Aravaipa Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Boulder, Colorado, founded in 2008. The firm specializes in investing in environmental, social and governance companies that offer scalable clean and climate technologies. Its funds run on a three-year cycle targeting five to ten times returns and aiming for exits within eighteen to thirty-six months. The firm charges no annual management fees and collects only carried interest, aligning its incentives with those of its investors.
Its strategy centers on early-stage businesses that can deliver both financial growth and measurable social or environmental impact. They seek companies with near-term commercial traction, typically those generating revenue or ready to scale product deployment. Typical sectors include renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable manufacturing, transportation solutions, building efficiency and water treatment. Aravaipa commits to backing three to five private ESG companies per fund, pairing capital with strategic guidance while aligning interests through carried interest and including investors in a decision-making committee.
The portfolio highlights the firm’s focus on clean technology and battery innovation. Investments include Bolder Industries, which transforms scrap tires into sustainable rubber, and Sionic Energy, a developer of next-generation silicon-anode batteries. Other holdings such as Clear Comfort Water provide chlorine-free pool treatment, while Lightning eMotors builds medium-duty electric vehicles for commercial fleets. Lightning eMotors has surpassed twenty million dollars in annual revenue, supported over 1.25 million zero-emission miles and earned awards for low-carbon manufacturing. Aravaipa’s hands-on approach has guided companies through product development, manufacturing scale-up and market entry, underscoring a patient yet outcome-driven investment style.
