Susten
Los Angeles, US · Founded 2018 · 15 employees on LinkedIn · 1 known investors
Susten is an investment firm backing new energy technology through venture capital and listed equity strategies.
Investors · 1
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Susten is an investment management firm focused on new energy technology. It states an aim of delivering returns for its investors by deploying capital and expertise into high-growth companies that support cheap, reliable and secure energy supply. Its positioning is built around the premise that stable, reliable and secure power underpins other economic activity.
The firm operates two stated strategies. Its venture capital activity partners with what it describes as ready-to-scale startups in Europe pursuing the energy transition through digital-first solutions. Its listed equity activity invests in publicly traded companies that derive a significant portion of revenues from sustainable energy or innovative energy infrastructure solutions.
Founding story
David Herne, Susten's Partner and Chief Investment Officer, founded the investment management company Halcyon in 2003, which managed approximately USD 1 billion in emerging market securities, and left Halcyon in 2022 to join Susten.
Business model
Susten invests capital on behalf of investors across two mandates: venture capital positions in private, scale-stage energy transition startups, and positions in listed companies with substantial revenue exposure to sustainable energy or energy infrastructure.
▸Full profile — market position, go-to-market, geography, history
Market position
Susten presents itself as a specialist investor in energy technology and energy infrastructure rather than a generalist fund, combining private venture investing with public market exposure to the same theme.
The firm combines a private venture capital mandate focused on digital-first European energy transition companies with a listed equity mandate in energy and energy infrastructure names, and cites operating and board experience among its partners as part of the value it brings to portfolio companies.
Go-to-market
Investors seeking exposure to new energy technology, alongside the startups and listed companies that receive its capital.
Geography
The venture capital strategy targets startups in Europe. Partner biographies reference experience across Los Angeles, Shanghai, Boston, Moscow, London and Andermatt.
History
Susten's leadership is composed of two partners. Chrys Vakla serves as Partner and CEO, with around 20 years in banking including senior roles at Credit Suisse and Royal Bank of Canada, and board positions spanning an energy technology firm, a chemical company and an angel investor club for technology startups. David Herne serves as Partner and Chief Investment Officer; he previously held senior roles at Brunswick Capital Management, Unifund, Credit Suisse and Boston Consulting Group, holds a BA from Harvard University, and joined Susten in 2022 after founding and leaving Halcyon.
Compiled by commissioned research from 1 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Timeline · 1
launches, deals, and filingsDavid Herne, founder of investment management company Halcyon (2003), which managed approximately USD 1 billion in emerging market securities, left Halcyon in 2022 to join Susten as Partner and Chief Investment Officer.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 1
primary sources listed
- Sustensusten.com · web
1 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Susten do?
- Susten is an investment firm backing new energy technology through venture capital and listed equity strategies.
- Who are Susten's investors?
- Susten's investors include Metavallon VC.
- Where is Susten headquartered?
- Susten is headquartered in Los Angeles, US.