French company Enerfip, specialised in participatory financing of energy-related projects, has finalised the acquisition of Lumo, another platform active in the sector, previously owned by banking group Société Générale. This transaction marks a strategic milestone for Enerfip, which now represents more than 50% of the national crowdfunding market for energy.
An unprecedented consolidation move in the segment
Founded in 2014, Enerfip positions itself as a crowdfunding platform centred on citizen financing of energy projects, with more than 100,000 active investors. The acquisition of Lumo, created in 2012 and integrated into Société Générale since 2018, marks Enerfip’s first external growth transaction. The deal amount was not disclosed but comes amid a gradual consolidation of the sector.
This acquisition allows Enerfip to offer a broader range of financial products for both individual investors and project developers. Both platforms previously had similar profiles, focusing on the financing of local projects in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency and mobility.
Objective: strengthen fundraising capacity
The integration of Lumo’s activities strengthens Enerfip’s distribution and project handling capabilities. The company has announced it has surpassed the symbolic threshold of €1bn raised since its inception, a milestone reflecting the growing interest in crowdfunding mechanisms for energy projects.
“This step marks a decisive turning point for our sector,” said Julien Hostache, President and co-founder of Enerfip. He added that the deal would allow the platform “to offer competitive and transparent savings” to a broader base of investors.
Strategic shift for Lumo
For Lumo, the sale marks the end of a development cycle under Société Générale. According to Olivier Houdaille, President of Lumo, this merger will allow clients “to benefit from an expanded range of products and services” without disrupting the focus on financing tangible projects.
Enerfip has not announced any immediate changes to Lumo’s governance structure or a specific reorganisation plan at this stage. However, the operation confirms Enerfip’s position as the dominant player in France’s energy-focused crowdfunding sector.
