High-Level Overview
The Drawdown Fund, managed by Tiger Grass Capital, is a growth equity investment firm founded in 2018 that deploys capital into catalytic businesses addressing climate change, targeting attractive financial returns alongside planetary impact.[1][2][5] Its mission centers on market-based solutions to drive sustained climate impact, inspired by Paul Hawken's "Drawdown" framework, with a philosophy emphasizing proven technology, established revenue, strong growth, competitive advantages, and experienced teams in sectors like Sustainable Cities, Food & Agriculture, and Energy.[1][2][5] The firm scales companies that reduce emissions or sequester greenhouse gases, contributing to the startup ecosystem by providing growth capital to climate-focused ventures, as evidenced by its B Corp certification (score of 140.4) and focus on positive impact measurement.[4][5]
Origin Story
Launched in 2018 in Park City, Utah, the Drawdown Fund operates under Tiger Grass Capital and was co-founded by environmental visionary Paul Hawken, drawing directly from his New York Times bestseller "Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming."[1][3][5][6] Key leaders include Eric Turner (Managing Director), Erik Snyder (Managing Director and CEO), Brooke Pierce (Vice President), and Cayley Geffen (Associate, Investments), backed by a team with 50+ years in sustainability, climate solutions, and growth investing.[1][5][6] The fund evolved from a belief in scalable, market-driven climate fixes, starting with a closed fund in April 2018 and building a diverse network of operators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors.[5][6]
Core Differentiators
- Unique Investment Model: Targets growth-stage companies with de-risked profiles (proven tech, revenue, teams) for scaling impact in emission reduction or sequestration, blending financial returns with climate goals via a dedicated climate fund structure.[1][2][5]
- Network Strength: Purpose-built team with diverse expertise, co-founded by Paul Hawken, enabling hands-on value creation, customer adoption, and mission-aligned decisions.[3][5]
- Track Record: B Corp certified since 2019 with high impact scores in environmental management, air/climate, and positive portfolio impact; invests in innovators like SOURCE (renewable water from air).[4][5]
- Operating Support: Emphasizes capacity building, fund governance, portfolio reporting, and mission lock to enhance social/environmental outcomes beyond finance.[4][5]
Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
The Drawdown Fund rides the climate tech wave, capitalizing on surging demand for scalable solutions to global warming's major drivers amid escalating policy support, corporate net-zero pledges, and investor shifts toward impact investing.[1][2][5] Timing aligns with "drawdown"—the tipping point where carbon reductions outpace emissions—fueled by market forces like renewable energy adoption, sustainable agriculture needs, and urban resilience tech.[5] It influences the ecosystem by funding growth-stage players (e.g., SOURCE hydropanels), bridging venture to scale-up gaps, promoting B Corp standards, and validating Hawken-inspired strategies that prioritize measurable planetary returns.[3][4][5]
Quick Take & Future Outlook
With a lean team of ~10 and a closed debut fund, the Drawdown Fund is positioned to expand amid booming climate equity demand, potentially launching follow-on vehicles to capture trends like AI-enhanced carbon capture, regenerative agtech, and decentralized energy grids.[1][5][6] Evolving regulations, tech cost declines, and philanthropist inflows will shape its path, amplifying influence through deeper portfolio scaling and Hawken's thought leadership. As climate urgency peaks, expect it to pioneer hybrid returns models, drawing more LPs into "catalytic" investing and accelerating the shift to a net-positive economy—proving market forces can indeed reverse warming.[2][5]
