After three years as a partner at Ecliptic Capital, where we successfully raised $ 60+MM to back early-stage companies in cybersecurity, med tech, and climate tech/energy transition, I’m making a significant career shift. Before I was a venture capitalist, I was a two-time founder with two exits, but this time I’m doing something a bit different.
I’m stepping away from the VC world to take on two new roles:
This isn’t a pivot born out of frustration — it’s a strategic move toward where I believe I can have the greatest impact over the next decade, and a narrowing of my focus.
My time at Ecliptic (which was in VC dog years for sure!) gave me a front-row seat to the strategy and tactics that separate successful climate companies from those that struggle. I reviewed hundreds of pitches, worked closely with our five climate-focused (one is launching into climate soon) portfolio companies, and watched driven founders navigate the unique challenges of building in climate tech.
The pattern that emerged was clear: most climate startups fail not because their technology isn’t viable, but because they struggle with three critical areas — strategic positioning, effective fundraising, and sales execution. These companies often have incredible technical teams and breakthrough innovations, but they hit walls when it comes to translating that innovation into sustainable growth.
Due to current market forces, I found myself spending more time thinking about how to solve these operational challenges than about which deals to do next.
That was my signal that it was time for a change.
Rather than continue funding companies from the sidelines, I want to get directly involved in solving the problems I saw repeatedly. My new dual role allows me to do exactly that.
As Entrepreneur in Residence at Argonne National Laboratory, I’ll be working at the intersection of cutting-edge research and commercial application. With a team, I’ll be helping launch dozens of cutting edge climate tech companies into existence as part of their commercialization program over the next two years.
Argonne’s deep bench of scientific talent and research capabilities provides an incredible platform for identifying and developing breakthrough climate technologies. It’s innovation at the source even in today’s environment.
With over 3,000 employees, and founded in 1946, almost all nuclear reactors operating today owe a debt of service to Argonne.
Simultaneously, I’m launching a consulting practice to work directly with climate tech startups on the operational challenges I witnessed so often as a VC with some of my friends. I’ll be helping founders with strategic positioning, fundraising strategy, and sales development — the areas where pattern recognition from seeing hundreds of companies really pays off. In fact, we are launching with four clients already!
Together, these roles create something unique: a platform I’m building that spans from early-stage research and development all the way through to market execution.
And it’s a still a good time to be in Climate Tech, no matter what you call it.
This transition, for me, represents a 10–15 year commitment to working exclusively in climate until I do whatever we call retirement nowadays.
I’m not chasing the next hot sector (looking at you AI!) or looking for a quick flip back to traditional tech where I made my bones.
Climate is the defining challenge of our generation, and it requires the kind of sustained focus and expertise that only comes from deep specialization.
The window for avoiding the worst effects of climate change is narrowing rapidly. We need every breakthrough technology, every successful company, and every operational insight working in service of solutions..
If you’re building in climate tech and struggling with strategy, fundraising, or sales, I’d love to talk. If you’re working on breakthrough climate research that could become the foundation for a company, let’s connect.
And if you’re an investor, corporation, or organization working in this space, I’m excited to explore how we might work together with Argonne National Labs or our Tiger Team.
The transition from VC isn’t always easy, but when the mission is this important, the choice becomes clear. I’m excited to put my experience to work directly in service of the solutions our planet desperately needs in these times.
Feel free to reach out at david@neonsyndicateaustin.com to discuss.
P.S. Am I still writing checks in the climate tech space? More on that soon!