FuelFWD, a Rotterdam-based startup specialising in digital solutions for the renewable fuels market, has raised a €1 million seed investment round led by Value Factory Ventures, alongside renewed support from Docklab Ventures and the Port of Rotterdam.
This funding marks the second time both Docklab Ventures and the Port of Rotterdam have invested in the company, showcasing a continued confidence in its approach to streamlining compliance and traceability in the renewable fuels sector.
The funds will be allocated to advancing FuelFWD’s technology and scaling its operations.
Looking ahead, Co-founder and Managing Director Menno van der Zalm expressed optimism about the company’s growth: “Renewable fuels are the future. Our mission is to help companies operate more efficiently and compliantly in a complex and rapidly changing market. With the support of Docklab Ventures and Value Factory Ventures, we can further develop our solution and maximise its potential. We are proud of the collaboration and look to the future with confidence.”
Founded in 2022 by Menno van der Zalm and Vincent Tribou, FuelFWD emerged as a spin-out from Docklab, a technology lab and venture studio. The management team recently welcomed Federico Pereiro, who joins a group of software developers based in Rotterdam.
The strategic location positions FuelFWD at the heart of one of the largest renewable fuels clusters globally, spanning Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Antwerp.
FuelFWD’s software solution aims to modernise and simplify the compliance processes inherent in the renewable fuels industry. The platform digitises manual workflows, reducing reliance on error-prone systems like spreadsheets, and uses AI to flag potential compliance issues proactively. This efficiency aims to saves costs and also mitigates risks of non-compliance for biofuel and e-fuel producers and traders.
A key differentiator of FuelFWD’s offering is its flexibility as both a SaaS and Platform as a Service (PaaS). When adopted across supply chains, the platform’s digital fuel passport ensures comprehensive traceability from source to consumer, enhancing the value of renewable fuels. Crucially, the system operates independently of specific certifications or fuel types, offering robust auditability and efficiency from the outset.
Johan van Heusden, CFO of Value Factory Ventures, underscored the strategic alignment of this investment, stating: “We’re thrilled to add FuelFWD to our portfolio. This startup accelerates the energy transition by enhancing efficiency and transparency in the renewable fuels supply chain. It perfectly aligns with our investment focus on startups that play an active role in combating climate change through groundbreaking solutions,.”
Docklab Ventures’ CEO, Arnoud Jullens, highlighted the broader importance of digital transformation in the sector, adding: “The energy transition requires not only the production, storage, and distribution of renewable fuels but also digital transformation within companies and supply chains. FuelFWD is such a solution – the ‘lubricant’ that accelerates the growth of sustainable fuel use.”
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/01/fuelfwd-secures-e1-million-seed-investment-to-drive-renewable-fuels-efficiency/
