Top 8 Venture Capital Firms for Renewable Energy Startups

For founders in the renewable energy space, understanding which investors are active is a critical part of preparing to raise capital. Finding VCs who appreciate the specific models and milestones within cleantech and sustainability can make all the difference.

To help you identify the right partners, our team at Rho curated this overview of top venture capital firms in the clean energy sector. Use this guide to quickly learn about relevant investors before or during your fundraise.

Rho provides access to business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay — built for startup teams moving fast.

Key Takeaways

• Securing venture funding is a major milestone for renewable energy startups, providing the capital needed to scale operations, develop technology, and expand market reach.
• VCs like Powerhouse Ventures, Blue Bear Capital, Evergreen Climate Innovations, and Lateral Frontiers are notable backers in the renewable energy industry, each with a focus on supporting innovative companies in the sector.
• If you are raising or have just closed a round, Rho helps you manage your new capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

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

No matter your company's stage, from early development to preparing for an exit, knowing which investors to approach is key. We've put together this overview to show you which renewable energy VC firms invest at each stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Renewable Energy

Pre-seed and seed funding are the earliest forms of institutional capital, designed to help startups turn an idea into a viable product and achieve initial market traction. For founders in the renewable energy industry, firms like Powerhouse Ventures and Fledge focus on this critical initial stage, while Evergreen Climate Innovations also provides seed funding.

Early Stage VC Firms in Renewable Energy

Early-stage funding, which typically includes Series A and Series B rounds, provides capital for companies to scale their operations, grow their team, and expand their market presence. Some notable early-stage cleantech VC firms include Energize Capital and Parkway Venture Capital, both of which support companies moving into their growth phase.

Late Stage VC Firms in Renewable Energy

Late-stage venture capital is for established companies looking to achieve significant scale, prepare for an IPO, or pursue a strategic acquisition. Investors like Lateral Frontiers and Tekfen Ventures are active in this space, providing capital to mature renewable energy companies.

Additionally, some climate tech VC firms like Blue Bear Capital are multistage investors, providing support from seed funding through to later rounds. Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

Here is a closer look at the top VC firms that focus on the renewable energy sector. We've outlined key details for each one, including their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes them a potential fit for founders like you.

1. Powerhouse Ventures

Powerhouse Ventures provides capital to seed-stage startups building software to help decarbonize global energy and mobility systems. Based in Oakland, the firm backs founders creating technology to accelerate the clean energy transition.

The firm's specific focus on software for energy and mobility is a key attribute, signaling a preference for asset-light business models. Their investment in Raptor Maps, a solar asset management software company, underscores their commitment to this thesis.

This firm is a strong potential partner if you are a founder of a seed-stage software company in the renewable energy or electric mobility space. They are particularly interested in founders using software to solve major decarbonization challenges.

• Investment stages: Seed, Convertible Note, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: CleanTech, Software, Renewable Energy, Electric Vehicles, Transportation
• Geographical presence: Based in Oakland, California
• Founded year: 2018
• Notable portfolio company: Raptor Maps, a solar asset management software platform
• Portfolio size: 47 investments

You can refer to their website here.

2. Blue Bear Capital

Blue Bear Capital supports companies applying AI and data-driven technologies to energy and industrial infrastructure. The firm invests in founders building digital solutions for some of the economy's most essential sectors.

A defining feature is their multi-stage investment approach, providing capital from seed through late-stage rounds. Their portfolio shows a focus on tangible results, with investments like FreeWire Technologies, a maker of battery-integrated EV chargers, and TruckLabs, which develops fuel-saving aerodynamics for trucking fleets.

This firm is a strong potential partner if you are building a data-centric or AI-powered business in the energy or industrial space. Their ability to invest across stages makes them a good fit for founders seeking a long-term financial partner.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: CleanTech, Energy, Industrial, Infrastructure, SaaS, Software
• Geographical presence: Based in Los Angeles, California
• Founded year: 2016
• Notable portfolio companies: FreeWire Technologies, TruckLabs, Ocient
• Portfolio size: 67 investments

You can refer to their website here.

3. Evergreen Climate Innovations

Evergreen Climate Innovations invests in startups that are developing and commercializing impactful climate technologies. The Chicago-based firm is dedicated to supporting founders who are creating tangible environmental solutions.

The firm's focus on impact investing is a defining trait, backing companies with clear environmental benefits. This is evident in their portfolio, which includes Wright Electric, a company building a zero-emissions aircraft, and SPLT, a car-pooling platform that had a successful exit to Bosch.

Evergreen is a strong potential partner for early-stage founders in the cleantech sector whose businesses have a direct, positive climate impact. Their track record of exits indicates they are effective at helping companies scale and achieve strategic outcomes.

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

You can refer to their website here.

4. Lateral Frontiers

Lateral Frontiers is a venture fund that invests in early and growth-stage companies across Africa. Though based in New York, their focus is entirely on supporting founders building businesses on the continent.

The firm invests across multiple stages, from early venture to late-stage and debt, giving them flexibility to support companies as they grow. Their portfolio highlights a focus on foundational sectors, with investments like Octavia Carbon, the first direct-air-capture startup in the Global South.

This firm is a strong potential partner for founders building companies in Africa, particularly in sectors like cleantech, fintech, and logistics. Their ability to invest from early to late stages makes them a potential long-term partner for scaling businesses.

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

You can refer to their website here.

5. Energize Capital

Energize Capital is a global investment manager that concentrates on digital technologies for the energy and sustainability sectors. Based in Chicago, the firm backs companies that are making these essential industries more efficient and modern.

The firm’s focus on the digitization of industry is a clear theme, and they invest across both early and late venture stages. Their portfolio shows a strong track record of exits, including an IPO for Fast Radius and the acquisition of Volta Charging, highlighting their experience in guiding companies to major liquidity events.

Energize Capital is a good fit if your company is developing software or data-driven solutions for energy, construction, or sustainability. Their multi-stage approach and history of successful exits make them a compelling partner for founders with ambitions for a public offering or strategic acquisition.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Venture
• Industries of focus: Construction, Energy, Finance, Renewable Energy, Sustainability
• Geographical presence: Based in Chicago, Illinois
• Founded year: 2016
• Notable portfolio companies: Aurora Solar, Volta Charging, Monta
• Portfolio size: 50 investments
• Number of exits: 3

You can refer to their website here.

6. Fledge

Fledge operates as a global network of accelerators that supports for-profit companies with a clear social or environmental mission. From their base in Seattle, they provide capital and guidance to founders building conscious businesses.

The firm is defined by its broad, impact-oriented thesis, investing across sectors from AgTech and CleanTech to financial services. Their portfolio highlights this focus on tangible results, with companies like Evrnu, a textile recycling innovator, and Burn Manufacturing, which produces high-efficiency cookstoves for African households.

Fledge is a strong potential partner if you are an early-stage founder whose for-profit company has a measurable mission. Their accelerator model is ideal for teams seeking hands-on support and a strong network to grow their business.

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Debt
• Industries of focus: Agriculture, AgTech, Clean Energy, CleanTech, Financial Services, GreenTech, Recycling, Renewable Energy, Social Impact, Sustainability
• Geographical presence: Based in Seattle, Washington with a global network
• Founded year: 2012
• Notable portfolio companies: Evrnu, Burn Manufacturing, Shift Labs
• Portfolio size: 89 investments

You can refer to their website here.

7. Parkway Venture Capital

Parkway Venture Capital is a New York-based firm that invests in both early and late-stage technology companies. Their focus is broad, covering everything from generative design and health tech to the metaverse and sustainability.

The firm is distinguished by its backing of ambitious, high-profile ventures in frontier technology. Their portfolio includes Elon Musk's AI startup xAI, humanoid robotics company Figure, and Alphabet spin-out SandboxAQ.

Parkway is a compelling partner for founders building deeply technical companies in fields like AI, quantum computing, and robotics. Their experience, which includes a successful exit from Lyft before its IPO, makes them a strong potential match for founders aiming for significant scale.

Once you secure funding from a firm like Parkway, our team at Rho can help you manage your new capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Augmented Reality, Health Care, Internet of Things, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, AI, Robotics, Metaverse
• Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
• Founded year: 2019
• Notable portfolio companies: xAI, Figure, SandboxAQ, Lyft
• Portfolio size: 50 investments
• Number of exits: 16

You can refer to their website here.

8. Tekfen Ventures

Tekfen Ventures is a corporate venture capital group that invests in early-stage technology companies transforming industrial sectors. Based in New York, they back founders in areas like construction, manufacturing, and renewable energy.

The firm’s focus on industrial, construction, and real estate technology is a defining feature, showing a preference for software and advanced materials. Their track record is marked by several successful exits, including the IPO of Latch and the acquisition of Avvir.

Tekfen Ventures is a strong potential partner if you are building technology for foundational industries like construction, manufacturing, or agriculture. Their experience guiding companies to the public markets makes them a good fit for founders with exit ambitions.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Industrial, Construction, Real Estate, Renewable Energy, Software, Advanced Materials, Agriculture
• Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
• Founded year: 2016
• Notable portfolio companies: Latch, Quanergy Systems, Avvir, Claroty
• Portfolio size: 23 investments
• Number of exits: 3

You can refer to their website here.

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

This overview shows that venture capital support for renewable energy is both broad and deep. You’ll find active investors across all funding stages, from pre-seed and seed firms to late-stage specialists. Many firms also invest across multiple stages, offering the potential for a long-term partnership as your company grows. The investor group is well-balanced, meaning there are options available no matter your company's current stage.

The variety extends to investor focus as well. While many firms are located in major US hubs, their investment mandates can be global or region-specific. This diversity gives you more options to find a fund that aligns with your technology, business model, and mission. Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of relevant investors is invaluable when your time and energy are limited during a fundraise. We hope this guide gives you a strong starting point for your outreach.

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 gives you the tools to manage your new capital efficiently, with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay designed for startups.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Renewable Energy

Which European venture capital firms invest in renewable energy?

Many European VCs focus on cleantech. Firms like EQT Ventures and World Fund are active in the region, backing startups that advance sustainability and decarbonization. Researching their portfolios can help you find the right fit for your company.

Are there active climate tech VC firms in Asia?

Yes, Asia has a growing number of climate tech VCs. Firms in hubs like Singapore are increasingly funding renewable energy and sustainability startups. These investors often look for companies with strong regional market potential and corporate partnerships.

What do impact investing venture capital firms look for?

Impact VCs prioritize companies with measurable environmental or social benefits alongside financial returns. For your renewable energy startup, this means clearly demonstrating how your technology contributes to sustainability goals, such as reducing carbon emissions or waste.

How can I manage my funding after a successful raise?

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently. Our platform is built to support your company’s financial operations as you grow.

How can Rho help my startup after I close my funding round?

After closing your round, you need a financial stack that keeps up. Rho provides integrated business banking, corporate cards, and AP automation to help you manage and deploy your new capital with confidence and control.