Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Smart-grid corporate funding rises 36% to $1.9 billion
Smart-grid companies received more corporate funding in the first half of 2026.
The total was $1.9 billion, which was 36% higher than the same period last year.
There were fewer deals, but the average deal was larger.
Debt and public-market financing grew very sharply to $1.1 billion.
Venture-capital investment went down to $711 million.
Smart Grid Communications received the most venture funding among the listed segments.
Mergers and acquisitions also increased during the period.
Five new funds worth about $8.5 billion were announced for cleantech and smart-grid investments.
Global smart-grid corporate funding reached $1.9 billion across 41 deals in H1 2026, up from $1.4 billion across 48 deals a year earlier.
Debt and public-market financing surged 267% to $1.1 billion across seven deals.
Venture-capital funding fell 35% to $711 million across 34 deals, compared with $1.1 billion across 41 deals in H1 2025.
Mergers and acquisitions increased 75% to seven transactions, from four in the year-ago period.
Five new cleantech and smart-grid funds totaling approximately $8.5 billion were announced, up from $2.8 billion across three funds.
- Who
- Smart-grid companies and investors, according to Mercom Capital Group.
- What
- Global corporate funding rose 36% to $1.9 billion, while venture funding declined and debt and public-market financing increased sharply.
- When
- The first half of 2026, compared with the first half of 2025.
- Where
- Globally.
- Why
- The overall increase was driven mainly by debt and public-market financing, despite a decline in venture-capital investment.
- Total funding
- $1.9 billion in H1 2026, up 36% year-on-year.
- Number of deals
- 41 transactions, compared with 48 in H1 2025.
- Debt and public markets
- $1.1 billion across seven deals, up 267%.
- Venture capital
- $711 million across 34 deals, down 35%.
- M&A activity
- Seven transactions, compared with four a year earlier.
- New funds
- Five funds worth approximately $8.5 billion, up from $2.8 billion across three funds.
- Largest listed VC transaction
- SPAN raised $163 million, while Eaton provided an additional $75 million.