News & Trends

Pioneer for climate-friendly investments

16.12.2024 2 min

Gina Domanig

Cleantech investor and a member of the Board of Directors of Globalance Bank

Gina Domanig is one of the top cleantech investors in Europe and the USA and is considered to be a sustainable investment pioneer. As a managing partner of the Emerald Technology Ventures venture capital fund, she is committed to climate protection and innovation. Contrary to the common cliché, most CEOs in her portfolio are over 40 years old — and have in-depth experience of the industry.

Gina Domanig, when you think of your career, did you also experience turning points?

I left Sulzer in 2000 to found a start-up company. Instead of a corner office with two assistants, I found myself sitting on the stairs at first — we simply didn’t have any offices. It was an opportunity for me to really make a difference and to orient myself completely to sustainable investments. Without this step, Emerald probably wouldn’t exist.

What tips can you give young entrepreneurs?

Get to know the world you want to change before you become disruptive. A good idea alone is not enough: you have to really understand the market, the players and the existing problems and know which solutions are really needed. A strong management team with industry expertise and direct market access is key to making targeted use of capital and achieving long-term success.

What would you still like to learn?

I am fascinated by how the brain works. I read many books about what sleep, nutrition and experiences do with our brains. I used to think that sleep was a waste of time. Now I know how important it is in order to stay healthy in the long term. And I’m satisfied if I sleep for eight hours.

What was your best investment?

Emerald. Taking the step into venture capital was a risk, but it paid off. Today, I’m satisfied by how we are shaping a sustainable future with our work. With Emerald I have created a platform that will last beyond my career. It’s about more than financial returns. It’s about the long-term positive impact we can have on the environment and society.