Beyersdorf moves to EnBW New Ventures

Germany-based energy utility EnBW’s corporate venturing unit, EnBW New Ventures (ENV), is bringing on renewable energy specialist Melanie Beyersdorf as investment manager. 

She joins the ENV team from infrastructure specialist Sentus, where she served as investment manager since early 2019 as part of the transaction team for renewable energy investments. 

Previously, she had spent just over seven years at Allianz Climate Solutions – nearly two years as key account manager for Africa as part of the company’s scaling-up renewable energy programme, and the rest as a senior analyst.  

The move marks her first foray into corporate venture capital, the entrepreneurial nature of which is what she says attracted her to the sector. At ENV, her focus will be on scalable digital infrastructure. 

“I’m looking forward to getting to know inspiring startups and adapting to new ways of working,” said Beyersdorf. “I’m looking forward to working closely with the founders and discovering new sustainable business models we can invest in.”

ENV managing director Crispin Leick said: “I first met Melanie when we both were part of a large meeting regarding a complex renewable infrastructure project financing. Melanie was rocking the meeting with a friendly but strict negotiation style and a deep understanding of the underlying contract structures driving the commercial success of the project. It is great news that she joins ENV and the CVC community.”