Investor Profile: Aera VC — Thesis, Cheque Size & How to Apply

Aera VC is an early-stage venture capital firm investing in climate technology and frontier technology, with its corporate headquarters in Singapore and partners and portfolio companies spanning the United States, Asia-Pacific and New Zealand. Founded in 2016, it backs breakthrough technologies that aim to decarbonise whole industries, from chemicals and cement to food, aviation and energy. Its management company is licensed and regulated as a venture capital fund manager by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Investment thesis

Aera's thesis is that every industry needs to be rebuilt and decarbonised, and that the most valuable climate companies will come from scientific breakthroughs rather than incremental efficiency gains. Founding partner Derek Handley, previously the founding chief executive of Richard Branson's B Team sustainability collective, has argued that finance, food, fashion, chemicals, cement and construction all need reimagining. The firm therefore looks for founders working on hard technical problems with large emissions footprints.

Sectors and stages

Aera invests at early stage, principally pre-seed and seed, across climate technology and adjacent frontier sectors. Its stated areas include sustainable chemicals, carbon-negative materials, alternative foods, carbon tracking software, grid optimisation, aerospace and advanced manufacturing. It invests globally, so founders outside those hubs should still expect a conversation if the technology is genuinely novel.

Fund size and cheque size

In February 2022 Aera announced a US$30 million first close of a new climate-focused fund, backed by purpose-driven investor families from around the world. At the time, managing partner Nick Winstone said the fund could ultimately top US$100 million, but a final close figure has not been publicly disclosed, so only the first close should be quoted as fact. Aera has not published a standard cheque size, so its cheque size is not publicly disclosed.

Notable portfolio

The 2022 fund launched with companies including Solugen, a Houston-based chemical decarbonisation firm then valued at US$1.8 billion; Twelve, which makes sustainable aviation fuel and other products from air, water and renewable energy; CarbonChain, which tracks emissions across commodity supply chains; and Fable Foods, an Australian plant-based meat company. Other portfolio names include Dawn Aerospace, a New Zealand and Netherlands space propulsion company; Array Labs, an earth observation satellite company; and CarbiCrete, which makes cement-free, carbon-negative concrete.

Partners and programmes

Aera was founded by Derek Handley and Nick Winstone, with early backing from investor families in New Zealand and beyond. Alongside its fund, Aera launched Aera Force, a decentralised autonomous organisation with 2,000 ETH, worth approximately US$6 million at announcement, earmarked for pre-seed projects using blockchain to tackle climate and carbon challenges. Aera does not publish a credits or perks package for founders.

How to apply for funding

Aera does not publish an open application form or a fixed funding deadline. Founders should approach the firm through its website at aera.vc, where its portfolio and contact routes are listed, with a clear explanation of the emissions problem being solved, the technical breakthrough, and why the solution can scale. Climate claims need evidence: data, prototypes or pilot results will carry far more weight than a pitch deck alone.