Breakthrough Energy

Breakthrough Energy is a prominent global initiative dedicated to accelerating the world's transition to a clean energy future, operating as an umbrella organisation comprising various entities, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV), Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, and Breakthrough Energy Discovery. Founded by Bill Gates in 2015 following the United Nations Climate Change Conference, its core mission is to support the innovation, development, and deployment of sustainable energy and climate technologies to significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The organisation serves a broad spectrum of innovators, from early-stage researchers and entrepreneurs to growth-stage companies, fostering solutions across critical economic sectors.

What sets Breakthrough Energy apart is its exceptionally long-term investment horizon, extending up to 20 years, which contrasts sharply with the typical five-year return expectations of traditional venture capitalists. This patient capital approach allows them to undertake high-risk investments in nascent, capital-intensive technologies that require extended development periods to reach commercial viability and scale. The initiative was born from a recognition that existing renewable technologies alone would not be sufficient to achieve a zero-carbon future, necessitating exploration of diverse and often overlooked pathways.

Breakthrough Energy’s history began with a commitment from a coalition of 28 high-net-worth investors, collectively worth US$170 billion, who pledged to fund clean energy innovation. This led to the launch of the Breakthrough Energy Ventures fund in December 2016, with an initial commitment of US$1 billion. Over the years, the organisation has raised significant capital, with its flagship Ventures arm managing over US$3.5 billion across three funds. Their investment strategy focuses on companies capable of cutting at least one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, roughly half a gigatonne per year, ensuring a substantial impact on climate change mitigation.

Key achievements include building a diverse portfolio of over 150 companies globally, which are developing transformative solutions in areas like fusion energy, green hydrogen, carbon capture, advanced battery storage, and sustainable materials. Breakthrough Energy also differentiates itself through comprehensive support, offering not just financial backing but also deep technical expertise, market insight, and policy fluency to help founders overcome technical and commercial challenges. The leadership, spearheaded by founder Bill Gates and supported by a formidable coalition of prominent business leaders such as Jeff Bezos, Michael Bloomberg, and Richard Branson, leverages a vast network of scientists, entrepreneurs, and public policy experts to drive innovation and impact.