Breakthrough Energy Ventures, an initiative founded by Bill Gates, is currently raising its third fund with a new SEC filing revealing a $839 million fund. The new fund will focus on investing in climate innovations in areas such as Electricity, Transportation, Manufacturing, Buildings, and Food and Agriculture. The initiative was launched in 2015 with support from industry leaders like Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jack Ma all pledging to contribute to a climate investment fund. Since then, Breakthrough Energy has invested nearly $2 billion into over 100 companies and has other programs supporting various climate-related endeavors.
In addition to Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Bill Gates also has other climate-related projects such as TerraPower, which recently broke ground on a nuclear power plant in Wyoming. Breakthrough Energy Ventures focuses on funding companies that are ready to scale their technologies through programs like Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and Breakthrough Energy Fellows. These programs support basic research, new startups, and initiatives promoting climate-related policy, government engagement, public outreach, and in-house science. The investment focus for the new fund will be similar to their previous funds, encompassing various areas crucial for combating climate change.
The Breakthrough Energy Summit held in 2022 in Seattle saw a gathering of industry leaders and experts in the field of climate tech. Speakers included Microsoft President Brad Smith, John Kerry, and Jennifer Granholm, among others. The summit provided an opportunity to discuss and address key issues related to climate change and foster collaboration among industry leaders. It highlighted the importance of investing in innovative solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change and transition to a more sustainable future.
Breakthrough Energy Ventures has been instrumental in supporting groundbreaking technologies and startups that are working towards a more sustainable future. With a focus on key areas like Electricity, Transportation, Manufacturing, Buildings, and Food and Agriculture, the initiative aims to drive innovation and create scalable solutions to address climate challenges. The substantial investments made by Breakthrough Energy Ventures into various companies demonstrate its commitment to supporting impactful projects that have the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.
As one of the founders of Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Bill Gates has been actively involved in advancing climate solutions through various initiatives. The launch of the new fund signals the continuation of their commitment to investing in innovative technologies that can make a difference in the fight against climate change. By supporting startups, conducting basic research, and promoting policy and government engagement, Breakthrough Energy Ventures is playing a crucial role in driving progress towards a sustainable future. The recent summit hosted by Breakthrough Energy provided a platform for industry leaders to come together and discuss the urgent need for climate action and the importance of investing in technologies that can help address the global climate crisis.
