Our Approach
We take a four-pronged approach to investing in companies and filling gaps in the market: catalytic capital, project expertise, local partnership, and investor mobilization.
Over 17 years of investing we have built a unique approach to accelerating climate innovation.
Catalytic Capital
“The D-SAFE gave us the early momentum we needed to get our first commercial facility off the ground and unlock our Series B round. The flexibility built into the structure also created room on our cap table to expand employee stock options and invest in our team. There wasn’t another good way to do this. Elemental’s flexible financing made the difference.” – Nicolas Pinkowski, Nitricity Co-Founder and CEO
Project Expertise
“47% of clean energy and data center projects were canceled in 2025, with community opposition playing a significant role. These cancellations aren’t abstract; they represent real potential for impact and real dollars lost. It’s a privilege to help shift this dynamic, working hand-in-hand with our companies to deploy technology in partnership with communities.” - Daniella Henry, Elemental Impact Senior Director of Portfolio Coaching
Local Partnership
“Elemental’s support enabled Ebb to move from a promising pilot to a permitted and operating, community-backed project. This collaboration not only advanced Ebb’s mission to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere, but also created lasting benefits for the Port Angeles community and set a model for climate infrastructure worldwide.” – Ben Tarbell, Ebb Carbon Co-Founder and CEO
Investor Mobilization
“There are so many innovative technologies under development that can slash emissions and become great businesses, if they can just find a way to scale up enough to compete with incumbents. That’s what makes this work so exciting to me—working closely with entrepreneurs at the frontier of innovation to knock down financial barriers and mobilize capital toward the most promising and impactful opportunities of our time.” - Jackson Morton, Elemental Impact Senior Manager of Investments & Innovation
Catalytic Capital
Capital that moves when founders need it
At Elemental, we provide flexible funding that fills critical gaps, de-risks projects, and allows entrepreneurs to attract follow-on funding. We provide the right capital at the right time by using proven tools—like equity investments and SAFEs—and creative instruments like our Development-SAFE, created with Wilson Sonsini.
Project Expertise
Coaching that unlocks scale
As part of our model to commercialize new technology, Elemental pairs every investment in a promising startup with tailored, wrap-around coaching. This ensures that entrepreneurs have the technical resources they need to successfully implement projects, tackle business challenges, and grow their impact.
Local Partnership
Founders agree that community is key to success
Last year, when federal climate policy was undergoing a drastic overhaul, Elemental continued to focus on the local impacts that our startups are making in communities.
In 2025, Elemental worked on 8 project ribbon cuttings and technology showcases in both major metropolitan centers and rural communities. Our team ensured that elected officials and local leaders were present to experience the impact on jobs, public health, safety, and economic development in these regions—part of a strategy on long-term relationship building.
Investor Mobilization
Investor connections that drive growth
The Elemental team works hand in hand with our portfolio companies to determine their financing needs, making direct connections to new investors and capital providers.
