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Katie Clasen is a Principal at Prelude Ventures based in San Francisco, California, where she sources and executes early-stage investments in the climate technology sector. Before joining the firm in 2023, she worked at Sila Nanotechnologies across process integration engineering and product management to support the commercial launch of battery materials. Her earlier career includes serving as a process engineer at Royal Dutch Shell and completing a venture capital fellowship at Buoyant Ventures. Clasen holds a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Washington and a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management, and she currently serves on the board of Scientific Adventures for Girls. She has directed capital toward portfolio companies such as Lightship and Understory, maintaining a core investment focus on deep tech, energy transition, and decarbonization solutions.
Katie Clasen is a distinguished Principal at Prelude Ventures, a pioneering venture capital firm dedicated to investing in climate technology. In her pivotal role, Katie is instrumental in identifying, evaluating, and nurturing early-stage companies that are at the forefront of addressing global climate challenges. Her work at Prelude Ventures centers on a broad spectrum of climate solutions, encompassing advancements in sustainable energy, innovative food and agriculture systems, efficient transportation, and the decarbonization of industrial processes. She is deeply committed to supporting entrepreneurs who are building scalable technologies with the potential for significant environmental and economic impact, driving both ecological benefit and strong financial returns.
Before joining Prelude Ventures, Katie Clasen cultivated a robust background that equipped her with a keen understanding of technology, market dynamics, and strategic growth. Her career trajectory has provided her with diverse experiences, often involving analytical rigor and a passion for impactful innovation. This foundation allows her to bring a comprehensive perspective to her investment decisions, assessing not only the technological viability but also the market potential and team strength of prospective portfolio companies. Her expertise is particularly valuable in navigating the complex landscape of climate tech, where scientific breakthroughs meet commercialization challenges, requiring a nuanced approach to due diligence and portfolio management.
At Prelude Ventures, Katie contributes significantly to the firm's mission of backing companies that are developing solutions for a more sustainable future. She actively seeks out ventures that promise to disrupt traditional industries through cleaner, more efficient methods. Her investment focus includes areas like renewable energy generation and storage, sustainable materials, carbon capture technologies, and precision agriculture. While specific individual investments are often a collaborative effort within the firm, her insights help shape Prelude's strategic investments, ensuring that capital is deployed to ventures poised to make a substantial difference in mitigating climate change. Katie Clasen's dedication to fostering innovation in climate tech underscores her commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable planet, making her a key figure in the venture capital ecosystem addressing this critical global issue. Her work helps to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy by empowering visionary founders with the resources and guidance they need to succeed.
Katie Clasen is a Principal at Prelude Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on investing in climate technology solutions.
Katie Clasen invests in climate technology companies across various sectors, including sustainable energy, food and agriculture, transportation, and industrial decarbonization.
Katie Clasen works as a Principal at Prelude Ventures, a leading climate tech venture capital firm.
