Top 14 Venture Capital Firms for CleanTech Startups

When you're preparing to raise capital for your CleanTech startup, knowing which investors to approach is critical. Finding a venture capital firm that truly understands the climate tech space can make all the difference in securing the right partnership for your company's growth.

To help with your search, our team put together this overview of the top VC firms actively investing in sustainable technology. Use this guide to quickly identify investors who align with your mission before or during your fundraising process.

Just raised, or about to? Set up your financial stack with Rho in minutes. We provide business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay—built for startup teams moving fast.

Which VC Firms in CleanTech Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether your company is just getting started or preparing for an exit, it helps to know who to approach for funding. Here is a quick overview of VC firms in the CleanTech sector, organized by their typical investment stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in CleanTech

Pre-seed and seed funding are the earliest forms of capital, typically used to develop your initial product and find market fit. Some seed stage venture capital firms in the climate tech space include Powerhouse Ventures, Energy Foundry, and the accelerator Fledge.

Early Stage VC Firms in CleanTech

Early-stage funding, which includes Series A and B rounds, helps you scale your operations and grow your customer base once you have a proven product. For founders seeking early stage VC firms, it's worth looking into investors like Third Sphere, Clean Energy Ventures, and SE Ventures.

Late Stage VC Firms in CleanTech

Late-stage capital is for established companies looking to expand into new markets or prepare for an acquisition or initial public offering (IPO). Among the late stage venture capital firms with a history of backing major clean technology companies are The Westly Group, DBL Partners, and Prelude Ventures.

It's also common to find that some VC firms invest across all startup funding stages.

Here is a closer look at some of the top VC firms in the CleanTech sector, with key details on their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each a potential fit for your company.

1. Third Sphere

Third Sphere is an early-stage venture fund that invests in companies working on scalable climate solutions. They focus on generating both significant environmental impact and strong financial returns.

The firm invests across several sectors, including CleanTech and smart buildings, and has backed notable companies like the vertical-farming unicorn Bowery Farming. Their portfolio also includes successful exits, such as Blueprint Power's acquisition by BP.

This firm could be a good match if you're an early-stage founder with a company that offers a scalable solution to a climate problem. Their history suggests an interest in businesses with strong commercial potential and clear exit opportunities.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Seed, Private Equity, Debt
• Industries of focus: CleanTech, GovTech, Real Estate, Smart Building
• Geographical presence: New York, New York
• Founded: 2013
• Notable portfolio companies: Bowery Farming, Blueprint Power, RoadBotics
• Portfolio size: 138 investments
• Number of exits: 10

You can refer to their website here.

2. Clean Energy Ventures

Clean Energy Ventures (CEV) invests in companies that are commercializing innovative energy technologies and new business models. The firm is dedicated to backing startups that can deliver significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

A key characteristic of CEV is its broad investment range, supporting companies from seed and early stages all the way through late-stage venture rounds. Their portfolio shows a preference for companies with validated technology and strategic partners, such as LineVision, which is backed by Microsoft, and Advanced Ionics, which has funding from bp Ventures.

CEV could be a great match if you have a capital-intensive, technology-driven company in the clean energy space. Founders who value a long-term financial partner and have a clear strategy for attracting industry adoption will likely align well with this firm's approach.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Convertible Note
• Industries of focus: Clean Energy, CleanTech
• Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
• Founded: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: LineVision, Nth Cycle, Advanced Ionics, OXCCU
• Portfolio size: 62 investments

You can refer to their website here.

3. Powerhouse Ventures

Powerhouse Ventures backs seed-stage startups that are building software to decarbonize global energy and mobility systems. The firm focuses on innovative, capital-efficient companies that can accelerate the transition to a cleaner economy.

The firm has a clear preference for software-based business models, with portfolio companies like solar asset management platform Raptor Maps. This specific focus, combined with a history of successful exits, signals an interest in companies with strong commercial viability from an early stage.

This investor could be a strong partner if you're a seed-stage founder with a software solution for the energy or transportation industries. Founders who value a specialized, product-centric investor will likely align well with their strategy.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Convertible Note
• Industries of focus: Software, CleanTech, Energy, Mobility, Transportation
• Geographical presence: Oakland, California
• Founded: 2018
• Notable portfolio companies: Raptor Maps, Zenduty, DailyRounds, CropLogic
• Portfolio size: 47 investments
• Number of exits: 6

You can refer to their website here.

4. The Westly Group

The Westly Group is a venture capital firm that invests in companies across the sustainability and enterprise sectors, supporting businesses from their earliest stages through to late-stage growth.

The firm has a track record of backing category-defining companies, including early investments in Tesla and Luminar Technologies, whose founder became a billionaire overnight. Their portfolio demonstrates a focus on businesses with the potential for significant market impact and high-profile exits, like SentinelOne's record-setting IPO.

This firm is a strong potential partner if you are building a capital-intensive company with a clear path to a large-scale exit. Founders with ambitious goals and technology in sectors like mobility, energy, or enterprise software may find a good fit here.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity
• Industries of focus: CleanTech, Service Industry
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
• Founded: 2007
• Notable portfolio companies: Tesla, SentinelOne, Luminar Technologies, Procore, Planet Labs
• Portfolio size: 107 investments
• Number of exits: 25

You can refer to their website here.

5. SE Ventures

SE Ventures is a global venture capital fund backed by Schneider Electric, managing over $1 billion in assets. The firm invests in companies developing new technologies in energy, sustainability, and industrial automation.

As the corporate venture arm of Schneider Electric, the firm provides a direct link to a major industry player, which is reflected in its portfolio. They have a history of backing companies that achieve significant scale, including unicorns like Scandit and Claroty, and have seen successful exits through acquisitions and public offerings.

This firm could be a good fit if your company operates in the industrial, energy, or sustainability sectors and could benefit from a strategic partnership. Founders seeking a corporate investor with deep industry connections and a clear path to a large-scale exit may find SE Ventures to be a strong ally.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence, CleanTech, Electric Vehicle, Energy Storage, Industrial Automation, Sustainability
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
• Founded: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: AutoGrid, Scandit, Proterra, Volta Charging, Claroty
• Portfolio size: 45 investments
• Number of exits: 4

You can refer to their website here.

6. Blue Bear Capital

Blue Bear Capital is a venture firm that backs companies applying AI and data-driven technology to energy and infrastructure. Based in Los Angeles, they focus on businesses that are modernizing these critical, foundational industries.

The firm invests across the full company lifecycle, from seed to late-stage rounds, supporting both software and industrial technology. Their portfolio includes companies like FreeWire Technologies, a major player in EV charging, and shows a pattern of successful exits through acquisition.

This firm could be a good partner if you are building a technology company for the energy or infrastructure sectors. Founders with data-centric business models and a clear strategy for industry adoption may find Blue Bear Capital to be a strong fit.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Convertible Note
• Industries of focus: AI, Data, Energy, Infrastructure, CleanTech, SaaS
• Geographical presence: Los Angeles, California
• Founded: 2016
• Notable portfolio companies: FreeWire Technologies, TruckLabs, Ocient
• Portfolio size: 67 investments
• Number of exits: 4

You can refer to their website here.

7. DBL Partners

DBL Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in companies capable of delivering both strong financial returns and positive social or environmental impact. Their "double bottom line" approach guides their strategy, seeking businesses that create economic benefits alongside their core mission.

The firm is known for backing transformative companies, including early investments in Tesla and SpaceX. Their portfolio also includes The RealReal, which had the first “circular-economy” IPO, signaling a focus on businesses with significant market and sustainability potential.

DBL Partners could be an excellent partner if you are building a company with a clear dual mission of profitability and impact. Founders with ambitious, capital-intensive ideas in sustainability or information technology may align well with their investment history.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity, Debt
• Industries of focus: CleanTech, Sustainability, Impact Investing, Information Technology, Health Care
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2004
• Notable portfolio companies: Tesla, SpaceX, SolarCity, The RealReal, Planet
• Portfolio size: 80 investments
• Number of exits: 14

You can refer to their website here.

8. Evergreen Climate Innovations

Evergreen Climate Innovations supports startups that are bringing impactful climate technologies to market. The firm concentrates on early-stage companies in the clean energy and renewable sectors, providing capital to help them grow.

The firm’s portfolio highlights a focus on businesses with tangible products and clear exit potential, such as the car-pooling platform SPLT, which was acquired by Bosch. They also back ambitious hardware companies like Wright Electric, which is developing a zero-emissions aircraft, and battery producer NanoGraf Technologies.

This investor could be a good match if you are an early-stage founder with a company that offers measurable environmental benefits. If you have a technology-driven solution in energy or transportation, their focus on impact and commercialization may be a strong fit.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Seed
• Industries of focus: Clean Energy, CleanTech, Impact Investing, Renewable Energy
• Geographical presence: Chicago, Illinois
• Founded: 2010
• Notable portfolio companies: SPLT, Wright Electric, NanoGraf Technologies, Agentis Energy
• Portfolio size: 47 investments
• Number of exits: 5

You can refer to their website here.

9. Neotribe Ventures

Neotribe Ventures is an early-stage firm that invests in companies developing breakthrough technologies. They back ambitious founders whose ideas have the potential to create new categories or fundamentally change existing industries.

The firm's portfolio shows a strong preference for deep technology across sectors like CleanTech, robotics, and cybersecurity. They have a history of backing companies that achieve major exits, including the IPO of Robinhood and the acquisition of CipherTrace by Mastercard, as detailed on their fund profile. This track record points to a strategy of supporting businesses with significant technological advantages and clear paths to high-value outcomes.

Neotribe could be a great partner if you are an early-stage founder building a company with a core technological innovation. Founders with capital-intensive, ambitious projects that aim for market-defining scale will likely find their approach to be a good fit.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Private Equity
• Industries of focus: CleanTech, Cyber Security, Enterprise Software, Robotics
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: Robinhood, Energy Vault, Heliogen, CipherTrace
• Portfolio size: 77 investments
• Number of exits: 8

You can refer to their website here.

10. Lateral Frontiers

Lateral Frontiers is a venture fund that invests in early and growth-stage companies across Africa. The firm backs businesses in several key sectors, including those in CleanTech, FinTech, and Health Care.

The firm's clear focus on the African market is a key differentiator, backing companies that become continental leaders. Their portfolio includes notable names like open-banking API Mono and Octavia Carbon, the first direct-air-capture startup in the Global South.

This firm could be a strong partner if you are a founder building a company for the African market, from early to growth stages. They appear to favor businesses with the potential to establish themselves as leaders within their specific region or industry.

• Investment stages: Debt, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: CleanTech, Financial Services, FinTech, Health Care, Logistics, Renewable Energy
• Geographical presence: Africa (headquartered in New York)
• Founded: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: Octavia Carbon, Mono, SeamlessHR, Carry1st
• Portfolio size: 48 investments
• Number of exits: 1

You can refer to their website here.

11. Earth Foundry

Earth Foundry is a Chicago-based venture fund that invests in early-stage energy and clean technology startups. They provide capital to companies working on solutions for the power grid, energy efficiency, and storage.

The firm's portfolio shows a focus on companies with significant commercial potential, backing both hardware and software innovators. Notable investments include industrial cybersecurity leader Dragos, smart-panel maker Span, and battery innovator NanoGraf.

This firm could be a strong partner if you are an early-stage founder in the energy sector with a technology that has clear commercial applications. Their history of successful exits suggests they are a good fit for founders with a clear path to scale or acquisition.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Seed
• Industries of focus: Clean Energy, CleanTech, Energy, Power Grid
• Geographical presence: Chicago, Illinois
• Founded: 2013
• Notable portfolio companies: Dragos, Span, NanoGraf, GlidePath
• Portfolio size: 35 investments
• Number of exits: 5

You can refer to their website here.

12. Fledge

Fledge operates as a global network of business accelerators, concentrating on for-profit companies with a strong social or environmental mission. They provide early-stage funding and support to help these businesses grow.

A key feature is its broad focus on impact-driven sectors, from agriculture to renewable energy. The firm operates as an accelerator, backing companies like Burn Manufacturing, which makes clean cookstoves, and Evrnu, whose recycled fiber was named one of TIME’s Best Inventions.

Fledge is likely a great choice if you're an early-stage, mission-driven founder seeking hands-on guidance. Companies with a clear social or environmental purpose that can benefit from a global accelerator network would fit well here.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Debt
• Industries of focus: Social Impact, Sustainability, CleanTech, AgTech, Renewable Energy
• Geographical presence: Seattle, Washington
• Founded: 2012
• Notable portfolio companies: Evrnu, Burn Manufacturing, Shift Labs, BridgeCare
• Portfolio size: 89 investments

You can refer to their website here.

13. Trousdale Ventures

Trousdale Ventures invests in mission-driven companies that have the potential to be a catalyst for positive change. The firm supports founders who are building businesses aimed at making a significant global impact.

A look at their portfolio reveals a focus on ambitious, high-profile technology companies, including SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company. This pattern suggests an appetite for backing founders with transformative ideas and a willingness to invest in capital-intensive projects in CleanTech, transportation, and IT.

This firm may be a strong partner if you are a founder with a bold, category-defining vision that requires substantial capital and a long-term outlook. Their investment history aligns well with founders tackling fundamental challenges with breakthrough technology.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: CleanTech, GreenTech, Electric Vehicle, Information Technology, Transportation
• Geographical presence: Los Angeles, California
• Founded: 2019
• Notable portfolio companies: SpaceX, Neuralink, The Boring Company, Solugen, Hagerty
• Portfolio size: 86 investments
• Number of exits: 1

You can refer to their website here.

14. Prelude Ventures

Prelude Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in companies developing climate-focused technologies. They back founders who are building businesses to address environmental challenges across a wide range of industries.

The firm invests across all stages, from seed to late-stage rounds, and has a broad focus that includes AgTech, clean energy, and carbon capture. Their portfolio features several high-profile companies that have achieved significant scale, including the e-scooter unicorn Lime and the satellite-imaging firm Planet.

This firm could be a good fit if you are a founder with a capital-intensive climate company aiming for a large market. Their track record suggests they are well-equipped to support businesses with the potential for major growth and public-market exits.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: CleanTech, AgTech, Carbon Capture, Clean Energy, Food and Beverage
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2013
• Notable portfolio companies: Lime, Planet, Fervo Energy, GreenLight Biosciences
• Portfolio size: 150 investments
• Number of exits: 14

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for CleanTech Companies

This overview shows that the funding environment for companies in the CleanTech sector is well-developed, with a notable amount of support for early-stage founders. Many of the firms on our list focus on seed and Series A rounds, which is great news if you're just getting started. At the same time, several investors support companies through all growth phases, offering the potential for a long-term financial partnership.

Geographically, there is a strong concentration of firms in major US technology centers like California and New York. However, the presence of investors with a specific focus on regions like Africa, or those with a corporate or impact-driven model, shows there is a variety of capital available. This diversity means you can look for a partner that aligns not just with your stage, but also with your company's location and specific mission.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of investors is critical when your time and energy are limited during a fundraise. It allows you to direct your efforts toward the firms that are the most relevant fit for your company.

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 assists you in managing your new capital efficiently. We provide integrated business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay solutions designed for growing startups.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on CleanTech

Which are the top CleanTech VC firms in the Bay Area?

The San Francisco Bay Area is a major hub for CleanTech investment. Firms like The Westly Group, DBL Partners, and Prelude Ventures are based there, backing companies from early stages through to late-stage growth and public offerings.

Are there CleanTech venture capital firms in Boston?

Yes, Boston is a key center for CleanTech innovation. Firms like Clean Energy Ventures are located there, focusing on commercializing new energy technologies and business models that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions across various industries.

What are corporate venture capital firms in CleanTech?

Corporate venture capital (CVC) firms are investment arms of large corporations. In CleanTech, they offer capital plus strategic value, such as industry expertise and potential partnerships, like SE Ventures' connection with Schneider Electric.

How do impact investing venture capital firms differ?

Impact investing firms, like DBL Partners, prioritize both strong financial returns and positive environmental or social outcomes. They back companies whose core mission is to solve significant problems while also building a profitable business.

What are micro VC firms in the CleanTech space?

Micro VCs are smaller venture firms that typically invest in pre-seed and seed rounds with smaller check sizes. They can be a great starting point for founders needing initial capital to develop a product and find market fit.

How can Rho help after I raise from a CleanTech VC firm?

Once your funding is secured, our platform helps you manage it. We provide integrated business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay tools designed for growing startups. You can get started with Rho in minutes.