What stage does VertueLab invest at?

VertueLab invests at the Seed stage.

Where is VertueLab located?

VertueLab is headquartered in Portland, US.

VertueLab

Impact investor

Portland · Seed · 7 people tracked

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Investment thesis

VertueLab focuses on advancing climate solutions by supporting entrepreneurs developing climate tech. Operating since 2007 in the Pacific Northwest, it connects entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and impacted communities to address climate challenges. The organization provides technical assistance, mentorship, and access to funding, and runs accelerator programs such as the Cascadia Cleantech Accelerator (a joint program with CleanTech Alliance). Its mission centers on rebuilding solutions rooted in real community needs to drive tangible climate impact.

Invests inAdvanced Manufacturing Cleantech Climate Tech FoodTech Impact & Social Good SaaSPortlandUnited States

Source: firm website, verified Aug 16, 2026.

Stage

Seed

Portland, US

Instruments

Grants

Founded

2007

AUM

$9.5M

Tracked investments

Team · 7 people

from the firm's website

Aina Abiodun· President & Executive Director

A climate tech founder with executive leadership, brand strategy and entrepreneurship experience, and an MFA from UCLA's film school. She was the first Black woman to run a venture-backed tech company in Germany and is a recognized thought leader on equity and climate.

Felicia Kang· Finance & Business Operations Director

With over seven years in nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, she leads finance and accounting with a focus on fiscal sustainability and manages day-to-day operations at VertueLab.

Jacqueline Benitez-Harvey· Chief of Staff

A second-generation Mexican American with a background in legal and business administration and a bachelor's degree in Sociology and Business Administration from Portland State University.

Joy Ren· Grants & Fundraising Manager

Manages VertueLab's institutional funding partnerships with foundations, government entities and corporate foundations, and holds a Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University.

Leo Ochoa· Managing Director

A designer, inventor and entrepreneur who founded Dorsum, holds design, ethnic studies and business degrees, and has worked at Columbia Sportswear and Philips Healthtech Innovation Center.

Mike Witteman· Entrepreneur-in-Residence

A leader with 30+ years bringing new technologies to market who pioneered the Intel Labs Venturing Program and invested in early-stage startups; holds a BS from Oregon State and an MBA from Duke.

Phoebe Stein· Communications Assistant

A Wesleyan University graduate in Anthropology and Environmental Studies who supports VertueLab's communications and mission.

What they invest in

from 1 of 1 portfolio companies

Advanced Manufacturing ×1Cleantech ×1Climate Tech ×1Deep Tech ×1Enterprise Software ×1

HQs:United States×1

Investments · 1 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

Aquaggaaquagga.comin

Aquagga develops field-deployable technology that uses a patented hydrothermal process to permanently destroy PFAS chemicals, breaking them down into harmless byproducts.

Advanced ManufacturingCleantechClimate TechDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareTacoma, US

Brian Pinkard(Cofounder)Nigel Sharp(Co-Founder & former CEO)Christopher Woodruff(Executive Officer, Director)

Frequently asked questions

What stage does VertueLab invest at?: VertueLab invests at the Seed stage.
What sectors does VertueLab focus on?: VertueLab focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, Cleantech, Climate Tech, FoodTech, Impact & Social Good, SaaS.
Where is VertueLab located?: VertueLab is headquartered in Portland, US.

Media · Podcasts & interviews

featuring the team

The opportunity in local climate innovation with VertueLab’s Aina Abiodun

ImpactAlpha · Aina Abiodun

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