Decarbon8-US Philanthropic Impact Fund 2025

The Decarbon8-US Philanthropic Impact Fund 2025, administered by Realize Impact in partnership with E8 Angels, is currently accepting applications from early-stage companies developing climate-focused software and AI solutions. E8 Angels is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization comprised of over 130 accredited investors worldwide who specialize in cleantech ventures. Since its founding in 2006, E8 members have invested more than $67 million in sustainability-focused companies. Each summer, E8 administers the Decarbon8-US Fund through its 501(c)(3) partner, Realize Impact, which pools philanthropic capital to make impact investments in emerging climate-tech companies. The 2025 round of Decarbon8-US is dedicated to supporting “Software and AI for Climate,” targeting capital-light, software-based innovations that significantly advance decarbonization and climate action. The fund invites proposals from companies whose products and business models drive substantial progress toward a sustainable future. Example focus areas include optimizing energy systems, resource management, infrastructure efficiency, material science, transportation logistics, and climate-aligned financing and project development. Selected companies will be eligible to receive investment capital, with past awardees averaging $300,000 in total funding from both the Decarbon8-US Fund and co-investors. Awardees may also attract additional follow-on investment from E8’s investor network, benefit from expert support and guidance, and gain visibility through promotional channels and events sponsored by E8. To be eligible, applicants must offer software or AI innovations that directly contribute to climate mitigation or decarbonization within the fund’s defined areas. Companies should be in the pre-seed to Series A stages, have either revenue or signed Letters of Intent (LOIs) for 2025, and be actively raising funds via equity, note, or debt instruments between September and November 2025. Eligible companies must be incorporated in either the United States or Canada and be for-profit entities. Applications open on May 1, 2025, and are reviewed on a rolling basis. The deadline to apply is June 20, 2025. In late June, a screening committee will select 12 to 16 companies to pitch in early July. From these, six to eight semi-finalists will advance to a deeper evaluation, leading to four finalists by mid-July. A streamlined due diligence phase will occur in August, followed by the final investment decision in early September. Winners will present to the full E8 investor community on September 11 for potential co-investment. Applicants are evaluated on several criteria, including the scale of climate impact, product innovation, competitive advantages, team capabilities, and investment terms. For more information or questions, applicants may contact director@e8angels.com.

The application process involves a screening committee specializing in cleantech investing and software and AI, evaluating applications based on decarbonization impact, product innovation, competitive advantages, management and execution, and investment terms.