos to Rafel Jorda Siquier and the entire Open Cosmos team on this landmark achievement. Your vision is accelerating Europe’s leadership in space tech and propelling the next chapter in sustainable planetary stewardship.

    Read the full article HERE.

  10. Join Gregory Ducongé, CEO of Vulog at The CES event

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    If you’re attending hashtagCES this week, keep an eye out for Gregory Ducongé, CEO of our portfolio company Vulog, the global leader in shared mobility technology.

    Vulog’s platform underpins car‑sharing and new mobility services worldwide, enabling more sustainable and efficient alternatives to private car ownership.

    Gregory will be in Las Vegas meeting partners and industry peers, and it’s a great opportunity to hear how cities and operators are using Vulog’s technology to scale shared mobility and reduce environmental impact.

    Link HERE.