Impact Science Ventures (ISV) is a San Francisco–based venture capital firm founded in 2021 by Alain Harrus and Robert Ethier. ISV focuses on early-stage funding for companies that turn scientific discoveries into solutions for industrial and environmental challenges. The firm invests across energy, materials, manufacturing and agriculture, aiming to reshape trillion-dollar markets. With a small team of managing partners and principals, ISV collaborates closely with founders to translate laboratory breakthroughs into scalable products.
The investment approach seeks technologies that improve efficiency, resilience and sustainability across critical sectors. Target areas include energy generation, transmission and storage; sustainable mining, metal refining and chemical processes; advanced manufacturing for the built environment and bio-based production; and agricultural innovations in crop resilience, soil health and water management. ISV provides hands-on support through mentorship from industry experts, technical and commercial guidance, and connections to an extensive advisor network spanning academia, corporate R&D and government. This active support helps portfolio companies validate product market fit, manage technical risk and accelerate time to market.
Clean technology and battery innovation feature prominently in the portfolio. Antora Energy develops long-duration thermal storage for heavy industry, while Fervo Energy advances geothermal power systems. Brimstone produces low-carbon cement and Aepnus Technology offers electrolysis platforms for greener chemical manufacturing. Liminal Insights delivers battery manufacturing intelligence to improve safety and performance, and Sepion Technologies works on materials for next-generation Li-metal cells. Other investments include PolySpectra’s resins for additive manufacturing and Twelve’s renewable energy-driven CO₂ conversion. These companies demonstrate ISV’s commitment to lowering emissions, cutting costs and strengthening supply chains in energy and materials production.
