Elevation Ventures

About The Fund

Elevation Ventures is an investment fund that specializes in supporting early-stage companies in the AgroTech, Energy, and CleanTech industries. Their investment thesis centers on seed and pre-seed stage ventures with a focus on leveraging the resources of Octane and Sustain SoCal to accelerate founder progress and maximize impact. With a minimum investment size of $100,000 and a maximum of $5,000,000, Elevation Ventures typically targets an investment sweet spot of around $1,500,000. They offer not only capital but also strategic guidance, leveraging the experience of their managing partner Neal Rickner and general partners Bill Carpou and Scott Kitcher, as well as venture partners Rachel Payne and Alex Shoer. The team draws on diverse backgrounds in technology, sustainability, and finance to build the portfolio. Neal Rickner has experience in new ventures and as the COO of a wind-turbine company, along with military service and expertise. Bill Carpou leads a business ecosystem through Octane, while also having worked with portfolio companies to maximize value at The Blackstone Group. Scott Kitcher brings over 30 years of financial services and clean technologies experience, having focused on clean technologies for 16 years as well as leading Sustain SoCal. Rachel Payne is an experienced climate investor and technology executive with a history at FullCycle Climate Partners, as well as teaching at U.C. Berkeley and serving in key roles at Google.org and Google Africa. Alex Shoer, co-founder of Seeder Clean Energy, brings experience in renewable energy services and advising clean energy companies. The fund is supported by a network of advisors with expertise in various fields. Their approach is built on the premise of supporting founders 'doing the real work' with the intent to make a significant, positive impact on society and the environment.