CleanHub secures $7 million to protect oceans

CleanHub has raised $7 million in a funding round led by Lakestar and Integra Partners. Additionally, the company announced that Louis Pfitzner has been named co-CEO.

CleanHub, a company dedicated to fighting plastic waste in the oceans, 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 help CleanHub advance its mission and achieve systemic change in waste management that will ultimately enable 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 the announcement, Louis Pfitzner has been named co-CEO of CleanHub, effective immediately. Pfitzner, a veteran 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 company, including growth strategies and efforts to increase revenue.

Her strong presence in Southeast Asia aligns perfectly with our investment strategy. We look forward to working with CleanHub's team as they not only address sustainability today, but also set 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 funding gaps for efficient waste infrastructure. The company forges links to waste management in previously underserved coastal regions and offers plastic certificates to environmentally conscious businesses to meet growing consumer demand for sustainable products and practices.

By steering waste management toward 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 each waste bag using AI and manual controls to ensure accountability. CleanHub is the first plastic certificate system to be verified to the adapted ISO 14064-3 standard by TÜV SÜD, setting new standards for transparency and stringent requirements in the plastic certificate 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 commodities is expected to grow more than fivefold to $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 aims to prevent 50% of new plastic waste in the oceans by 2030 and promote the circular economy for plastic.