Bold investment for bold solutions, how Zero Carbon Capital is tackling the climate crisis

Zero Carbon Capital (ZCC) was established in 2019 with a clear mission: to combat climate change through science and technology by investing in early-stage companies that can provide breakthrough solutions. The driving force behind ZCC’s direction is a deep belief in the power of scientific innovation to create meaningful change. Recognizing that the climate crisis requires bold, scalable solutions, ZCC is focused on investing in startups that can not only improve efficiency but truly tackle the root causes of climate change. Their goal is to back ventures that make real, transformative impacts beyond marginal improvements to fundamentally fix the issues driving the climate crisis.

ZCC invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies across sectors such as energy, food and agriculture, materials, and transportation – areas with high carbon impact potential. Their investment thesis is clear: they seek ventures with the ability to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 0.5 gigatons annually, supporting innovations that can deliver systemic solutions.

A hands-on approach to building climate tech startups

Zero Carbon Capital’s approach is distinguished by their willingness to take risks on early-stage startups, particularly those developing physical science solutions that address the core problems behind climate change, not just the incremental improvements. Unlike many VCs that avoid high-risk ventures, ZCC embraces these challenges, leveraging their team’s scientific and engineering expertise to guide companies through their early stages. ZCC invests in companies that aim to deliver breakthrough innovations. Their goal is to back ventures that don’t just make energy a bit more efficient or products slightly greener, but that truly solve the major challenges contributing to climate change.

A key part of ZCC’s approach is guiding founders—many of whom are first-time entrepreneurs with scientific backgrounds—through the commercialization process. ZCC helps these innovators navigate critical areas like intellectual property, business modeling, and go-to-market strategies. Their support extends beyond de-risking the science to building commercially viable businesses.

ZCC emphasizes the importance of founders balancing their scientific expertise with a commercial mindset. They help founders understand their market, engage with customers, and develop sustainable business models. By taking board seats and working closely with founders, ZCC ensures startups are well-prepared for future growth, serving as a strategic partner to guide both their scientific and business development. This hands-on involvement is crucial for translating scientific breakthroughs into impactful, scalable solutions.

Betting big for real change

ZCC’s partnership with Happiness Capital has been a crucial element in validating their investment strategy, particularly in the realm of climate tech. While ZCC has always prioritized investments with a high potential for environmental impact, Happiness Capital’s commitment to creating a happier world has reinforced their approach. The collaboration emphasizes that achieving significant carbon reduction is not only an ethical imperative but also a financially sound strategy.

Happiness Capital’s direct investments in ZCC’s portfolio companies provide crucial funding that helps these startups scale while strengthening the broader ecosystem. Their involvement brings additional resources and connections, fueling growth and expanding opportunities. This collaboration not only accelerates the success of ZCC’s companies but also opens the door to more high-potential investments for their limited partners.

Expanding frontiers in climate tech innovation

As Zero Carbon Capital looks to the future, they remain committed to investing in startups with groundbreaking scientific solutions that address the climate crisis. Their second fund, with support from Happiness Capital, focuses on pre-seed and seed investments, with significant reserves for follow-on rounds to ensure that companies have the resources needed to scale.