Azolla Ventures
Impact investorActively deployingCambridge · Pre-Seed–Seed · 19 people tracked
Also known as AZOLLA MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LP · Azolla Ventures Catalytic
Find your way into Azolla Ventures
5,700 people in our graph share verified history with the Azolla Ventures team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Investment thesis
Azolla Ventures focuses on the earliest-stage climate ventures, prioritizing impact and seeking breakthroughs capable of gigaton-scale CO2e reductions. Founded by the nonprofit Prime Coalition and enabled by catalytic capital, the firm takes on high-risk, high-reward opportunities that fall outside conventional venture norms. It emphasizes both large-scale emissions reduction and a more just climate for all, backing bold entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds who are working to avert catastrophic climate change.
Source: firm website, verified Sep 15, 2026.
Team · 19 people
from the firm's website & curated & public directories
Founder mafia
3 people who came through Azolla Ventures went on to found or lead other companies.
What they invest in
from 35 of 50 portfolio companiesCleantech ×23Climate Tech ×18Energy ×16Deep Tech ×9New Materials ×7Hardware ×6AgTech ×5AI & Machine Learning ×5
HQs:United States×34Canada×1Germany×1Norway×1
Who they back
founder profiles across 27 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×132 founders×73 founders×54+ founders×2
Where their founders studiedfrom 27 founders with education data
Brigham Young University ×2Yale School of Management ×2
What their founders studiedfrom 28 founders with field-of-study data
Engineering ×13Chemistry ×7Life Sciences ×2Physics ×2
Where their founders worked beforefrom 31 founders with career history
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ×5Stanford University ×3Avalanche Energy Designs ×2Berkeley Lab ×2Caltech ×2University of British Columbia ×2
21 founders hold a PhD · 5 hold an MBA (of 29 with degree data) · backed the same founder in 2+ companies: 6 founders
Investments · 50 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 22025 · 72024 · 52023 · 22022 · 32021 · 221 dated
Funga restores forest soil microbiomes by reintroducing native, growth-promoting fungal communities to degraded land, aiming to speed forest growth and increase carbon captured in wood biomass.
AgTechBiotechClimate TechAustin, US
Dr. Colin Averill(Founder, CEO)inErika Randolph(Chief Operating Officer)inJosh Parrish(Chief Growth Officer)in
Board seatMatthew Nordan· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsBetter VenturesTrailhead CapitalBetter Ventures Central LlcCollaborative Fund
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Calcarea develops nature-based solutions to decarbonize the economy, focusing on carbon capture and removal technologies.
CleantechClimate TechDeep TechPasadena, US
Andy StevensonJess AdkinsinPierre ForininWill Berelson
Co-investorsGrantham FoundationPropeller VC
Oxylus Energy develops electrolyzers that convert captured CO2 into low-carbon methanol using renewable power, which can be further upgraded into sustainable aviation fuels.
CleantechClimate TechEnergyNew Haven, US
Perry Bakas(Chief Executive Officer | Co-Founder)inHarrison Meyer(Cofounder)inConor Rooney(Chief Technology Officer | Co-Founder)in
Co-investorsConnecticut InnovationsEarth FoundryToyota VenturesEnergy Foundry
Philadelphia, US
Joanne Norris(Executive Officer, Director)Nick Martin(Executive Officer, Director)inJo Norris(Cofounder)
Board seatAmy Duffuor· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsThe Innovation SpaceGaingelsPlug and Play VenturesRise of the Rest Seed
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Clean Crop develops plasma-based seed treatment technology and hardware systems for treating seeds and food surfaces in the agriculture sector.
AgTechCleantechFoodTechHardwareHolyoke, US
Daniel White(Executive Officer, Director)inDaniel Cavanaugh(Co-founder)in
BoardTom Boddez(Director)Justin Frankert(Director)Pete Oberle(Director)
Board seatAmy Duffuor· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsBread And Butter Ventures, LlcClimate Impact CapitalInnova Memphis, Inc.Prime Impact FundR/GA VenturesRed Beard Ventures+2 more
BiotechSan Francisco, US
Sarah Richardson(Executive Officer, Director)Rik Wehbring(Director)Jeffrey Anderson(Executive Officer, Director)
Board seatMatthew Nordan· per SEC Form D · $15.7M raise · filed Jan 2022
Co-investorsISVPrime Impact Fund
Noon Energy develops ultra-long-duration battery storage using a reversible solid oxide fuel cell and carbon-based storage media to deliver 100+ hours of clean, firm power.
CleantechClimate TechDeep TechEnergyPalo Alto, US
Mary Kalee Whitehouse(Executive Officer, Promoter)Chris Graves(Co-founder)Kalee Whitehouse(Co-founder)Richard M. Swanson(Director)
Board seatAmy Duffuor· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsAt One VenturesClean Energy VenturesPrime Impact FundTechEnergy VenturesXplorer CapitalAramco Ventures
Currence (Sightline Climate) offers a data platform that pairs an AI data engine with expert analysts to turn thousands of sources into proprietary data, models, and forecasts on energy and climate technology.
AI & Machine LearningClimate TechData & InfrastructureScarsdale, US
Kimberly Zou(Executive Officer, Director)Sophie Purdom(Director)
BoardJason Kalira(Director)George Chalmers(Director)Mark Taylor(Director)
Board seatMatthew Nordan· per SEC Form D · $7.2M raise · filed Aug 2024
Co-investorsAccelr8Cool Climate CollectiveMolten VenturesThe Westly GroupRed Sea Ventures
SiTration develops silicon-based electro-extraction (SEE) and nano-filtration (SNF) technologies that recover metals and critical minerals from mining waste, leachate, and recycled material using electricity and no added chemicals.
CleantechDeep TechNew MaterialsCambridge, US
Brendan Smith(Executive Officer, Director)inJeffrey Grossman(Director)
Board seatMatthew Nordan· per SEC Form D
Co-investorsCarbonThe E14 FundWorking Capital FundBHP VenturesExtantia CapitalOrion Industrial Ventures
Aikido Technologies develops technologies for clean energy and intelligence infrastructure to support a sustainable future.
AI & Machine LearningCleantechData & InfrastructureEnergy
Co-investorsPropeller VC
Avalanche Energy develops compact fusion technology to generate high-energy neutrons for materials testing, radioisotope production, and advanced nuclear battery systems serving defense, space, and commercial power applications.
Deep TechDefense TechEnergyRichland, US
Robin Langtry(Co-Founder, CEO)inBrian Riordan(Co-Founder, COO)in
Co-investorsCongruent VenturesFounders FundLowercarbon CapitalRA CapitalToyota VenturesAutodesk Foundation+3 more
Uses UV light signals to boost seed and seedling genetic potential; domiciled in the USA.
Palmerston North
Jason Wargent(Executive Officer)inSteven Sibulkin(Executive Officer, Director)Mark Brown(Director)Mary Dimou(Director)John Bedbrook(Director)Kirsty Bellringer(Director)
Co-investorsAngel HQArc AngelsBooster Innovation FundIcehouse VenturesiSelect FundNelson Angels+2 more
Charm Industrial converts agricultural residues into bio-oil and injects it underground to remove carbon from the atmosphere at scale.
AgTechCleantechClimate Tech
Shaun Meehan(Chief Scientist and co-founder)in
Co-investorsBreyer CapitalCongruent VenturesKinnevikLIONHEART VENTURESPrime Impact FundSystemiq Capital+8 more
C-Motive designs electric motors and machines for renewable energy generation, electric mobility, and industrial applications, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions through improved efficiency.
Advanced ManufacturingCleantechEnergyHardwareMadison, US
Co-investorsClean Energy VentureEvergreen Climate InnovationsExposition VenturesPrime Impact FundStarlight Ventures
Acquired by Palo Alto Networks
Dan Benjamin(Founder)in
Co-investorsSelah VenturesSignalFireAvilaBaukunstKoa LabsSuffolk Technologies
Dig Energy develops technology to lower the cost of drilling for distributed geothermal energy, aiming to make geothermal heating and cooling cost-competitive for buildings.
CleantechClimate TechEnergy
Dulcie Madden(Co-Founder & CEO)Thomas Lipoma(Co-Founder & CTO)Dan Jepeal(VP Engineering)
Co-investorsAvilaBaukunstSunna Ventures
Erg Bio converts waste biomass into fermentable sugars and intermediates for synthetic aviation fuels and chemicals, using an advanced solvent process and a proprietary yeast that produces enzymes and ferments sugars.
BiotechCleantechEnergyDublin, US
Vineet Rajgarhia(Co-founder & CEO)inBlake Simmons(Co-founder & CTO)inMichael Rabson(Co-founder & Strategic Advisor)in
Co-investorsFREEFLOWJuniperLichen VenturesChevron Technology Ventures
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FAST Metals recovers critical minerals — iron, alumina, titania, and rare earths — from industrial waste streams such as red mud, bauxite residue, and tailings using a low-temperature hydrometallurgical process that removes iron first, deployed via mobile modular skids at refinery sites.
Circular EconomyCleantechNew Materials
Sumedh Gostu(CEO & Co-Founder)inAnthony Staley(Executive Advisor & Co-Founder)in
Co-investorsConnecticut InnovationsNew Climate Ventures
Gradient manufactures a window-mounted 120V heat pump for residential heating and cooling that installs without drilling or refrigerant handling.
CleantechClimate TechHardwarePropTechSan Francisco, US
Vince Romanin(Founder)in
Co-investorsAt One VenturesClimate InvestmentISVNew Climate VenturesSafar PartnersThird Sphere+1 more
HEATEN builds industrial heat pumps that recover waste heat from industrial processes such as steelmaking and convert it into clean power and heat.
CleantechClimate TechEnergyRemscheid, DE
Bernd Loeser(CEO)in
Co-investorsAdvent InternationalNysnø Climate InvestmentsShell Ventures
Lilac Solutions develops direct lithium extraction technology using ceramic ion exchange media, enabling fast, clean, and affordable lithium production from brines for the electric vehicle and battery industries.
CleantechClimate TechEnergyNew MaterialsOakland, US
David Snydacker(President & Chief Technology Officer)inNicholas Goldberg(Chief Legal Officer of Issuer)David Gelinas(Chief Financial Officer of Issuer)inRaef Sully(Chief Executive Officer of Issuer)in
BoardClay Dumas(Director)inDavid Danielson(Director)in
Co-investorsBreakthrough Energy VenturesLowercarbon CapitalBMW i VenturesMount Wilson VenturesPrelude VenturesPresidio Ventures+8 more
Mafix makes a soil additive for agriculture that aims to restore soil health and increase crop yields while capturing atmospheric CO₂.
AgTechCleantechClimate TechMountain View, US
Jade Marcus(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Matthew Kanan(Director, Promoter)
BoardJilian Chase(Director)
Co-investorsSilicon ValleyAstera InstituteIMPACT SCIENCE VENTURESPlug and Play Ventures
Muon Vision uses cosmic ray muons to provide 4D continuous subsurface monitoring, delivering volumetric scan data on heap leach pads, tailings dams, and underground assets.
Deep TechHardwareIoTCambridge, US
Tancredi Botto(Founder)in
Co-investorsStarshot
NetZeroNitrogen develops a biofertilizer product intended to replace synthetic nitrogen fertilizer, aiming to give farmers comparable or better yields at lower cost and reduced environmental impact.
AgTechBiotechClimate Tech
Gary Devine(CSO/Founder)Jason Michael Blake(CEO)Sinan Beşkök(COO)
Co-investorsReventWorld Fund
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Rain develops autonomous drone systems for detecting and suppressing wildfire ignitions in forest environments.
AI & Machine LearningClimate TechDefense TechRoboticsBritish Columbia, CA
MaxEphraimBryan
Co-investorsConvective CapitalHAWKTAILVoLo Earth Ventures
EQON provides control systems for heating cables in ice- and snow-melting installations for cities and commercial buildings, using available data to reduce energy consumption by up to 80%.
CleantechEnergyIoT
Rock Zero is a technology company with chemistry, materials, and process engineering teams working on chemical and materials science-based technology.
CleantechDeep TechEnergyNew MaterialsCambridge, US
Camden Hunt(Co-Founder & CEO)inBenjamin Mowbray(Co-Founder & CTO)inYet-Ming Chiang(Co-Founder & CIO)in
Co-investorsBlindspot Ventures Management CoToyota Ventures
Scalvy builds a modular power electronics platform based on distributed "Power Neurons" that convert and control power at the edge of energy loads, replacing centralized high-voltage conversion.
CleantechEnergyHardwareSunnyvale, US
Amr Ibrahem(Founder)in
Co-investorsDoon CapitalSilicon Badia
Silicon Badia is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology startups across multiple industries.
Co-investorsAMK Investment OfficeCisco InvestmentsBECO CapitalClimate CapitalSilicon BadiaSkyRiver Ventures
Still Bright develops hydrometallurgical copper extraction technology that replaces traditional smelting, aiming to recover copper and other critical metals more efficiently and with less pollution.
CleantechClimate TechNew MaterialsNew Jersey, US
Randy Allen(CEO, Co-founder)inJon Vardner(CTO, Co-founder)inScott Banta(Co-Founder)Alan West(Chief Science Officer, Co-founder)
Co-investorsBreakthrough Energy VenturesMaterial ImpactSOSV
Sublime Systems develops an energy-saving, carbon-reducing process for manufacturing cement from previously inaccessible minerals.
CleantechClimate TechConstruction TechNew MaterialsBoston, US
Leah Ellis(Co-founder)inYet-Ming Chiang(Co-founder)inRob Davies(Chief Executive Officer)in
Co-investorsCongruent VenturesEnergy Impact PartnersLOWERCARBONLowercarbon CapitalPrime Impact FundSteel Atlas+3 more
Tynt develops a patented Reversible Metal Electrodeposition (RME) platform for dynamic dimming and smart tinting of transparent surfaces, ranging from smart eyewear to building facades.
CleantechDeep TechHardwareNew MaterialsBoulder, US
Michael McGehee(Chief Scientist)Tyler Hernandez(CEO & Co-founder)inMichael Strand(Cofounder)inAmeen K. Saafir(President)inJohn Dwyer(COO + CPO)in
BoardSebastian Peck(Director)in
Co-investorsAvilaBuff Gold VenturesKOMPAS VCPrime Impact FundDisruptive VenturesGreycroft+3 more
Verdox develops an electrochemical carbon capture system that uses electrical energy alone to capture and release CO₂ from both industrial point sources and ambient air.
CleantechClimate TechDeep Tech
Co-investorsBreakthrough Energy VenturesLOWERCARBONLowercarbon CapitalOUP (Osage University Partners)Prime Impact Fund
Vesta develops Marine Enhanced Rock Weathering, adding carbon-removing olivine sand to coastal systems to permanently remove carbon dioxide, reduce ocean acidity, and support shoreline protection.
CleantechClimate TechImpact & Social Good
PartnerJohanna Wolfson· led
Co-investorsAutodesk FoundationPrime Impact FundAndreessen HorowitzBain Capital VenturesConversion CapitalZigg Capital
Via Separations makes industrial membrane filtration systems that cut the energy used in thermal separation processes.
Cambridge, US
Brent Keller(Executive Officer, Director)inShreya Dave(Executive Officer, Director)in
BoardKatie Rae(Director)inArunas Chesonis(Director)in
Co-investorsCapTableClimate InvestmentPrime Impact FundSafar PartnersEmbark VenturesThe Engine Ventures
Zanskar develops geothermal energy projects using AI and advanced geoscience to map subsurface resources and deliver utility-scale, carbon-free power.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechEnergy
Carl Hoiland(Founder & CEO)inJoel Edwards(Founder)in
Co-investorsClearvision VenturesFirst Star VenturesGVP ClimateLOWERCARBONLowercarbon CapitalObvious Ventures+6 more
Zanskar uses geoscience, AI, and advanced drilling methods to map the Earth's subsurface and identify geothermal resources that have been overlooked or considered too risky.
AI & Machine LearningClimate TechEnergy
Carl Hoiland(Founder)inJoel Edwards(Founder)in
Co-investorsPrime Impact FundSafar PartnersBessemer Venture PartnersFirst Star VenturesLowercarbon CapitalObvious Ventures+3 more
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
Aikido TechnologiesAvalanche Energy DesignsScalvySense LabsC-Motive TechnologiesEQONMuon VisionNetZeroNitrogenRainRock ZeroSublime SystemsVeloz Bio
Rows marked “SEC filing” are inferred from directors named on the company's SEC Form D — public regulatory data, not a portfolio list published by the firm.
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesDig · northernvirginiamag.com · Aug 27, 2026
Mafix · igrownews.com · Aug 21, 2026
Sightline Climate · blog.mean.ceo · Aug 19, 2026
Zanskar · x.com · Aug 6, 2026
FAST Metals · steel-technology.com · Aug 3, 2026
Lilac Solutions · intelligence360.news · Jul 22, 2026
Charm Industrial · trysignalbase.com · Jun 12, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Azolla Ventures made?
- Azolla Ventures has 50 tracked investments, including 10 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Azolla Ventures invest at?
- Azolla Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What sectors does Azolla Ventures focus on?
- Azolla Ventures focuses on Cleantech, Climate Tech, Energy, Impact & Social Good.
- Where is Azolla Ventures located?
- Azolla Ventures is headquartered in Cambridge, US.
- Does Azolla Ventures lead rounds?
- Azolla Ventures typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
- Who does Azolla Ventures co-invest with?
- Azolla Ventures most often shares deals with Prime Impact Fund, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Congruent Ventures, among 84 tracked co-investors.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamAmy Duffuor | Co-Founder & General Partner, Azolla Ventures
ZNRG - The ZENERGY Podcast · Amy Duffuor
Matthew Nordan, General Partner with Azolla Ventures, on #catalyticcapital
macfound · Matthew Nordan
Climate Investors Series: Matthew Nordan (Azolla Ventures)
Work on Climate · Matthew Nordan
Images
Co-investors · 8
Propeller VC operates through a formal multi-year partnership with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, giving it direct access to scientists and IP while building companies out of ocean science labs through a defined tech-transfer process that spins out startups with scientists as founders. The fund refuses capital from oil companies and has helped establish the three-vertical framework (Ocean Carbon, Ocean Industrials, and Ocean Organics) that major institutions like J.P. Morgan now use to define the blue-tech investment landscape.
Avila is an investment firm focused on companies at the intersection of software and physical/hardware technologies, aiming to modernize foundational industries.
Silicon Badia is a venture capital firm that partners with entrepreneurs to solve major global problems, having invested in over 100 startups across more than 15 tech industries since 2012.
Clean Energy Ventures is a climate-focused venture capital firm that has invested for nearly two decades in breakthrough climate technologies, backing founders who combine defensible science with strong commercial fundamentals.
Zero Carbon Capital invests in hard science companies developing climate change solutions. The firm focuses on commercialization across various development stages.
GV (Google Ventures) is a venture capital firm that has invested in artificial intelligence and machine learning since its early days, building a global portfolio of more than 100 AI companies across infrastructure, life sciences, and applications.
Redalpine is a multi-stage venture investment advisor with Swiss roots and a pan-European focus, active since 2006, that invests at the intersection of software and science.
Firms observed investing alongside Azolla Ventures, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Azolla Ventures's recorded portfolio.
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