Cologne, Germany (September 7, 2026) – The Sustainability at Work Group*, a company offering and managing globally recognized certifications and other products related to sustainable supply chains, announced that tech-focused investment firm Battery Ventures has taken a majority stake in the company.
The group develops and administers digital certification systems and provides consulting services across critical supply chains including renewable fuels, food & feed, packaging and chemicals, among others. Battery, which was founded in 1983 and has a significant presence in Europe, intends to help the company capture new growth opportunities internationally.
Jan Henke and Norbert Schmitz will continue to hold a stake in the group and provide continuity in its leadership and day-to-day operations. Schmitz remains managing director of the operational units. Henke’s existing managing director responsibilities have been extended to all companies within the Sustainability at Work Group. Together with Battery, they will focus on strengthening the group’s market position, expanding its portfolio of services and pursuing new opportunities for sustainable growth.
“This development creates a strong platform for long-term growth, closer collaboration and innovation across the group, as we continue to serve our customers, regulators and employees,” Henke said.
“Battery’s team has deep experience in digital transformation and scaling technology businesses, and we feel this will complement the group’s existing strengths. We are extremely pleased to partner with them,” Schmitz added.
Zack Smotherman, a Battery general partner, said: “We’re excited to work with Jan, Norbert and the entire Sustainability at Work team to grow across industries and new markets. We see opportunities for organic growth and potential acquisitions in this critical market, which is expanding as governments and industry participants increasingly recognize the importance of sustainable supply chains.”
About Battery Ventures
Battery partners with exceptional founders and management teams developing category-defining businesses in markets including software and services, enterprise infrastructure/AI, and industrial technology and life-science tools. Founded in 1983, the firm backs companies at all stages, ranging from seed and early to growth and buyout, and invests globally from offices in Boston, San Francisco, Menlo Park, New York, London and Tel Aviv. Follow the firm on X @BatteryVentures, visit our website at www.battery.com and find a full list of Battery’s portfolio companies here.
*Denotes a Battery portfolio company. For a full list of all Battery investments, please click here.
This material is provided for informational purposes, and it is not, and may not be relied on in any manner as, legal, tax or investment advice or as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any fund or investment vehicle managed by Battery Ventures or any other Battery entity. Content obtained from third-party sources, although believed to be reliable, has not been independently verified as to its accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. Battery Ventures has no obligation to update, modify or amend the content of this post nor notify its readers in the event that any information, opinion, projection, forecast or estimate included, changes or subsequently becomes inaccurate.
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