Breakthrough Energy, established in 2016 and headquartered in Kirkland, Washington, is an impact investment firm focused on combating climate change. It invests patiently over a 20-year period in cleantech and energy sectors, supporting companies from seed to commercialization stages. The firm's portfolio spans electricity generation and storage, transportation, industrial systems, agriculture, and energy efficiency, aiming to make power reliable, affordable, and climate-friendly. Breakthrough Energy Ventures, its investment arm, manages funds in the U.S. and Europe, with a goal to back 40 to 50 companies per fund.
Investment Principal and Company Builder, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Jim Cabot
Managing Director, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Priscilla Chan MD
Co-Founder, Breakthrough Energy Coalition
Christian Garcia
Managing Director and Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Bill Gates
Founder
Mark Hartney Ph.D
Principal, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Christina Karapataki
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Sila Kiliccote
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Allegra Kowalewski-Ferreira
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Phil Larochell
Principal
Phil Larochelle Ph.D
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Brian Mayers Ph.D
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Jeff Momplaisir
Director of Portfolio Analytics, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Christopher Poirier
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Juilia Reinaud
Senior Director
Cooper Rinzler
Investor
Christopher Rivest
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Kyle Teamey
investor
Eric Toone
Executive Managing Director
Libby Wayman
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Stefan Zlatev
Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Julia Reinaud Ph.D
Senior Director, Europe
Past deals in Natural Resources
Mantle8
Seed Round in 2025
Mantle8 is a pioneering exploration company specializing in natural hydrogen. It leverages proprietary geological models and imaging technologies to precisely locate and evaluate natural hydrogen sources, offering unparalleled accuracy in the industry.
Mangrove Lithium
Venture Round in 2025
Mangrove Lithium, based in Vancouver, has developed a modular and scalable refining technology for the efficient production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide and carbonate from a variety of input streams. This innovative platform allows for the direct conversion of lithium chloride and lithium sulfate into high-quality lithium products. The technology can be adapted to different capacities and is designed to be co-located with upstream lithium producers, as well as cathode and cell manufacturers. Additionally, Mangrove’s platform is being commercialized for the conversion of waste brines into valuable chemicals and desalinated water, contributing to more sustainable practices in the lithium supply chain.
KoBold Metals
Series C in 2024
KoBold Metals operates as an AI-powered mineral exploration company focused on discovering materials essential for the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors. The company utilizes advanced software that aggregates and structures extensive scientific datasets, including geochemical, geophysical, and geological information. By applying various analytical techniques such as ensemble machine learning and computer vision, KoBold predicts subsurface compositions in a statistically valid manner. This innovative approach enhances the exploration efficiency for mineral resources, particularly cobalt, which is crucial for the electric vehicle industry. By merging ore-deposit science with big data and scientific computing, KoBold Metals aims to identify new sources of cobalt and support the sustainable supply chain for emerging technologies.
KoBold Metals
Series B in 2023
KoBold Metals operates as an AI-powered mineral exploration company focused on discovering materials essential for the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors. The company utilizes advanced software that aggregates and structures extensive scientific datasets, including geochemical, geophysical, and geological information. By applying various analytical techniques such as ensemble machine learning and computer vision, KoBold predicts subsurface compositions in a statistically valid manner. This innovative approach enhances the exploration efficiency for mineral resources, particularly cobalt, which is crucial for the electric vehicle industry. By merging ore-deposit science with big data and scientific computing, KoBold Metals aims to identify new sources of cobalt and support the sustainable supply chain for emerging technologies.
Kodama Systems
Seed Round in 2022
Kodama Systems specializes in developing technology aimed at restoring forests and enhancing forest management practices. The company's innovative solutions are designed to streamline in-field operations and increase the resilience of forests, ultimately contributing to carbon sequestration. By employing a comprehensive approach, Kodama Systems improves productivity in forest thinning and facilitates greater access to labor. Their technology provides valuable feedback and insights through simulations, on-equipment functionality, teleoperation, and integration testing. This enables industries such as construction and mining to effectively tackle the climate challenges posed by wildfires and carbon emissions.
Mangrove Lithium
Series B in 2022
Mangrove Lithium, based in Vancouver, has developed a modular and scalable refining technology for the efficient production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide and carbonate from a variety of input streams. This innovative platform allows for the direct conversion of lithium chloride and lithium sulfate into high-quality lithium products. The technology can be adapted to different capacities and is designed to be co-located with upstream lithium producers, as well as cathode and cell manufacturers. Additionally, Mangrove’s platform is being commercialized for the conversion of waste brines into valuable chemicals and desalinated water, contributing to more sustainable practices in the lithium supply chain.
Heirloom
Series A in 2022
Heirloom specializes in direct air capture technology aimed at enhancing the natural absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The company's innovative system accelerates the ability of limestone to capture CO2, allowing for its permanent storage underground. By operating on renewable energy, Heirloom's technology promotes carbon capture and utilization at a large scale, with the goal of removing significant amounts of atmospheric CO2. This approach not only minimizes secondary impacts but also supports clients in restoring the atmosphere through natural processes.
KoBold Metals
Series B in 2022
KoBold Metals operates as an AI-powered mineral exploration company focused on discovering materials essential for the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors. The company utilizes advanced software that aggregates and structures extensive scientific datasets, including geochemical, geophysical, and geological information. By applying various analytical techniques such as ensemble machine learning and computer vision, KoBold predicts subsurface compositions in a statistically valid manner. This innovative approach enhances the exploration efficiency for mineral resources, particularly cobalt, which is crucial for the electric vehicle industry. By merging ore-deposit science with big data and scientific computing, KoBold Metals aims to identify new sources of cobalt and support the sustainable supply chain for emerging technologies.
Mangrove Lithium
Series A in 2021
Mangrove Lithium, based in Vancouver, has developed a modular and scalable refining technology for the efficient production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide and carbonate from a variety of input streams. This innovative platform allows for the direct conversion of lithium chloride and lithium sulfate into high-quality lithium products. The technology can be adapted to different capacities and is designed to be co-located with upstream lithium producers, as well as cathode and cell manufacturers. Additionally, Mangrove’s platform is being commercialized for the conversion of waste brines into valuable chemicals and desalinated water, contributing to more sustainable practices in the lithium supply chain.
Heirloom
Pre Seed Round in 2021
Heirloom specializes in direct air capture technology aimed at enhancing the natural absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The company's innovative system accelerates the ability of limestone to capture CO2, allowing for its permanent storage underground. By operating on renewable energy, Heirloom's technology promotes carbon capture and utilization at a large scale, with the goal of removing significant amounts of atmospheric CO2. This approach not only minimizes secondary impacts but also supports clients in restoring the atmosphere through natural processes.
Pachama
Seed Round in 2020
Pachama is a company that utilizes artificial intelligence and satellite technology to facilitate investments in natural climate solutions. Its platform combines machine learning, satellite imaging, drones, and lidar technologies to monitor and verify carbon capture by forests. By providing continuous insights into forest health, carbon sequestration, wildlife protection, and community benefits, Pachama enables companies to identify high-quality conservation projects and track their environmental impact over time. Additionally, the company supports land stewards in developing carbon projects, thereby helping them secure funding while advancing reforestation and conservation efforts. This approach not only aids businesses in offsetting their carbon emissions but also contributes to the protection and restoration of vital forest ecosystems.
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