An electrostatic energy harvester broadly comprises an electrical energy storage component, an electrical energy transfer stage, first and second variable capacitors, and a switching control module. The electrical energy transfer stage includes diode-connected transistors and dictates electrical energy transfer between the electrical energy storage component and the variable capacitors. The switching control module timely switches between the first and second variable capacitors according to a state machine. Subsequent electrical energy investments from the electrical energy storage component are less than an initial electrical energy investment due to remnant electrical energy remaining at the previously active one of the first and second variable capacitors from previous electrical energy harvesting.