Halfway between a business incubator and a private equity player, Idrogenia carried out its first transaction by investing €1.5 million in Terrensis in March. Both companies are convinced that natural hydrogen is a clean and affordable natural resource, thus turning hydrogen from an energy carrier into a primary energy source. And Idrogenia intends to go even further. The aim is to open an investment fund dedicated to natural hydrogen, initiated and backed by Groupe Mentor initially to provide the impetus and then to bring together other investors.
“Most of the experts in natural hydrogen are French, and they are reputed around the world. We have real know-how that could give rise to a formidable French natural hydrogen industry, but it needs to be supported financially,” says Christophe Hecker. On an international level, competition around natural hydrogen is fierce, particularly in Australia and the United States. Idrogenia’s General Manager points out that the American company Koloma, backed in particular by Bill Gates (via the Breakthrough Ventures fund), has alone raised several hundred million dollars. “If we want to compete, we need to arm ourselves financially. It’s also a matter of energy sovereignty for France,” he concludes.
