Like a groundhog and its shadow, many venture capitalists see a shrink economy and dig their way out, resting their check-signing hand for better days.
But climate-focused VCs have been ripping lately, pumping more than a billion dollars a quarter into startups striving to cut emissions as the Soil bakes.
Buoyant Ventures is such solid momentum for the industry. Based in Chicago, the investor told regulators this week via an SEC filing that it has blocked just over $50 million from a new fund. Buoyant declined to comment when toptecheasy.com sent an email, but the filing shows that the company has been raising money for the fund since at least May 2021. So far, 75 (unnamed) limited partners have contributed and Buoyant is fishing for just $50 million more.
Led by Electronic Arts and Energize Ventures alum Amy Francetic and former Accenture executive Allison Myers, Buoyant’s first deal dates back to the summer of 2020. Raptor Cardswhich aims to help solar parks squeeze more juice from the sun by spotting problems — such as panel damage and shade — with drones and sensors.
Buoyant said in 2021 it is targeting “solutions for the industries that contribute most to carbon emissions,” including energy, transportation, agriculture and buildings. Since then, it has funded at least four other early-stage startups, including: FloodFlash, StormSensor and others who want to monetize emissions reduction or climate adaptation.
Several other notable (and climate-adjacent) VC fundraisers have crossed our desk in recent weeks, including Fifth Wall‘s $500 million fund, Climentum Capital ($157 million), Equal Ventures ($94.8 million) and Systemiq Capital ($70 million).
