Breakthrough Energy Bets on 21 Startups to Power a Changing Grid

The current scramble for power in AI data centers serves as a mere preview of the energy challenges ahead. According to Eric Toone, managing partner at Breakthrough Energy Ventures, data center demand is merely the canary in the coal mine for a broader economic shift. As nations move toward full electrification to meet carbon targets, the infrastructure of the last 30 years will face unprecedented strain.

To navigate this shift, the organization’s latest fellowship class focuses on aggressive engineering. Among the ventures are Borealis Fusion and StarWarden, both tackling the technical hurdles of fusion energy. Others, such as K1 Semiconductor and Bedrock Semiconductor, aim to slash the cost of power electronics by up to 50% through more efficient material processing. Beyond generation and computing efficiency, the fund is supporting hydrogen transport via ammonia through companies like AmyHyTech and Ammovolt Energy, addressing a critical lack of existing distribution capacity.

Recognizing that global decarbonization is proving slower and more difficult than initial projections, the program has also expanded its scope toward climate adaptation. The strategy remains anchored in calculated risk: identifying startups that avoid the trivial to pursue systemic changes in agriculture, robotics, and critical mineral extraction. While the organization currently operates with Benjamin Gaddy as acting director following the departure of Ashley Grosh, the mandate remains focused on long-term payoffs in a decarbonizing economy.