8 Hard Truths for First-Time Climate VCs
Read time: 4 min
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Let me share the insightful story of a student of mine (VC Associate at a European Climate Tech fund).
Let’s call her Elena.
Eighteen months ago, she took the plunge and joined the world of venture capital.
It's long enough to see a bunch of fundraises, witness startups rise and fall and survive 1 or 2 hype cycles.
And long enough to have some hard-won lessons to share.
Here are the top 9 takeaways she shared with me:
1. Be a Contrarian, Not a Signal Chaser
She quickly learned that VC isn’t about playing it safe or following trends.
The truth?
No one actually knows what’s “right.” The market is fickle, and yesterday’s darlings can become tomorrow’s failures.
The trick?
Don’t chase signals—question them.
Look for gaps others miss.
Being contrarian is a lonely path, but it’s often where the magic happens.
2. This Job Is All About People
Elena thought VC would be about numbers and projections, but early-stage investing is a different beast.
The real bet is on people.
Founders who can pivot, persevere, and find a way when there’s no clear path.
Hustlers.
That means getting good at reading people, not spreadsheets.
3. If You’re Doing It Right, It’s Never Emotionally Easy
For every company Elena’s backed, she’s passed on twenty others.
Each “no” feels personal because, to the founder, it is.
The hardest part? Balancing logic with empathy.
Elena’s learned that doing this job right means being the bad cop sometimes—and that’s never easy.
4. Your Background Shapes Your Investing Lens
Elena’s previous jobs, projects, and side gigs weren’t just lines on her resume; they shaped how she sees the world.
She’s not the kind of investor who chases the next big consumer tech.
She’s more excited by the nitty-gritty of Carbon Capture infrastructure and solving real, gritty problems.
Your past shapes your conviction. Lean into it.
5. Team Dynamics Matter More Than You Think
VC can be repetitive—founder calls, market deep-dives, rinse and repeat.
She learned that the best teams don’t just work together; they pool knowledge, challenge each other, and keep the energy high.
Being part of a collaborative, supportive team has accelerated her growth more than any individual deal ever could.
6. You Need an Insatiable Curiosity
Curiosity isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a survival skill.
Her days are packed with context-switching—one minute, it’s material science, the next, green chemistry. Without a deep-rooted curiosity, this job would eat her alive.
But for someone who’s hungry to learn, there’s no better job in the world.
7. Grounded Confidence Wins Every Time
In VC, confidence isn’t just an asset—it’s a requirement.
Elena’s conviction gets tested constantly. Sometimes she’s right, sometimes she’s dead wrong, but either way, she’s learned that grounded confidence is what gets you through.
It’s not about knowing everything; it’s about trusting your process and being willing to adapt.
8. Believe in Your Fund’s Thesis
Elena’s a self-proclaimed overthinker, and that’s exactly why her fund’s thesis of deep, conviction-driven investing resonates so deeply with her.
She’s found a place where her natural tendencies align with the mission, and it’s made all the difference.
Find a fund where you can be your best investor self.
Eighteen months in, Elena’s still learning, still questioning, and still chasing those moments of clarity.
The path hasn’t been easy, but that’s exactly why she loves it.
For those just starting out, take it from her: you’re in for a wild ride, so buckle up and keep pushing.
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Great insights as ever. I actually just placed a newbie into a Climate VC. I say newbie, they were employee number five in a startup that went on to IPO and they rode the whole journey. Now switching to the VC side. Will share these insights.