Backing pioneering Washington founders inventing solutions for local resilience and global climate impact.
Launched by the non-profit 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.
What are you building?
Funding applications open on August 3rd and close on August 24th.
FAQ:
What is impact investing?
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 is the entity that will appear on the cap table of the selected companies.
How are companies selected?
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. The Committee is composed of representatives from VertueLab’s board, the Opalene Management Company, and a WA-based climate tech investor who is unaffiliated with VertueLab.”
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.
