FAQs

What is the Opalene Climate Capital Fund?
Opalene is an impact-oriented venture capital fund launched by VertueLab to scale place-based climate tech innovations with global relevance. It combines private, philanthropic, and public capital—matched 1:1 by the State of Washington—to accelerate early-stage climate solutions focused on mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, while prioritizing equity and inclusion.

Why is it called the Opalene Fund?
The name Opalene is inspired by nature—and by the Pacific Northwest itself. It evokes the iridescent, ever-changing quality of opal, found in regional geological formations like opal deposits in Washington and Oregon and opaline petrified wood in the Cascades. This shimmering quality reflects the fund’s mission: to spark transformation in a time of climate crisis.

Opalene also nods to resilience in nature, from the slow build of biogenic opal in diatoms to the rare, adaptive opaline secretions of sea hares. Like its namesake, the Opalene Fund is grounded in natural systems, regional identity, and the belief that bold solutions can emerge when we meet this moment with clarity and imagination.

Who is VertueLab?
VertueLab is a nonprofit climate tech investor and ecosystem builder based in the Pacific Northwest. For over 15 years, VertueLab has provided catalytic capital and hands-on support to more than 60 climate startups—helping them grow from prototype to commercialization through funding, technical assistance, and strategic partnerships with researchers, investors, and public agencies.

What kinds of companies does Opalene support?
We invest in early-stage startups based in—or significantly operating within—Washington State. We’re looking for solutions that can scale and create lasting climate impact in areas such as:

●      Climate Resilience – Microgrids, circular systems, carbon capture, digital infrastructure, and earth-safe materials
●      Climate Mitigation – Clean energy and storage, low-emission manufacturing, green building, agtech, and sustainable transportation
●      Overlooked Ventures – We prioritize ventures led by BIPOC, women, rural, and frontline-community founders

Why Washington?
Washington is not just a great place to build climate tech—it’s one of the most mature and dynamic climate innovation ecosystems in the world. It’s home to a $1 trillion economy and a legacy of global innovation. Some of the most successful companies in history were founded here.

Key advantages include:

●      Deep strengths in energy-impacted sectors: artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, sustainable aviation, and maritime
●      Cutting-edge IP from leading institutions like UW, WSU, and PNNL
●      State-supported energy demonstration and piloting infrastructure
●      Over $2 billion committed through Washington’s climate-focused cap-and-invest program
●      A state government actively investing in equitable, science-backed climate action

At a time when federal leadership is lagging, Washington is stepping up—and Opalene is here to leverage that momentum to support homegrown innovations with global potential.

How is the fund structured?
Opalene includes multiple pathways for participation:

●      Main Venture Fund – Equity investments in early-stage, scalable climate tech
●      Sidecar Fund – Flexible supplemental capital for co-investments and follow-on
●      Philanthropic Program – Recoverable grants and ecosystem support funded by foundations and DAFs

All components are aligned with VertueLab’s mission to advance equitable climate solutions.

What makes Opalene different from traditional funds?
Opalene was designed to do what traditional capital often can’t: move bold, early-stage climate solutions forward with urgency and equity. Here’s what sets it apart:

●      Blended Capital Structure – Opalene combines equity investment, recoverable grants, and philanthropic contributions in one platform. This blended approach reduces risk, unlocks public match dollars, and makes it easier for a range of investors and donors to participate.
●      Catalytic Capital – Designed to de-risk innovation and accelerate scalable solutions that address our most pressing climate challenges.
●      Public-Private Leverage – Every private or philanthropic dollar is matched 1:1 by Washington State, amplifying impact.
●      Inclusive Investing – Targets ventures led by BIPOC, women, rural, and frontline-community founders—those often overlooked by mainstream capital.
●      Mission-Driven Sponsor – Launched by VertueLab, a nonprofit with over 15 years of climate tech investment and ecosystem-building experience.

How can investors get involved?
Opalene is an ideal vehicle for:

●      Impact Investors – Participate via equity in the main fund (PRI/MRI eligible)
●      Philanthropists and DAFs – Contribute catalytic capital through recoverable grants or donations
●      Family Offices and Foundations – Align financial goals with climate and social impact

Minimums vary by type, and all contributions support scaling urgent climate innovations.

Why is this a powerful opportunity for investors and philanthropists?
In the absence of consistent federal action, investors and philanthropists have a critical role to play. Opalene offers a tangible, innovative way to step up—powering homegrown climate technologies that can scale across the globe. Your capital doesn’t just fund companies—it accelerates systemic change.

Want to learn more? Let’s chat!