World's most active energy VC appoints new CEO to deliver €160B clean tech plan

EIT InnoEnergy, has appointed Sébastien Clerc as its next chief executive, effective 1 January 2026, as the firm embarks on an ambitious plan to mobilise up to €160 billion in clean tech investment by 2030.

Clerc succeeds Diego Pavia, who has led the EU-backed investor since its founding in 2010 and will remain with the company for three more years in a strategic advisory role.

The announcement was made at InnoEnergy’s Business Booster event in Lisbon Thursday , which Impact Loop's sister publication Energy Loop is intending.

Under Pavia’s leadership, InnoEnergy has supported more than 540 startups and scaleups, five of which have reached unicorn status – Verkor, Northvolt, Freyr, Vulcan, and Stegra (formerly H2 Green Steel).

Pitchbook has ranked InnoEnergy as the most active VC investor in energy globally for four years running.

Industry veteran

Clerc, currently CEO of French energy giant Voltalia, brings over two decades of experience in renewable energy and sustainable finance.

At Voltalia, he oversaw the company’s transformation from a small developer into a global renewable energy producer operating in 20 countries. He previously founded Natixis Environment & Infrastructure (now Mirova), one of Europe’s first green investment funds.

“I am honoured to join InnoEnergy as we witness a new industrial revolution,” Clerc said. “Clean tech is the backbone of Europe’s economic growth – and InnoEnergy is among the bold frontrunners driving it.”