Top 15 Venture Capital Firms Making Waves in Sustainability

For founders in the sustainability and climate tech space, finding the right investors is about more than just capital—it’s about finding a partner who understands your mission. Knowing which venture capital firms specialize in your specific area can make your fundraising process more efficient.

To help you prepare, our team has curated this guide to the top VC firms in the sustainability sector. It's designed to help you quickly identify the investors most relevant to your business as you get ready to raise capital.

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

Which VC Firms in Sustainability Are Right for Your Stage?

It's helpful to know who to talk to, whether you're an early-stage company or preparing for an exit. We've put together a quick overview of which sustainability VC firms invest at each stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Sustainability

Pre-seed and seed funding is the earliest capital you'll raise, typically used to validate your idea and build an initial product. For founders in agtech or social impact, firms like Fledge, Collab Capital, and Flori Ventures specialize in this crucial first stage.

Early Stage VC Firms in Sustainability

Early-stage funding, which includes Series A and B rounds, is for startups with proven traction that need capital to scale their team and operations. If you're looking for early stage venture capital firms, consider reaching out to investors like Better Ventures, VamosVentures, or Great Wave Ventures.

Late Stage VC Firms in Sustainability

Late-stage capital supports established companies as they expand into new markets, make acquisitions, or prepare for an IPO. Some of the most well-known climate tech VC firms that operate here include DBL Partners, SE Ventures, and Moderne Ventures, all with track records of significant exits.

It's also worth noting that many multistage climate VC firms invest across the entire lifecycle of a company, from its first check to its last.

To help you find the right partner, we've compiled information on leading VC firms in the sustainability space. The following list covers their typical investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each one a unique option for founders.

1. SE Ventures

Backed by Schneider Electric, SE Ventures is a global venture capital fund with over $1 billion in capital. They invest in companies developing new technologies in climate, electrification, and industrial automation.

The firm’s connection to Schneider Electric gives its portfolio companies access to deep industry expertise and a potential strategic partner. They invest across multiple stages, from seed to late-stage rounds, and have backed unicorns like Scandit and Claroty.

SE Ventures is a great fit for founders in industrial tech and sustainability who are looking for more than just capital. Teams that could benefit from Schneider Electric’s market access and technical knowledge will find this firm especially helpful.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage, and Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Industrial automation, cleantech, energy storage, and AI
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California (invests globally)
• Founded: 2017
• Fund size: Over $1 billion
• Notable investments: Scandit, Claroty, Proterra, Volta Charging

You can refer to their website here.

2. Collab Capital

Collab Capital is an Atlanta-based, early-stage venture firm that invests in founders building new solutions for work, care, and community infrastructure. They provide capital to startups creating practical tools and platforms in these essential areas.

The firm has a clear thematic approach, backing companies with tangible social and community benefits. Their portfolio includes high-profile startups like SparkCharge, a portable EV-charging developer featured on Shark Tank, and Goodr, a food-waste management platform.

Collab Capital is a strong match for early-stage founders in sustainability, social impact, or community-focused finance. Teams building businesses with clear, practical applications will find their investment thesis particularly relevant.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Sustainability, financial services, community infrastructure
• Geographical presence: Atlanta, Georgia
• Founded: 2019
• Notable investments: Goodr, SparkCharge, Planet FWD, LoanWell
• Number of investments: 42

You can refer to their website here.

3. Better Ventures

Better Ventures is an Oakland-based firm that supports early-stage founders creating companies with a positive impact. They provide seed and early-stage capital to businesses that aim to solve significant environmental or social challenges.

The firm's portfolio shows a clear commitment to mission-driven technology in areas like sustainable food and transportation. They've backed companies like Meati Foods, an alternative meat producer, and Synop, which provides software for commercial EV fleets.

Better Ventures is a good fit if you're an early-stage founder whose company has a core mission of social or environmental good. They are particularly interested in teams building practical solutions in sustainability, finance, and transportation.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Impact Investing, Sustainability, FinTech, Transportation
• Geographical presence: Oakland, California
• Founded: 2010
• Notable investments: Meati Foods, NuCicer, Synop, Avalo, SMBX
• Number of investments: 86

You can refer to their website here.

4. Moderne Ventures

Moderne Ventures is a Chicago-based firm that operates as a strategic venture capital investor and accelerator. They invest in technology companies across real estate, finance, insurance, and sustainability, from early-stage rounds through to private equity.

The firm’s model combines investment with a dedicated accelerator program, giving portfolio companies access to a wide network of corporate partners. Their track record includes significant exits like DocuSign and August Home, highlighting their ability to support companies through to acquisition or IPO.

Moderne Ventures is a good match for founders in real estate, finance, or insurance tech who are looking for a strategic partner with deep industry connections. If your company could benefit from an accelerator program and a network that facilitates major exits, they are worth considering.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity
• Industries of focus: Real Estate, FinTech, Insurance, Sustainability
• Geographical presence: Chicago, Illinois
• Founded: 2015
• Notable investments: DocuSign, August Home, Airside, Avvir, Bento
• Number of investments: 105
• Number of exits: 25

You can refer to their website here.

5. Ecosystem Integrity Fund

Ecosystem Integrity Fund is a venture capital firm that invests in companies contributing to environmental sustainability. They concentrate on key areas like renewable energy and green chemistry, backing businesses with practical solutions to ecological challenges.

The firm has a track record of guiding portfolio companies toward successful acquisitions by major industry players. Notable exits include KeVita, a beverage brand bought by PepsiCo, and EV Connect, a charging software platform acquired by Schneider Electric.

EIF is a strong potential partner if your long-term strategy includes an acquisition by a large corporation. Founders in the renewable energy or sustainable materials sectors will find their focus on building companies with clear strategic value particularly relevant.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage, and Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Renewable energy, green chemistry, sustainability
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2010
• Notable investments: Zep Solar, EV Connect, AMP, KeVita
• Number of investments: 56
• Number of exits: 7

You can refer to their website here.

6. VamosVentures

VamosVentures is a Los Angeles-based venture capital fund that invests in early-stage, tech-enabled companies. The firm is dedicated to backing businesses led by Latinx and other diverse founders, providing capital to support their growth.

Their portfolio highlights a focus on high-growth industries like fintech, healthcare, and sustainability. VamosVentures has supported several well-known startups, including the corporate card company Brex and alternative protein producer The EVERY Company, demonstrating their ability to back future market leaders.

This firm is a great fit for diverse founders, particularly from the Latinx community, who are building tech companies at the seed or early stage. If your business operates in one of their key industries, they could be a valuable partner.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: FinTech, Health Care, Sustainability, Virtual Workforce
• Geographical presence: Los Angeles, California
• Founded: 2020
• Notable investments: Brex, Finix, The EVERY Company
• Number of investments: 30

You can refer to their website here.

7. Amasia

Amasia is a global, thesis-driven venture capital firm that concentrates on sustainability and climate-related investments. Based in California, they support companies from their earliest stages through to later rounds of funding.

The firm’s portfolio shows a clear ability to back companies with the potential for massive scale, including unicorns like Dialpad and Xendit. Their investment in Clarity AI, a sustainability analytics platform, also signals a deep interest in technologies that support the broader climate ecosystem.

Amasia is a good match for founders building globally-minded companies in the sustainability and climate sectors. If you have a clear, scalable business model and are seeking a partner with a track record of supporting high-growth ventures, this firm is worth a look.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage, and Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Sustainability, climate tech
• Geographical presence: Burlingame, California (invests globally)
• Founded: 2013
• Notable investments: Dialpad, Xendit, Clarity AI, Unravel Carbon
• Number of investments: 93
• Number of exits: 11

You can refer to their website here.

8. DBL Partners

DBL Partners invests in companies that deliver both strong financial returns and positive social or environmental benefits. They are known for their "double bottom line" approach, backing businesses that create meaningful impact alongside market-leading growth.

The firm has a history of backing some of the most recognized names in technology, including early investments in Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity. Their support for The RealReal, hailed as the first “circular-economy” IPO, shows their focus on companies with innovative, sustainable business models.

DBL Partners is an excellent choice for founders with ambitious, high-growth companies that have a clear social or environmental mission. If you are building a business with the potential for a major exit or IPO, their experience is highly relevant.

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

You can refer to their website here.

9. Great Wave Ventures

Great Wave Ventures is a New York-based, early-stage fund that invests in companies shaping the future of the built world. They provide seed and early-stage capital to startups in construction, real estate, and sustainability.

The firm backs founders with ambitious ideas for physical infrastructure and the software that supports it. Their portfolio includes companies like Culdesac, which is building a car-free neighborhood, and Sustain.Life, a carbon-management platform that was acquired.

Great Wave Ventures is a good choice for early-stage founders whose work directly impacts the physical environment. If you are building a business in sustainable real estate or construction tech, their focused approach could be a strong fit.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Construction, Real Estate, Sustainability
• Geographical presence: New York, New York
• Founded: 2020
• Notable investments: Culdesac, Array Labs, Venus Aerospace, Sustain.Life
• Number of investments: 32
• Number of exits: 4

You can refer to their website here.

10. Valhalla Ventures

Valhalla Ventures is a Los Angeles-based firm that invests in early-stage companies with what they call "enduring moats." They focus on businesses in deep tech and hard-to-build industries, providing seed and early-stage capital to founders.

Their approach centers on backing founders in sectors like advanced materials, space travel, and biotechnology. Their portfolio includes companies like Rain, which develops autonomous firefighting helicopters, and Jaza, an off-grid solar provider in Africa.

Valhalla is a good fit for founders building companies with strong, defensible technology in complex physical industries. If you are creating a business with a high barrier to entry in areas like climate tech or advanced manufacturing, their focus on long-term value could be a match.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Deep Tech, Sustainability, Advanced Materials, Space Travel, Biotechnology
• Geographical presence: Los Angeles, California
• Founded: 2020
• Notable investments: Rain, Jaza, K2 Space, Biofire
• Number of investments: 23

You can refer to their website here.

11. Energize Capital

Energize Capital is a global investment firm that funds companies focused on digitizing the energy and sustainability sectors. They provide capital to founders using software and data to build more efficient and modern industrial businesses.

The firm’s portfolio highlights a focus on high-growth companies with clear exit potential, including unicorns like Aurora Solar and public listings like Fast Radius. This track record shows their ability to support businesses through to significant liquidity events.

Energize Capital is a good partner for founders in energy tech or sustainable industry who have a software-centric business model. If you are building a company with the potential for large-scale growth and a major exit, their experience is highly relevant.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Energy, Sustainability, Construction, Renewable Energy, Finance
• Geographical presence: Chicago, Illinois
• Founded: 2016
• Notable investments: Aurora Solar, Volta Charging, Fast Radius, Monta
• Number of investments: 50
• Number of exits: 3

You can refer to their website here.

12. GS Futures

GS Futures is a corporate venture firm that makes strategic, early-stage investments in companies across the retail, sustainability, and energy sectors. Based in San Mateo, they provide seed and early-stage capital to founders.

The firm has a history of backing high-growth companies, including Latin American logistics unicorn Nowports and blockchain protocol LayerZero Labs. Their focus on sustainability is clear from their investment in direct-air-capture startup Heirloom and their successful exit from energy analytics company AutoGrid.

GS Futures is a good match for early-stage founders building businesses in complex industries like construction, energy, and logistics. If you are seeking a strategic partner with a record of supporting high-growth companies, they are worth considering.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Construction, Consumer, Energy, Real Estate, Sustainability
• Geographical presence: San Mateo, California
• Founded: 2020
• Notable investments: Skydio, LayerZero Labs, Nowports, Heirloom, AutoGrid
• Number of investments: 40
• Number of exits: 1

You can refer to their website here.

13. Fledge

Fledge is a global network of business accelerators that invests in mission-driven, for-profit companies. They operate as both an accelerator and a venture capital investor, focusing on businesses with a positive social or environmental impact.

The firm’s model is built around its accelerator program, signaling a hands-on approach to helping early-stage companies grow. Their portfolio includes companies making a tangible difference, such as Evrnu, a textile recycling company, and Burn Manufacturing, a maker of high-efficiency cookstoves.

Fledge is a good match for early-stage founders building for-profit companies with a core social or environmental mission. Teams that would benefit from the structured support of an accelerator program will find their model particularly helpful.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Debt
• Industries of focus: Social Impact, Sustainability, AgTech, CleanTech, Financial Services
• Geographical presence: Seattle, Washington (operates globally)
• Founded: 2012
• Notable investments: Evrnu, Burn Manufacturing, Shift Labs, BridgeCare
• Number of investments: 89

You can refer to their website here.

14. Flori Ventures

Flori Ventures is a seed-stage venture fund based in San Francisco that supports founders building a more inclusive global financial system. They provide early capital to companies focused on fintech, blockchain, and sustainability.

The firm's portfolio shows a clear focus on businesses with tangible impact, from Kickstarter's creative economy to Moss, a carbon-credit marketplace. Their investments in agritech and Web3 in emerging markets signal a broad, global approach to financial inclusion.

Flori Ventures is a strong fit for seed-stage founders whose companies use technology to improve financial access or promote sustainability. If you are building a business in fintech, crypto, or climate tech with a clear mission, their focus aligns well.

• Investment stages: Seed
• Industries of focus: FinTech, sustainability, blockchain, impact investing
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2021
• Notable investments: Kickstarter, Moss, Valora, Releaf
• Number of investments: 90

You can refer to their website here.

15. Parkway Venture Capital

Parkway Venture Capital is a New York-based firm that invests in technology companies from early to late stages. They back founders in deep tech, health care, and sustainability, focusing on businesses with ambitious, long-term goals.

The firm’s portfolio includes several high-profile unicorns, such as Elon Musk's xAI, humanoid-robotics company Figure, and Alphabet spin-out SandboxAQ. This track record signals a focus on foundational technologies and a willingness to support capital-intensive, hard-to-build companies.

Parkway is a strong match for founders in deep tech who are building businesses with significant technical moats. If you are creating a company in AI, quantum computing, or robotics, their experience with industry-defining ventures is highly relevant.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: AI, robotics, quantum tech, health care, sustainability
• Geographical presence: New York, New York
• Founded: 2019
• Notable investments: xAI, Figure, SandboxAQ, Lyft
• Number of investments: 50
• Number of exits: 16

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Sustainability Companies

This collection of firms shows a healthy and varied investor interest in the sustainability sector. For founders, this is encouraging. There is significant capital available at the pre-seed and seed stages, but also a clear path for follow-on funding from multi-stage and late-stage investors. This suggests the market is mature enough to support companies from their first check through to major growth rounds.

While many of these VCs are based in established tech centers like California and New York, their investment reach is often global. The variety in their focus—from pure climate tech to impact-driven fintech—gives you more options for finding a partner who truly understands your mission. Your next step is to research the firms that best match your company’s stage and specific industry.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires immense focus, and knowing which investors to approach saves you valuable time and energy. This guide is designed to help you connect with the right partners who understand your specific goals in the sustainability space.

Once your round is closed, the work of building your company accelerates. If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes.

We help you manage your new capital efficiently with an integrated platform. Our services include business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all built for growing startups.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Sustainability

Which European venture capital firms focus on sustainability?

Many European VCs specialize in climate tech. Firms like World Fund, Planet A Ventures, and 2150 are key players. They often invest in deep tech and circular economy startups, supporting Europe's green transition and industrial modernization.

What do agtech venture capital firms look for?

Agtech VCs seek startups with scalable solutions for food production, supply chain efficiency, and resource management. They prioritize technologies that improve crop yields, reduce waste, and promote sustainable farming practices for a global market.

What’s the difference between impact and climate tech VCs?

Climate tech VCs focus specifically on reducing carbon emissions and environmental degradation. Impact VCs have a broader scope, investing in companies that generate positive social or environmental outcomes, which can include education and healthcare alongside sustainability.

How should I prepare to approach climate tech VC firms?

Have a clear deck showing your technology, market size, and traction. Research each firm’s portfolio to ensure alignment. Emphasize your team's expertise and how your solution offers a distinct advantage in the sustainability sector.

How can I manage my funding after a successful raise?

Once your round closes, it's crucial to have a solid financial stack. Our platform helps you manage your new capital with business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments, all in one place. Get started with Rho.