Eric Toone
InvestorManaging Director at Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Durham, North Carolina
Writes $500K β $50M checks Β· typically $25M
About
CTO of Breakthrough Energy overseeing its technological roadmap, and Managing Partner of Breakthrough Energy Ventures. A former Duke University chemistry professor and Director of ARPA-E, he co-founded three pharmaceutical companies and holds over 30 patents.
Experience
- Breakthrough EnergyCTO, Breakthrough Energycurrent2022 β present
- Breakthrough EnergyManaging Partner, Breakthrough Energy Venturescurrent2017 β present
- Duke UniversityProfessor of Chemistry (Emeritus)current2018 β presentRaleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
- Duke UniversityProfessor of Chemistry and Professor of Biochemistry2002 β 2017Durham, NC
- Duke UniversityVice Provost and Director, Innovation & Entreprenuership Initiative2013 β 2017Durham, NC
- Duke UniversityAssociate Professor of Chemistry and Asscoiate Professor of Biochemistry1998 β 2001Durham, NC
- Duke UniversityAssociate Professor of Chemistry and Associate Professor of Biochemistry1996 β 1997Durham, NC
- Duke UniversityAssistnat Professor of Chemistry and Assistant Professor of Biochemistry1994 β 1996Durham, NC
- Duke UniversityAssistant Professor of Chemistry1990 β 1994Durham, NC
- U.S. Department of EnergyDeputy Director and Chief Technical Officer, Advanced Research Programs Agency - Energy2010 β 2012Washington, DC
- U.S. Department of EnergyProgram Director, Advanced Research Programs Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)2009 β 2010Washington, DC
Education
- Harvard UniversityPostdoctoral Fellowship, Chemistry1988 β 1990
- University of TorontoPh.D., Orgnaic Chemistry
- University of TorontoMaster of Science (M.Sc.), Organic Chemistry
- University of GuelphBachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Chemistry
Skills & more
Higher Education1ScienceUniversity TeachingSpectroscopyTeaching2Student AffairsStudent DevelopmentBiochemistry1Research2Chemistry2NMRGrant Writing
From Eric's professional profile.
Colleagues at Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Adam Wallen
Investor at Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Alice Jackson
Head of Grid Modeling at Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Allegra Kowalewski-Ferreira
Investor at Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Ashley Grosh
Head of Discovery at Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Ben Gaddy
Breakthrough Energy Discovery at Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Bhargavi Chevva
Investor at Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Bill Gates
Founder at Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Brenda Haendler
Breakthrough Energy Discovery at Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Network5
Adam Wallen
Investor at Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Allegra Kowalewski-Ferreira
Investor at Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Bhargavi Chevva
Investor at Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Brian Mayers
Breakthrough Energy Ventures at Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Carmichael Roberts
Investor at Material Impact
Investors connected to Eric in public investor directories β a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Eric Toone work?
- Eric Toone is Managing Director at Breakthrough Energy Ventures.
- What check size does Eric Toone write?
- Eric Toone typically writes checks of $500K β $50M.
Same school
Also attended Harvard University1,457
Alfred LinPartner at Sequoia CapitalChris DixonFounder & Managing Partner of a16z crypto at Andreessen HorowitzSarah TavelVenture Partner at BenchmarkDanny RimerPartner at Index VenturesLaela SturdyManaging Partner at CapitalGRyan IsonoDeal Partner at Felicis Ventures
+ 1,451 more
Also attended University of Toronto321
Yasmin RazaviInvestor at Spark CapitalImran BashirFounding Partner, Chief Operating Officer at Extreme Venture PartnersKarim GillaniGeneral Partner at Luge CapitalAndrew MiklasGeneral Partner at Y CombinatorMike MontanoInvestor at True VenturesAlex KolicichInvestment Team at 8VC
+ 315 more
Also attended University of Guelph30
Sarah WillsonPrincipal at Panache VenturesBrendan HusseyInvestor at JLSDaniel MuletPartner at Radical VenturesJoseph ReganSenior Managing Partner at BDC Venture CapitalJack FraserPartner at BDC Venture CapitalCarley-Rose HorowitzAssociate at Wittington Ventures
+ 24 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Duke University81
Fred EhrsamCo-founder and Senior Advisor at Paradigm; founder of NudgePae WuGeneral Partner at SOSVAkshita IyerCorporate Insights Lead at Tech Square VenturesMichael BrannanSr. Associate at Volition CapitalPaige MorschauserHead of Operations at Red Cell IncubationEvan HenleyAssociate, Investments at Capital One Ventures
+ 75 more
Also worked at U.S. Department of Energy38
Linda CuretonBoard Member at Maryland TEDCOJonathan BurbaumEntrepreneur-In-Residence at The Innovation SpaceEmily FritzePartner at The Westly GroupAniqua BokhariLegal Counsel at Red Cell IncubationBrandon HurlbutCo-Founder at Overture ClimateKate BrandtFund II Chair, Chief Sustainability Officer, Google at Overture Climate
+ 32 more



























