Meet Marcus Clover: The Engineer Turned Venture Capitalist

Ever wondered what happens when a chemical engineer, with a passion for hydrogen technology, steps into the world of venture capitalism? Enter Marcus Clover and Energy Revolution Ventures (ERV). With an impressive $18 million Seed and Series A fund under their belt, ERV is on a mission to transform deep tech sectors like energy storage, carbon capture, and hydrogen technologies.

The Journey from Cambridge to Cutting-edge Ventures

Marcus Clover’s academic journey began at Cambridge, initially aiming for a career in oil and gas. However, fate had different plans. He soon found himself as the first employee in an aerospace startup developing hydrogen-powered drones for telecom applications. Reflecting on his five-year stint in the field, Clover shared, “I witnessed firsthand the wave of innovation sweeping through the energy sector. It was this realization that nudged me towards the investment side.” Teaming up with like-minded partners, he set out to make a difference.

“I saw firsthand, as an engineer working this space, how much innovation was happening in the energy sector. I realized I had to get into it from the investment side.”

– Marcus Clover

Building a Robust Portfolio

ERV’s first fund boasts an eclectic mix of LPs from family offices tied to metals and energy sectors, high-net-worth individuals, and Bidra Innovation Ventures—OCP Group’s corporate venture capital arm from Morocco. With nine promising companies in its portfolio, ERV is making waves with ventures such as Green Li-ion (lithium-ion battery recycling), Anthro (structural, safe batteries), and Oort Energy (affordable renewable H₂).

• Blixt: Creators of software-enabled power electronics. They’ve been selected for NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) program.
• Ecolectro: Innovators of advanced polymers for next-gen electrolyzers in the hydrogen industry.
• Immaterial: Developers of cost-effective Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) aimed at carbon capture and gas purification.

An Innovative Investment Strategy

ERV goes beyond traditional investments with Prosemino—a venture builder that leverages in-house technical expertise to both fund independent startups and incubate new ventures. With 4,000 square feet of specialized lab space in London, ERV offers unique support outside university affiliations. “It’s about more than just generating electricity,” notes Clover. “We need to store it, transmit it efficiently, and electrify vast segments of our economy. We’re essentially rewiring the economy.”

“We are literally rewiring the economy, and we need huge amounts of technology to do that.”

– Marcus Clover

A New Frontier in Energy Innovation

Clover’s vision isn’t limited to decarbonization; it extends to electrification—an arena he believes holds immense market potential. Drawing parallels with how software revolutionized space launches by making them cheaper and more efficient, he sees similar transformative potential in the energy sector. “That’s the truly exciting part of this journey,” he adds enthusiastically.

As ERV continues its pathbreaking work in funding and fostering energy innovations, it’s clear they are not just investing in companies—they’re investing in a sustainable future.