The problems facing ClimateTech: how is capital being channelled?

Climate change has been a major concern for several decades now, however, only recently has the conversation shifted to finding solutions for this rapidly growing problem. One of the most promising areas of innovation is ClimateTech – a sector that focuses on developing technologies that can help mitigate or adapt to climate change. Despite the immense potential of ClimateTech, it consistently faces several challenges when it comes to attracting adequate investments, especially among ClimateTech startups. This article will explore the problems facing ClimateTech and how capital is being channelled in this sector.

The problems startups face

The ClimateTech sector is a much more delicate and precarious landscape for startups to try and get a foothold in, especially in regard to finding the right investments for them. One of the biggest issues facing ClimateTech startups is that they need a specific type of backer that compliments their roadmap. ClimateTech startups will typically need a considerably longer timeframe to build into their goals, and potentially even more time to eventually allow their investors to see a return on investment. This is a problem that plagues the sector, with many startups failing due to not receiving the correct backer to support their projects in the long term. Many of these startups might have brilliant ideas which end up fading into obscurity as they are not given enough time or investment to properly come to fruition, something that not only impacts the sector but also tarnishes efforts to tackle climate change as a whole.

The needed realisations

The most crucial realisation that needs to be made regarding capital going into ClimateTech startups is that investments going into them are not there to be instantly profitable. Whilst there are some outliers and cases where this has become the case, for the most part, these startups will not be seeing profits until much later down their roadmaps, if at all. In typical cases, it can take around seven years before a startup might begin to finally make a return on investment. These startups aren’t often designed to churn out profit but rather research and develop cutting-edge eco-innovations that will one day contribute to tackling climate change. Whilst this can be achieved in a profitable manner as well, that is not the primary function nor the primary goal of a ClimateTech startup. Not only this but during the research and development phases, the business is more often than not a bit of a money sink as opposed to a money generator.

Investors looking to go into ClimateTech must be mindful of this, as there are too many cases in which a ClimateTech startup is forced to close its operations due to a loss of funding, not only making their completed work redundant unless revived but also ridding the world of something that is trying to help it survive.

So why invest?

Above all else, the primary investment made when contributing to ClimateTech startups and existing businesses is one for the planet and its future. Doing this is not only the right thing to do, but it can help with investment image, meeting sustainability targets, and official net zero plans seen across the globe. Beyond this, there is also the eventuality of getting a genuine return on investment for the time and money contributed, albeit at a much later date than typically anticipated of capital investments.

Conclusion

ClimateTech is a sector that has the potential to pave the way for a sustainable future. However, to make this a reality, we need to invest in these startups and businesses that are developing cutting-edge eco-innovations. We need to shift our mindset from expecting quick profits to understanding that these investments are crucial for the survival of our planet. It’s time for investors to take action and support ClimateTech startups in their long-term goals. The future of our planet depends on it, and we all have a responsibility to contribute towards a sustainable future. Let’s make the right investment for our planet and its future!