CleanHub secures $7 million to protect oceans

CleanHub has raised 7 million dollars in a financing round led by Lakestar and Integra Partners. In addition, the company announces that Louis Pfitzner has been appointed Co-CEO.

CleanHub, a company dedicated to fighting plastic waste in the oceans, has closed a $7 million funding round led by Integra Partners and Lakestar. Numerous investors, including Silence VC, 468 Capital and Übermorgen Ventures as well as sustainability experts such as Dan Bartus and Stefan Gross-Selbeck, also participated in the round. The fresh capital will support CleanHub in advancing its mission to achieve systemic change in waste management, ultimately enabling the circular economy for plastic.

At a time when our oceans are facing major environmental challenges, we are investing in people who have the vision and courage to take on these challenges

Mathias Haniel, Partner Lakestar.

As part of this announcement, Louis Pfitzner has been appointed Co-CEO of CleanHub with immediate effect. Pfitzner, a seasoned serial founder and co-founder of Salonmeister and Caya, brings extensive experience in developing scalable business models. As co-CEO, Pfitzner will lead all commercial aspects of the business, including growth strategies and revenue generation efforts.

Her strong presence in Southeast Asia fits perfectly with our investment strategy. We are excited to be working with the team at CleanHub, who are not only addressing sustainability today, but also setting the course for the future.

Jennifer Ho, Partner Integra Partners

CleanHub's mission is to address the waste management gap in developing countries and close the financing gaps for efficient waste infrastructure. The company connects waste management in previously underserved coastal regions and offers plastic certificates to environmentally conscious businesses to meet increasing consumer demand for sustainable products and practices.

By steering waste management towards a circular economy, we are creating a better world while adding value for our stakeholders

Louis Pfitzner, Co-CEO CleanHub

In the face of increasing scrutiny of greenwashing, companies are increasingly seeking transparency in their climate initiatives. CleanHub has developed a track-and-trace system that weighs, photographs and monitors every waste bag using AI and manual checks to ensure accountability. CleanHub is the first plastic certification system to be verified by TÜV SÜD according to the adapted ISO 14064-3 standard, setting new standards for transparency and strict requirements in the plastic certification market.

CleanHub works closely with partners to drive the circular economy and ensure efficient collection, processing and reintroduction of plastic waste. With recycling rates expected to increase from 9% to 30% by 2030, the market for recycled raw materials is expected to grow more than fivefold to USD 170 billion.

CleanHub was founded in 2020 in Berlin, Germany. It was launched by a group of founders with the goal of preventing plastic waste from entering the oceans. CleanHub works to install waste collection systems in coastal regions where the need is greatest, using innovative technologies such as a track-and-trace system to ensure accountability and transparency. The company has set itself the goal of preventing 50% of new plastic waste in the oceans by 2030 and promoting a circular economy for plastic.