Climate VC Investor Insights: $220M, 2 Funds, 36 Portfolio Companies

Nov 3, 2025

Kareem Dabbagh and Joe Goodman, co-founders of VoLo Earth Ventures, share their insights on climate tech investing. With rich backgrounds from SolarCity and the U.S. Department of Energy, they discuss their unique returns-first investment strategy focusing on early-stage clean energy innovations. The duo explains their meticulous deal screening process and highlights success stories like XGS Geothermal and Blue Frontier's energy-efficient HVAC technology. They also offer personal advice on prioritizing expertise and work-life balance, inspiring future climate entrepreneurs.

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INSIGHT

Returns-First, Hands-On Climate Investing

VoLo Earth prioritizes a returns-first, hands-on approach focused on energy transition opportunities with strong unit economics.
They concentrate on differentiated hardware, software, and finance combos that decarbonize while winning economically.

INSIGHT

Physics-First Deal Screening

Evaluate energy problems with physics and engineering first principles to find high-leverage improvements.
Ask whether solutions deliver equal or better value with a fraction of the primary energy input.

ADVICE

Invest Near Commercial Launch

Target companies within ~12 months of commercial launch where market pricing is still inefficient.
Invest to help founders execute commercial launch, then enable efficient pricing in follow-on rounds.

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Learn from two climate tech VC investors sharing startup lessons in energy, buildings, mobility, and industry.

🎧 Episode Summary

VoLo Earth Ventures is an early-stage climate tech venture capital firm that invests in scalable innovations in clean energy, mobility, built environment, and industry.

They provide returns-first catalytic capital and hands-on leadership to help founders decarbonize global systems. They raised two funds and invested in 36+ companies.

Kareem Dabbagh and Joe Goodman are the co-founders and Managing Partners.

Kareem has over 15 years of experience in renewable energy and clean technology, spanning startups, project finance, and grid modernization.

Prior to VoLo Earth, Kareem held leadership roles at SolarCity, Sunrun, and Aurora Solar, and supported early-stage ventures through Rocky Mountain Institute and Cleantech Open.

Joe brings two decades of experience in energy markets, carbon policy, and sustainability finance.

Prior to VoLo Earth, Joe worked at the Rocky Mountain Institute, the U.S. Department of Energy, and multiple advisory roles advancing decarbonization strategies for utilities and governments.

He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and loves connecting rigorous climate science with pragmatic venture investment.

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About the Host

Dr. Chris Wedding is a climate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding