TED leader’s $300M ‘valley of death’ fund might be just what later-stage climate tech needs is gaining attention as a potential game-changer in climate innovation financing. Many startups with groundbreaking solutions stumble at the “missing middle” stage — the costly gap between early support and the massive rounds needed to build first-of-a-kind plants or factories.
Image Credits:Alina Rudya/Bell Collective / Getty Images
Unlike software ventures, climate tech is deeply tied to hardware. From carbon capture systems to green hydrogen plants, scaling often demands hundreds of millions in upfront costs. That makes the “valley of death” much wider, leaving many companies stranded despite promising science.
A $300M Push to Bridge the Gap
The new All Aboard Coalition, spearheaded by TED’s former head Chris Anderson, aims to raise $300 million by October. The fund will help startups survive this critical transition and prepare for the $100M–$200M rounds required to scale real-world projects.
While $300 million may seem modest compared to climate tech’s heavy price tags, the coalition’s real strength lies in signaling. By pooling respected climate investors, All Aboard hopes to give institutional backers confidence that these companies are ready for prime time.
Backed by Climate Heavyweights
Anderson is leveraging the same network-building skills that made TED a global knowledge platform. The coalition includes a powerhouse lineup of firms: Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Ara Partners, DCVC, Obvious Ventures, Prelude Ventures, S2G, Khosla Ventures, and more.
This broad backing ensures that All Aboard isn’t just about money — it’s about credibility. For climate tech startups, credibility can be the difference between stagnation and scaling up.
A VC Approach, Not Project Finance
All Aboard’s strategy is to invest via equity or convertible equity. It won’t fund individual projects directly, nor act as a loan provider. That positions it firmly within venture capital, avoiding the pitfalls of traditional project finance while still targeting companies on the brink of commercialization.
Why This Matters for Climate Tech
For years, experts have warned that climate innovation risks being trapped in labs and pilot plants unless new financing models appear. TED leader’s $300M ‘valley of death’ fund might be just what later-stage climate tech needs to escape that trap.
By addressing the funding bottleneck, All Aboard could accelerate the journey of breakthrough technologies from ideas to industries — from green steel to next-gen batteries. If successful, it won’t just rescue startups from the “missing middle.” It could reshape how the world backs climate innovation at scale.
