Keeping plastic from entering oceans, CleanHub nets $7 million

Berlin-based ocean cleanup organising platform CleanHub has raised $7 million in a new funding round led by existing investor Lakestar and new backer Integra Partners. The round also saw the participation of Silence VC, 468, Übermorgen Ventures, Felicis Ventures Partner Dan Bartus, and BCG X’s Managing Director and Senior Partner Stefan Gross-Selbeck.

Alongside the funding round, CleanHub will see a new Co-CEO in Louis Pfitzner, former co-founder of a SaaS-enabled marketplace for hair & beauty appointments Salonmeister (acquired by Treatwell), and co-Managing Director and co-founder of documents management, automation, and collaboration platform Caya. Pfitzner will oversee all commercial aspects of the business, including growth strategies and revenue generation efforts.

Founded in January of 2020 by Bosse Rothe, Joel Tasche, and Florin Dinga, the CleanHub platform serves as a connector between brands whose plastic products may eventually end up polluting the planet’s oceans and local collection partners who collect non-recyclable plastic in the coastal regions of developing countries.

Through a track and trace process, companies can verify a positive environmental impact by neutralising their plastic emissions.

Cleanhub is trusted by over 250 brands including Noughty, Yamo, everdrop, Only One, and Mövenpick.

“In a time where our oceans face significant environmental challenges, we are investing in people with the vision and courage necessary to face them,” said Lakestar Partner Mathias Haniel. “With CleanHub we’re not just investing in the future, together we’re shaping the present. By bridging waste management gaps in developing countries and empowering businesses with plastic credits, CleanHub aligns with the necessary demands of the growing eco-conscious consumer. We are thrilled to be a part of this journey, accelerating CleanHub's mission for a cleaner, healthier world.”