Early-stage investment
Climate innovation, Nature technology, Urban innovation, Industrial transition
We invest in early-stage climate, nature and urban innovation, combining capital with industrial expertise and access to real-world validation.
Our investment thesis
The transition needs more than capital.
The technologies required for a more resilient economy already exist, but too many struggle to move from research and early validation to industrial adoption. The Only Planet Venture One was created to close that gap: investing early, working alongside founders and connecting innovation with the organisations able to test, adopt and scale it.
Partners
Backed by an ecosystem of institutional, academic and industrial partners supporting sourcing, validation and market access.
Lazio Innova
Institutional partner
Sapienza University of Rome
Academic partner
Eni
Industrial partner
eFM
Industrial partner
Rome Advanced District
Industrial partner
The Only Planet
Managing partner
Unfold Tomorrow
Managing partner
We back technologies addressing the physical and systemic challenges of a more sustainable and resilient economy.
Technologies reducing emissions and energy intensity across industry and the built economy.
Technologies that help measure, protect or restore natural systems and the resources they provide.
Digital and physical technologies enabling more resilient, efficient cities and infrastructure.
From working MVPs to early industrial prototypes — across hardware and software.
The programme is open to startups that have not already received VC funding.
€150K
Investment available to selected startups
Capital is combined with industrial expertise, corporate and academic access, and hands-on support through to the next round.
Share your deck and key company information.
Initial review of technology, market, team and impact.
Due diligence and investment committee.
Commercial support, industrial pilots and preparation for the next round.
One-to-one accompaniment structured around four activities.
Each startup is paired with corporate mentors who support planning and execution through focused Sprints, defining business and technical objectives to achieve.
Bi-weekly meetings with the support team to review progress, address challenges and plan the following weeks.
Educational sessions covering relevant topics for startup development, business growth and innovation.
Support in defining outcomes and indicators to quantify the impact generated by the proposed solution.
Rome Advanced District
Where technology meets industry.
Programme activities take place at the Rome Advanced District, the industrial innovation campus at the Gazometro in Rome.
Early-stage startups working at the intersection of climate, nature, urban innovation, science and industry.
You do not need a full business plan. A general startup presentation covering the company, technology, market, team and key business metrics is sufficient.
Applications are reviewed, shortlisted teams are assessed, and selected founders move into the investment and support process.
The founders and team members necessary for the development of the startup are expected to work full-time on the company during the programme and attend in-person sessions at the ENI Joule headquarters at the Gazometro in Rome. Other founders, employees or supporting collaborators may work part-time and/or remotely.
We want to hear from ambitious founders working at the intersection of science, industry and environmental impact.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Submission takes approximately five minutes.
