We Invested in PT1: Scaling Real Asset Innovation

When you’re building in sectors like energy, construction, or infrastructure, hype alone doesn’t cut it. These industries demand substance—proof points, persistence, and deep domain knowledge. That’s why we invested in PT1, an early-stage venture capital firm laser-focused on transforming the real asset economy.

PT1 isn’t chasing the next viral app. They back founders building the next generation of energy systems, sustainable infrastructure, and digitized construction. Here’s why we believe they’re one of the most important funds in Europe right now—and why our partnership with them matters for the future of the built world.

1. Real-World Problems, Real Asset Potential

Real assets—energy grids, buildings, industrial infrastructure—make up the physical backbone of the world. But they’re also some of the most outdated and under-digitized sectors.

Fixing that isn’t optional. It’s urgent.

From net-zero buildings to grid resilience and smarter construction processes, PT1 backs startups attacking these pain points head-on. Their portfolio spans:

• Climate tech for infrastructure

• Energy transition solutions

• PropTech and construction innovation

• Digital systems for real-world assets

These are not easy markets. They’re slow-moving, capital-intensive, and regulation-heavy. But they’re also immensely impactful—economically and environmentally.

PT1 understands this dynamic deeply. Their thesis focuses not on what’s trendy, but on what’s transformational.

2. A VC Model Built for Hard Tech and Real Impact

Since its founding in 2018, PT1 has built a fund model tailored to real asset innovation. They’ve combined a data-driven investment process, a pan-European reach, and a network of over 80 LPs to source and support some of the most promising companies in the space.

Why does this matter for founders?

Because real asset startups need more than capital. They need VCs who understand the nuances of infrastructure sales cycles, policy dynamics, pilot programs, and long-term customer partnerships.

PT1 brings:

• Thesis discipline: Focused on high-impact verticals like electrification, sustainable construction, and automation.

• Operational support: From regulatory strategy to industrial partnerships, they help founders get traction.

• Outcome orientation: They prioritize real-world KPIs—energy savings, carbon reductions, retrofit ROI—not just vanity metrics.

This is what venture capital should look like when it meets the built world.

3. Strategic Alignment with Drees & Sommer’s Mission

At Drees & Sommer, we help clients deliver some of the world’s most complex and sustainable construction and infrastructure projects. Our Ventures team was created to bridge the gap between real-world needs and startup solutions.

Our investment in PT1 is a natural extension of that mission.

We see PT1 as a like-minded partner—focused on impact, equipped with technical rigor, and embedded in the ecosystems that matter. Together, we can bring high-potential innovations into real projects—faster, smarter, and at scale.

“We invested in PT1 because they bring exactly the innovation mindset and tech-first velocity we need to inject into real asset transformation. Their rigorous, data-driven VC model and strong founder support complements our global reach. Together we can catalyze truly scalable impact in sustainability and digitization.”
— Steffen Szeidl, CEO of Drees & Sommer

We’re not just investing capital—we’re investing collaboration. That means pilots on live construction sites, co-developing deployment models, and scaling proven innovations across global projects.

4. What Founders Should Learn from PT1’s Playbook

If you’re building in climate, infrastructure, or built-world tech, there’s a lot to learn from PT1’s approach:

1. Think ecosystem-first.
PT1 helps startups plug into the right partners—real estate developers, utilities, manufacturers. Find your wedge into the value chain early.

2. Treat regulation as a moat, not a blocker.
Energy and infrastructure are policy-driven. Understand the rules and use them to your advantage—PT1’s portfolio does this well.

3. Prove outcomes, not just vision.
Especially in enterprise sales, results matter. Track cost savings, carbon reduction, user adoption—whatever your buyer cares about.

4. Build slow, scale fast.
PT1 understands that it takes time to win trust in these sectors. But once you’re in, the scale is massive and sticky.

Founders who embrace this mindset—ambitious, but grounded—are the ones PT1 wants to back.

5. What’s Next: From Investment to Impact

We’re already identifying touchpoints between PT1’s startups and Drees & Sommer’s global projects. Whether it’s testing AI for energy optimization, deploying digital twin platforms, or scaling low-carbon construction solutions—we want to get these innovations out of pilot mode and into reality.

At the same time, PT1 sharpens how we operate as a strategic investor. Their structured due diligence, thesis-building, and impact tracking inspire how we’re building our own venture platform.

Most importantly, this partnership helps us double down on what matters: accelerating the transition to a sustainable, digitized built world.

✅ TL;DR – What Founders Should Know

• PT1 is a top-tier early-stage VC focused on real asset innovation—energy, infrastructure, proptech, and construction.

• They bring structure, speed, and support—everything you need if you're building in a high-friction market.

• We invested to scale impact—by connecting PT1’s startups with our global real-world footprint.

• Founders should take note: This is the kind of VC model that wins in complex, climate-critical markets.

Building something in this space?
We’d love to hear from you—whether you’re a founder, investor, or partner with a vision for transforming real assets. Let’s make it real.