Climate Flash Report

Daily climate technology and sustainability news - Updated: 2025-10-17

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On October 17, 2025, key developments in climate technology and sustainability include a major $300 million venture capital fund launch, ongoing challenges in public funding, and active support programs for climate tech startups.

Climate Tech Startups and Funding

•The *All Aboard Coalition*, a group of over a dozen top VCs including Khosla Ventures and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, is launching a $300 million fund to support climate tech startups, especially those working on direct air capture (DAC), green hydrogen, and long-duration energy storage. This initiative aims to fill the funding gap caused by the US federal government's cutbacks under the Trump administration, which led to a 60% drop in DAC startup funding in Q1 2025 and caused some startups like Running Tide and Noya to fold[1].

•Despite a 19% global decline in climate tech venture and growth investment in the first half of 2025, totaling $13.2 billion, entrepreneurs remain active, focusing on proving unit economics and customer value amid shifting policy incentives[2][3].

•The US remains the leading country in climate tech funding, having invested $147 billion since 2018, more than double China’s amount. The Bay Area and Boston are top hubs, with growing activity in Shanghai, Sao Paulo, and Paris[5].

•Maryland’s Climate Technology Founders Fund (CTFF) launched in October 2025 supports startups ready to raise capital, emphasizing diversity with at least 40% underrepresented founders, including women, minorities, and veterans. The program runs through April 2026 and includes investment readiness training and leadership in deal structuring[6].

•European initiatives include a cleantech accelerator program calling for applications from innovative startups focused on sustainability and climate tech solutions, highlighting ongoing global support for early-stage ventures[7].

Clean Energy and Environmental Innovations

•Carbon capture technologies are gaining traction despite funding challenges, with Saudi Arabia recently launching its first Climeworks DAC unit at KAPSARC, signaling international progress in commercializing carbon removal[1].

•Startups aligned with AI, nuclear energy, geothermal, and energy storage are receiving continued interest, reflecting a diversification of clean energy innovation beyond traditional renewables[3].

ESG Investing and Climate Policy

•The rollback of some Inflation Reduction Act incentives by the Trump administration has created headwinds for renewable energy and electrification projects in the US, contributing to the funding slump[1][3].

•Private investors and coalitions are stepping in to compensate for reduced public support, indicating a shift toward more collective, private-sector-driven climate finance[1].

•Impact investing remains strong in climate tech, with 80-90% of impact investment dollars going to climate and environmental startups, underscoring investor preference for environmental impact over social-only ventures[5].

Carbon Impact Metrics

•While specific carbon impact metrics for the new investments were not detailed, the focus on direct air capture, green hydrogen, and long-duration storage technologies targets significant emissions reductions and decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors[1][3].

In summary, October 17, 2025, sees a critical private-sector response to public funding cuts in climate tech, with a $300 million fund launch and diverse accelerator programs supporting startups focused on carbon removal, clean energy, and sustainability innovations. The US leads global investment, though policy shifts have introduced challenges, prompting increased private coalition efforts and sustained ESG interest in climate impact.