Clea Kolster

Clea Kolster stands as a prominent figure in the climate technology investment landscape, serving as a Partner at Lowercarbon Capital. In this crucial role, she is instrumental in identifying and backing visionary companies dedicated to solving the planet's most pressing environmental challenges through innovative science and engineering.

Lowercarbon Capital is renowned for its aggressive pursuit of technologies that can rapidly decarbonize the global economy, and Clea Kolster's expertise is central to this mission. Her investment focus spans a wide array of climate solutions, including advanced carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), sustainable fuels, industrial decarbonization, clean energy generation, and novel materials that reduce environmental impact. She seeks out deep tech solutions with the potential for massive scale and transformative impact, aligning perfectly with Lowercarbon Capital's ethos of funding companies that can genuinely move the needle on climate change.

Clea's journey to becoming a leading climate tech investor is rooted in a strong scientific and engineering background. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London, a testament to her deep understanding of complex industrial processes and chemical reactions. This academic rigor provides her with a unique advantage in evaluating the technical viability and potential of nascent climate technologies. Prior to joining Lowercarbon Capital, Clea gained valuable industry experience at Carbon Engineering, a pioneering direct air capture company. Her time there offered firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities of scaling carbon removal technologies, further solidifying her expertise in this critical area.

Her career trajectory at Lowercarbon Capital itself highlights her impact and leadership. Starting as the Director of Science, Clea was responsible for vetting the scientific underpinnings of potential investments, ensuring that the firm's capital was deployed into truly viable and impactful solutions. Her promotion to Partner reflects her significant contributions to the firm's investment strategy and her ability to identify and nurture groundbreaking ventures. While specific individual investments are often a collaborative effort at Lowercarbon Capital, Clea has been a key driver in the firm's portfolio companies that are developing next-generation solutions for industrial emissions reduction, sustainable aviation fuels, and advanced carbon sequestration.

Clea Kolster's work at Lowercarbon Capital is more than just investment; it is a commitment to fostering a sustainable future. Her blend of scientific acumen, industry experience, and strategic investment insight positions her as a vital force in accelerating the development and deployment of technologies essential for a decarbonized world.