Freeport East and greenCrowd join forces to drive sustainable innovation and capital funding for SMEs

Freeport East and Greencrowd Partnership LLP have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster sustainable innovation and support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to access capital for growth. This collaboration will leverage the Greencrowd Impact Fund (GIF), a platform initiative to bridge financing gaps for SMEs developing cutting-edge solutions in renewable energy, carbon reduction, and other critical sustainability sectors.

The fund’s anticipated launch, planned for 2025, is contingent on obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals. This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer or solicitation to invest.

A shared vision for sustainability and economic growth

The MOU establishes a framework for partnership between Freeport East, a leading hub for clean growth, and greenCrowd, an advisory firm committed to driving sustainable impact. Together, they aim to advance the UK’s net-zero goals by unlocking liquidity and providing tailored support for SMEs. This initiative aligns with Freeport East’s ongoing initiatives, such as its 1GW Green Hydrogen Hub, regional decarbonisation efforts and local clean energy cluster development, and greenCrowd’s focus on facilitating investment in impactful technologies.

The collaboration will focus on strategic capacity-building, enhancing market access for SMEs, and fostering a network of innovation partners, including universities, research institutions, and industry leaders. These efforts aim to create measurable environmental, social, and economic benefits within the Freeport East region and beyond.

Empowering UK SMEs through GIF

The proposed Greencrowd Impact Fund is being developed to address the unique challenges faced by UK SMEs, particularly those in renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, circular economy practices, carbon reduction, and water management. The objective to enable SMEs to scale their operations and deploy impactful solutions by providing capital alongside commercial and project support, as well as capacity-building partnerships.

This partnership underscores SMEs’ critical role in addressing climate change and transitioning to a sustainable economy. The MOU highlights objectives such as fostering innovation in decarbonisation, building strategic ecosystems to connect SMEs with critical stakeholders, and promoting clean growth through place-based innovation.

Driving Regional and National Impact

Freeport East’s strategic location and emphasis on clean growth, combined with greenCrowd’s expertise in energy and climate finance, create a robust ecosystem for innovation. The collaboration aims to unlock opportunities for SMEs in the East of England and beyond, addressing historical disparities in investment and embedding commercial and technical support outside traditional financial hubs. Freeport East recently allocated over £1m of capital grants to support high-potential SMEs in their local area and is keen to support the development of models that can leverage greater access to private capital to support SME growth.

Steve Beel, CEO of Freeport East, remarked,

“Freeport East are delighted to collaborate with greenCrowd to bring more support and capital to innovative and impactful SMEs in our region. Numerous studies have demonstrated that, outside of London, capital becomes an increasingly severe constraint on the ability of SMEs to reach their full potential. Unless we resolve this, we will not deliver on net zero and the growth this country needs. By working together, we can create new opportunities for SMEs, support the UK’s net-zero ambitions, and reinforce Freeport East as a leader in sustainable development.”

Rick Gambetta, Partner at greenCrowd, added,

“The Greencrowd Impact Fund is being developed to address critical gaps in UK SME financing, particularly in sustainability-focused sectors. Our collaboration with Freeport East will explore pathways to help innovative businesses access the resources and support needed to scale their solutions and contribute to a greener future.”

Alexandros Germanis, Partner at greenCrowd, added,

“At greenCrowd, we believe that unlocking the potential of SMEs is critical to meeting the UK’s net-zero ambitions. This partnership with Freeport East ensures that today’s innovators have the tools, resources, and networks to transform ideas into impact.”

A Model for Sustainable Collaboration

This partnership serves as a model for public-private collaboration, combining the strengths of Freeport East’s place-based development initiatives and greenCrowd’s commercial expertise. The shared goal is to create a scalable and impactful framework for supporting SMEs, driving regional economic growth, and contributing to the UK’s global leadership in cleantech innovation.

By aligning efforts with regional and national sustainability goals, Freeport East and greenCrowd aim to establish a lasting legacy of environmental and economic impact.

Disclaimers:

1. This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or an offer to invest.
2. All references to potential outcomes, benefits, or initiatives are aspirational and subject to regulatory approval and successful implementation.