SOURCE: Acre
DESCRIPTION:
By Elliot Fisher
An ESG data intelligence firm has raised €150million in funding – believed to be the largest ever ClimateTech SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) fundraising in the real estate sector.
Deepki will use the funding to continue to help the real estate sector reach its net zero goal while securing over 200 new hires in 2022.
The financial boost for the Paris-based firm was raised in a Series C round of funding led by growth equity firms One Peak and Highland Europe. Other investors include Bpifrance, Revaia, Hi Inov and Statkraft Ventures.
With the real estate sector accounting for around 40 per cent of the Earth’s carbon emissions, it is estimated that more than $5trillion in investment is needed annually to decarbonise the built environment, according to an analysis from Vivid Economics.
The World Green Building Council Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment set a goal of reaching net zero by 2050 which is an achievable target, provided the right level of investment is maintained within the real estate sector.
Deepki developed the SaaS solution which utilises fully populated intelligence to help real estate investors, owners and managers improve ESG performance within assets and enhance the value.
The SaaS platform enables clients to collect ESG data, get an overview of their portfolio’s ESG performance, establish investment plans to reach net zero, improve energy efficiency, assess results and report to key stakeholders.
It is supported by experts who partner with clients across data collection and analysis, through to ESG strategy definition and implementation.
Deepki estimates that the value of the monitoring and analytics market required to meet the goal will be worth $5 to $10billion by 2025, with year-on-year growth of 20 per cent.
Deepki has saved more than 180,000 equivalent tonnes of CO₂ across its client base in the commercial real estate sector, with more than 500 million sqm (the equivalent of almost five times the area of Paris) under management.
The company secured significant new business in Europe last year, such as AEW and Tikehau in France, Generali RE and DeA Capital in Italy, Allianz Real Estate and Warburg HIH in Germany, Azora Capital and Neinver in Spain, and several leading global property and asset managers in the UK.
Vincent Bryant, CEO and Co-founder of Deepki, said: “The global real estate sector needs to act now if it is to halve its emissions by 2030 and meet the net zero target by 2050. This represents a huge market opportunity for Deepki.
“The new funding announcement means that Deepki can make a greater impact and support even more asset owners in taking on the climate change challenge, and we are pleased to have our new partners Highland Europe and One Peak, as well as Revaia and Bpifrance Large Venture on this journey.”
Emmanuel Blanchet, COO and Co-founder of Deepki, said: “Commercial real estate with poor ESG performance is already being affected by brown discounting and greater focus is being placed on properties which can adapt to more stringent requirements in terms of carbon emissions.
“As a result, we are seeing rapidly growing demand for our technology. The new investment means that we can take it to new markets and support the real estate sector as it plays its part in tackling climate change.”
Jean Tardy-Joubert, Partner at Highland Europe, said: “What gets measured, gets managed and this is key to reducing emissions from the real estate sector, which currently is responsible for 40 per cent of the Earth’s carbon emissions.
“Deepki provides a way for building owners, managers and tenants to measure and therefore neutralize the carbon impact of their assets. For one of the world’s oldest and most important industries, Deepki is providing an important first step on the journey to achieving real estate’s net zero goals.”
Humbert de Liedekerke Beaufort, Managing Partner at One Peak, said: “Tackling climate change is the most significant issue facing the planet today. We are proud to support Deepki as it helps the real estate sector understand and take steps to cut its carbon emissions, thanks to its market-leading and innovative solutions.”
Elliot Fisher, Interim Practice Lead - Professional Services & Infrastructure, at Acre said: “It’s encouraging to see new and innovative technology play a part in reducing carbon emissions in what is an extremely challenging space to do so.
“As a sector with one of the highest carbon footprints, it is imperative that carbon reduction and the end goal of net zero is achieved within the Real Estate industry, to support the combined efforts across the globe to tackle the most consequential issue we all currently face and reduce the impact of climate change.”
Elliot leads Acre’s interim recruitment offering within the Health, Safety and Environment team. He sources mid to senior level HSE professionals on day rate and fixed term contracts for various FTSE100 and 250 organisations. Elliot covers a multitude of industries within the team ranging from Construction and Property to FM and Retail.
Prior to joining Acre, Elliot managed a successful interim recruitment desk, placing Procurement professionals into predominantly Financial Services organisations. Elliot’s consultative approach and ability to understand what his clients are looking for, whilst providing a quick turnaround have been paramount to his success.
About Acre
At Acre, we work with the most aspirational businesses with potential to make real change; from those who are just starting out to those who are well on the journey to crafting a legacy.
Our 18 years' experience in sustainability recruitment, combined with our extensive global network, enables us to provide talent solutions that are designed to deliver this change.
Through our unique behavioural assessment technology, we understand the types of people, skills and behaviours required to create impact. We can develop these qualities within your existing teams too.
We find talented people and develop their skills to ensure they make a true impact in ambitious, progressive organisations.
Acre. Making companies ready for tomorrow.
KEYWORDS: ACRE, Deepki, saas, Elliot Fisher
