Cbinsights-能源行业投融资状况2021报告（英）-150页_3mb

State of Energy 2021 Summary

Core Content

The State of Energy 2021 report by CB Insights provides an in-depth analysis of global dealmaking, funding, and exits in the private-market energy sector. It highlights the significant growth in investment, the increasing role of mega-rounds, the rise of unicorns, and the shifting focus towards renewable energy and clean technologies.

Main Points

Global Funding Trends

• Global energy funding in 2021 reached $36 billion, up 260% compared to 2020.
• The average deal size increased by 127% to $50 million, indicating a trend toward larger investments.
• Mega-rounds (deals over $100 million) accounted for 75% of all energy funding, with 67 such deals in 2021, representing 3 out of every 4 dollars invested.
• Energy storage was the largest recipient of funding, with 31 mega-rounds totaling $18 billion, making up 50% of all energy funding.

Renewable Energy Focus

• Renewable energy tech funding grew by 295% in 2021, with $8.7 billion invested.
• Solar funding surpassed wind, signaling a shift in the renewables landscape.
• Energy storage accounted for half of all energy funding, with 25 companies going public through IPOs and SPACs.

Unicorns and Valuations

• The number of energy unicorns (companies valued at over $1 billion) reached 9 by the end of 2021, up 50% from 2020.
• 7 out of 9 unicorns raised $8 billion in funding through mega-rounds.
• The top unicorns by valuation included Northvolt ($9.1 billion), SVOLT Energy ($6.5 billion), and Redwood Materials ($3.7 billion).

Exit Trends

• Global exits doubled in 2021, setting new records across all exit types.
• M&A and IPO activity increased in Q4'21, while SPAC activity remained stable.
• The US accounted for half of all global exits in Q4'21, with notable M&A deals such as Sunseap ($816 million) acquired by EDP Renewables and Rivian going public with a valuation of $66.5 billion.

Key Information

Investment Breakdown by Category

Regional Highlights

• US led in both funding and deal volume, especially in Q4'21.
• Asia saw a slight dip in deal share but remained a significant player in the energy sector.
• Europe experienced a surge in hydrogen tech funding, with $308 million in Q4'21 alone, up 1085% compared to the previous quarter.

Funding by Investor Type

• Asset/investment management firms saw an average deal size increase of 280%, indicating a shift in investment strategy.
• VCs and private equity remained active, but asset/investment management gained a larger share of funding in Q4'21.

Notable Deals

• Commonwealth Fusion Systems raised $1.8 billion in a Series B round, the largest in Q4'21.
• SVOLT Energy and Meike Solar both raised $945 million and $189 million respectively in China.
• Octopus Energy UK raised $300 million in a private equity deal.
• Lumio and Hyme were among the top seed/angel deals in Q4'21.

Early-Stage and Mid-Stage Deals

• Early-stage CCUS companies received 71% of all deals in 2021, showing increased interest in this sector.
• Mid-stage deals also saw a rise in deal share, while early-stage deals saw a slight decline.

Conclusion

The energy sector in 2021 witnessed a record-breaking surge in funding, with a focus on renewable energy, energy storage, and hydrogen technologies. The rise of unicorns and the increase in mega-rounds indicate a maturity in the sector, with more institutional investors entering the market. The US dominated the funding landscape, while Europe saw a significant boost in hydrogen tech investment. Overall, the energy industry is moving towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.