About us
“We at Apricum are committed to playing our role in accelerating the renewable energy transition, helping to safeguard this beautiful planet for our children and future generations.”
Nikolai Dobrott, Managing partner, apricum
What Apricum can do for your cleantech business
Connecting the cleantech companies with the right investors.
Established in 2008, we’re a globally active transaction advisory and strategy consulting firm dedicated to the cleantech industry. Our growth-oriented services connect investors and companies both public and private, including mergers and acquisition, fundraising, project finance, strategy development, business model design and technology roadmaps. Our clients turn to us for the support and expertise they need to succeed in the fields of solar & wind, water, waste, energy storage, green mobility, (green) hydrogen and digital energy.
Guiding you to the best decisions
and opportunities.
We’re headquartered in Berlin with representatives in key established and emerging renewable energy markets all around the world. Our team of experts offers decades of combined technical experience coupled with top management, consulting and finance expertise and has been moving a broad variety of companies forward – from high-tech startups and project developers to financial investors and multi-billion US dollar conglomerates.
A global network of experts
17
local representatives
250+
projects completed
>€1.5 bn
transaction volume
involvement
30+
countries where our clients
reside
The cleantech industries that our clients are pioneering
Apricum is focused exclusively on solar, wind, water, waste, energy storage, green mobility, (green) hydrogen and digital energy and our expertise spans the entire value chains for these industries. We command a comprehensive overview of the market dynamics, drivers and economics, as well as a deep, engineering-level technical understanding of the relevant technical issues that are the key to creating sustainable businesses.
Solar
We are active across the full range of solar technologies including photovoltaics (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP) and solar hot water (SHW). We span the entire solar value chain from component manufacturing, module manufacturing (e.g., crystalline silicon, thin-film, CPV concentrators), system integration and project development to power generation.
Contact Apricum Managing Partner Nikolai Dobrott for further information.
Solar materials
Our activities span the complete spectrum of solar materials required in the production of PV modules, ranging from active cells (cell materials, coatings, connectivity) via cell packaging (encapsulant, backsheet, glass) to value-added coatings (light-shifting, anti-reflective, anti-soiling) up to frames and mounting systems for the finished modules.
Contact Apricum Partner Florian Haacke for further information.
Wind
Our wind practice is focused on the utility-scale segment in both onshore and offshore wind. We engage along the entire wind value chain from upstream materials, component manufacturing and integration to downstream project development, EPC, O&M services and power generation.
Contact Apricum Managing Partner Nikolai Dobrott for further information.
Energy storage
Energy storage is a key element of the new energy system, be it mechanical, (electro)-chemical or thermal based. On the one hand, energy storage provides flexibility by mitigating or managing the impact of a growing share of variable renewables and bi-directional energy flows. On the other hand, storage is increasingly chosen as the preferred infrastructure option to defer investments in grid or generation or to increase system resiliency in the face of extreme weather events. Apricum offers support to participate in this growing business opportunity through our extensive knowledge of use cases, markets, economics, technologies – and how they all fit together.
Contact Apricum Partner Florian Mayr for further information.
Energy storage materials
We are engaged across the gamut of materials (chemical components, polymers, metals) employed in batteries and super capacitors, ranging from batteries cell chemistry, via electrolytes and binders to polymer films and non-wovens as separator membranes. Special attention is given to value-added coatings, novel additives and structuring, which may improve storage performance.
Contact Apricum Partner Florian Haacke for further information.
(Green) hydrogen
Hydrogen, particularly when renewable energy is used for its production (“green” hydrogen), will play a key role in the global clean energy transition, helping to decarbonize industrial processes such as the production of chemicals or steel as well as in oil and gas refineries and mobility applications. The green hydrogen economy is set to grow rapidly, driven by falling costs, growing demand and favorable regulatory and market frameworks. Apricum offers a wide range of strategy and transaction advisory services for clients along the entire green hydrogen value chain.
Contact Apricum Partner Florian Mayr for further information.
Green mobility
Along with the ongoing electrification of the transport segment, we offer strategy consulting and transaction advisory services for both e-mobility and power-to-mobility (see also Power-to-X). We have a deep understanding of the applicable business models, from manufacturing of vehicle components and charging/fuelling infrastructure, to charge point operation (CPO), electric mobility provision (EMP) and innovative mobility services. As green mobility is closely interrelated with our activities in energy storage (e.g., vehicle-to-grid, second life) and digital energy (e.g., smart infrastructure), we are able to provide our clients with unparalleled coverage of all relevant aspects.
Contact Apricum Partner Florian Mayr for further information.
Digital energy
Digital infrastructure such as sensors, software platforms and communication networks are increasingly applied across the energy sector to realize cost savings for example, by optimizing asset utilization, streamlining O&M and facilitating transactions. Furthermore, digital energy is applied to unlock new revenue streams by aggregating distributed energy resources to access attractive market schemes, among others. Leveraging Apricum’s vast experience in applicable industries such as solar & wind, energy storage and green mobility, we provide strong guidance to understand and seize the benefits from the growing digitalization of the energy world.
Contact Apricum Partner Florian Mayr for further information.
Water
Water
Global water supply and sanitation are facing increasing pressure. Our advisory activities in the water sector help address these issues and focus on project (finance) advice for reverse osmosis desalination plants, wastewater treatment, and sewage treatment plants.
Hydroelectric energy
Hydropower plants have always been an integral and vital element of the power mix. In addition to being a sustainable energy source, they provide energy storage and backup power potential. Apricum advises on the structuring and financing of run-of-the-river, pumped storage and other hydropower plants.
Contact Apricum Partner Frank Beckers for further information.
Waste-to-energy
An integral part of the waste hierarchy is the generation of energy, primarily in the forms of electricity and heat, from waste. Following waste reduction, waste reuse and waste recycling, the transformation of residuals into energy and valuable materials, for example, as refuse-derived fuels and solid-recovered fuels, creates an equally important and rare possibility of clean electricity baseload generation. Simultaneously, inevitable landfilling is reduced significantly while waste-to-energy fulfils its unique task to defang a vast number of hazardous substances. Apricum offers advisory and support in the waste industry with particular focus on waste-to-energy, wastewater treatment and municipal solid waste management. Building on our vast industry network and transaction advisory experience, we provide our clients with comprehensive M&A support, strategy advisory and project finance expertise.
Contact Apricum Managing Partner Nikolai Dobrott for further information.
The Apricum Team
Expertise, experience and passion characterize and unite our talented and diverse team members. The nature, variety and complexity of our clients’ projects attract the high-caliber management consultants, investment bankers, engineers, entrepreneurs and thought leaders that make up our team. With backgrounds in engineering, economics, physics and business administration and residing currently in 12 countries, we’re well-educated, multilingual and deeply connected to local renewable energy markets around the world.
Our leadership
Nikolai Dobrott
Founder & Managing Partner
Nikolai Dobrott has profound technology and market knowledge in the solar, wind, water and integrated renewable energy industries, combined with deep functional expertise in strategy develop-ment, strategic business plan execution and corporate finance. He speaks at major cleantech and renewable energy conferences worldwide every year.
Frank Beckers
Partner
Drawing on over 25 years of experience at First Abu Dhabi Bank, McKinsey & Company and Deutsche Bank, Frank Beckers brings considerable expertise to Apricum’s global transaction advisory and corporate strategy practices, with a focus on Europe and the Middle East.
Florian Haacke
Partner
Florian Haacke has been a partner since 2008 and is the head of the materials practice group comprising solar, energy storage and green hydrogen materials, chemicals and processes. Florian has profound expertise in strategy development with a focus on the materials enabling those renewable technologies. He speaks at major materials conferences worldwide and contributes to studies and publications regarding his focus areas.
Charles Lesser
Partner
Charles Lesser is a banking and finance expert in the energy sector and focuses on Apricum’s transaction advisory mandates in corporate and project finance, particularly in the energy storage sector in the UK, Europe and global markets.
Florian Mayr
Partner
Florian Mayr brings a wealth of management consultant experience to Apricum, combining an enviable knowledge of both the conventional energy and renewable energy sectors. Prior to Apricum, he spent eight years in senior positions at McKinsey & Company and RWE.
Dr. Amer Alswaha
Senior Advisor and Country Representative Saudi Arabia
Former head of independent power producers program, Saudi Electricity Company; senior vice president, Saudi Electricity Company
Paul Arwas
Senior Advisor
Former director and VP of energy and chemicals, Arthur D. Little; founder, Arwas & Associates
Masataka Asano
Senior Advisor and Country Representative Japan
Former member of board and senior managing director, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
Ricardo Barreto
Senior Advisor
Former CEO, Elia Grid International; regional director EMEA, Gaffney, Cline & Associates; senior business development, M&A manager, Wintershall
Hamid Can Baş
Consultant
Master’s degree in environmental management; former summer associate, Renew Power; quantitative analyst, ACWA Power
Hannes Beushausen
Principal
MBA, master's degree in physics; former junior consultant, Daimler AG
Dietmar Blank
Senior Advisor
Dr. Raed Bkayrat
Senior Advisor
Former VP business development, First Solar; head of technology commercialization and industry collaboration, KAUST; director of system engineering and power electronics, DDS
Christina Brandt
Office Manager
Former senior management assistant, European Central Bank; assistant at Deutsche Börse AG, Deutsche Bank, ANZ Bank
Arne Brodersen
Consultant
Master's in renewable energy engineering and management; former consultant, Boston Consulting Group
Corentin de Ricaud
Vice President
Master's in finance and strategy; former investment officer, European Investment Bank; financial advisor, ENGIE; analyst, BNP Paribas
Dr. Horst Dietz
Senior Advisor
Member of the supervisory board, ABB AG, Solon SE, Bilfinger Berger; former CEO, ABB AG
Dr. Garry Felgate
Senior Advisor
Former partner, Orion Innovations; chief executive and executive board member, Energy Retail Association; managing director, AEA Technology Group; director, The Carbon Trust; director, KPMG
Henning Franke
Senior Advisor
Co‑founder and managing director INPUT Ingenieure GmbH; former head of project development, Linde-KCA GmbH; general manager, Bühler AG
Heinrich Grabowski
Senior Advisor
Former member of EMEA senior leadership team, Novell; CIO, Rütgers/ Evonik; management consultant, Arthur D. Little
Frank Haugwitz
Senior Advisor
Head of Intersolar conference development, Solar Promotion International; former EU renewable energy manager, EU-China energy & environment programme; technical director, GTZ, China
Cate Holtz
Manager Marketing & Communications
Former senior project manager, Young Internet GmbH; communications strategist, Ikon Communications
Adam Janas
Senior Advisor
Former CFO, ProWind Group and CPC Germania; corporate finance advisor, Helbling Business Advisors; head of acquisitions and due diligence, agri.capital; manager treasury and corporate finance, Grohe AG
Kai Kabath
Senior Consultant
Master of science in business administration and mechanical engineering; former consultant, Bain & Company
Dr. Hendrik Kienert
Project Manager
PhD in climate physics; former senior consultant, Bain & Company
Solbin Kim
Consultant
Master’s in renewable energy engineering and management; former consultant, innogy Consulting
Erik Klaassen
Project Manager
MBA, master in energy science, B.Sc in chemistry; former manager, E.ON Inhouse Consulting; senior consultant, Ecofys
Horst Kruse
Senior Advisor
Former Director Sales Asia, Photovoltaics, Schott Solar; Director Marketing & Sales South East Asia, Angewandte Solar Energie (ASE) GmbH
Christian Langen
Senior Advisor
Non-executive board director, Oxford PV; former executive vice president, SMA Solar Technology AG; chief sales officer, Sovello AG; board director, EPIA
Jesselyn Malimata
Senior Consultant
Master’s in management and engineering of environment and energy; B.Sc. in chemical engineering; former commercial planning specialist and energy trader, AES
Dr. Beatrice Möller
Senior Advisor
Senior legal counsel specialized in corporate, banking and energy law; former M&A lawyer, Linklaters; banking lawyer, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; legal advisor; MVV Energie
Christian Müller-Elschner
Senior Advisor
Founding partner, Deutsche Ventures; former COO, Younicos; senior vice president, T-Systems; partner, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
Thomas Obermeier
Senior Advisor
Owner and CEO, TOMM+C; head of business development, EEW Energy from Waste GmbH; former CEO, Schwarze Pumpe GmbH
Dr. Fabio Oldenburg
Consultant
PhD in energy storage materials; co-founder and chief technology officer, Gaia Membranes AG, former research scientist, Paul Scherrer Institute
Per Hornung Pedersen
Senior Advisor
Member of management board, Suzlon Energy; former CFO, NEG Micon/Vestas; CEO, Suzlon Energy; CEO, Repower; CEO, Pelamis Wave Power
Deniz Selkan Polatkan
Senior Advisor
Founder and managing director, Motif Project Ltd
Joachim Rupp
Senior Advisor
Former managing director, Viessmann PV + E-Systems; senior manager, Samsung; marketing manager, Hitachi
Hoora Sarajan
Senior Industry Specialist
M.Eng. in renewable energy systems; B.Sc. in energy and process technology, B.Sc. in physics; former student researcher, PVcomB at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin
Prof. Dr. Dirk Uwe Sauer
Senior Advisor
Professor for electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems, RWTH Aachen University, Germany; Project leader, division for electrical energy systems, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, Freiburg
Dr. Volker Schlüter
Senior Advisor
CEO, ChemAdvice; former CEO, Triplan AG; management consultant, Arthur D. Little
Dr. Oliver Schmidt
Senior Consultant
PhD in energy storage; founder of Storage Lab; former analyst, IEA; former senior consultant, E.ON In-House Consulting
Janet So
Senior Advisor
Director, Trinergy M&A Advisory; Director, Translink Corporate Finance; former senior consultant for PR firms; former consulting director for McGraw Hill’s AviationWeek / MRO Exhibition in Beijing
Moritz Sticher
Senior Advisor
Cofounder and managing director, GA Power Group; former managing director, Quast Nahrath Group; cofounder and managing director Credence Power Group; business development manager Europe, SolarPark Korea
Richard Stuebi
Senior Advisor
Founder and president, Future Energy Advisors; board member ESA; former VP, US strategy & group technology, National Grid; managing director, Early Stage Partners
Giovanni Sturiale
Analyst
M.Sc. in corporate finance and banking; B.Sc. in banking and finance; former credit analyst intern, Factorit, Italy
Krishnappa Subramanya
Senior Advisor
Chairman, FICCI solar energy task force & SEMI PV advisory panel; fellow, IETE; former CEO, Tata BP Solar
Dr. Yoshihisa Tawada
Senior Advisor
Former chairman, Kaneka SolarTec Corporation; chairman, Japan Solar Energy Society; director, PV Power Generation Technology Research Association
Michael Voigtsberger
Senior Advisor
Managing director, DPM Management GmbH; former managing director, Steca Elektronik GmbH; project manager operations, Kathrein-Werke KG
Prof. Dr. Eicke Weber
Senior Advisor
VP, ISES; former CEO, Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore (BEARS); director, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE; professor of physics and applied sciences, Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg
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