OVERVIEW: Breakthrough Energy is a funding and investment platform created by Bill Gates to promote clean energy and help the world reach net-zero emissions. Its grantmaking is conducted through vehicles including Breakthrough Energy Discover, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and Breakthrough Energy Europe. The organization also produces policy and advocacy for energy innovation and decarbonization.
IP TAKE: Part philanthropy outfit, part policy advocate and part venture capital fund, Breakthrough Energy takes a multipronged approach to accelerating “unprecedented technological transformations in almost every sector of modern life.” Previously, the Breakthrough Energy Foundation was considered a top climate funder; however, it has slashed climate funding as the foundation remakes itself for the new Trump era. As IP’s Kavate notes, the cuts to grantmaking and advocacy “do not spell an end to Breakthrough Energy’s $3.5 billion venture capital portfolio, which invests in a wide range of climate tech companies.” Grantmaking cuts suggest a major shift in strategy, and it is unclear what kinds of climate grants will be available in the near future. Recent items in the organization’s news section suggest the organization’s work may focus on Europe in the coming years.
Breakthrough has not been particularly transparent about its financials in terms of who funds its efforts, how much is received from which donors, and how priorities are determined. Yet its open inquiry form makes Breakthrough somewhat accessible for researchers, product developers, companies and nonprofits working on clean tech and energy solutions. That said, Breakthrough typically selects grantees through its own internal research and partnerships. Grant seekers may find it difficult to engage extensively with this funder unless their work can attract attention through networking.
PROFILE: Established in 2015, Breakthrough Energy is the investment and advocacy platform created by Bill Gates to support “innovation to address the worst effects of climate change by transforming virtually every activity in modern life and every sector of the economy and creating a world in which everyone everywhere has access to reliable, affordable and clean energy.” Its ultimate goal is “to inspire the world to develop and scale the critical solutions we need to reach net-zero emissions—so everyone can enjoy affordable, abundant clean energy.”
Breakthrough invests in a variety of startup companies and organizations that work on a range of concepts, from nuclear fusion to solar panels to carbon capture. Its venture capital investments and portfolios are separate from its grantmaking efforts, which so far have flowed through three nonprofits — Breakthrough Energy Foundation, a 501(c)(3), Breakthrough Energy Action, a 501(c)(4) organization, and Breakthrough Energy Catalyst Foundation. It has given grants and fellowships to think tanks, associations and collaboratives, public-private partnerships, policy organizations, research institutions and nonprofits, particularly Washington, D.C., New York and California.
Grants for Science Research, Climate Change and Clean Energy
The Breakthrough Energy umbrella houses a network of Gates’ climate and clean energy organizations focused on investment and climate policy advocacy.
- Breakthrough Energy Discovery provides support to “pre-venture, early-stage clean tech innovation.” In addition to funding, this initiative provides strategic support to promising work “to turn bold ideas into scalable solutions.” Breakthrough Energy Discover Currently runs three subprograms:
- The Breakthrough Energy Fellows program is an opportunity for “the world’s best and brightest innovators and emerging entrepreneurs as they develop solutions for the world’s most pressing energy challenges.” Fellowships are awarded in two categories to support the scientific innovation and business sides of development, and the program sometimes runs “regional hubs” to support ideas where “innovation is most needed.” Currently in its fifth cohort, the fellowship accepts both applications and nominations. Find guidelines here. Breakthrough also provides information about past fellows and their projects.
- Breakthrough Workshops are “technical and application focused presentations” that facilitate idea exchange among “technical experts and thought leaders” in the field. Participants have the opportunity to make a “quick pitch” for funding, usually in the form of an Explorer Grant. Fill out an interest form here.
- Breakthrough also runs initiatives to develop a strong Ecosystems for the clean tech innovation field. This program typically consists of partnerships with research institutes, universities or accelerators to “bridge gaps in the innovation pipeline.” See current projects on the program page.
Breakthrough Energy Ventures operates similarly to an investment firm, but seeks “to finance, launch, and scale companies that will eliminate greenhouse gas emissions throughout the global economy.” Through several investment vehicles the organization has provided $3.5 billion in support to a portfolio of over 110 “cutting-edge companies”
- The Breakthrough Energy Catalyst program provides support to companies developing technologies to reduce emissions and to “accelerate their adoption worldwide.” Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, clean hydrogen, energy storage, sustainable fuels, carbon capture technologies and the decarbonization of various manufacturing sectors. Breakthrough partners with governments and major financial institutions in this work. Recipient companies include Lanzajet, Xcel Energy and EnergyDome, among others.
- The Breakthrough Catalyst-EU Partnership will invest about €840 million in clean energy projects for Europe between 2023 and 2027. The partnership’s current portfolio and application guidelines are linked to the program page.
- U.S.-based clean energy projects may begin the application process here.
- The Policy & Advocacy division is an in-house team of experts that “develops, advocates, and lobbies for smart policies that public- and private-sector leaders can implement to get to zero by 2050.” Areas of engagement have included hydrogen-derived fuels, high-voltage transmission systems and other emerging technologies and innovations. The team works collaboratively with other Breakthrough divisions, as well as many non- and for-profit allies in the field. Find information about recent projects here.
- Breakthrough Energy Europe comprises “a seasoned team of experts” that partners with public and private sector partners across Europe and the U.K. to support research, advocacy and development of clean energy technologies and delivery systems. Areas of interest include green hydrogen, decarbonization of industry, energy storage, and public-private coordination of efforts, but the program is open to engaging with emerging projects and technologies. See the latest news about this program here.
Important Grant Details:
Grants through the foundations range from $10,000 up into the tens of millions. Most grants are awarded in amounts of $1 million or more.
Breakthrough Energy Catalyst appears to the the largest source of funding within the Breakthrough network. According to its webpage, Catalyst has “raised over $1 billion of direct capital to deploy in project funding opportunities.” The program currently accepts applications for projects based in the U.S. and Europe.
- Those interested in the Breakthrough Energy Explorer Grants or becoming a Breakthrough Energy Fellow can apply here.
- To get a sense of the types of work Breakthrough supports, see its LookBook page.
To keep up with the latest news and opportunities, subscribe to Breakthrough’s newsletter.
Breakthrough Energy does not provide a direct way to get in touch, but a phone number for the Breakthrough Energy Foundation is listed as (425) 497-4300. The organization’s social media accounts are linked to the bottom of the website.
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