2023 Winners

Continuing our mission of raising awareness around the threat of climate change, inspiring more investors to join the climate fight, and deploying capital in the most critical transition humanity has ever faced, we are excited to announce the ultimate category winners of the 2023 Climate 50 list!

Top early
stage VC
Plug & Play Ventures
Founded in 2006, Plug & Play Ventures is the world’s largest early-stage investor and accelerator driving innovation in 20+ industries. The fund runs over 50 accelerator programs worldwide and invests in over 250 companies a year. To this day, Plug & Play Ventures has reached 30 unicorns in its portfolio, including Dropbox, PayPal, and N26.
Top
growth VC
Energy Impact Partners
Founded in 2015, Energy Impact Partners (EIP) is a New York-based investment platform with over $4 billion in AUM. Their funds are backed by the likes of Southern Company, Duke Energy, and Xcel Energy. EIP invests globally, focusing on software and hardware companies decarbonising the economy.
Top
corporate VC
Aramco Ventures
Founded in 2012, Aramco Ventures has over $7 billion in AUM. Playing a key role in the climate tech ecosystem, Aramco invests across a range of stages and can act as an important industry off-taker of novel technologies. To date, Aramco has over 70 climate aligned investments in their portfolio ranging from Series A to IPO.
Top
emerging VC
Elemental Excelerator
Founded in 2009, Elemental Excelerator is a nonprofit investor focused on redesigning the systems at the root of climate change. With the backing of fellow leading nonprofit partners such as the Emerson Collective and the Grantham Foundation, they have invested and accelerated over 150 climate tech companies at various stages.
Public’s
favourite VC
New Climate Ventures
Founded in 2021, New Climate Ventures is a Texas-based early-stage venture capital firm investing in innovative carbon reduction and avoidance technology companies. They take an active and diversified investment approach that leverages their experience in the climate, food, agriculture and energy tech sectors.

2023 Top Climate Tech investors

Climate 50 is an annually published list of the top 50 most recognized Climate Tech investors. The 2023 list below represents the most impactful climate investors helping founders realize novel solutions that move us towards a more sustainable energy transition and planet. Started in 2020, where the global momentum around climate change is building towards a crescendo, we ought to not to forget and recognize the world’s most important venture capitalist contributing to this significant journey to net zero.

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1st
Company name: Energy Impact Partners
2023
Investor Type Growth
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$1bn
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2015
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Form Energy
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:EuropeNorth America
2nd
Company name: Aramco Ventures
2023
Investor Type Corporate
Geography: Middle East & Africa
AUM size >=$1bn
Emerging fund manager N/A
Founded: 2012
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Form Energy
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: Saudi Arabia
Focus Industry: EnergyCarbon removal & Emissions managementHeavy industry & Manufacturing
Investment Geography:North AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificMiddle East & Africa
3rd
Company name: Plug & Play Ventures
2023
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2006
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Heirloom
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyBuilt environmentFood & AgricultureCircular EconomyCarbon removal & Emissions managementMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:North AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaAsia-PacificMiddle East & Africa
4th
Company name: Khosla Ventures
Investor Type Growth
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$1bn
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2004
Notable Portfolio Company Name: QuantumScape
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyBuilt EnvironmentFood & AgricultureHeavy Industry & ManufacturingMobility & TransportCarbon Removal & Emissions ManagementCircular Economy
Investment Geography:Asia-PacificEuropeMiddle East & AfricaNorth AmericaSouth America
5th
Company name: Shell Ventures
Investor Type Corporate
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$1bn
Emerging fund manager N/A
Founded: 1996
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Aurora (automotive)
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: Netherlands
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & TransportCarbon removal & Emissions management
Investment Geography:Asia-PacificEuropeNorth America
6th
Company name: Elemental Excelerator
2023
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size <$100m
Emerging fund manager Yes
Founded: 2009
Notable Portfolio Company Name: OhmConnect
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & TransportFood & AgricultureCircular Economy
Investment Geography:EuropeNorth America
7th
Company name: Third Sphere
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2013
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Future Motion
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyBuilt environmentFood & AgricultureCircular EconomyCarbon removal & Emissions managementHeavy industry & ManufacturingMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:North AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaMiddle East & Africa
8th
Company name: Prelude Ventures
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$1bn
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2013
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Quantumscape
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyBuilt environmentFood & AgricultureCircular EconomyCarbon removal & Emissions managementHeavy industry & ManufacturingMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:North America
9th
Company name: Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Investor Type Growth
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$1bn
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2015
Notable Portfolio Company Name: QuantumScape
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: Energy
Investment Geography:EuropeMiddle East & AfricaNorth America
10th
Company name: Future Energy Ventures
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2016
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Tado, ev.energy, Thermondo
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: Germany
Focus Industry: EnergyBuilt EnvironmentCarbon Removal & Emissions ManagementMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:Europe
11th
Company name: Collaborative Fund
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager Yes
Founded: 2010
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Dandelion Energy
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyFood & Agriculture
Investment Geography:Asia-PacificNorth AmericaEurope
12th
Company name: Congruent Ventures
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2017
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & TransportFood & AgricultureCircular Economy
Investment Geography:North America
13th
Company name: EDP Ventures
Investor Type Corporate
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager N/A
Founded: 2008
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Terabase, Green Li-ion, Captura Corp
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: Portugal
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:Asia-PacificEuropeMiddle East & AfricaNorth AmericaSouth America
14th
Company name: BP Ventures
Investor Type Corporate
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager N/A
Founded: 2012
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Beyond Limits
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United Kingdom
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:EuropeNorth America
15th
Company name: Blackhorn Ventures
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager Yes
Founded: 2017
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Electriphi; Electric Era
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & TransportBuilt environmentLogistics
Investment Geography:North AmericaEurope
16th
Company name: Lowercarbon Capital
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$1bn
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2017
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Lilac Solutions
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyBuilt environmentFood & AgricultureCircular EconomyCarbon removal & Emissions managementHeavy industry & ManufacturingMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:EuropeNorth America
17th
Company name: The Ecosystem Integrity Fund
Investor Type Growth
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2011
Notable Portfolio Company Name: EV Connect, ZeroAvia
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & TransportFood & AgricultureCircular Economy
Investment Geography:North AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificMiddle East & AfricaSouth America
18th
Company name: Temasek
Investor Type Corporate
Geography: Asia-Pacific
AUM size -
Emerging fund manager N/A
Founded: 1974
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Stripe
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: Singapore
Focus Industry: Heavy industry & ManufacturingMobility & TransportFood & Agriculture
Investment Geography:Asia-PacificNorth AmericaEurope
19th
Company name: S2G Ventures
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2014
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Tado
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyFood & AgricultureCleantech
Investment Geography:North AmericaEurope
20th
Company name: G2 Venture Partners
Investor Type Growth
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$1bn
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2017
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: Mobility & TransportEnergyBuilt environmentFood & AgricultureCircular EconomyCarbon removal & Emissions managementHeavy industry & Manufacturing
Investment Geography:EuropeNorth America
21st
Company name: Evok Innovations
Investor Type Growth
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager Yes
Founded: 2016
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Sanctuary
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: Canada
Focus Industry: EnergyCarbon Removal & Emissions ManagementCritical Minerals
Investment Geography:North America
22nd
Company name: ArcTern Ventures
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2012
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Palmetto; Sheertex; SPAN
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: Canada
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & TransportFood & AgricultureCircular Economy
Investment Geography:North AmericaEurope
23rd
Company name: Demeter
Investor Type Growth
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$1bn
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2005
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Solairedirect
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: France
Focus Industry: Energy
Investment Geography:Europe
24th
Company name: ENGIE New Ventures
Investor Type Corporate
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager N/A
Founded: 2014
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Gogoro
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: France
Focus Industry: Energy
Investment Geography:Asia-PacificEuropeNorth America
25th
Company name: Emerald Technology Ventures
Investor Type Growth
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$1bn
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2000
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Spear Power Systems
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: Switzerland
Focus Industry: EnergyBuilt EnvironmentFood & AgricultureCircular EconomyCarbon Removal & Emissions ManagementHeavy Industry & ManufacturingMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:North AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaAsia-PacificMiddle East & Africa
26th
Company name: Toyota Ventures
Investor Type Corporate
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager N/A
Founded: 2017
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Joby Aviation
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyBuilt environmentFood & AgricultureCarbon removal & Emissions managementMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:EuropeMiddle East & AfricaNorth America
27th
Company name: SET Ventures
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2007
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Sonnen
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: Netherlands
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:Europe
28th
Company name: Siemens Energy Ventures
Investor Type Corporate
Geography: Europe
AUM size -
Emerging fund manager N/A
Founded: 2020
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Seurat Technologies
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: Germany
Focus Industry: EnergyCarbon removal & Emissions managementMobility & TransportCircular Economy
Investment Geography:North AmericaSouth AmericaMiddle East & AfricaEuropeAsia-Pacific
29th
Company name: Capricorn Investment Group
Investor Type Growth
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$1bn
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2001
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Joby Aviation
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:North America
30th
Company name: Chevron Technology Ventures
Investor Type Corporate
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager N/A
Founded: 1999
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Natron Energy
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & TransportCircular Economy
Investment Geography:North AmericaEurope
31st
Company name: Statkraft Ventures
Investor Type Corporate
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager N/A
Founded: 2015
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Deepki
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: Norway
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & TransportBuilt environment
Investment Geography:EuropeNorth America
32nd
Company name: Equinor Ventures
Investor Type Corporate
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager N/A
Founded: 1991
Notable Portfolio Company Name: ChargePoint
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: Norway
Focus Industry: EnergyCircular EconomyCarbon removal & Emissions managementHeavy industry & ManufacturingMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:Middle East & AfricaEuropeNorth AmericaAsia-PacificSouth America
33rd
Company name: DBL Partners
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2002
Notable Portfolio Company Name: SolarCity
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:North America
34th
Company name: Westly Group
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2007
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Tesla; WeaveGrid
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyBuilt EnvironmentCarbon Removal & Emissions ManagementHeavy Industry & ManufacturingMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:North America
35th
Company name: Volta Ventures
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager Yes
Founded: 2016
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Solid Power
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: Energy
Investment Geography:North America
36th
Company name: Fifth Wall
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$1bn
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2016
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Span.io
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: Built environment
Investment Geography:North America
37th
Company name: Starlight Ventures
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size <$100m
Emerging fund manager Yes
Founded: 2017
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Carbon Engineering
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyHeavy Industry & ManufacturingFood & Agriculture
Investment Geography:North AmericaEurope
38th
Company name: Kleiner Perkins
Investor Type Growth
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$1bn
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 1972
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Uber
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyBuilt environmentFood & AgricultureHeavy industry & ManufacturingMobility & TransportCarbon removal & Emissions managementCircular Economy
Investment Geography:Asia-PacificEuropeNorth America
39th
Company name: Norrsken VC
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager Yes
Founded: 2017
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Einride
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: Sweden
Focus Industry: EnergyFood & AgricultureCircular EconomyMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:EuropeNorth AmericaSouth AmericaAsia-PacificMiddle East & Africa
40th
Company name: Climate Capital
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size <$100m
Emerging fund manager Yes
Founded: 2019
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & TransportFood & AgricultureBuilt EnvironmentCarbon Removal & Emissions Management
Investment Geography:North America
41st
Company name: BMW i Ventures
Investor Type Corporate
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager N/A
Founded: 2011
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Our Next Energy; GaN Systems; CelLink
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyBuilt EnvironmentCarbon Removal & Emissions ManagementHeavy Industry & ManufacturingMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:North AmericaEurope
42nd
Company name: Climate Pledge Fund (Amazon)
Investor Type Corporate
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$1bn
Emerging fund manager N/A
Founded: 2020
Notable Portfolio Company Name: CarbonCure
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: Mobility & TransportCircular EconomyEnergyFood & Agriculture
Investment Geography:North America
43rd
Company name: Barclays
Investor Type Corporate
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager N/A
Founded: 2020
Notable Portfolio Company Name:
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: United Kingdom
Focus Industry: EnergyBuilt environmentFood & AgricultureCircular EconomyCarbon removal & Emissions managementHeavy industry & ManufacturingMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:North AmericaEuropeAsia-Pacific
44th
Company name: Contrarian Ventures
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager Yes
Founded: 2017
Notable Portfolio Company Name: PVCase; H2Pro; Zoomo
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: Lithuania
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & TransportCarbon removal & Emissions managementCircular EconomyBuilt environmentHeavy industry & Manufacturing
Investment Geography:EuropeIsrael
45th
Company name: Katapult VC
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager Yes
Founded: 2016
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Chooose
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: Norway
Focus Industry: EnergyBuilt environmentFood & AgricultureCircular EconomyCarbon removal & Emissions managementHeavy industry & ManufacturingMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:North AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaAsia-PacificMiddle East & Africa
46th
Company name: Activate Capital
Investor Type Growth
Geography: North America
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager Yes
Founded: 2017
Notable Portfolio Company Name: StreetLight Data
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:North America
47th
Company name: Climate Investment (formerly OGCI Climate Investments)
Investor Type Growth
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$1bn
Emerging fund manager No
Founded: 2017
Notable Portfolio Company Name: GHGSat, Svante, Boston Metal, Net Zero Teeside
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United Kingdom
Focus Industry: EnergyBuilt EnvironmentCircular EconomyCarbon Removal & Emissions ManagementHeavy Industry & ManufacturingMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:North AmericaEuropeAsia-Pacific
48th
Company name: ETF Partners
Investor Type Growth
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager Yes
Founded: 2005
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Enablon
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United Kingdom
Focus Industry: EnergyBuilt environmentFood & AgricultureHeavy industry & ManufacturingMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:Europe
49th
Company name: Total Carbon Neutrality Ventures
Investor Type Corporate
Geography: Europe
AUM size >=$100m
Emerging fund manager N/A
Founded: 2008
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Grab
Community Initiatives: No
HQ Country: France
Focus Industry: EnergyCircular EconomyCarbon removal & Emissions managementHeavy industry & ManufacturingMobility & Transport
Investment Geography:North AmericaEuropeMiddle East & AfricaAsia-Pacific
50th
Company name: For Good Ventures
Investor Type Early stage
Geography: North America
AUM size <$100m
Emerging fund manager Yes
Founded: 2017
Notable Portfolio Company Name: Turntide
Community Initiatives: Yes
HQ Country: United States
Focus Industry: EnergyFood & AgricultureCarbon removal & Emissions management
Investment Geography:North America
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