Venture capitalists play an instrumental role in accelerating the energy transition and advancing climate action by investing in renewable energy projects. These investors provide essential funding for innovative startups and emerging technologies that aim to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable energy sources. By channelling capital into solar, wind, bioenergy, and other renewable sectors, venture capitalists not only support the development and scaling of green technologies but also drive market competitiveness and cost reductions. Following are 10 VCs doing remarkable work by driving investment towards renewable energy projects.
- Frank Balas, Investment Director at Emerald Technology Ventures
About Frank Balas
Frank Balas is a seasoned professional specialising in the energy sector at Emerald Technology Ventures, where he plays a crucial role in identifying venture capital investment opportunities within the cleantech market and supporting portfolio companies in achieving their growth objectives. With over a decade of experience at Emerald, he has ascended to the position of Investment Director, focusing on advancing renewable energy investments. Before joining Emerald, Frank consulted in energy efficiency and renewable energy, managed the engine design office at Capstone Turbine Corp—a leading microturbine manufacturer—and held several roles at prestigious companies such as Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney.
- Sajid Rahman, Managing Partner at MyAsiaVC
About Sajid Rahman
Sajid Rahman, the Managing Partner of MyAsiaVC, is a recognized investor with a focus on innovative and scalable startups in digital health, renewable energy, and financial services. At MyAsiaVC, he has successfully led multiple venture deals and exits in both emerging and developed markets, leveraging his extensive network and insights as a former banker and entrepreneur. Sajid also serves as the Managing Director at Renewable Infrastructure Development Company Ltd, overseeing a portfolio of renewable energy companies in wind and solar, including Bangladesh’s first and largest wind power plant with a capacity of 66 MW. His renewable energy portfolio totals 500 MW across various stages of development. Additionally, Sajid is a Board Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at ICANN, where he manages financial risk, governance, and compliance, contributing to the strategic vision of the global organisation that coordinates the Internet’s domain name system.
- Kristie Dekkers, Investment Manager at Invest-NL
About Kristie Dekkers
Kristie Dekkers is a seasoned investment professional specializing in renewable energy at Invest-NL, where she currently serves as an Investment Manager. With a strong focus on driving the energy transition, Kristie oversees investments in ventures and projects ranging from €5 million to €50 million. Her expertise is reflected in her roles as a Board Observer for SeaQurrent, a tidal energy device developer, and SolarDuck, an offshore floating solar developer. Prior to this, she was an Investment Associate at Invest-NL, contributing to the fund’s €1.7 billion portfolio aimed at accelerating the growth of innovative scale-ups. Kristie has a rich background in sustainability and financial analysis from her tenure at ABAB Accountants en Adviseurs and her work as a Consultant Innovation at Epiic, where she supported climate tech startups such as Hardt Hyperloop, Lightyear, and Ocean Grazer with blended finance opportunities.
- Peng-xin Dong, Investment Manager at Sabanci Climate Ventures
About Peng-xin Dong
Peng-xin Dong is an experienced investment professional specializing in renewable energy and climate tech at Sabanci Climate Ventures, where he serves as an Investment Manager. He oversees a $200 million corporate venture fund dedicated to investing in disruptive energy and climate tech startups and acting as a strategic limited partner in other venture capital funds across the US and Europe. Notable investments include Quaise Energy (Series A), Active Surfaces (Pre-Seed), Noon Energy (Series A), and AiDash (Series C). Peng-xin’s expertise in portfolio management and corporate venture capital is complemented by his role as a private investor in SiPhox Health, an at-home diagnostic platform. Prior to his current role, he was an Investment Consultant at Anzu Partners, where he handled deal sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio support in various strategic areas.
- Giovanni Bologna, VC Investor at Santander Asset Management
About Giovanni Bologna
Giovanni Bologna is a seasoned venture capital investor with a strong focus on renewable energy and deep-tech opportunities. Currently serving as a VC Investor at Santander Asset Management, Giovanni is responsible for investing in early-stage, hardware-biassed climate and energy startups. Since joining in August 2022, he has been instrumental in identifying and nurturing innovative technologies that drive the energy transition. Prior to this, Giovanni spent five years at Athos Capital, a venture capital fund in Barcelona, where he focused on companies with digital components and new technologies aimed at revitalising established industries.
- Hans Kobler, Founder & Managing Partner, Energy Impact Partners
About Hans Kobler
Hans Kobler is a recognized figure in the renewable energy investment sector, with a career marked by significant leadership roles in various innovative companies. Since June 2014, he has been the Founder and Managing Partner of Energy Impact Partners (EIP) in New York, a global investment firm dedicated to advancing a sustainable energy future. Under his leadership, EIP manages over $3 billion in assets, supporting ventures, growth, credit, and infrastructure projects worldwide aimed at decarbonizing the global economy. Prior to EIP, Kobler founded Tensor Technology Partners LLP, where he served as Chairman and Managing Partner from 2010 to 2014. He also founded and led ICx Technologies as Chairman and CEO from 2005 to 2010, and Digital Power Capital from 2001 to 2009.
- Jeffrey Yingling, Founding Partner at Energy Capital Ventures
About Jeffrey Yingling
Jeffrey Yingling is an accomplished professional in renewable energy investments, currently serving as the Founding Partner and Investment Committee Chair at Energy Capital Ventures (ECV) in Chicago since January 2020. ECV is a strategic venture firm that focuses on addressing the needs of the gas utility industry by investing in Series A and B rounds for decarbonization, renewable natural gas, hydrogen, and other clean energy solutions. Before ECV, Yingling was a Senior Advisor at Guggenheim Securities, where he spearheaded the Midwest investment banking practice.
- Ofir Gomeh, Managing Partner & CEO at Capital Nature
About Ofir Gomeh
Ofir Gomeh is an accomplished figure in the renewable energy investment sector, currently serving as the Managing Partner at Capital Nature in Tel Aviv since April 2021. Capital Nature is dedicated to investing in and nurturing innovative renewable energy technologies. In addition to his role at Capital Nature, Gomeh has been actively involved in various leadership positions within the clean energy and cleantech sectors. Since October 2023, he has chaired the Cleantech Sector Public Board at the Israel Export Institute, enhancing Israel’s global export strategies for clean technologies.
- Craig Lawrence, Partner & Co-Founder at Energy Transition Ventures
About Craig Lawrence
Craig Lawrence is a seasoned professional in renewable energy investments, currently serving as Partner and Co-Founder of Energy Transition Ventures in Austin, Texas since February 2021. Energy Transition Ventures focuses on investing in innovative solutions that drive the transition to a sustainable energy future. Prior to this, Lawrence was the Vice President of Products at Treverity, Inc., where he developed human integration software to optimise operations for leading electric and gas utilities in the US from 2017 to 2020. His experience in the solar industry is extensive, having served as VP of Product and Marketing at SunPower Corporation following its acquisition of SolarBridge, where he helped deliver reliable and affordable solar energy solutions to the residential market from 2012 to 2016.
- Katie McClain, Partner & COO at Energize Capital
About Katie McClain
Katie McClain has a remarkable career in renewable energy investments, currently excelling as Partner and COO at Energize Capital since October 2019 and transitioning to her role as Partner and COO in July 2022. Situated in the Greater Chicago Area, McClain has been instrumental in directing the strategic growth of Energize Capital, actively involved in fostering relationships with limited partners and entrepreneurs. Her dedication extends beyond Energize Capital; she serves as a Board Member for NCX, Jupiter Intelligence, and DroneDeploy, leveraging her expertise to drive innovation in climate risk analytics, drone technology, and project management platforms.
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