Breakthrough Energy Ventures logo

Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris

Description

Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) is a prominent venture capital firm at the forefront of the global effort to combat climate change, founded by Bill Gates. As a key component of the broader Breakthrough Energy initiative, BEV is dedicated to investing in innovative companies poised to deliver reliable and affordable clean energy solutions without contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Its core mission revolves around accelerating the development and deployment of breakthrough technologies across five critical sectors: electricity, manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, and buildings, aiming for significant reductions in global emissions.

Investor Profile

Breakthrough Energy Ventures has backed more than 214 startups, with 36 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 94 rounds, about 44% of its total and boasts 5 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series A, Series B, Seed rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, Canada, United Kingdom.
  • Strong thematic focus on Energy, Renewable Energy, CleanTech.
  • Led 7 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $5M – $25M.

Stage Focus

  • Series A (33%)
  • Series B (24%)
  • Seed (13%)
  • Series Unknown (10%)
  • Series C (8%)
  • Series D (3%)
  • Grant (3%)
  • Convertible Note (1%)
  • Pre Seed (1%)
  • Series E (1%)

Country Focus

  • United States (82%)
  • Canada (4%)
  • United Kingdom (3%)
  • Sweden (2%)
  • France (1%)
  • Nigeria (1%)
  • Denmark (1%)
  • Spain (1%)
  • Switzerland (1%)
  • Germany (1%)

Industry Focus

  • Energy
  • Renewable Energy
  • Cleantech
  • Manufacturing
  • Sustainability
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Industrial
  • Biotechnology
  • Energy Storage
  • Agtech
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Breakthrough Energy Ventures frequently co-invest with?

The Engine
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 14
MCJ Collective
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 11
Prelude Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 26
Equinor Ventures
Europe, Rogaland, Norway, Stavanger
Co-Investments: 9
Temasek Holdings
Asia, Central Region, Singapore, Singapore
Co-Investments: 16
Climate Pledge Fund
North America, Washington, United States, Seattle
Co-Investments: 18
Climate Investment
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 9
Energy Impact Partners
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 15
Lowercarbon Capital
North America, Wyoming, United States, Jackson
Co-Investments: 28
Capricorn Investment Group
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 13

Which angels does Breakthrough Energy Ventures often collaborate with?

LJ
North America, Ohio, United States, Cleveland
Shared Deals: 2
JD
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Shared Deals: 4
JL
North America, Nevada, United States, Las Vegas
Shared Deals: 2
FG
North America, New York, United States, New York
Shared Deals: 2
AK
North America, Pennsylvania, United States, Philadelphia
Shared Deals: 2
JG
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2
RN
North America, Washington, United States, Seattle
Shared Deals: 2
TH
North America, Pennsylvania, United States, Philadelphia
Shared Deals: 2
MC
North America, Texas, United States, Dallas
Shared Deals: 2
KL
North America, Ohio, United States, Cleveland
Shared Deals: 2

What are some of recent deals done by Breakthrough Energy Ventures?

Fleetzero

Auburn, Alabama, United States

Fleetzero is building battery electric cargo ships to affordably decarbonize ocean freight.

BatteryFreight ServiceMarine Transportation
Series AJan 16, 2026
Amount Raised: $43,000,000
Mangrove Lithium

Delta, British Columbia, Canada

Mangrove Lithium is a lithium refining and materials technology company that produces battery-grade lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate.

BatteryElectric VehicleRenewable Energy
Debt FinancingJan 15, 2026
Amount Raised: $85,000,000
ZeroAvia

Hollister, California, United States

ZeroAvia develops hydrogen-electric powertrains for zero-emission aviation solutions.

AerospaceAir TransportationCleanTechIndustrial
Series UnknownDec 22, 2025
Fervo Energy

Houston, Texas, United States

Fervo Energy develops and operates clean energy technology to generate carbon-free energy from geothermal systems.

EnergyEnergy EfficiencyEnergy ManagementNuclearRenewable Energy
Series EDec 10, 2025
Amount Raised: $462,000,000
Stoke Space

Kent, Washington, United States

Stoke Space develops fully reusable Nova rockets for orbital space mobility.

AerospaceProduct DesignSpace Travel
Series DOct 8, 2025
Amount Raised: $510,000,000
Arkea Bio

Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States

Arkea Bio develops technology to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agricultural industry.

Biotechnology
Series ASep 23, 2025
Amount Raised: $7,000,000
Fourth Power

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Fourth Power is an energy storage startup that uses thermal batteries.

BatteryEnergyRenewable Energy
Series ASep 16, 2025
Amount Raised: $20,000,000
Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Commonwealth Fusion Systems designs and develops commercial fusion energy systems to produce clean energy.

Clean EnergyElectrical DistributionEnergyEnvironmental EngineeringRenewable Energy
Series BAug 27, 2025
Amount Raised: $863,000,000
Still Bright

Newark, Delaware, United States

Still Bright has discovered transformative reaction chemistry to enable the rapid, clean, and complete recovery of copper.

EnergyPower GridRenewable Energy
SeedJul 30, 2025
Amount Raised: $18,700,000
Planted Solar

Oakland, California, United States

Planted Solar designs and build solar power plants using software and robots

Clean EnergyEnergyRenewable EnergySolar
Series AJul 29, 2025
Amount Raised: $12,000,000

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