This section contains a range of curated resources for individuals who are interested in starting or working in start-ups that will positively address climate change. Four are highlighted to get you started. Additional resources follow, organized by resource type.
A large, generalist tech accelerator in New York that also supports very early climate tech start-ups with funding, in-kind resources, and a large mentor network.
A crowd-sourced database of investors and companies, enabling entrepreneurs to seek investors by sector of interest, investment sizes (including pre-seed), geographies of interest, similar investments, etc. A social graph allows users to identify pathways for warm introductions.
“An investor-led initiative to ensure the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change." While its focus is on large companies, it provides insight and access that is valuable to entrepreneurs.
ClimateTechVC, run by a diverse group of climate-related investors and entrepreneurs, provides an extensive database of venture capital funds, corporate investors, and start-up accelerators focused on climate-related start-ups. There are also newsletters, research insights, and a job board.
"The mission of the Freeing Energy Project is to mobilize the talents and energies of entrepreneurs, policymakers, and communities towards a cleaner, cheaper, and more resilient local energy future."
A global network of accelerators for very early companies, each of which focuses on either a geography or a theme. Relevant accelerators include Sustainability, Food, Energy, Future Industries, and Social Impact. Techstars provides selected start-ups with capital, a rigorous program, and access to an extensive network of mentors.
A new program launched by the US Department of State, CCE “seeks to address the climate crisis and contribute to economic empowerment in developing countries by nurturing entrepreneurship aimed at climate solutions.” The program provides access to funding, expertise and networks, including to accelerators.
An EU-backed “Knowledge and Innovation Community, working to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon, climate-resilient society.” The community includes over 450 businesses, universities, NGOs and local governments, and provides deep resources for entrepreneurs.
Part of the US Department of Energy, NREL advances the science and engineering of energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, and renewable power technologies and provides the knowledge to integrate and optimize energy systems. NREL provides open access to a wide range of data and tools.
CASE is part of Duke’s Fuqua Business School, and its mission is “to prepare leaders and organizations with the business skills needed to achieve lasting social change.” It includes resources for both impact investors and entrepreneurs.
A global collaboration of universities supporting research and education in climate adaptation and mitigation. Useful for entrepreneurs working in evidence-based and scientific entrepreneurial areas.
An initiative of the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco, Climate One produces podcasts and public radio series to engage advocates, influencers and policymakers in empowering conversations that connect all aspects of the climate emergency.
Carbon Engineering develops a Direct Air Capture solution that removes carbon from the air itself, rather than from smokestacks and similar industrial sources. Their goal is to remove one million tons of CO2 per year.
Lithium is a critical component for batteries, and its supply can be fraught with geopolitical and ethical considerations. Kobold is an AI-driven mineral exploration company designed to ensure that exponential demand increase is met by ethical supply.
Modern Meadow is a private, early stage biofabrication company that has developed biotechnologies for the creation of leather and other textiles without any reliance on animals. With over 2.3 billion livestock slaughtered every year just for their skins, Modern Meadow’s alternative approach makes a significant contribution to reducing the deleterious global effects of ranching.
