Backing pioneering Washington founders inventing solutions for local resilience and global climate impact.
Launched by the nonprofit VertueLab, the Opalene Climate Challenge mobilizes philanthropic capital to make catalytic investments in early-stage companies, accelerating clean tech innovation. The Challenge focuses on Washington state, home to one of the world’s most vibrant climate tech ecosystems.
We Invest In:
Opalene is geared toward startups at the Pre-seed to Series A stages. We make impact investments in scalable hardware, software, and AI-enabled clean tech startups with potential for global reach in the energy, mobility, built environment, agriculture, and industrial sectors. Our focus is on:
CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Innovation that helps communities withstand the stresses of climate change on our infrastructure, health, natural ecosystems, and economies.
OVERLOOKED VENTURES
WA- based climate tech startups, including visionary founders and teams historically excluded from venture capital.
CLIMATE MITIGATION
Reduction, prevention, or removal of greenhouse gas emissions, to minimize damage and repair our climate.
With a nearly $1 trillion economy, deep technical and business talent, and a suite of supportive climate policies, Washington State offers fertile ground for breakthrough solutions and scalable ventures.
The climate crisis won’t wait – and neither can we. Now is the time for funders and innovators to act.
Timeline:
August 24, 2026
Applications due by midnight Pacific Time
August 4, 2026 - September 2026
Company screening and due diligence
Finalists notified
September 18, 2026
Finalists present, and selected companies announced during the celebration event at the Seattle Climate Innovation Hub
October 1, 2026
October 2026
Investments made
What are you building?
The Opalene Climate Challenge is no longer accepting applications. Stay tuned — winners announced in October.
Things to know:
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The Opalene Climate Challenge applications will undergo screening and due diligence by the Opalene Management Company. A Selection Committee with experience in making investments and managing startup companies will make the investment decisions.
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The Opalene Climate Challenge will make multiple investments of $100,000 or more.
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Impact investing is an investment strategy that aims to generate positive, measurable social or environmental change alongside a financial return. The Opalene Climate Challenge pools philanthropic capital and invests it in cleantech companies, partnering with 501(c)(3) Realize Impact. Realize Impact will appear as the investor on the cap table of the selected companies.
The Opalene Challenge is supported by a generous group of people who are activating the philanthropic dollars in their donor-advised funds for direct impact on climate change.
We thank them for their generosity and solidarity.
Building on Our Specialized Experience
The Opalene Climate Challenge was launched by VertueLab, a Pacific Northwest nonprofit with 15+ years of climate tech startup acceleration and investing experience.
