11 Top Cleantech Angel Investors You Should Know About

For founders in cleantech and climate tech, finding the right early-stage capital is a critical first step. Knowing the key angel investors in your sector can significantly shape your fundraising journey.

Angel investors often differ from venture capital firms by writing the first checks, frequently backing founders based on early conviction in their vision and team.

To help you prepare, we've curated this guide to some of the top angel investors in the green tech space. It's designed to give you a quick overview of individuals who could be relevant to your round.

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Top CleanTech Angel Investors By Stage

Many angel investors in this space write checks for pre-seed and seed rounds, where their belief in the mission can be as important as early metrics.

Identifying the right investors for your company's stage is a key part of an effective fundraising process.

Pre-seed Angel Investors in CleanTech

Pre-seed is the earliest funding stage, often used to validate an idea before there is a full product. For this initial phase, you might consider investors like Bill Trenchard, Ramanan Raghavendran, and Ian Schafer, who have experience backing companies at their inception.

Seed Stage Angel Investors in CleanTech

Seed funding helps a startup with initial market entry, product development, and hiring key team members to find product-market fit. Some notable angel investors active at the seed stage include Peter Kellner, Enrique Allen, and Sebastien de Halleux.

Series A Angel Investors in CleanTech

Series A funding is for companies that have demonstrated a clear business model and are ready to scale their operations. Investors like David Coats and Scott Sandell are known to participate in Series A rounds, helping companies accelerate their growth.

Series B Angel Investors in CleanTech

Series B rounds are designed for businesses that are well-established and looking to expand their market reach significantly. Prominent figures who invest in this later stage include John Doerr and Dixon Doll.

It's also worth noting that many investors are flexible and participate across different funding stages depending on the specific opportunity.

To help you identify the right fit, we've compiled information on some of the top angel investors in cleantech.

Below, you'll find details on their preferred investment stages, sector interests, location, and what makes each a noteworthy connection for founders.

1. John Doerr

John Doerr is a partner at the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins and a well-known figure in technology investing. He is particularly recognized for his advocacy and investments in companies addressing climate change.

He tends to participate in later funding stages like Series A and Series B, with a focus on sectors including CleanTech, BioTech, and Cloud Infrastructure. His portfolio includes climate-focused companies like Watershed and Rondo Energy.

Founders with an established business model in his areas of interest, who are preparing for a Series A or B round to scale their operations, may find him to be a relevant investor.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: ClimateTech/CleanTech, BioTech, Cloud Infrastructure, Education
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
• Ideal investment range: $100K - $25.0M, with a sweet spot of $10.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Watershed, Rondo Energy, Forward
• Experience: Partner at Kleiner Perkins

You can find more information about John Doerr on his Kleiner Perkins profile or LinkedIn.

2. Peter Kellner

Peter Kellner is the Founder and Managing Partner of Richmond Global LLC, an investment firm where he directs his attention toward seed-stage companies. His investment interests are broad, spanning from impact and cleantech to consumer health and real estate.

A key characteristic of his investment approach is a consistent focus on the seed stage, with a typical investment range of $200K to $2.0M. His background includes degrees from Princeton, Harvard Business School, and Yale Law School, giving him a unique perspective on building businesses.

Founders working on seed-stage companies in his areas of interest, particularly those with an impact or cleantech angle, may find him to be a good fit. His portfolio suggests an openness to a variety of business models and sectors.

• Investment stages: Seed
• Industries of focus: Impact, ClimateTech/CleanTech, BioTech, Real Estate/PropTech, Consumer Health
• Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
• Ideal investment range: $200K - $2.0M, with a sweet spot of $600K
• Experience: Founder and Managing Partner at Richmond Global LLC
• Notable portfolio companies: Kueski, OpenSponsorship, Guiabolso

You can find more information about Peter Kellner on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.

3. Scott Sandell

Scott Sandell is a managing partner at NEA (New Enterprise Associates), one of the largest venture capital firms. He has a long track record of investing in technology companies, with a particular interest in enterprise software, consumer internet, and energy technology.

His investment approach is characterized by participation in later-stage rounds, specifically Series A and B, with substantial check sizes. His portfolio includes companies across a wide range of sectors, from SaaS and social networks to cleantech, with notable investments in companies like VAST Data and Transfix.

Given his focus on scaling companies, he is a relevant investor for founders who have already achieved product-market fit and are seeking significant capital for growth. His experience at a major firm like NEA suggests he can provide extensive resources beyond just capital.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: EnergyTech, SaaS, Enterprise, ClimateTech/CleanTech, Health & Hospital Services
• Geographical presence: United States
• Ideal investment range: $2.0M - $50.0M, with a sweet spot of $25.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: VAST Data, Transfix, Inkitt

You can find more information about Scott Sandell on his NEA profile or LinkedIn.

4. Enrique Allen

Enrique Allen is a co-founder and General Partner at Designer Fund, a venture capital firm that invests in companies where design is a key competitive advantage. He is known for backing founders at the earliest stages, with a clear focus on seed-stage investments.

His investment approach is distinguished by a focus on product-led companies, which is evident from his firm's thesis and portfolio companies like Flatfile. He consistently invests at the seed stage, with check sizes typically ranging from $100K to $1M across sectors like cleantech, digital health, and marketplaces.

Founders who place a high value on design and user experience as core components of their business strategy may find him to be an excellent partner. He is a good fit for seed-stage companies looking for an investor who understands how product-centric approaches can drive growth.

• Investment stages: Seed
• Industries of focus: ClimateTech/CleanTech, Digital Health, Marketplaces, Consumer Internet
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Ideal investment range: $100K - $1.0M, with a sweet spot of $500K
• Notable portfolio companies: Flatfile, Dopt, Sock Finance

You can find more information about Enrique Allen on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.

5. Bill Trenchard

Bill Trenchard is a partner at First Round Capital and a founding partner at Founder Collective. His background is notable for its blend of operational and investment experience, having been a founder and CEO himself multiple times.

He primarily invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies, with a history of backing businesses in SaaS, hardware, and consumer health, alongside an interest in cleantech. His extensive experience as an operator signals that he can provide practical guidance, and his portfolio includes companies like Verkada and the climate-focused Evergrow.

Founders at the earliest stages of building their company, who are looking for an investor with deep operational knowledge, may find him to be a great match. He is particularly relevant for teams in his core sectors seeking capital and hands-on support.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
• Industries of focus: SaaS, Hardware, Consumer Health, Enterprise, ClimateTech/CleanTech
• Geographical presence: United States
• Ideal investment range: $750K - $4.0M, with a sweet spot of $2.4M
• Notable portfolio companies: Verkada, Ossium Health, Evergrow
• Experience: Partner at First Round Capital; Founding Partner at Founder Collective

You can find more information about Bill Trenchard on his First Round profile or LinkedIn.

6. Ramanan Raghavendran

Ramanan Raghavendran is a Managing Partner at Amasia, a venture capital firm, and brings a long history from the investment world. He primarily invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies across a variety of sectors.

His investment interests are notably broad, but his portfolio shows a pattern of backing companies in the climate space, including Joro and ClimateTrade. He engages at the earliest stages, suggesting a focus on helping founders build from the ground up.

He is a good match for founders at the pre-seed or seed stage who are looking for an investor with deep experience across multiple firms. Companies in cleantech, fintech, and SaaS may find his background particularly relevant.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
• Industries of focus: ClimateTech/CleanTech, FinTech, SaaS, Digital Health, AI
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M, with a sweet spot of $1.5M
• Notable portfolio companies: Joro, ClimateTrade, Xendit
• Experience: Managing Partner at Amasia; previously at Insight Venture Partners and General Atlantic

You can find more information about Ramanan Raghavendran on his personal website or LinkedIn.

7. Neal Bloom

Neal Bloom is an investor, founder, and operator associated with Interlock Capital. Based in San Diego, he is an active figure in the local tech community.

A defining feature of his investment approach is a focus on pre-seed and seed-stage companies. His interests are broad, covering sectors from cleantech and agtech to fintech and space, with portfolio companies like Acquire.com and Trust & Will.

He is a good match for early-stage founders looking for an investor with operational experience. His wide sector focus makes him relevant for many different types of tech companies, especially those in the San Diego area.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
• Industries of focus: ClimateTech/CleanTech, AgTech, FinTech, Space, Digital Health, AI
• Geographical presence: San Diego, California
• Ideal investment range: $50K - $1.0M, with a sweet spot of $150K
• Notable portfolio companies: Acquire.com, Trust & Will, Concert Health

You can find more information about Neal Bloom on his firm's website or his LinkedIn.

8. David Coats

David Coats is a Managing Director at Correlation Ventures and a Managing Partner at Hamilton BioVentures. His background combines venture capital with a foundation in biology, giving him a distinct perspective on tech and life sciences investments.

He invests across Seed and Series A stages, with interests in sectors like health services, energy tech, and biotech. His portfolio includes companies such as Lemonaid Health, reflecting his focus on the intersection of healthcare and technology.

Founders with companies in healthtech, biotech, or cleantech seeking Seed or Series A capital may find him to be a relevant connection. His leadership roles at two venture firms suggest he can offer substantial support and network access.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Industries of focus: Health & Hospital Services, EnergyTech, BioTech, ClimateTech/CleanTech
• Geographical presence: San Diego, California
• Ideal investment range: $250K - $4.0M, with a sweet spot of $2.1M
• Notable portfolio companies: Lemonaid Health, Mercato
• Experience: Managing Director at Correlation Ventures; Managing Partner at Hamilton BioVentures

You can find more information about David Coats on the Correlation Ventures website or his LinkedIn profile.

9. Ian Schafer

Ian Schafer is an angel investor with a background rooted in the advertising and media industries. He invests as an individual, bringing his experience as a founder and operator to his portfolio companies.

A defining characteristic of his investment style is a focus on the earliest stages—pre-seed and seed—with smaller, targeted check sizes. His interests include cleantech and impact, alongside his core expertise in media and advertising.

He is a good fit for founders at the very beginning of their journey who are seeking early conviction and capital. Companies in the media or advertising space, or those with a strong impact mission, may find his background particularly relevant.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
• Industries of focus: ClimateTech/CleanTech, Impact, Media/Content, Advertising
• Geographical presence: New York, New York
• Ideal investment range: $5K - $50K, with a sweet spot of $25K
• Notable portfolio companies: Dash Radio, Paloma

You can find more information about Ian Schafer on his personal website or LinkedIn.

10. Sebastien de Halleux

Sebastien de Halleux is a Founding Partner at Graph Ventures and an investor with deep roots as an operator and founder. His background includes co-founding the gaming company Playfish, which was acquired by EA, and serving as COO of the climate tech company Saildrone.

He invests across pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages, with a broad interest in sectors ranging from climate tech and robotics to gaming and fintech. His operational experience, particularly in scaling companies, suggests he can provide hands-on support to the founders he backs.

Early-stage founders who are looking for an investor with a strong operator's perspective would find him to be a valuable partner. His experience is especially relevant for companies in climate tech, robotics, and gaming that are preparing for growth.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
• Industries of focus: ClimateTech/CleanTech, Robotics, Impact, Games, FinTech, Enterprise
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Ideal investment range: $100K - $250K, with a sweet spot of $150K
• Notable portfolio companies: ClearSpace, Regent, MightyFly
• Experience: Founding Partner at Graph Ventures; Co-founder & COO of Playfish; former COO of Saildrone

You can find more information about Sebastien de Halleux on his firm's website or his LinkedIn.

11. Dixon Doll

Dixon Doll is a Co-Founder and Partner Emeritus at the venture capital firm DCM, bringing decades of experience from the investment world. He is also an LP and Advisory Board Member for Amadeus Capital Partners, reflecting his deep involvement in the venture ecosystem.

A key characteristic of his approach is his participation in later-stage rounds, with a substantial investment range that points toward a focus on scaling companies. His portfolio includes companies like SigFig, which have gone on to raise significant follow-on funding.

Founders with established businesses in sectors like fintech, biotech, or cleantech who are raising a Series A or B round may find him to be a relevant investor. His experience suggests he is well-suited to support companies ready for significant growth.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: FinTech, Real Estate/PropTech, BioTech, Security, ClimateTech/CleanTech
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
• Ideal investment range: $3.0M - $15.0M, with a sweet spot of $9.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: SigFig
• Experience: Co-Founder/Partner Emeritus at DCM; LP/Advisory Board Member at Amadeus Capital Partners

You can find more information about Dixon Doll on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.

What Startup Founders Should Look for in a CleanTech Investor

When evaluating a cleantech angel investor, it's important to look beyond their checkbook. The right partner brings strategic value that aligns with your company's specific needs, whether that's deep industry knowledge or operational experience.

As the investors above show, many are concentrated in tech hubs like the Bay Area, but you can find key players across the country. Notice also that many cleantech investors have broad interests in areas like SaaS, hardware, and biotech, which can provide valuable cross-sector expertise.

Ultimately, seek an investor who understands your mission and can be a true partner in your growth. Aligning your funding stage with their typical investment range is critical, as is finding someone whose network and background can help you navigate the unique challenges of the sustainability sector.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires significant time and focus. Having a targeted list of investors helps you connect with the right people, so you can direct your energy where it matters most.

If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. Our platform provides business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay built for growing startups.

This allows you to manage your new capital efficiently. It helps direct your angel investment toward growth and operations, rather than losing it to manual financial admin.

FAQs about CleanTech Angel Investors

Are there major cleantech angel investor hubs outside of California?

While California is prominent, significant cleantech investment activity also exists in hubs like New York and Boston. Founders can find experienced angels in these cities who are actively funding green technology and innovation.

Do cleantech investors also fund related sectors like energy or SaaS?

Yes, many cleantech investors have broad interests. It's common for them to also invest in related fields like energy technology, SaaS, and hardware, bringing valuable cross-sector knowledge to their portfolio companies.

What is the difference between pre-seed and seed funding in cleantech?

Pre-seed funding is typically for validating an idea before a product exists. Seed funding follows, helping with initial market entry, product development, and building a team to find product-market fit.

How do I prepare for a first meeting with a cleantech angel?

Have a clear pitch deck that outlines your mission, the problem you're solving, and your business model. Be prepared to discuss your team's expertise and your vision for the company's long-term impact and growth.

How can Rho help manage my startup's finances after fundraising?

Once you've secured funding, our platform helps you manage it effectively. Rho offers corporate cards, automated bill pay, and business banking in one place, so you can focus on growing your company.