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Cerulean Ventures is a pre-seed venture capital firm founded in 2022, based in the United States. The firm focuses on supporting founders who apply artificial intelligence (AI) to develop innovative solutions for climate change. Cerulean Ventures aims to identify systemic leverage points across various sectors to facilitate significant changes in the economy. The firm has successfully closed its first fund, totaling $10 million, which was finalized during Climate Week NYC in September 2024.
Currently, Cerulean Ventures manages a portfolio of 33 companies, emphasizing investments in sectors that are often resistant to digital transformation. The firm operates primarily in the United States, Africa, and the European Union, with a commitment to backing teams that generate new environmental assets and develop digital tools for climate risk adaptation and mitigation. Notable milestones include their active engagement in the climate tech space and a strong network of strategic investors.
Cerulean Ventures invests in pre-seed and seed stage companies that utilize digital technologies, particularly AI, to create meaningful climate impact. The firm targets sectors that are often resistant to digital transformation, including mining, niche manufacturing, soft tropical commodities, and pharma supply chains. Their geographic focus spans the European Union, the United States, and Africa, aiming to back teams generating new environmental assets and developing digital tools for climate risk adaptation and mitigation.
The firm seeks to identify systemic leverage points across various sectors to facilitate transformative changes in the economy. Cerulean Ventures emphasizes investments in software and digital solutions that address hard problems in climate tech, particularly in carbon, energy, sustainable supply chains, and climate fintech. Their investment strategy is centered on supporting innovative startups that leverage AI to tackle climate challenges effectively.
Cerulean Ventures has built a diverse portfolio of 33 companies, focusing on innovative solutions for climate challenges. Notable portfolio companies include:
Matthew Stotts: Co-founder and Partner. Matthew has a background in technology marketing consultancy and has co-founded fintech companies. His expertise lies in guiding startups through operational challenges.
Jahed Momand: Co-founder and Partner. Jahed has experience as a DevOps SaaS co-founder and has held leadership roles in enterprise software product development. He focuses on supporting portfolio companies in scaling their operations.
Dr. Julie Pullen: Chief Scientist and Partner. Dr. Pullen is an advisor in ocean and climate science, bringing a scientific perspective to the firm's investment strategy.
Peter Olivier: Head of New Markets. Peter has experience with UNDO Carbon and serves as a carbon markets advisor, helping portfolio companies navigate the complexities of carbon finance.
Chadwick Manning: Founder of Eletriq Power and Renewable Energy Advisor. Chadwick provides insights into renewable energy solutions and their integration into portfolio strategies.
Dr. John Clippinger: Founder of ClearTrace and AI & Nature Finance Advisor. Dr. Clippinger focuses on the intersection of AI and environmental finance, guiding startups in leveraging technology for climate solutions.
Dr. Troy Cross: Professor of Philosophy at Reed College and Bitcoin Decarbonization Advisor. Dr. Cross offers a unique perspective on the philosophical implications of technology in climate finance.
To pitch Cerulean Ventures, founders should visit their Founder Intake page for detailed instructions. The firm prefers pitches that include a clear articulation of the business model, the technology being utilized, and the specific climate challenges being addressed. Founders should also outline their go-to-market strategy and any traction they have achieved to date.
Response times may vary, but founders can expect to hear back within a few weeks of submission. Cerulean Ventures values warm introductions, so leveraging connections within their network can enhance the chances of a successful pitch.
In September 2024, Cerulean Ventures closed its first fund at $10 million during Climate Week NYC. This milestone marks a significant step in the firm's commitment to supporting AI-driven solutions for climate challenges.
As of March 2026, Cerulean Ventures has made a total of 33 investments, focusing on sectors such as carbon, energy, sustainable supply chains, and climate fintech. Notable portfolio companies include Earthbanc, Jasmine Energy, CommonShare, and Regen Network.
The firm has been actively engaging with its portfolio and the broader ecosystem, emphasizing its focus on AI-driven solutions for climate challenges. Cerulean Ventures has also held events, such as a biodiversity roundtable at UN COP 16 in Cali, Colombia, in October 2024, showcasing its strong network in the climate and biodiversity sectors.
What are Cerulean Ventures' investment criteria?
Cerulean Ventures primarily invests in pre-seed and seed stage companies that leverage AI and digital technologies to address climate change. They focus on sectors resistant to digital transformation, such as mining, niche manufacturing, and pharma supply chains.
How can founders apply or pitch to Cerulean Ventures?
Founders interested in pitching to Cerulean Ventures can visit their Founder Intake page for more information on the application process.
What makes Cerulean Ventures different from other VC firms?
Cerulean Ventures distinguishes itself by focusing on AI-driven solutions for climate challenges and targeting sectors that are often overlooked by traditional venture capital. Their emphasis on systemic leverage points allows them to facilitate transformative changes in the economy.
What is the geographic scope of Cerulean Ventures' investments?
The firm invests primarily in the United States, Africa, and the European Union, aiming to support teams that generate new environmental assets and develop digital tools for climate risk adaptation and mitigation.
What type of support does Cerulean Ventures provide to portfolio companies?
Cerulean Ventures offers operational support, go-to-market strategy guidance, and financial planning assistance to its portfolio companies. Their experienced team works directly with founders to help navigate challenges and leverage opportunities in the climate tech space.
What is the size of Cerulean Ventures' fund?
Cerulean Ventures has closed its first fund at $10 million, which was finalized in September 2024 during Climate Week NYC.
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