Can you tell our readers where and how it all began and talk about where you are today?

I started my career in venture capital law, where I handled numerous cleantech deals. This experience sparked my passion for climate tech investment, and this led to my journey in venture capital. I joined ETF Partners nearly a decade ago, starting as an intern and progressing to partnership level with our latest fund, Fund 4. Today, I serve on the boards of Net Purpose, The Modern Milkman and Tomorrow, having led these investments for ETF Partners. I also co-led our investment in Zeelo with my partner Patrick Sheehan, where I serve as Board Observer.

Which industries are you working in?

We focus on the intelligence layer of modern infrastructure, specifically targeting sectors where technology can drive meaningful sustainability impact. This includes energy tech, food systems, mobility, climate finance, carbon technology and climate data.

What do you look for in a founder?

We want to partner with founders who demonstrate authentic leadership and high integrity. Beyond the fundamentals, we value grit, resilience, and the ability to learn from setbacks. These qualities are essential for navigating the challenges of building impact and sustainable technologies companies.

Can you talk about your current portfolio?

Our portfolio companies are tackling significant environmental challenges. For example, Riverlane is developing foundational software for quantum computing, while Open Cosmos is democratising access to space intelligence - recently supporting the Spanish government's response to the Valencia floods through satellite imagery. The Modern Milkman, one of Europe's fastest-growing companies, is revolutionising sustainable food delivery through returnable packaging systems.

What does the future look like?

Despite the urgency of climate challenges, we're optimistic about the pace of innovation. Advanced battery storage and AI-powered climate tools are accelerating industry decarbonisation, while decentralised energy systems are gaining traction. We're particularly excited by developments in climate adaptation technology, especially solutions for natural disaster response.

The climate venture capital ecosystem has transformed over the past decade, but we're still in the early stages. As one of Europe's established sustainability funds, with 20 years' experience and a stable partnership, we're well-positioned to continue backing transformative climate technologies.

Tomer Strikovsky is a Partner at ETF Partners.