Top 15 Venture Capital Firms Making Waves in Sustainability

As a founder in the sustainability sector, you know that finding the right investment partner is about more than just capital. You need investors who understand the unique models within climate tech, cleantech, and impact-focused businesses.

To help you identify the right fit, we've curated this guide to some of the top sustainability venture capital firms. Use this as a starting point to understand the investors who are actively funding companies like yours.

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

Key Takeaways

• For a startup in the sustainability space, securing venture funding is more than a financial milestone; it provides the resources to scale your impact, develop new technology, and gain a partner who shares your vision.
• Firms like SE Ventures, Collab Capital, Better Ventures, and Moderne Ventures are notable backers in the sustainability sector, each actively investing in companies with strong environmental or social missions.
• Whether you are actively fundraising or have just closed a round, Rho helps you manage and deploy your new capital efficiently with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

Which VC Firms in Sustainability Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether your company is in its early days or preparing for an exit, it’s helpful to know which investors to approach.

Here is a brief overview of venture firms in the sustainability space, organized by the stage at which they invest.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Sustainability

This initial stage is for founders who are just starting out, often with an early product or a strong pitch deck, seeking capital to find product-market fit. Impact investing venture capital firms like Better Ventures and Collab Capital focus on this stage, as does Flori Ventures, which backs companies building a more inclusive financial system.

Early Stage VC Firms in Sustainability

Early-stage funding, typically Series A or B, is for companies that have validated their business model and need capital to scale their team and operations. Climate tech VC firms such as Great Wave Ventures and Valhalla Ventures are active at this stage, along with Energize Capital, which focuses on the digitization of sustainable industry.

Late Stage VC Firms in Sustainability

Late-stage rounds provide growth capital to established companies preparing for an exit, such as an acquisition or an initial public offering (IPO). For founders at this point, firms like DBL Partners, an early backer of Tesla, and SE Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Schneider Electric, are key players.

Keep in mind that some cleantech VC firms invest across multiple funding rounds, from seed to late stage. Once you secure funding, Rho’s integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help you manage and deploy that capital efficiently.

Here is a closer look at some of the most active venture capital firms in sustainability. We've outlined their investment stages, where they invest, and what makes them unique to help you find the right match.

1. SE Ventures

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

As a corporate VC, SE Ventures offers deep operational support and a clear path to scale within the Schneider Electric ecosystem. Their portfolio includes notable exits like AutoGrid and Volta Charging, showing a track record of guiding companies toward acquisition or public offerings.

This firm is an excellent match for founders whose technology aligns with industrial and energy applications. If you are looking for a partner with deep domain expertise and a potential strategic home for your company, SE Ventures is worth considering.

• Investment stages: Seed to late stage
• Industries of focus: CleanTech, Industrial Automation, AI, and Energy Storage
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, CA (invests globally)
• Founded: 2017
• Fund size: Over $1 billion
• Notable portfolio companies: AutoGrid, Scandit, Proterra, and Claroty
• Portfolio size: 45 investments

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 companies focused on work, care, and community. Their mission is to support innovators who are creating more equitable access to essential services and opportunities.

The firm concentrates on seed and early-stage investments, with a portfolio that includes climate-tech company Planet FWD and EV charging provider SparkCharge. This signals a clear interest in sustainability and infrastructure, alongside their focus on financial inclusion and community-oriented businesses.

Collab Capital is a strong potential partner if you are an early-stage founder with a business model centered on social impact or sustainability. Once you secure funding from a firm like this, our integrated financial tools at Rho help you manage and deploy that capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Seed and early stage
• Industries of focus: Sustainability, Financial Services, and Community Infrastructure
• Geographical presence: Atlanta, GA
• Founded: 2019
• Notable portfolio companies: Planet FWD, SparkCharge, Goodr, and LoanWell
• Portfolio size: 42 investments
• Exits: 1

You can refer to their website here.

3. Better Ventures

Better Ventures is an Oakland-based firm that backs early-stage founders building companies with a positive social or environmental impact. Their mission is to fund entrepreneurs who are working to build a better world.

The firm’s portfolio highlights a clear focus on sustainability, with investments in food-tech unicorn Meati Foods and EV fleet management platform Synop. This demonstrates their founder-first, mission-driven approach to backing companies at the seed and early stages.

Better Ventures is a strong potential partner for founders whose business is built around a core social or environmental purpose. Startups in sustainable food, climate tech, or financial inclusion will find their focus aligns well.

• Investment stages: Seed and early stage
• Industries of focus: Impact Investing, Sustainability, Finance, and Transportation
• Geographical presence: Oakland, CA
• Founded: 2010
• Notable portfolio companies: Meati Foods, NuCicer, Synop, and Avalo
• Portfolio size: 86 investments
• Exits: 8

You can refer to their website here.

4. Moderne Ventures

Moderne Ventures is a Chicago-based strategic venture capital firm that also operates as an accelerator and growth equity investor. They support companies across their lifecycle, from early-stage rounds to private equity investments.

The firm has a clear focus on industries like real estate, finance, and insurance, often where sustainability intersects with these sectors. Their portfolio includes major exits like DocuSign’s IPO and the acquisition of August Home, showing a strong ability to guide companies to successful outcomes.

This firm is a good fit for founders whose technology applies to their core industries and who are seeking a long-term partner for growth. If you secure funding, our integrated platform at Rho can help you manage and deploy your capital efficiently as you scale.

• Investment stages: Early stage, late stage, and private equity
• Industries of focus: Real Estate, Finance, FinTech, Insurance, and Sustainability
• Geographical presence: Chicago, IL
• Founded: 2015
• Notable portfolio companies: DocuSign, August Home, Airside, and Bento
• Portfolio size: 105 investments
• Exits: 25

You can refer to their website here.

5. Ecosystem Integrity Fund

Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF) is a venture capital firm that invests in companies contributing to environmental sustainability. Their focus is on key sectors like renewable energy and green chemistry, backing businesses that aim to solve significant environmental challenges.

The firm has a strong track record of guiding portfolio companies toward successful acquisitions by major corporations. Notable exits include EV Connect (acquired by Schneider Electric) and AMP (acquired by Ford), showing their ability to position startups for strategic exits.

EIF is a great fit if your company operates in the renewable energy or green chemistry space and has a model that could appeal to a large corporate acquirer. After you secure funding, our platform at Rho helps you manage and deploy that capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed to late stage
• Industries of focus: Renewable Energy, Green Chemistry, and Sustainability
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, CA
• Founded: 2010
• Notable portfolio companies: Zep Solar, EV Connect, AMP, and KeVita
• Portfolio size: 56 investments
• 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 focused on backing businesses led by Latinx and other diverse founders.

The firm invests at the seed and early stages, with a portfolio that includes sustainability, fintech, and healthcare companies. Their track record includes backing notable companies like the fintech unicorn Brex and synthetic biology startup The EVERY Company.

VamosVentures is a great match for diverse founders at the seed or early stages, particularly those building tech companies in sectors like sustainability or fintech. Once you secure funding from a firm like this, our integrated financial tools at Rho help you manage and deploy that capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Seed and early stage
• Industries of focus: FinTech, Health Care, Sustainability, and Virtual Workforce
• Geographical presence: Los Angeles, CA
• Founded: 2020
• Notable portfolio companies: Brex, Finix, The EVERY Company, and Botco.ai
• Portfolio size: 30 investments

You can refer to their website here.

7. Amasia

Amasia is a global, thesis-driven venture capital firm with a clear focus on sustainability and climate. They invest in companies that are building solutions for a healthier planet.

The firm invests across stages, from seed to late-stage rounds, and has a global reach. Their portfolio includes sustainability-focused companies like Clarity AI and Unravel Carbon, alongside tech unicorns like Dialpad and Xendit.

Amasia is a good fit for founders building technology with a sustainability focus, who are seeking a partner with a global perspective. Once you secure funding, our integrated platform at Rho can help you manage and deploy your capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Seed to late stage
• Industries of focus: Sustainability and Climate
• Geographical presence: Burlingame, CA (invests globally)
• Founded: 2013
• Notable portfolio companies: Dialpad, Xendit, Clarity AI, and Unravel Carbon
• Portfolio size: 93 investments
• Exits: 11

You can refer to their website here.

8. DBL Partners

DBL Partners is a venture capital firm known for its "double bottom line" investment strategy, backing companies that generate strong financial returns alongside positive social and environmental impacts. Based in San Francisco, they have a long history of investing in businesses that are shaping a more sustainable economy.

The firm is recognized for backing category-defining companies like Tesla, SolarCity, and SpaceX, as noted by ImpactAssets. Their portfolio also includes The RealReal, a pioneer in the circular economy, showing a commitment to backing transformative ideas across multiple stages from seed to private equity.

DBL Partners is an ideal match for founders with ambitious, world-changing ideas that have a clear path to both profitability and positive impact. Once you secure funding, our platform at Rho helps you manage and deploy that capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed to private equity
• Industries of focus: CleanTech, Sustainability, Impact Investing, and Information Technology
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, CA
• Founded: 2004
• Notable portfolio companies: Tesla, SpaceX, SolarCity, The RealReal, and Planet
• Portfolio size: 80 investments
• Exits: 14

You can refer to their website here.

9. Great Wave Ventures

Great Wave Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund based in New York, focused on companies shaping the future of the built world. They invest in sectors like real estate, construction, and sustainability.

The firm backs ambitious founders at the seed and early stages, with a portfolio that includes companies building car-free neighborhoods (Culdesac) and hypersonic aircraft (Venus Aerospace). Their investments show a clear interest in foundational technologies for urban living and infrastructure.

This firm is a strong match for early-stage founders whose technology addresses challenges in real estate, construction, or sustainable infrastructure. Once you secure funding, Rho’s integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help you manage and deploy that capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Seed and early stage
• Industries of focus: Construction, Real Estate, and Sustainability
• Geographical presence: New York, NY
• Founded: 2020
• Notable portfolio companies: Culdesac, Venus Aerospace, and Array Labs
• Portfolio size: 32 investments
• 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 building foundational technologies. Their investment philosophy centers on backing businesses with "enduring moats"—strong, defensible advantages in sectors like deep tech and hard science.

The firm has a distinct focus on complex industries, including biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and space travel. Their portfolio includes companies like K2 Space, which builds large satellite platforms, and Rain, a developer of autonomous firefighting helicopters.

Valhalla is a good match for founders at the seed or early stages who are tackling difficult technical problems in regulated or capital-intensive markets. Once you secure funding from a firm like Valhalla, our integrated financial tools at Rho help you manage and deploy that capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Seed and early stage
• Industries of focus: Deep Tech, Sustainability, Biotechnology, and Space Travel
• Geographical presence: Los Angeles, CA
• Founded: 2020
• Notable portfolio companies: K2 Space, Rain, Jaza, and Biofire
• Portfolio size: 23 investments

You can refer to their website here.

11. Energize Capital

Energize Capital is a global investment firm that concentrates on the digitization of energy and sustainable industry. They back founders who are building software and data-driven solutions for critical sectors.

The firm’s focus on digital transformation is clear from its portfolio, which includes cloud-based platform Aurora Solar and EV-charging software provider Monta. Their track record also shows a history of successful exits, including the IPO of Fast Radius and the acquisition of Volta Charging.

Energize is a good match for founders using technology to make industries like energy and construction more efficient and sustainable. Once you secure funding, our platform at Rho helps you manage and deploy that capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Early to late stage venture
• Industries of focus: Energy, Sustainability, Construction, and Renewables
• Geographical presence: Chicago, IL (invests globally)
• Founded: 2016
• Notable portfolio companies: Aurora Solar, Volta Charging, Fast Radius, and Monta
• Portfolio size: 50 investments
• Exits: 3

You can refer to their website here.

12. GS Futures

GS Futures is a corporate venture capital firm that makes strategic, early-stage investments in the retail, sustainability, and energy sectors.

As a corporate VC, the firm concentrates on seed and early-stage rounds, backing companies that can create strategic value. Their portfolio includes several unicorns, such as Latin American freight-forwarder Nowports, and the direct-air-capture startup Heirloom.

GS Futures is a good match for founders building technology in their core sectors who are looking for a strategic partner. Once you secure funding, our platform at Rho helps you manage and deploy that capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed and early stage venture
• Industries of focus: Construction, Consumer, Energy, Real Estate, and Sustainability
• Geographical presence: San Mateo, CA
• Founded: 2020
• Notable portfolio companies: Skydio, LayerZero Labs, Nowports, and Heirloom
• Portfolio size: 40 investments
• Exits: 1

You can refer to their website here.

13. Fledge

Fledge is a global network of accelerators that supports for-profit companies with a clear social or environmental mission. Based in Seattle, they operate as both an accelerator and a venture capital investor.

The firm invests at the seed and early stages, often through debt financing, across a wide range of impact sectors including cleantech, agriculture, and renewable energy. Their portfolio includes companies like Evrnu, a textile recycling innovator, and Burn Manufacturing, which makes high-efficiency cookstoves for African households.

Fledge is a strong choice for early-stage, mission-driven founders who can benefit from an accelerator model and are building businesses in sustainability or social impact. Once you secure funding from a partner like Fledge, our platform at Rho can help you manage and deploy your capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Seed, early stage venture, and debt
• Industries of focus: Sustainability, AgTech, CleanTech, Renewable Energy, and Social Impact
• Geographical presence: Seattle, WA (invests globally)
• Founded: 2012
• Notable portfolio companies: Evrnu, Burn Manufacturing, Shift Labs, and BridgeCare
• Portfolio size: 89 investments

You can refer to their website here.

14. Flori Ventures

Flori Ventures is a seed-stage venture firm that supports founders building a more inclusive financial system. They focus on companies using technology to create more equitable access to financial services globally.

The firm's portfolio shows a clear focus on fintech and Web3, with investments in companies like mobile crypto wallet Valora and crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. Their interest also extends to sustainability, backing carbon-credit marketplace Moss and agritech company Releaf.

Flori Ventures is a strong match for seed-stage founders whose businesses promote financial inclusion, especially those using blockchain or developing sustainable solutions. Once you secure funding, our platform at Rho helps you manage and deploy that capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed
• Industries of focus: FinTech, Impact Investing, Sustainability, and Blockchain
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, CA
• Founded: 2021
• Notable portfolio companies: Kickstarter, Moss, Valora, and Releaf
• Portfolio size: 90 investments

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 across early and late stages. They back businesses in sectors ranging from generative design and business intelligence to health tech and sustainability.

The firm shows a clear focus on ambitious, deep-tech companies, with a portfolio that includes Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI and humanoid robotics company Figure. Their strategy involves backing businesses with strong technical foundations, often getting in at critical early rounds.

Parkway is a strong match for founders tackling complex problems in AI, robotics, quantum tech, and other foundational technology areas. Once you secure funding, our integrated platform at Rho helps you manage and deploy your capital efficiently as you scale.

• Investment stages: Early and late stage venture
• Industries of focus: AI, Robotics, Health Tech, and Sustainability
• Geographical presence: New York, NY
• Founded: 2019
• Notable portfolio companies: xAI, Figure, SandboxAQ, and Lyft
• Portfolio size: 50 investments
• Exits: 16

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Sustainability Companies

This list shows that investor interest in sustainability is both broad and deep. There is significant capital available for early-stage companies, with many firms focused on seed and Series A rounds. This suggests a healthy appetite for new ideas and technologies in the sector. At the same time, the presence of multi-stage investors means there are clear pathways for growth capital as your company matures.

Geographically, while many funds are based in traditional hubs like California, there is a growing number of investors in other cities and several with a global focus. This variety gives you more options to find a partner who not only provides capital but also aligns with your company’s specific mission and stage. Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help you manage and deploy that capital efficiently.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires significant time and focus, making every interaction count. This list is designed to help you target the right VCs, so you can connect with partners who truly align with your mission.

Once your round is closed, the work of managing that capital begins. Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes, allowing you to put your new funding to work immediately.

Our platform integrates business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay into one place. This gives you the control and visibility needed to deploy your capital efficiently and scale your company with confidence.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Sustainability

What is the difference between impact investing and climate tech VC firms?

Impact investing venture capital firms have a broad social or environmental focus. Climate tech VC firms specifically target technologies that address climate change, such as carbon capture, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture.

Are there many European venture capital firms for sustainability?

Yes, Europe has a growing number of VCs focused on sustainability, such as Planet A Ventures and 2150. These firms actively fund startups in cleantech, renewable energy, and circular economy models across the continent.

How can I find agtech venture capital firms?

Look for firms with a stated focus on agriculture technology or food systems. Many generalist sustainability funds also invest in agtech. Attending industry-specific events and using investor databases can help you identify potential partners.

What are multistage climate VC firms?

Multistage climate VC firms invest across a company's lifecycle, from seed rounds to late-stage growth financing. This provides founders with a potential long-term partner who can support them through multiple funding stages.

What should I do after closing a round with a sustainability VC?

After closing your round, focus on efficient capital management. 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.

How can Rho help my startup manage its finances?

Our platform integrates business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay in one place. This gives you the control and visibility to manage funds effectively. Get started with Rho to scale with confidence.