Elemental Impact - Strategy Track

The Strategy Track is designed for early-stage companies to build early customer traction and refine business models. Support includes market expansion, new product launches, and go-to-market strategy development through hands-on coaching and catalytic capital.

Focus Areas

• Energy
• Industry
• Food and agriculture
• Nature
• Water
• Transportation

Eligibility

• Company Stage: Pre-Seed or Seed stage (typically 15-20 companies annually)
• Requirements: For-profit, stand-alone companies with novel business model or technology
• Minimum 3 full-time team members
• Bold plans to grow
• Operating prototype required
• Demonstrated product-market fit preferred
• Team passionate about environmental and local impact

What They Fund

• Early customer traction building
• Business model refinement
• Market expansion initiatives
• New product launches
• Go-to-market strategy development

What They Don't Fund

• Consulting firms
• Nonprofits
• Acquired startups

Geographic Scope

• U.S. and international companies supported
• Relocation not required

Investment Structure

• Typically SAFE
• Convertible notes
• Direct investment
• Payments linked to performance milestones
• Case-by-case evaluation for amount and structure
• Nonprofit structure means proceeds support future entrepreneurs

Services Provided

• Catalytic capital
• Project expertise and coaching
• Local partnership development
• Investor mobilization
• Fundraising strategy and coaching
• Market intelligence and customer targeting
• Policy and regulation guidance
• Sales strategy and implementation support
• Stakeholder engagement and storytelling
• Workforce development strategy
• Access to founder network and CEO/Leadership Summit

Time Commitment

• Approximately 9 months of active engagement
• 2-4 hours per week of customized 1:1 coaching, workshops, and implementation work for CEO and relevant team members
• Monthly check-in calls with Elemental team
• Board observer participation expected
• Annual CEO and Leadership Summit participation (~100 portfolio entrepreneurs)
• Quarterly strategy calls post-engagement completion

Portfolio Impact (Historical)

• 2.5x more likely to succeed compared to others in climate tech ecosystem
• $1.4B co-investment into portfolio
• 100x return: for every $1 Elemental invests, companies unlock $100
• 20M lifetime metric tons of CO2 avoided or reduced
• 160+ companies in portfolio

Network Access

• 2,000+ investors, insurers, financiers, and customers in investor network
• Founder community and CEO networking events
• Annual convenings and deal showcase events (Elemental Interactive, Traversing the Scale Gap)

Contact

• Email: apply@elementalimpact.com
• Offices: Honolulu HI, New York City NY, Washington DC, San Francisco CA

Application Process

1. Submit intake form on the funding opportunities page
2. Applications accepted on rolling basis year-round
3. Review process: Elemental reviews every application received
4. Selection: Team reaches out to select applicants for further conversations
5. Track alignment: Applicants identify Strategy Track as best fit for their stage and needs
6. Due diligence: Selected companies may present additional material for in-depth evaluation

Required Information

• Company stage and funding history
• Novel business model or technology description
• Team composition (minimum 3 full-time employees)
• Operating prototype or product demonstration
• Specific business initiatives (market expansion, product launches, go-to-market strategy)
• Environmental and local impact metrics
• Growth plans and timeline

Evaluation Criteria

1. Environmental impacts unlocked by investment (GHG emissions reduction, local environmental benefits)
2. Local impacts (job creation, economic development, energy burden reduction, health outcomes)
3. Business impact of Elemental's support—mission-critical initiatives that are accelerated or de-risked
4. Team strength, coachability, and values alignment with Elemental
5. Alignment with Elemental's mission and strategic priorities

Engagement Structure

• 9-month active engagement period
• Customized scope of work tied to business objectives
• Regular coaching and implementation support
• Post-engagement access to quarterly strategy calls and follow-on funding opportunities