🌿 Hey Earth First Fam!
Welcome to Newsletter #8!
Buckle up as we dive into a software-first fund helping enterprise and mobility companies achieve their net zero goals.
Who’s leading the charge? None other than Josh Felser from Climactic!
Here’s what you can expect in this edition:
Who is Josh Felser and What’s his Story?
What’s Climactic and What do they invest in?

🌟 In Conversation with Josh: An Inspiring Climate Tech Leader

Josh Felser isn’t your average investor; he’s a pioneer at the confluence of technology and climate activism. His story is one of passion, innovation, and a deep-seated belief in the power of technology to foster a sustainable future. Through his prior startups, Josh has played a vital role in positioning himself at the forefront of digitization efforts. This not only showcases his knack for identifying and leveraging cutting-edge technologies but also underlines his commitment to integrating these advancements with environmental sustainability. Let’s delve into how Josh is steering the helm in the climate tech revolution, blending his tech background with a profound commitment to environmental sustainability.
A Journey of Realization and Action ➡️🌍
Josh’s journey into the realm of climate tech is underpinned by an illustrious career in tech entrepreneurship, founding successful companies like Spinner (Sold to AOL) and Crackle (Sold to Sony), and later venturing into venture capital with Freestyle Capital. However, it was his encounter with a pivotal article by environmentalist Bill McKibben that sparked a profound realization about the urgency of the climate crisis and the potential of technology to combat it.
Personal Commitment Meets Professional Mission 🔥
Josh’s path to becoming a climate tech investor is deeply intertwined with personal experiences and a visionary outlook on the role of private sector innovation in addressing environmental challenges. Witnessing the Bay Area’s vulnerability to climate change and reflecting on the global impacts of technological advancements, he made a decisive pivot towards investing in startups that are at the forefront of climate innovation.
Championing Technology as a Catalyst for Change 🔄
Josh believes in challenging the status quo, much like his approach in the tech world. At Climactic, where his expertise and passion converge, Josh champions startups that leverage software technology to make a tangible impact on the planet. He sees software not just as a tool for business efficiency but as a critical ally in the fight against climate change.
Technology, especially software and AI, holds the key to unlocking solutions to some of our most daunting environmental challenges.
Founder Focus: The Essence of Investment 💖
Josh emphasizes the critical importance of adaptable and insightful CEOs at the helm of climate tech startups, focusing on ventures with the potential for major financial and environmental impacts. He values startups aiming for billion-dollar valuations, underscoring the significance of understanding a company’s sales cycle and the depth of the founding team’s expertise to navigate the startup’s growth and risk landscape effectively.
It’s about finding those rare leaders who not only have groundbreaking ideas but also the tenacity and insight to bring them to fruition.
Balancing Innovation with Impact 💸🌿
Josh has a pretty straightforward way of picking who to invest in: he’s all about finding startups that have the chops to hit that billion-dollar mark. But it’s not just about the money. He believes that making a ton and doing good for the planet go hand in hand. When it comes to figuring out a startup’s impact, especially at the early stages, Josh leans more on the "feel" of what they could achieve rather than getting bogged down in the hard numbers.
Take his investments in companies that are shaking up how we use energy or keep stuff out of landfills. He gets that pinning down the exact environmental benefit can be tricky at the early stages, but if they’re on track to make a big difference, that’s what really counts. This approach shows Josh is all in on tech that’s not just profitable but also good for the earth, blending the best of both worlds in his investment strategy.
Get to know Josh!
Favorite Book: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
Favorite Podcast: Making Sense by Sam Harris
Favorite Mantra: “Stand Up” for yourself, your causes, family and friends
Biggest climate role model: Paul Hawken
How he steps away: Meditation
Most excited about in the future: Just recently got married!!

🌍 Enter Climactic: Pioneering a Greener Tomorrow

Climactic emerges as a beacon in the venture capital landscape, distinguished by its unwavering commitment to nurturing startups that stand at the crossroads of software technology and sustainability. Founded on a deep-rooted belief that technology is key to addressing the planet’s most pressing climate challenges, Climactic is on a mission to transform the climate tech ecosystem.
Fostering Deep Connections 🤝
At Climactic, building meaningful relationships with founders is more than a strategy; it’s the essence of their ethos. Recognizing the paramount importance of the journey alongside the destination, Climactic invests not just capital but also time, expertise, and a network of support into their companies, engaging in long-term partnerships that extend well beyond the initial investment.
Empowering Visionary Leaders 🚀
Climactic empowers founders who are committed to innovation and impact, encouraging them to envision and create solutions that push the boundaries of what’s possible in climate tech. Their focus: get their founders and innovative tech’s supply chains to net zero. By focusing on ventures that leverage technology to make a tangible difference, Climactic invests in not only the future of businesses but also the future of the planet.
A Curated Climate Tech Portfolio 🌿
Climactic’s portfolio represents a curated collection of startups that are pioneering solutions across the spectrum of climate technology—from software that optimizes renewable energy deployment to platforms that enhance energy efficiency and reduce waste. This focus reflects Climactic’s dedication to supporting ventures that have the potential to achieve significant environmental impact alongside financial success. Some of their earliest investments include Arrive Recommerce, Climate AI, Lightship, Mootral, Muonspace, NCX, Nori, Populus, Renoster, Rubi, Sinai, and Weavegrid.
Championing Sustainable Progress 🌱
With a team led by experienced entrepreneurs and investors who have firsthand knowledge of the intricacies of both the technology and climate sectors, Climactic is uniquely positioned to support startups that are poised to redefine how we approach sustainability and environmental stewardship. As Climactic continues to grow its portfolio, it remains focused on identifying and backing the next generation of companies that will lead the way in making our world more sustainable, efficient, and climate-resilient.
The Future Ahead ➡️
In summary, Josh Felser and Climactic’s investment philosophy in the climate tech space is characterized by a deep belief in the importance of strong, adaptable leadership, the potential for significant returns and impact, and a thorough understanding of the venture’s operational landscape. His approach underscores the complex interplay between visionary leadership, market potential, operational dynamics, and the collective expertise of the founding team, all aimed at fostering innovations that promise not only financial returns but also a lasting positive impact on the environment.

Earth First Trivia (from Monday!)
In what year was the concept of carbon credits officially introduced under the Kyoto Protocol to help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions? Answer: 1997
In carbon offset projects, what term is used to describe the practice of planting or conserving forests to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, contributing to carbon credits? Answer: Afforestation
Until next time,
Earth First 🌍✌️
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