Climatetech finance

This MIT-backed fund wants to solve the toughest climate problems

The Engine Ventures just raised $400M to help fill the vast funding gap for “tough tech” companies, including firms working to decarbonize heavy industries.

By Maria Gallucci . 27 June 2024

Katie Rae helmed The Engine from 2017 to 2023 and now leads its venture capital arm. (Tony Luong/The Engine Ventures)

Long-duration energy storage

Long-duration storage gets big boost with $325M from DOE

The department selected nine proposals with the goal of accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies, which could be key to cleaning up the grid.

By Julian Spector . 22 September 2023
Nuclear

Nuclear startup Oklo looks to rebound with backing from Sam Altman

The microreactor pioneer has a SPAC deal, signed customers and potential sources for its specialized fuel. Now it needs an OK from regulators.

By Eric Wesoff . 8 September 2023
Air travel

‘E-fuels’ are catching on as a way to decarbonize air travel

Massachusetts-based Lydian is the latest startup to raise funds to produce power-to-liquids fuels, which could emit less CO2 overall than fossil jet fuel.

By Maria Gallucci . 6 September 2023
Clean energy manufacturing

DOE offers $15.5 billion to retool existing auto plants for EVs

The Biden administration announced the funding amid auto workers’ concerns that shifting to electric cars could cut jobs from traditional manufacturing hubs.

By Maria Gallucci . 1 September 2023
Long-duration energy storage

Eos wins $400M DOE loan guarantee to build longer-lasting batteries

Long-duration energy storage is a tough business, but it's vital to decarbonizing the grid. Eos thinks its zinc-based batteries are the best candidate for the job.

By Jeff St. John . 31 August 2023
Recycling renewables

Redwood Materials lands $1B to boost its battery recycling efforts

The startup founded by Tesla alum JB Straubel wants to spend $7 billion on recycling to supply a U.S. battery industry now dependent on China.

By Jeff St. John . 30 August 2023
Energy efficiency

Redaptive lands $125M to expand no-money-down building efficiency

“Energy-as-a-service” providers like Redaptive take on the upfront cost of building energy upgrades — and use sensors and data to prove the work pays off over time.

By Jeff St. John . 24 August 2023
Climatetech finance

New tax-credit transfer rules could unlock $1T in cleantech investment

Today’s tax equity markets can’t handle the IRA’s flood of clean energy tax credits. A provision in the law could fix that, but only if corporate buyers step up.

By Jeff St. John . 18 August 2023
Clean energy manufacturing

The US climate law is fueling a factory frenzy. Here’s the latest tally

In just 12 short months, Biden's Inflation Reduction Act has spurred more than 100 new cleantech manufacturing announcements and nearly $80B in private investment.

By Dan McCarthy, Maria Virginia Olano . 16 August 2023
Solar

Con una nueva inversión de 32 millones de dólares, Bright acelerará instalaciones solares en México

La startup ha ayudado a instalar energía solar para 4700 clientes desde su fundación en 2015. Ahora, espera expandir a clientes comerciales.

By Eric Wesoff . 15 August 2023