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Prelude Ventures is a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in early-stage startups that address climate change mitigation. The firm employs a thesis-driven approach, leveraging subject matter expertise to back companies across critical sectors including built environments, carbon management, energy, and sustainable agriculture. Their investment strategy prioritizes scalable solutions and frontier technologies designed to generate both significant environmental impact and robust financial returns.
The firm was founded in 2009 by Nat Simons and Laura Baxter-Simons. Their initial insight stemmed from the belief that the future economy would be fundamentally shaped by the imperative to address climate needs. This conviction led them to establish an investment vehicle focused on supporting entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions. Prelude Ventures manages capital exclusively for Simons’ family philanthropic entities, indicating a deep-rooted commitment to their climate-centric mission.
Prelude Ventures partners with entrepreneurs and founders who are building the next generation of businesses aimed at transforming the global economy. Their vision is to accelerate climate innovation, reshaping industries for the betterment of people and the planet. They seek out and support companies with the potential for large, lasting positive impact, guiding them from their nascent stages through to successful scaling within the market.
Key people at Prelude Ventures.
Prelude Ventures is a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in early-stage startups that have the greatest potential to mitigate climate change. Their mission centers on addressing the urgent global challenge of climate change by backing bold entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions across multiple sectors. Their investment philosophy emphasizes supporting companies that can scale to meaningfully reduce greenhouse gas emissions while building category-defining businesses. Key sectors include the built environment, carbon management, energy, food and agriculture, mobility, manufacturing and industrials, and advanced computing. Prelude Ventures plays a critical role in the startup ecosystem by providing capital, expertise, and a network to climate-focused ventures, helping accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy[1][2][4].
Founded in 2009, Prelude Ventures emerged from the recognition that the future economy will be shaped by climate imperatives. The firm was created with a clear mandate to invest in and support companies that could turn the tide against climate change. Over time, Prelude has evolved to manage nearly $2 billion in assets, focusing exclusively on climate-related innovation. Key partners include Gabriel Kra (Co-Founder and Managing Director) and a small, generalist investment team that brings deep expertise in hardware, deep tech, and diverse business models. Their approach has expanded to include growth-stage investments alongside early-stage funding, reflecting their commitment to supporting companies throughout their lifecycle[3][5][6][7].
Prelude Ventures rides the accelerating global trend toward decarbonization and climate resilience, driven by increasing regulatory pressure, corporate commitments, and consumer demand for sustainability. The timing is critical as technological innovation and capital availability converge to enable scalable climate solutions. Market forces such as the energy transition, digitalization of climate data, and the need for sustainable food and materials systems create fertile ground for Prelude’s investments. By backing frontier technologies and business models, Prelude influences the broader ecosystem by catalyzing innovation, shaping industry standards, and fostering a new generation of climate-conscious entrepreneurs[2][3][4].
Looking ahead, Prelude Ventures is poised to deepen its impact by continuing to fund breakthrough climate technologies and expanding its growth-stage investments. Trends such as AI integration in climate solutions, scalable carbon removal, and electrification of transport and industry will likely shape their portfolio evolution. As climate urgency intensifies globally, Prelude’s influence may grow beyond capital provision to become a key ecosystem builder, driving systemic change in how industries approach sustainability. Their foundational ethos—that acting on climate is imperative—will remain central as they help define the future economy[3][5].
Key people at Prelude Ventures.
