Viessmann Generations Group and Urban Partners establish partnership to drive sustainable urban transformation
Viessmann takes a minority stake in Urban Partners and commits to investing in its funds. Longstanding shared ambition to address urban challenges through impactful collaboration
23 January 2025 – The Viessmann Generations Group ("Viessmann"), a purpose-driven family company with a heritage of 108 years and the urban investor Urban Partners announce a purpose-driven, long-term partnership. Viessmann has acquired a minority stake in Urban Partners, cementing a longstanding ambition by both businesses to solve urban challenges through impactful investments.
Urban Partners is a leading €21bn urban investment platform, investing to help cities address challenges accelerated by urbanisation. Combining insights, stakeholders and capital, the business is shaped around problem solving to deliver both sustainable urban impact and attractive returns through its three vision-aligned investment strategies; real estate investor Nrep, venture capital firm 2150 and credit specialist Velo Capital.
Viessmann, founded in 1917, is an independent, global company committed to its purpose of co-creating living spaces for generations to come. Through strategic acquisitions, co-investments and minority stakes, the group is growing a broad ecosystem of companies focused on positive climate impact. Key priorities include CO2 avoidance, reduction and capturing as well as securing air, water and food quality, especially in urban areas.
Following a long-established relationship between both parties around shared interests to mobilise the urban value chain, the partnership is based on synergies of investing constructive capital to address urban challenges across the built environment, and scaling technology solutions. Through its acquisition of Urban Partners’ treasury shares, Viessmann has the ability to support the long-term growth of the company, while the backing enables Urban Partners to invest in differentiated capabilities to cement its leading position in urban investing.
As part of this collaboration, both companies leverage shared expertise and networks, particularly in technology, decarbonization and people-centric real estate investments. Viessmann’s commitment to investing in funds of Urban Partners further strengthens their joint ambition to make urban environments more sustainable.
Jens Stender, Co-CEO of Urban Partners: “Our new partnership with Viessmann marks another milestone, almost two decades into Urban Partners’ journey. To have attracted the long-term support of such a renowned and visionary team is testament to what we have achieved thus far in proving the commercial upside of transforming city environments to make them greener, and more liveable. Viessmann’s unwavering commitment to making a positive contribution to society has been decisive for us and with this partnership, we are primed to accelerate our journey towards building the world’s most competent urban investor.”
Max Viessmann, CEO of Viessmann Generations Group: “We are delighted to join forces with Urban Partners whose mission aligns seamlessly with our own purpose of co-creating living spaces for generations to come. By uniting our complementary expertise and shared values, we are unlocking new synergies that amplify our collective impact in urban areas. Together, we will foster innovative solutions and drive sustainable transformation in urban environments, creating tangible benefits for both the people and the planet.”
Viessmann is the second external investor in Urban Partners following the support of Novo Holdings which became a 25% minority shareholder in 2020. This transaction does not impact Urban Partners’ strategic decision-making, nor day-to-day management or Investment Committee, with all remaining shares continuing to be held by senior partners in the firm.
About Viessmann Generations Group
Founded in 1917, the independent family company Viessmann is today a global, broadly diversified Group. All activities are based on the company’s purpose "We co-create living spaces for generations to come”. This is the passion and responsibility that the large worldwide Viessmann family brings to life every day. Viessmann forms an ecosystem of entrepreneurs and co-creators with a clear focus on CO2 avoidance, CO2 reduction and CO2 capturing.
About Urban Partners
The Urban Partners platform, which consists of three investment strategies, united behind a common vision to provide constructive capital to meet the complex challenges presented by urbanisation and the built environment. By bringing together insights, stakeholders and capital, the ambition is to achieve a long-term positive change in urban development with a focus on reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the built environment and (re)creating neighbourhoods. The platform includes three investment strategies: the European real estate investor Nrep, venture capital firm2150 and the credit specialist Velo Capital. Urban Partners has €21 billion under management and invests in real estate, businesses, technology and credit solutions. The platform was founded in 2005 and today manages investments in more than 15 countries and has 700 employees. Read more at urban.partners.
Press Contact
Viessmann Generations Group
Byung-Hun Park
Vice President Corporate Communications
E: huni@viessmann.com
M: +49151-64911317
Urban Partners
Anna Hillinge
Head of Communications
E: anhi@urban.partners
M: +45 21136243
FTI Consulting, PR Advisers
E: urbanpartners@fticonsulting.com
M: +44 7583 117 244
