Since its launch in spring 2024, Trellis Climate has been on a mission to support climate technologies building first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects. Over the last few years, the funding gap faced by climate companies in the early commercialization stage has been well documented and often discussed, yet limited capital has moved to fill the void. The core of the issue is a mismatch between the risk-return profile of FOAK projects and what is required by venture capital and project finance to invest. Broader market trends have also made the funding gap more acute. Significant uncertainty has emerged for much of the government funding for companies at this stage, and venture funding for climate tech has slowed significantly since its 2021 peak. Amid these headwinds, Trellis Climate is stepping in with catalytic capital to help advance promising high-impact technologies that are working to bridge this funding gap. 

Amidst the current landscape, Trellis Climate is thrilled to announce that it made its first two catalytic investments in climate companies building FOAK projects: Nitricity, a company producing low-emission fertilizer, and Tandem PV, a company making next generation, highly efficient solar panels.