Ara Partners is a private investment firm founded in 2017 by Charles Cherington and Troy Thacker to reshape the industrial economy and advance decarbonization. Headquartered in the United States with offices in Europe, the firm manages roughly $6.3 billion in assets across private equity and infrastructure strategies. Supported by over 175 years of cumulative partner experience, it has delivered more than 400 projects across North America and Europe and reduced 10.8 million metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2023. Ara Partners pursues solutions that deliver emissions cuts at cost parity or better under the banner “Built to Decarbonize.”
By focusing on industrial and manufacturing processes that contribute significant pollution, Ara Partners backs companies that displace traditional methods with cleaner alternatives. It invests growth capital in chemicals, materials, food and agriculture, and energy efficiency, while also deploying funding to build and repurpose infrastructure for low-carbon molecules, waste diversion and energy distribution. Investment themes span private equity, infrastructure and energy decarbonization strategies. The firm offers technical guidance, operational expertise and policy support to help businesses scale and navigate regulatory environments.
Clean technology is central to Ara Partners’ investments, including energy storage and battery innovation. Its majority stake in Wattstor couples energy management software with behind-the-meter battery systems and solar modules for commercial clients. An investment in Polar Performance Materials supports a low-emission process for producing high-purity alumina, a critical ingredient in lithium-ion batteries. These and other projects enhance grid resilience and support the integration of renewable energy sources, reflecting the firm’s commitment to reliable, lower-carbon power solutions.
