Amid Market Backlash: Pitching Climate 2026
The hosts:
Philip Specht, AENU
Hugo Rauch, New Wave & Climate Club
What is this Ripple about?
In this Ripple, we will unpack how climate is currently pitched across founders, VCs, LPs, and corporates — and explore how the narrative may need to evolve in 2026 to reinforce tailwinds for actors across climate tech.
Why this topic timely or urgent in 2026
Over the last 2–3 years, climate has lost momentum on the geopolitical agenda. Political support has weakened in key markets, while ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tension have pushed climate priorities into the background.
At the same time, the AI wave is absorbing most of the tech ecosystem’s attention. Capital has become more selective, LP scrutiny has intensified, and many climate start-ups report longer sales cycles and tougher fundraising environments.
This raises an uncomfortable but important question: Does the climate movement have a marketing problem?
Key questions or challenges being explored
Does climate have a marketing or positioning problem?
How is climate currently pitched across founders, VCs, LPs, and corporates - and what resonates?
Should we move beyond the term “climate tech”?
The main tension or debate at the heart of this discussion
Who would get the most value from attending this Ripple?
Founders pitching climate tech to Corporates and VCs
VCs pitching climate tech to LPs and Corporates
LPs and Corporates pitching climate tech to internal stakeholders