Articles tagged with "venture-capital"
Investors are betting $21 billion that the energy transition isn’t going away
Despite political opposition in the U.S., notably from Congressional Republicans and the Trump administration, investor confidence in the energy transition remains robust. This is evidenced by significant capital commitments to clean energy funds: Brookfield recently raised $20 billion for its second energy transition fund—33% more than its first fund in 2021—and Energy Impact Partners closed its third flagship fund at $1.36 billion, a 40% increase over its prior fund. These investments target renewable power projects and climate tech companies, reflecting sustained belief in the sector’s long-term growth potential despite a less favorable economic environment than in previous years. While the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts a 45% reduction in U.S. renewable adoption by 2030 compared to last year’s forecast, global renewable capacity is still expected to double by 2030, driven by solar expansion in China, India, the EU, and other regions. Analysts at DNV foresee continued momentum toward renewable energy, though acknowledge that current efforts will
energyrenewable-energyclean-energyenergy-transitioninvestmentclimate-techventure-capitalNew deep tech fund Wave Function Ventures raises $15 million
Jamie Gull, an aerospace engineer with a background at Scaled Composites and SpaceX, has launched Wave Function Ventures, an early-stage deep tech fund that recently closed its first $15.1 million fund. Gull has already invested in nine startups across sectors including nuclear energy, humanoid robotics, and aerospace, with plans to make about 25 seed or pre-seed investments. The fund’s limited partners include high net worth individuals, family offices, and other funds, though the anchor LP remains undisclosed. Wave Function Ventures enters the market amid growing interest and capital inflows into deep tech, especially in aerospace and defense, exemplified by other large funds like Silicon Valley’s Leitmotif. Gull’s extensive experience spans rapid prototyping, founding an eVTOL startup (Talyn Air), angel investing, and venture partnership at Y Combinator’s Pioneer Fund. He aims to leverage this expertise to support founders navigating the uncertain early stages of deep tech ventures. He believes deep tech startups
roboticsenergyaerospacedeep-techventure-capitalstartupsnuclear-energyChamath warns retail investors to avoid his new SPAC
Venture capitalist and All-In podcast host Chamath Palihapitiya recently launched a new SPAC named “American Exceptionalism,” raising $345 million to acquire startups in energy, AI, crypto/DeFi, or defense and take them public. Despite his involvement, Palihapitiya strongly advises retail investors against buying shares in this SPAC, reserving only about 1% of shares for them while selling nearly 99% to large institutional investors. He cautions retail buyers to carefully review disclosures and make informed decisions, a rare move for a SPAC sponsor to openly discourage retail participation. Palihapitiya, known as the “SPAC King” for popularizing SPACs from 2019 to 2021, acknowledges the poor post-merger returns SPACs have historically delivered to shareholders, despite benefiting sponsors and some startups. His first SPAC took Virgin Galactic public, which now trades below $4, exemplifying the challenges retail investors face. In response
energySPACstartupsventure-capitalpublic-marketsinvestmentAmerican-ExceptionalismThe TechCrunch Disrupt Stage revealed: Behold the first look
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will feature the Disrupt Stage as the central hub for major tech announcements, startup competitions, and industry insights. Highlights include the Startup Battlefield competition, where founders compete for a $100,000 prize and exposure, judged by prominent venture capitalists like Aileen Lee and Kirsten Green. The event will showcase influential speakers such as Alphabet’s Astro Teller discussing AI and moonshot projects, Netflix CTO Elizabeth Stone on streaming innovation, and Vinod Khosla offering candid predictions on tech’s future. Other notable presentations include Sequoia Capital’s Roelof Botha on emerging venture trends, Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana on autonomous vehicle realities, and Slate Auto unveiling its first fully customizable electric truck. Additional sessions will cover diverse topics such as cloud computing growth with Box CEO Aaron Levie, consumer AI scaling by Phia founders including Phoebe Gates, and investor Kevin Rose’s perspectives on reinvention and future opportunities. The event takes place October 27
energyelectric-vehiclesautonomous-vehiclesAItech-startupsventure-capitalinnovationMeet the latest VC judges joining Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
The Startup Battlefield 200 pitch competition at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, scheduled for October 27–29 in San Francisco, will feature 20 founders competing for a $100,000 equity-free prize and the Disrupt Cup. A panel of experienced judges, including investors and industry leaders, will evaluate the startups. TechCrunch recently announced the third group of five judges joining the roster, with more to be revealed soon. Early registration offers significant savings before rates increase after September 26. The newly announced judges bring diverse expertise across venture capital, technology, and startup growth. Jon Chu of Khosla Ventures has a strong background in machine learning and enterprise software, having held key roles at Palantir, Docker, Opendoor, and Facebook. Eryk Dobrushkin from Index Ventures focuses on AI, infrastructure, and robotics, with prior experience at Databricks and Boston Consulting Group. Cathy Friedman of GV brings nearly four decades of experience in finance, technology, and healthcare investing
robotIoTenergymaterialsstartupventure-capitaltechnology-innovationPreparing for your later-stage raise: Insider strategies from top investors at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
The article highlights an upcoming session at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, scheduled for October 29 at the Builders Stage in San Francisco, focused on strategies for securing later-stage funding. The session emphasizes that raising late-stage capital requires more than just meeting revenue goals; founders must craft compelling narratives, monitor key metrics, and cultivate long-term investor relationships. Attendees can expect practical advice, candid insights, and actionable frameworks from experienced investors and founders to better prepare for major funding rounds. The panel features three prominent experts: Andrea Thomaz, CEO and co-founder of Diligent Robotics, who offers a founder’s perspective on building investor trust in AI hardware startups; Zeya Yang, partner at IVP with a background in AI-native startups and product leadership at major tech firms; and Lila Preston, head of growth equity at Generation Investment Management, known for scaling impact-driven companies with a global outlook. The article also promotes early registration for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, highlighting significant ticket savings available
robotAI-hardwaresocial-roboticscollaborative-roboticshealthcare-roboticsventure-capitalstartup-fundingWe are entering a golden age of robotics startups — and not just because of AI
The article highlights a significant shift in the robotics startup ecosystem, marking what many investors consider a "golden age" for the sector. Around 2015, early-stage robotics startups struggled to secure venture capital, as most funding favored mature software applications rather than hardware-focused robotics. However, over the past decade, the robotics market has matured substantially, driven by improvements in hardware and software that have become both more advanced and affordable. This maturation, coupled with growing investor interest, has led to a surge in funding—$6 billion poured into robotics startups in the first seven months of 2025 alone, with projections indicating funding will surpass 2024 levels, making robotics one of the few non-AI sectors experiencing such growth. The industry's momentum did not arise solely from recent AI advancements, though AI has played a role in enhancing robotic technologies. Instead, a pivotal moment was Amazon’s acquisition of Kiva Systems in 2013, which catalyzed a wave of robotics startups and attracted engineering talent to
roboticsrobotics-startupsventure-capitalAI-in-roboticsautomationrobotics-fundingrobotics-industry-trendsWhere top VCs are betting next: Index, Greylock, and Felicis share 2026 priorities at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, a prominent panel of venture capitalists from Index Ventures, Greylock, and Felicis will share their investment priorities for 2026 and beyond. Nina Achadjian of Index Ventures is focusing on automating overlooked industries with investments in AI, robotics, and vertical SaaS. Jerry Chen from Greylock is backing product-driven founders working in AI, data, cloud infrastructure, and open source technologies. Viviana Faga of Felicis brings extensive experience in scaling go-to-market SaaS, category creation, and brand strategy, highlighting sectors that are gaining traction. The panel offers early-stage founders valuable insights into the emerging sectors and innovations attracting “smart money,” including AI, data, cloud, and robotics. This session provides a rare opportunity for entrepreneurs to understand how top VCs are shaping the next wave of investments. TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will take place from October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, with early pricing available until
robotAIautomationventure-capitalstartupstechnology-investmentscloud-infrastructureTED leader’s $300M ‘valley of death’ fund might be just what later-stage climate tech needs
The article discusses a new $300 million fund called All Aboard, led by Chris Anderson, former head of TED Talks, designed to address the significant financing gap—often called the "valley of death" or "missing middle"—that climate tech startups face between early-stage funding and growth capital. This gap is especially wide in climate tech because many startups focus on hardware solutions that require expensive first-of-a-kind power plants or factories, often costing tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. All Aboard aims to provide equity or convertible equity investments, rather than loans or project-specific financing, to help startups secure the $100 million to $200 million rounds necessary to scale their technologies commercially. The fund brings together a coalition of prominent climate-focused venture firms, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Energy Impact Partners, among others. While participation in the fund does not require investment from these partners, their involvement is intended to create a "Sequoia-like" signal to attract additional
energyclimate-techclean-energyventure-capitalstartup-fundingclimate-technologyenergy-investmentSpace investing goes mainstream as VCs ditch the rocket science requirements
The article highlights a significant shift in venture capital investment toward space technology, driven by decreasing launch costs and expanding applications beyond traditional rocket manufacturing. Katelin Holloway, a generalist VC partner who initially lacked aerospace expertise, exemplifies this trend by investing in startups leveraging space-based data and infrastructure for uses such as quantum computing, medical imaging, climate monitoring, and communications. This broader focus includes emerging sectors like orbital logistics, in-space manufacturing, satellite servicing, and lunar infrastructure, with companies like Interlune aiming to harvest resources such as helium-3, which also has national security implications. Geopolitical factors, particularly China's advancing space capabilities, have further spurred U.S. defense-related space investments, providing VCs with a more reliable customer base and reducing perceived risks. Defense-focused startups like True Anomaly and K2 Space have secured substantial funding rounds, underscoring the growing confidence in the commercial viability of space ventures. Additionally, advancements in AI and geospatial analytics are accelerating innovation, exemplified
energyspace-technologyventure-capitalsatellite-technologyclimate-monitoringin-space-manufacturingdefense-technologyMeet the first batch of VCs set to judge Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, taking place October 27–29 in San Francisco, will feature the top 20 startups selected from thousands of applicants competing for a $100,000 equity-free prize and significant industry exposure. This competition has a strong legacy of launching successful companies like Dropbox, Mint, Vurb, and Cloudflare. The event promises intense pitching sessions judged by leading venture capitalists who will rigorously evaluate each startup’s potential through candid Q&A, providing insights into what excites or concerns top investors. The first group of judges announced includes five prominent VCs: Philip Clark of Thrive Capital, known for investments in AI and robotics companies; Madison Faulkner of NEA, specializing in data, AI, and developer tools; Leslie Feinzaig, founder of Graham & Walker VC, focused on disruptive founders and public market innovation; and Ilya Kirnos, co-founder and CTO of SignalFire, who leverages AI-driven data platforms to identify promising
robotAIroboticsstartupventure-capitaltechnologyinnovation500 Global Launches Sustainable Innovation Program Backed by Catalytic Partners - CleanTechnica
500 Global, a prominent venture capital firm, has launched the Sustainable Innovation Program to support founders developing commercially viable, sustainability-focused solutions in the global south. Anchored by the Shell Foundation and co-funded by the UK Government through its Transforming Energy Access (TEA) and Catalysing Agriculture by Scaling Energy Ecosystems (CASEE) programs, this initiative aims to build a network of resources that empower entrepreneurs in sectors such as agriculture, energy, mobility, and the built environment. The program emphasizes local leadership and inclusive innovation to drive sustainable growth and measurable impact, combining strategic capital, multilateral partnerships, and domain expertise. The program debuts with the Sustainable Innovation Seed Accelerator in Nairobi, an intensive eight-week initiative targeting seed-stage startups across Africa. Participating startups receive mentorship and access to a global network of partners, investors, and operators. Since 2010, 500 Global has invested in over 140 companies across 27 countries that align with sustainability goals, focusing on localized infrastructure to address regional
energysustainabilityventure-capitalclean-technologyrenewable-energysustainable-innovationglobal-developmentCrack the code to startup traction with insights from Chef Robotics, NEA, and ICONIQ at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, a panel featuring Rajat Bhageria (Founder & CEO of Chef Robotics), Ann Bordetsky (Partner at NEA), and Murali Joshi (Partner at ICONIQ) will explore the challenging journey of achieving product-market fit, a critical yet often misunderstood phase in a startup’s lifecycle. Drawing from their diverse experiences—Bhageria’s founder perspective scaling AI-driven automation in food production, Bordetsky’s investor insight from companies like Uber and Twitter, and Joshi’s track record of driving over $2.5 billion in investments—the discussion will focus on effective testing strategies, real-time iteration, and how to genuinely listen to customers without being overwhelmed by feedback. This session aims to provide founders with actionable guidance to move beyond guesswork and build products that truly resonate with users, whether they are still developing prototypes or scaling existing traction. Taking place on the Builders Stage from October 27–29, 2025, at Moscone West in
roboticsAI-automationstartup-growthfood-production-technologyTechCrunch-Disruptproduct-market-fitventure-capitalKleiner Perkins is having a very good week
Kleiner Perkins, a prominent venture capital firm, has experienced a notably successful week driven by two significant tech IPOs. Figma, a design software company, went public on Thursday with shares initially priced at $33 but quickly surged to close Day 1 at $115. Kleiner Perkins sold approximately 2.76 million shares at the IPO price, generating around $91 million in returns, while retaining a substantial stake of over 52 million shares valued at more than $6 billion. This remaining stake alone is worth roughly three times the size of Kleiner Perkins’ last mega fund, underscoring the firm's substantial gains from this investment. Mamoon Hamid, a Kleiner partner and Figma board member, oversaw this investment. In addition to Figma, Kleiner Perkins benefited from the IPO of Ambiq, a smaller chip maker for wearable devices, which raised $96 million by selling 4 million shares. Kleiner holds about 2.08 million shares of Ambiq
IoTwearable-deviceschip-makerventure-capitaltech-IPOfleet-trackingAmbiqSolar Sector Corporate Funding Equals $10.8 Billion in 1st Half of 2025 - CleanTechnica
In the first half of 2025, the solar sector experienced a significant decline in corporate funding, totaling $10.8 billion—a 39% decrease compared to $17.6 billion in the same period of 2024, according to a report by Mercom Capital Group. The number of funding deals also dropped by 11% to 78 deals. This downturn was attributed to legislative, trade, and capital market disruptions that forced industry players to recalibrate amid a rapidly changing environment. Despite these challenges, merger and acquisition (M&A) activity increased year-over-year, reflecting sustained investor interest in well-valued solar assets. Breaking down the funding sources, venture capital (VC) funding slightly decreased by 7% to $2.5 billion across 32 deals, with solar downstream companies leading financing activity. Public market financing was relatively low at $467 million from five deals, while debt financing remained robust at $7.8 billion over 41 deals, including four securitization deals
energysolar-energyclean-energycorporate-fundingventure-capitalmergers-and-acquisitionsrenewable-energyThree things veteran planetary health investors look for in a startup
Veteran planetary health investors Kyle Teamey and Brigid O’Brien, managing partners at RA Capital Planetary Health, emphasize three key criteria when evaluating startups for investment amid a challenging and cyclical fundraising market. First, they prioritize a short time to market, seeking companies that can generate revenue within five years. Second, they look for strong product-market fit, ensuring the startup is building something customers genuinely want rather than relying on the assumption that demand will automatically follow. Third, they assess capital efficiency, focusing on how quickly a company can move beyond venture capital funding, dispelling the misconception that deep tech startups cannot be capital efficient. RA Capital Planetary Health’s investment approach is flexible regarding funding stages, writing checks ranging from hundreds of thousands to $10 million across seed to Series C rounds, with the round name less important than the startup’s time to market and return profile. Their portfolio spans diverse sectors, including geologic hydrogen prospecting (Koloma), lithium-ion battery manufacturing (AM Batteries), AI
energyclean-techplanetary-healthventure-capitallithium-ion-batterieshydrogen-energystartup-investmentWhy this LA-based VC firm was an early investor in Slate Auto
Slate Auto, an electric vehicle (EV) startup that emerged from stealth mode earlier in 2023 with an affordable EV truck, has raised approximately $700 million to date. Prior to its public debut, Slate quietly secured a Series A funding round exceeding $100 million, which included high-profile investors such as Jeff Bezos, Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter, and VC firm General Catalyst. Among the early backers was Slauson & Co., a Los Angeles-based venture capital firm founded in 2020 by Ajay Relan and Austin Clements. The firm, which aims to bridge the gap between underrepresented communities and the innovation economy, publicly shared its rationale for investing in Slate, despite the challenging landscape for EV startups and green energy initiatives. Slauson & Co. was introduced to Slate Auto through Jeff Wilkie, former Amazon consumer division CEO and co-founder of Re:Build Manufacturing, an incubator from which Slate spun out. Although investing in an EV company was somewhat outside Slaus
energyelectric-vehiclesstartupsventure-capitalautomotive-industrygreen-energymanufacturingAt least 36 new tech unicorns were minted in 2025 so far
In 2025, at least 36 new tech startups have achieved unicorn status, each valued at over $1 billion, driven largely by the surge in AI-related investments. However, the wave of new unicorns also spans diverse sectors including satellite technology and blockchain-based trading platforms. Notable examples include Loft Orbital in the satellite space industry and Kalshi, a blockchain-based trading site valued at $2 billion. The data, compiled from Crunchbase and PitchBook and tracked by TechCrunch, highlights a dynamic startup ecosystem with significant venture capital backing from prominent investors such as Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), and General Catalyst. Among the highlighted startups, Thinking Machines stands out with a remarkable $10 billion valuation following a $2 billion seed round, founded by OpenAI alumna Mira Murati. Other significant unicorns include Function ($2.5 billion valuation), Kalshi ($2 billion), and several companies valued between $1 billion and $1.6 billion,
robotAI-startupstechnology-unicornsventure-capitalinnovationtech-fundingstartup-ecosystemThree powerhouses cover how to prepare now for your later-stage raise at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, taking place October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, will feature a crucial session on preparing for later-stage fundraising, specifically targeting founders aiming for significant funding rounds like Series C. The panel, scheduled for October 29 on the Builders Stage, emphasizes that successful late-stage capital raises require more than just strong revenue; founders must craft compelling narratives, monitor key metrics, and nurture investor relationships well in advance. This session promises practical frameworks and candid insights to help startups strategically position themselves for major funding. The panel includes three industry experts: Zeya Yang, a partner at IVP with a background in AI-native startups and product leadership; Lila Preston, head of growth equity at Generation Investment Management, known for scaling impact-driven companies globally; and Andrea Thomaz, CEO and co-founder of Diligent Robotics, who brings firsthand founder experience in AI and robotics innovation. Their combined perspectives offer a comprehensive guide for founders preparing to raise substantial capital. Att
robotAIautomationroboticshealthcare-roboticsstartup-fundingventure-capitalWant to know where VCs are investing next? Be in the room at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, taking place October 27-29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, offers early-stage founders a valuable opportunity to hear directly from top venture capitalists about upcoming investment trends. A highlighted session on October 27 at 1:00 pm features Nina Achadjian (Index Ventures), Jerry Chen (Greylock), and Viviana Faga (Felicis), who will share their 2026 investment priorities across sectors such as AI, data, cloud, robotics, and more. These seasoned VCs will discuss emerging innovations and sectors attracting smart money, providing founders with insights into where venture capital is headed next. Each VC brings distinct expertise: Nina Achadjian focuses on automating overlooked functions and industries by replacing outdated tools, emphasizing founders with empathy, curiosity, and growth mindsets. Jerry Chen invests in product-driven founders working in AI, data, cloud infrastructure, and open-source technologies, leveraging his decade-long experience at VMware. Viviana Faga specializes
robotAIcloud-computingventure-capitalautomationenterprise-softwareSaaSProxima Fusion joins the club of well-funded nuclear contenders with €130M Series A
Proxima Fusion, a German nuclear fusion startup, has raised €130 million (about $148 million) in a Series A funding round led by Balderton Capital and Cherry Ventures. This brings its total funding to over €185 million ($200 million), positioning Proxima as a leading European contender in the race to develop commercial fusion energy. The company focuses on stellarator reactors, which use twisted magnetic fields to confine plasma more stably than the more common tokamak designs. Proxima’s Stellaris design, developed near Germany’s Wendelstein 7-X stellarator, represents a significant technical milestone that helped secure the oversubscribed funding round. CEO Francesco Sciortino emphasized that the new capital will enable Proxima to reach critical milestones, including a key hardware demonstration planned for 2027, with the goal of advancing toward commercial viability by around 2031. The funding round attracted primarily European investors, reflecting a broader ambition for Europe to play a leadership role in the global energy transition by developing clean, stable, and uranium-free fusion power. Proxima operates across multiple European countries, with headquarters in Munich and research teams in Switzerland and the UK, underscoring its pan-European identity and commitment to building a sustainable energy future on the continent.
energynuclear-fusionclean-energyfusion-startupsventure-capitalenergy-securityfusion-reactorsCybernetix Ventures raising $100M fund for robotics and physical AI - The Robot Report
roboticsinvestmentautomationartificial-intelligencestartupstechnologyventure-capitalSupio, an AI-powered legal analysis platform, lands $60M
AIlegaltechstartup-fundingventure-capitalautomationlegal-analysistechnologyAre EWOR fellowships the real project Europe is looking for?
EWORentrepreneurshipfellowshipsEuropeearly-stage-fundingstartupsventure-capitalVolution doubles-down on booming UK fintech with new $100M fund
UK-fintechinvestment-fundVolutionfinancial-technologyventure-capitalOpen-BankingstartupsStrictlyVC heads to London and Athens this May: Featuring prime minister of Greece and Europe’s leading tech and VC voices
StrictlyVCLondonAthenstech-eventsventure-capitalstartupsGreece