For the first time in Europe, citizens have directly financed the production of green and renewable hydrogen, supporting four sites in France and Germany. For the French hydrogen producer Lhyfe, this marks a strong vote of confidence from the general public in the sector’s potential.
Launched in May, the crowdfunding campaign allowed individuals to invest between €300 and €75,000. Nearly 1,200 people took part, raising a total of €2.5 million. These results far exceed the averages recorded by crowdfunding platform Lita, both in terms of total funds raised (typically around €500,000) and the number of participants (around 320). Lhyfe considers this a clear success.
“We believe it’s essential for citizens to have the opportunity to actively support the development of this new clean energy source—produced locally, for local communities. Together, we are laying the foundations for a more sustainable society. Thank you for your commitment!” said Matthieu Guesné, founder and CEO of Lhyfe.
Since its founding in 2017, Lhyfe has raised nearly €184 million in equity. In parallel, the company has secured $240 million in grants and raised $78 million in bank financing. The citizen-led campaign adds to this momentum. All funds will support Lhyfe’s continued growth, both in the number and size of its production sites: from 1 MW to 5, 10, and soon 100 MW.
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