Climate tech VC fundraising is down almost 40%, but AI is driving deals

AI has changed the climate conversation and is driving new deals in the climate tech sector. Dawn Lippert, founder and CEO of Elemental Impact and Earthshot Ventures GP, and Mike Schroepfer, founding partner of VC firm Gigascale Capital, discussed the future of climate-focused VCs with me at The Nest Campus during Climate Week NYC.

Lippert shared that 90% of the companies Earthshot backs have generalist tech investors as co-investors, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives on climate investments. Schroepfer recently raised $250 million for a climate-focused fund, declining to rename it as an AI fund. While AI presents both challenges and opportunities for climate tech, it is more of a tailwind than a headwind, according to John MacDonagh, PitchBook senior research analyst.

Data center developers are seeking energy sources for their projects, and climate tech can provide fast and relatively low-cost solutions, along with energy storage technologies to address intermittency challenges. However, the funding landscape remains uneven, with more capital available for energy and supply chain sectors compared to climate tech.