Regenerative Future Fund: Cisco’s $100M Commitment to Climate Innovation
In 2021, the Cisco Foundation made a significant commitment to combat the climate crisis, pledging $100 million over a decade to support groundbreaking climate solutions. This investment is divided into two strategic allocations: $50 million in grants for nonprofit organizations focused on climate and social impact, and $50 million directed toward equity and debt investments in early-stage climate startups (Seed to Series A) and venture funds.
As environmental challenges intensify and natural disasters become more frequent, the $50 million climate investment initiative has refined its impact investment strategy, concentrating on transformative, venture-backed technologies. Today, we are excited to announce the evolution and rebranding of this initiative as the Regenerative Future Fund.
The new name underscores our deep commitment to leveraging the Foundation’s endowment for scalable, high-impact solutions. By investing in startups and venture funds that drive meaningful change, the Regenerative Future Fund prioritizes ecosystem restoration, community resilience, and sustainable economic growth.
Beyond financial support, the Fund reflects Cisco Foundation’s holistic approach—championing market-driven, regenerative solutions that not only protect but also restore the planet. Through portfolio development and a vision to accelerate climate innovation, the Regenerative Future Fund is dedicated to fostering a more sustainable and resilient future.
Why the Regenerative Future Fund?
The Regenerative Future Fund is a core component of our Cisco Foundation $100M Climate Impact and Regeneration commitment. It embodies our belief in the power of climate impact investments to drive real, measurable action. The Fund continues to invest in early-stage climate technology companies while also serving as a limited partner in venture funds supporting climate solutions. This dual strategy allows us to directly back high-potential startups, mitigate risks in early-stage markets, and cultivate innovation ecosystems through venture partnerships.
Our vision is to create systems where humanity and nature coexist and flourish. This rebranding signals a sharper focus on technologies that regenerate rather than deplete resources, while strengthening resilience, particularly for communities most vulnerable to climate change. Our key priorities include:
As environmental challenges intensify and natural disasters become more frequent, the $50 million climate investment initiative has refined its impact investment strategy, concentrating on transformative, venture-backed technologies. Today, we are excited to announce the evolution and rebranding of this initiative as the Regenerative Future Fund.
The new name underscores our deep commitment to leveraging the Foundation’s endowment for scalable, high-impact solutions. By investing in startups and venture funds that drive meaningful change, the Regenerative Future Fund prioritizes ecosystem restoration, community resilience, and sustainable economic growth.
Beyond financial support, the Fund reflects Cisco Foundation’s holistic approach—championing market-driven, regenerative solutions that not only protect but also restore the planet. Through portfolio development and a vision to accelerate climate innovation, the Regenerative Future Fund is dedicated to fostering a more sustainable and resilient future.
Why the Regenerative Future Fund?
The Regenerative Future Fund is a core component of our Cisco Foundation $100M Climate Impact and Regeneration commitment. It embodies our belief in the power of climate impact investments to drive real, measurable action. The Fund continues to invest in early-stage climate technology companies while also serving as a limited partner in venture funds supporting climate solutions. This dual strategy allows us to directly back high-potential startups, mitigate risks in early-stage markets, and cultivate innovation ecosystems through venture partnerships.
Our vision is to create systems where humanity and nature coexist and flourish. This rebranding signals a sharper focus on technologies that regenerate rather than deplete resources, while strengthening resilience, particularly for communities most vulnerable to climate change. Our key priorities include:
- Restoration and regeneration: Supporting innovations that replenish biodiversity, build resilient ecosystems, and promote circular economies.
- Equity and inclusion: Advocating for solutions that enhance community resilience and equitable climate adaptation.
- Long-term impact: Investing in breakthrough technologies reshaping industries toward sustainability, such as regenerative agriculture and green infrastructure.
Why Now?
The climate tech investment landscape has experienced fluctuations in recent years. After peaking in 2021 with a record $48 billion in global venture and growth equity investments, the sector saw a decline, dropping to $30 billion in 2024—a 14% decrease from 2023 and a 37% drop from its peak (Sightline Climate). Despite this downturn, climate tech has proven more resilient compared to the broader venture capital market, which has seen a 52% decline in investment volumes since 2021, largely due to rising interest rates (KPMG). Meanwhile, carbon technology investment surged by 24% in 2023, reaching $17.7 billion, driven by regulatory demands and corporate decarbonization efforts (Pitchbook).
The Need for Catalytic Capital
Now more than ever, catalytic capital—like that provided by the Cisco Foundation’s Regenerative Future Fund—is crucial for funding pioneering innovations essential for achieving global climate goals (Foley Hoag). Corporate foundations like Cisco Foundation have the resources, networks, and influence to propel emerging technologies toward widespread adoption. By filling critical funding gaps where the market falls short, catalytic investment ensures transformative climate solutions can scale effectively.
Strength of Early-Stage Climate Investments
Early-stage climate investments have shown remarkable resilience. In 2023, 69% of climate tech deals focused on early-stage companies—a 14 percentage point increase from the previous year (CB Insights). Additionally, while equity investments have declined, alternative financing models are stepping in. Debt financing in climate tech skyrocketed from $13.9 billion in 2021 to $45.6 billion in 2024, as startups pivot from venture capital to loans and other funding mechanisms (Net Zero Insights).
Addressing Funding Gaps
Despite progress, substantial funding gaps remain. Adaptation finance accounts for only 10% of global climate funding (UNEP), while nature-based solutions and biodiversity investments remain underfunded, despite their vital role in addressing climate change. Furthermore, decarbonization technologies struggle to attract the necessary capital to scale effectively.
By evolving into the Regenerative Future Fund, we reaffirm our commitment to ecosystem regeneration and sustainable growth. Through catalytic venture capital, we aim to bridge funding gaps in adaptation, mitigation, and nature-based solutions, investing in innovations that align with natural systems. Together, we are working toward a future where businesses, ecosystems, and communities thrive in harmony.
Celebrating Portfolio Progress
Since 2021, the Regenerative Future Fund has supported over 25 companies and funds, driving impactful change across multiple sectors. Some key initiatives include:
The climate tech investment landscape has experienced fluctuations in recent years. After peaking in 2021 with a record $48 billion in global venture and growth equity investments, the sector saw a decline, dropping to $30 billion in 2024—a 14% decrease from 2023 and a 37% drop from its peak (Sightline Climate). Despite this downturn, climate tech has proven more resilient compared to the broader venture capital market, which has seen a 52% decline in investment volumes since 2021, largely due to rising interest rates (KPMG). Meanwhile, carbon technology investment surged by 24% in 2023, reaching $17.7 billion, driven by regulatory demands and corporate decarbonization efforts (Pitchbook).
The Need for Catalytic Capital
Now more than ever, catalytic capital—like that provided by the Cisco Foundation’s Regenerative Future Fund—is crucial for funding pioneering innovations essential for achieving global climate goals (Foley Hoag). Corporate foundations like Cisco Foundation have the resources, networks, and influence to propel emerging technologies toward widespread adoption. By filling critical funding gaps where the market falls short, catalytic investment ensures transformative climate solutions can scale effectively.
Strength of Early-Stage Climate Investments
Early-stage climate investments have shown remarkable resilience. In 2023, 69% of climate tech deals focused on early-stage companies—a 14 percentage point increase from the previous year (CB Insights). Additionally, while equity investments have declined, alternative financing models are stepping in. Debt financing in climate tech skyrocketed from $13.9 billion in 2021 to $45.6 billion in 2024, as startups pivot from venture capital to loans and other funding mechanisms (Net Zero Insights).
Addressing Funding Gaps
Despite progress, substantial funding gaps remain. Adaptation finance accounts for only 10% of global climate funding (UNEP), while nature-based solutions and biodiversity investments remain underfunded, despite their vital role in addressing climate change. Furthermore, decarbonization technologies struggle to attract the necessary capital to scale effectively.
By evolving into the Regenerative Future Fund, we reaffirm our commitment to ecosystem regeneration and sustainable growth. Through catalytic venture capital, we aim to bridge funding gaps in adaptation, mitigation, and nature-based solutions, investing in innovations that align with natural systems. Together, we are working toward a future where businesses, ecosystems, and communities thrive in harmony.
Celebrating Portfolio Progress
Since 2021, the Regenerative Future Fund has supported over 25 companies and funds, driving impactful change across multiple sectors. Some key initiatives include:
- Building Resilient Ecosystems: Hohonu is pioneering real-time water monitoring to protect communities from flooding and sea-level rise, gathering over 2 million hours of critical data. Additionally, Trailhead Capital is advancing regenerative agriculture to enhance soil and farm resilience against extreme weather.
- Driving Decarbonization: Ebb Carbon is scaling Electrochemical Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement to remove up to 350,000 tons of CO₂ in collaboration with Microsoft. On land, Terradot is expanding Enhanced Rock Weathering in tropical regions, backed by $58.2 million in new funding. In construction, CarbonBuilt is revolutionizing cement production with its low-carbon concrete technology, securing a major deployment deal with Meta.
- Enhancing Carbon Markets: Chloris Geospatial and Miraterra are transforming carbon monitoring and verification. Chloris, in partnership with Trove Research, is bringing transparency to over 550 forest carbon projects, while Miraterra uses AI and sensors to track soil carbon levels and support sustainable agriculture.
- Expanding Clean Energy Access: Jaza Energy recently achieved a successful exit, amplifying its mission of solar-powered electrification. SteamaCo and Shyft Power Solutions merged to accelerate decentralized renewable energy solutions in Africa and South Asia. Aikido Technologies is pioneering floating offshore wind platforms, drastically reducing construction times.
- Supporting Early-Stage Climate Capital: The Southeast Asia Clean Energy Facility (SEACEF) has launched the first blended finance fund for energy transition in Southeast Asia. Third Sphere is driving climate-focused hardware solutions, while Superorganism is building the world’s leading biodiversity-focused venture fund. Enduring Planet, Catalyst Fund, and Katapult are providing tailored support to climate tech startups across various regions.
The Regenerative Future Fund is more than an investment initiative—it is a collaborative effort among visionary founders, co-investors, and partners committed to building a regenerative, resilient future.
Just as Cisco connects the world through cutting-edge technology, we are connecting businesses, ecosystems, and communities to create a future where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. Every investment and partnership we make strengthens the web of opportunity and impact, ensuring a world where people and the planet thrive together.
Click here to get in touch, share a pitch deck, or reach out on LinkedIn.
Just as Cisco connects the world through cutting-edge technology, we are connecting businesses, ecosystems, and communities to create a future where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. Every investment and partnership we make strengthens the web of opportunity and impact, ensuring a world where people and the planet thrive together.
Click here to get in touch, share a pitch deck, or reach out on LinkedIn.
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