Top 9 Venture Capital Firms for Clean Energy Startups

For founders in the Clean Energy and Climate Tech sectors, identifying the right investors is a critical step when preparing to raise capital. Knowing which venture capital firms specialize in your industry helps you focus your efforts and find partners who truly understand your business.

To help you with your research, our team has curated this guide to the top VC firms investing in Clean Tech. We hope this overview helps you quickly identify relevant investors for your next funding round.

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Which VC Firms in Clean Energy Are Right for Your Stage?

From your first seed round to a potential acquisition, it’s important to connect with the right people. We've organized this list to show you which clean energy VCs focus on each investment stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Clean Energy

Pre-seed and seed rounds are typically the first institutional capital a startup raises, used to validate the business model and build an initial product. Several clean technology venture capital firms focus on this stage, including Ironspring, Evergreen Climate Innovations, and Energy Foundry.

Early Stage VC Firms in Clean Energy

Early-stage funding, which includes Series A and B rounds, helps companies scale their operations, expand their team, and achieve product-market fit. If you're ready to grow, you might connect with early-stage VC firms such as Creative Ventures or Acumen.

Late Stage VC Firms in Clean Energy

Late-stage capital is for established companies preparing for significant expansion, an acquisition, or an initial public offering (IPO). Climate tech venture capital firms like Prelude Ventures and Acumen are active in this space, providing the resources needed for mature companies to reach the next level of scale.

Some VC firms, including Clean Energy Ventures and Prelude Ventures, invest across all startup funding stages.

Here is a more detailed look at the top VC firms focusing on the Clean Energy sector. We've included key information about their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each firm a strong potential partner for founders.

1. Clean Energy Ventures

Clean Energy Ventures supports companies commercializing innovative energy technologies and new business models. The firm invests across a startup's full journey, providing capital from initial seed rounds through later growth stages.

The firm focuses on businesses with tangible technologies that can help decarbonize significant industries. Its portfolio includes companies like OXCCU, which develops sustainable aviation fuel, and LineVision, whose technology increases capacity on existing power lines.

This VC could be a strong partner if you're a founder with a capital-intensive, deep-tech solution and a clear path to market. They seem to favor companies that can secure strategic corporate backing early in their development.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture

• Industries of focus: Clean energy and cleantech

• Geographical presence: Based in Boston, MA

• Founded: 2017

• Portfolio size: Over 60 investments

• Notable portfolio companies: OXCCU, LineVision, Nth Cycle, Advanced Ionics

You can refer to their website here.

2. Creative Ventures

Creative Ventures is a deep tech firm that backs early-stage companies working on major global challenges. They focus on businesses that aim to solve what they call "humanity's most critical crises."

The firm invests across a wide range of deep tech sectors, from robotics and advanced materials to health care and clean energy. Their portfolio includes companies like Caper, an AI-powered smart cart company acquired by Instacart, and Sense Photonics, a lidar maker bought by Ouster.

This firm could be a good fit if you are a founder with a technically complex, early-stage solution to a fundamental problem. They appear to value ambitious, mission-driven teams that operate in any number of deep tech fields.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture

• Industries of focus: Deep tech, including advanced materials, clean energy, robotics, and health care

• Geographical presence: Based in Oakland, CA

• Founded: 2016

• Portfolio size: 60 investments

• Notable portfolio companies: Caper, Sense Photonics, Bleximo, ALICE

You can refer to their website here.

3. Ironspring Ventures

Ironspring Ventures is an early-stage firm that invests in companies building for core industrial sectors. They lead and co-lead seed and early-stage rounds, focusing on areas like construction, manufacturing, and alternative energy.

The firm often leads investment rounds and concentrates on what it calls "digital industrial innovation." Their portfolio includes companies like ICON, which is building the largest 3D-printed neighborhood, and Solvento, a fintech for the trucking industry.

This firm could be a strong partner if you are an early-stage founder creating technology for legacy industries. They appear to favor companies that bring digital solutions to sectors like construction, logistics, and manufacturing.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture

• Industries of focus: Construction, manufacturing, transport & logistics, and alternative energy

• Geographical presence: Based in Austin, TX

• Founded: 2019

• Portfolio size: 32 investments

• Notable portfolio companies: ICON, Solvento, Wilya

You can refer to their website here.

4. Acumen

Acumen is a non-profit venture fund that invests in companies using entrepreneurial strategies to address global poverty. The firm supports businesses that create sustainable solutions for low-income communities across various sectors.

The firm’s portfolio shows a clear focus on social impact, backing companies that provide essential services in clean energy, financial inclusion, and agriculture. Acumen invests across early and late stages, supporting companies like Esusu, a platform that helps renters build credit, and EarnUp, which simplifies loan payments for consumers.

Acumen could be an excellent partner if you are a founder with a strong social mission embedded in your business model. They appear to favor companies that can deliver measurable impact alongside financial returns, particularly those serving overlooked populations.

• Investment stages: Early and late-stage venture

• Industries of focus: Agriculture, Clean Energy, Financial Services, Education, Solar

• Geographical presence: Based in New York, NY

• Founded: 2001

• Portfolio size: 142 investments

• Notable portfolio companies: Esusu, EarnUp, Ema, Level

You can refer to their website here.

5. Evergreen Climate Innovations

Evergreen Climate Innovations is a venture capital firm that supports startups bringing impactful climate technologies to market. The firm concentrates on early-stage companies with solutions in clean energy and cleantech.

The firm invests at the seed and early stages, backing companies with tangible solutions for decarbonization. Its portfolio includes ambitious hardware companies like Wright Electric, which is developing a zero-emissions aircraft, and SPLT, a car-pooling platform acquired by Bosch.

This firm could be a good match if you are an early-stage founder with a business focused on climate impact. They appear to favor companies with technically-grounded products in sectors like renewable energy, sustainable aviation, and battery technology.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture

• Industries of focus: Clean energy, cleantech, impact investing, renewable energy

• Geographical presence: Based in Chicago, IL

• Founded: 2010

• Portfolio size: 47 investments

• Notable portfolio companies: Wright Electric, NanoGraf Technologies, SPLT

You can refer to their website here.

6. VilCap Investments

VilCap Investments provides risk capital to early-stage companies that are peer-selected through Village Capital's accelerator programs. This unique model emphasizes a founder-centric approach, relying on entrepreneurs to identify promising businesses.

The firm invests across several impact sectors, including clean energy, finance, and health care. Their portfolio includes companies like Vartega, a carbon fiber recycler that secured $10 million, and Kuli Kuli, a superfood brand that raised a Series B co-led by Kellogg's venture arm.

VilCap could be a strong partner if you are an early-stage founder whose company has been chosen through a Village Capital program. It's also well-suited for entrepreneurs who value a community-driven investment process and are building solutions in their core industries.

• Investment stages: Debt, Early Stage Venture, Private Equity, Seed

• Industries of focus: Agriculture, Clean Energy, Education, Finance, Health Care

• Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco, CA

• Founded: 2014

• Portfolio size: 85 investments

• Notable portfolio companies: Vault, Upsie Technology, Billpocket, Kuli Kuli, Vartega

You can refer to their website here.

7. Earth Foundry

Earth Foundry is a Chicago-based venture fund that provides capital to early-stage startups in the energy and cleantech sectors. The firm supports companies developing new technologies for energy efficiency, storage, and the power grid.

The firm's portfolio shows a focus on both hardware and software solutions, from industrial cybersecurity with Dragos to smart home-electrification with Span. Their track record includes successful exits and support for companies that have become leaders in their respective markets.

This firm could be a good partner if you are an early-stage founder working on a tangible energy or cleantech solution. They appear to back companies with strong commercial potential, whether in industrial applications or consumer-facing products.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture

• Industries of focus: Clean energy, cleantech, energy storage, and power grid technologies

• Geographical presence: Based in Chicago, IL

• Founded: 2013

• Portfolio size: 35 investments

• Notable portfolio companies: Dragos, Span, NanoGraf, GlidePath

You can refer to their website here.

8. Fledge

Fledge is a global network of business accelerators that supports for-profit companies with a clear social or environmental mission. The firm provides hands-on guidance and mentorship alongside its capital investments.

The firm’s approach is centered on impact, investing across sectors like clean energy, agriculture, and financial services. Its portfolio includes Evrnu, a textile recycling company whose NuCycl fiber was named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2022, and Burn Manufacturing, which makes high-efficiency cookstoves for African households.

Fledge could be a great fit if you are an early-stage founder building a mission-driven, for-profit business. The accelerator model is best for entrepreneurs seeking structured support to grow their company.

• Investment stages: Debt, early-stage venture, seed

• Industries of focus: Agriculture, clean energy, financial services, health care, and sustainability

• Geographical presence: Based in Seattle, WA

• Founded: 2012

• Portfolio size: 89 investments

• Notable portfolio companies: Evrnu, Burn Manufacturing, Shift Labs, BridgeCare

You can refer to their website here.

9. Prelude Ventures

Prelude Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in companies working on climate solutions. The firm provides capital across a startup's entire lifecycle, from seed and early-stage rounds to later-stage growth financing.

The firm’s investment thesis is simply "we invest in climate," and its portfolio reflects a broad interpretation of that mission, spanning AgTech, clean energy, and even quantum computing. They have a strong record of backing companies to significant scale, with portfolio data showing unicorns like Lime and Fervo Energy and successful IPOs like Planet.

Prelude Ventures could be a strong partner if you are a founder with a capital-intensive, high-growth business aimed at decarbonization. They appear well-equipped to support companies from their earliest stages all the way to the public markets.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture

• Industries of focus: CleanTech, AgTech, Automotive, Carbon Capture, Food and Beverage, Manufacturing

• Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco, CA

• Founded: 2013

• Portfolio size: 150 investments

• Notable portfolio companies: Lime, Planet, Fervo Energy, Benson Hill, GreenLight Biosciences

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Clean Energy Companies

This list shows that the funding environment for clean energy is quite active, with a notable focus on early-stage companies. For founders seeking their first institutional checks, this is encouraging, as many firms specialize in seed and Series A rounds. There are also established partners that provide capital for later growth stages, creating a balanced set of options.

The variety of investors is also apparent. You’ll find specialized climate funds alongside deep tech and impact-focused firms, giving you different kinds of potential partners. Geographically, while major hubs like San Francisco and New York are represented, there is also a strong presence in cities like Chicago and Austin. This suggests a well-distributed and supportive system for founders in this field.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of investors is a powerful advantage when you're raising capital. It allows you to direct your limited time and energy toward the firms most likely to understand your vision.

Once your round is closed, the work of managing that capital begins. If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes.

Our platform provides the tools you need to manage your funds efficiently. We offer business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all built to support growing startups.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Clean Energy

Are there many clean tech venture capital firms in Europe?

Yes, Europe has a growing number of cleantech VCs. Firms are active in hubs like London, Berlin, and Stockholm, focusing on renewable energy and circular economy models, offering strong opportunities for founders in the region.

Which Bay Area venture capital firms focus on climate tech?

The Bay Area is a major hub for climate tech investment. In addition to firms like Prelude Ventures, many generalist and specialized VCs actively seek companies working on decarbonization, sustainable agriculture, and new energy solutions.

What are the benefits of working with newer clean energy VC firms?

Newer funds often provide more hands-on support and are eager to build their reputation alongside the founders they back. They can be great partners, offering fresh perspectives and a strong commitment to your company's success.

How do impact investing venture capital firms differ?

Impact investing VCs, like Acumen, prioritize measurable social or environmental benefits alongside financial returns. They often have specific criteria for the positive change your company creates, making them a good fit for mission-driven businesses.

How can I find venture capital firms investing across both the US and Europe?

Many global firms have offices or partners on both continents. Researching VCs with a "global" or transatlantic focus can uncover partners equipped to support your international expansion plans from an early stage.

How can Rho help after I close my funding round?

Once your round is closed, our platform helps you manage your new capital. We provide integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments, all designed for startups. You can get started with Rho in minutes.