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Prelude Ventures

North America, California, United States, San Francisco

Description

Prelude Ventures is a prominent venture capital firm established in 2009, headquartered in San Francisco, and singularly focused on investing in climate-centric companies. The firm's expansive investment thesis covers a broad spectrum of critical sectors essential for global decarbonization and sustainability, including energy, food and agriculture, advanced materials, transportation, industrial efficiency, and water. Prelude Ventures is committed to identifying and nurturing innovative solutions that directly address the challenges of climate change, aiming to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable global economy through strategic capital and active partnership.

The firm primarily targets early-stage companies, with a strong emphasis on Seed, Series A, and Series B financing rounds. Prelude Ventures often takes on the role of a lead or co-lead investor, providing not only essential capital but also strategic guidance and operational support to its portfolio companies. Their typical initial check sizes range from $1 million to $10 million, reflecting their commitment to foundational investments in promising climate technologies. This investment strategy allows them to engage deeply with founders, helping to scale nascent solutions from early development to significant market impact.

Prelude Ventures has consistently expanded its capital base, demonstrating a growing conviction in the climate tech sector's potential. They have successfully raised multiple funds, with their most recent, Fund IV, closing at $250 million. This latest fund brings their total capital under management to over $700 million, underscoring their substantial and sustained commitment to the climate space. The firm's long-term perspective, coupled with its deep domain expertise, positions it to identify and support companies poised for both significant environmental benefits and robust economic returns.

Investor Profile

Prelude Ventures has backed more than 143 startups, with 10 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 39 rounds, about 27% of its total and boasts 14 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series A, Series B, Series C rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, Canada, Kenya.
  • Strong thematic focus on Software, Energy, Renewable Energy.
  • Led 6 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $1M – $10M.

Stage Focus

  • Series A (29%)
  • Series B (22%)
  • Series C (15%)
  • Seed (13%)
  • Series Unknown (10%)
  • Series D (7%)
  • Series E (3%)
  • Convertible Note (1%)
  • Series F (1%)

Country Focus

  • United States (93%)
  • Canada (5%)
  • Kenya (1%)
  • Australia (1%)

Industry Focus

  • Software
  • Energy
  • Renewable Energy
  • Manufacturing
  • Cleantech
  • Biotechnology
  • Analytics
  • Food Processing
  • Agtech
  • Food And Beverage
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Prelude Ventures frequently co-invest with?

The Engine
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 12
NGP Energy Technology Partners
North America, District of Columbia, United States, Washington
Co-Investments: 10
Congruent Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 12
S2G Ventures
North America, Illinois, United States, Chicago
Co-Investments: 12
Tao Capital Partners
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 11
Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 26
Energy Impact Partners
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 13
Alumni Ventures
North America, New Hampshire, United States, Manchester
Co-Investments: 14
Innovation Endeavors
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 9
Capricorn Investment Group
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 11

Which angels does Prelude Ventures often collaborate with?

JM
Europe, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, Berkeley
Shared Deals: 2
Jon Shields
North America, California, United States, Santa Barbara
Shared Deals: 1
RC
North America, Iowa, United States, Ames
Shared Deals: 2
GJ
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
LR
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Shared Deals: 1
JN
North America, California, United States, Los Angeles
Shared Deals: 2
AS
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
NJ
North America, California, United States, Los Angeles
Shared Deals: 2
ET
North America, California, United States, Oakland
Shared Deals: 1
JU
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2

What are some of recent deals done by Prelude Ventures?

Persefoni AI

Mesa, Arizona, United States

Persefoni AI provides a climate management and accounting platform for real-time management, analytics, and disclosure.

AnalyticsCleanTechGreenTechSaaSSoftwareSustainability
Series CMar 31, 2025
Amount Raised: $23,000,000
Augmenta

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Augmenta is driving a new level of efficiency for the construction industry by automating building design for contractors and engineers.

ArchitectureArtificial Intelligence (AI)CleanTechConstructionGenerative AISoftware
SeedMar 12, 2025
Amount Raised: $10,000,000
LuxWall

Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States

LuxWall is a building materials manufacturer that innovates the design and production of vacuum-insulated glass.

Building MaterialConstructionManufacturingSustainability
Series BOct 31, 2024
Amount Raised: $51,000,000
RedoxBlox

San Diego, California, United States

RedoxBlox develops thermochemical energy storage for decarbonizing industrial processes.

EnergyOil and GasPower Grid
Series AOct 30, 2024
Amount Raised: $30,000,000
Form Energy

Somerville, Massachusetts, United States

Form Energy is an energy technology company that produces electric grids and accelerates the transition to clean energy.

BatteryEnergyEnergy StoragePower GridRenewable Energy
Series FOct 9, 2024
Amount Raised: $405,000,000
Vaulted Deep

Houston, Texas, United States

Vaulted Deep provides proven technology solutions for permanent carbon removal to promote local environmental and community health.

Energy EfficiencyEnvironmental EngineeringWaste Management
Series AOct 2, 2024
Amount Raised: $32,300,000
Pyka

Alameda, California, United States

Pyka develops autonomous electric aircraft to transform agriculture and logistics with innovative technology.

AerospaceAir TransportationAutonomous VehiclesRobotics
Series BSep 23, 2024
Amount Raised: $40,000,000
Brightband

San Francisco, California, United States

Brightband is a software company that develops an advanced, end-to-end Earth System AI to improve weather and climate-related decisions.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Information TechnologySoftware
Series ASep 19, 2024
Amount Raised: $10,000,000
Branch Energy

Austin, Texas, United States

Branch Energy is a tech-powered, green energy company that helps reduce power consumption and supports clean energy projects.

Energy
Series AAug 7, 2024
Amount Raised: $10,800,000
Graphyte

Kent, Washington, United States

Graphyte utilizes a Carbon Casting technology for carbon removal

Series AJul 30, 2024
Amount Raised: $30,000,000