Dangerous Ventures

High-Level Overview

Dangerous Ventures is a climate-focused early-stage venture capital firm that invests primarily in pre-seed and seed rounds of startups working to build resilience and adaptation solutions across critical sectors such as energy, mobility, food systems, and climate adaptation. Their mission is to back ambitious entrepreneurs developing tech-enabled, scalable solutions that enable people, society, and the planet to thrive amid environmental challenges. The firm emphasizes sustainability, clean energy, and decarbonization while excluding investments in fossil fuels, tobacco, and firearms. By supporting startups in these sectors, Dangerous Ventures aims to foster a more sustainable and resilient future, contributing meaningfully to the climate tech ecosystem and accelerating innovation in areas like regenerative agriculture, electric mobility, and disaster adaptation[1][2][4][6].

Origin Story

Founded around 2020 and officially closing its first fund in January 2023, Dangerous Ventures was established by a team of ex-operators with combined exits exceeding $1 billion. Key partners include Gaby Darbyshire, Ward Hendon, and Mike Lin, who bring deep operational and investment experience. The firm evolved with a clear focus on resilience and adaptation to climate change, driven by the belief that early-stage venture capital has a critical role in addressing the planet’s existential challenges. The founders’ backgrounds in scaling startups and their commitment to climate impact shaped the firm’s thesis to back founders who challenge assumptions and tackle urgent environmental problems[1][3][4][6].

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: Focused exclusively on early-stage (pre-seed and seed) climate resilience startups with a strong ESG and sustainability mandate, excluding sectors harmful to the environment or society.
• Network Strength: Led by operators with significant startup scaling and exit experience, offering founders strategic, financial, and emotional support.
• Track Record: Since its first close, the firm has invested in nine companies with a current portfolio IRR of 23% and a 1.1x performance, demonstrating early success.
• Operating Support: Deep understanding of startup challenges, providing hands-on guidance beyond capital, leveraging their own entrepreneurial experience.
• Sector Focus: Concentrated on energy (clean generation, storage, efficiency), mobility (electric, autonomous), food systems (regenerative agriculture, supply chain), and climate adaptation (fire, flood, drought mitigation)[1][2][4][6].

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Dangerous Ventures rides the accelerating global trend toward climate tech and sustainability, a sector gaining urgency due to worsening climate impacts and increasing regulatory and market pressures. The timing is critical as governments, corporations, and consumers demand resilient, clean technologies. Market forces such as decarbonization mandates, energy transition, and food system sustainability create a fertile environment for innovation. By focusing on early-stage companies, Dangerous Ventures helps seed the next generation of climate solutions, influencing the broader ecosystem by fostering collaboration among founders and driving capital toward impactful technologies. Their approach aligns with a growing recognition that climate resilience is not just an environmental imperative but a significant economic opportunity[3][4][6].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Dangerous Ventures is poised to expand its portfolio and deepen its impact as climate challenges intensify and the demand for resilient technologies grows. Trends such as electrification, regenerative agriculture, and climate adaptation technologies will likely shape their investment focus. The firm’s influence may evolve by attracting more diverse founders and investors, scaling innovative solutions, and potentially leading rounds as they grow. Their commitment to backing founders with grit and vision positions them well to contribute to building a cleaner, safer, and more resilient future, reinforcing their foundational belief that healing the planet is both urgent and good business[1][3][6].