The Paris-based fund, named Aster Capital, will receive a capital subscription of €70m (£62m), with Schneider Electric contributing €40m and Alstom €30m.
Aster Capital plans to take minority interests in innovative start-ups based in Europe, North America and Asia, developing technologies that could lead to major breakthroughs in the fields of energy and the environment.
The fund is expected to benefit from the venture capital expertise that Schneider Electric Ventures has acquired since 2000, through the management of its first €50m fund invested in more than 20 companies in North America and Europe.
Comment: How engineering innovations are transforming washing machine accessibility
I wonder if Mr Sawhney has considered a sit-on version, with pedals?