Introducing the Climate Angels Program
Climate Capital has invested in 300+ exceptional climate companies since 2015. Co-invest with us here.
Announcing Climate Capital’s Climate Angels program, a new initiative which aims to prepare new & emerging angel investors to start or accelerate their climate investing journey by learning alongside the Climate Capital team.
Members of our team have participated or taught in a number of different programs, from Techstars Venture Deals to GoingVC to 500 VC Unlocked to Terra.do. These programs are all good at different things, but we felt there was an opportunity for Climate Capital to offer something different given our collective experience in early stage climate investing. We’re excited to introduce a 6-week Climate Angels program designed to equip new & emerging angel investors with the knowledge, strategies & community needed to excel in angel investing specifically within climate.
Angel investing, by the numbers.
Angels play an important role in the larger venture ecosystem, providing capital to bridge early startups from company formation to their first “real” fundraise.
On average, angel groups invested a total of $5.3 million per group in 2022, an increase of 15% from 2020. The total amount invested in 2021 represents the highest total since the Angel Capital Association began tracking this data.1
Angels continued to focus on investing in pre-seed & seed-stage deals in 2021, reducing investments in later rounds. Angels invested more than 50% of their dollars in Series Seed, which accounted for nearly 60% of deals, up from 50% in the prior two years.
Startups that have angel backing are at least 14 percent more likely to survive for 18 months or more after funding than firms that do not. 2
What does the Climate Angels program cover?
It starts with a Thesis. Most people invest in startups based on a hot tip when they should be crafting their investment strategy for a sustainable future. Next is Sourcing, where you identify the most promising climate tech startups. This is followed by Evaluating and Selecting winning investments. Angel investors should also be familiar with the basics of syndication (bringing together a group of co-investors) to be able to build successful investment rounds. Capital is a commodity, so Supporting Investments by nurturing portfolio companies is key for success. Finally, you will be guided through the intricacies of Deal Execution. Our goal is that upon completion of the Climate Angels program, participants will be able to source deals, run diligence, navigate term sheets, successfully invest, and build a long-term supportive relationship with founders.
We’ll have expert guests & Climate Capital team members guiding you through content, and invite you into our Climate Capital community where you can connect with each other and founders in our portfolio. We’ll be available for questions and to provide feedback. And we’ll keep programming dynamic and interactive to make sure we’re tailoring content to the specific needs of the cohort.
We’re excited about this initiative as another way to support our mission to accelerate climate innovation. Accredited investors from underrepresented backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.
Climate Angels Program Curriculum
The 6-week journey of Climate Angels is structured to facilitate both foundational understanding and practical aspects of climate tech investing.
Week 1-2: Sculpting Your Investment Thesis
Crafting an investment thesis is not merely about identifying profitable ventures. It’s about aligning your capital with solutions that mitigate the multifaceted challenges of climate change. Our structured modules will immerse you in a universe where financial returns and climate impact meet, aiding you in curating a thesis that is not just profitable but also purposeful.
Week 3-4: The Art of Sourcing and Evaluating
The global startup ecosystem is teeming with innovations. In weeks 3 and 4, the program underscores the strategies to sort through the global climate tech landscape, identifying startups that are not just innovative but are also scalable and impactful. Coupled with the art and science of evaluating startups, these weeks will arm you with the skills to discern diamonds in the rough and understand the potential risks and returns in the nascent but burgeoning climate tech space.
Week 5: The Power of Syndication
The fifth week catapults you into the exciting world of syndication. Understanding that collective efforts magnify impact, our modules and expert sessions will share strategies to leverage networks, collaborate with co-investors, and orchestrate robust investment rounds that fuel startups from various developmental phases.
Week 6: Supporting and Executing Deals
The finale week anchors your journey by combining your newfound knowledge with the pragmatic realm of deal execution and post-investment support. Learn more about term sheets, legal structures, and fostering successful investor-founder relationships.
Beyond the Curriculum: A Community and a Cause
Climate Angels is not just a program; it’s a community. The space we’ve built doesn’t conclude with the program. Instead, joining the program marks your initiation into a robust network of climate investors, innovators, and change-makers.
In this community, success is not measured by returns alone but also by the tangible impact we can make in the climate tech ecosystem. Access dealflow, opportunities, insights and learning provided exclusively for our Climate Capital community.
Moreover, our support extends into your investing journey post-program. Climate Angels participants will have the opportunity to co-invest with Climate Capital, putting learning into action and being an active part in propelling groundbreaking climate solutions to market.
Fusing Profit with Purpose
In your journey with Climate Angels, you will be not just investing in startups but helping create a cleaner, sustainable, and equitable future. The ventures you will invest in are more than companies; they are the catalysts of a climate-resilient future.
We welcome applications from those who seek to be pioneers in climate change mitigation through strategic investment. Investors from underrepresented backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. Your journey towards purposeful investing commences here, where your capital becomes the catalyst for a sustainable future.
Embark on this inspiring journey with us.
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