We’re not just capital. We’re an ecosystem.

We are dedicated to cultivating a symbiotic network that connects humanity to science for long-term positive change.

Lichen Ventures

Funding Climate Innovation With Long-Term Impact

Lichen Ventures is a venture capital firm investing in climate-hard-tech companies who disrupt with discipline for the benefit of our planet. We back those with superior unit economics operating at the frontier of biomanufacturing, industrial decarbonization, adaptation and resilience, critical minerals, and methane management.

Led by managing partner Justin Brodie-Kommit, PhD, a leader in climate-hard-tech investment, Lichen Ventures and its venture partners are co-creating a symbiotic network fluent in complexity and committed to long-term impact.

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Disrupting With Discipline

Our mission is to back the ones who disrupt with discipline. We fund founders and climate-hard-tech innovations ready to scale with a relentless commitment to climate impact. We’re not here to chase hype. We’re cultivating a symbiotic network that connects humanity to science for long-term positive change.

investment focus

Backing Climate-Hard-Tech For Impact

Backing companies that create scalable, physical solutions with strong unit economics—delivering real-world impact and built for the planet’s next chapter.

Biomanufacturing

Turning microbes into scalable solutions for sustainable fuels and biochemicals, driving growth in a $3T market and accelerating decarbonization.

Industrial Decarbonization

Our investments enable the $14T global industry to cut emissions and improve performance, profitability, and resilience.

Adaptation and Resilience

As billion-dollar disasters double each decade, a $1.4T market emerges for solutions that help communities thrive amid change.

Critical Minerals

Enabling secure, sustainable access to essential minerals powering the global economy.

Methane Management

Backing solutions that reduce methane super-pollutant emissions at scale, delivering measurable climate impact and industry transformation.

PORTFOLIO

Where Hard Science Meets Bold Vision

Industrial Decarbonization

Electrifying Heavy Industry

Calectra transforms heavy industry by making clean heat cheaper than fossil fuels today with their breakthrough thermal battery technology. Their drop-in solution delivers zero-carbon industrial heat up to 1600°C, addressing 25% of global energy consumption and 10% of global CO2 emissions.

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BIOMANUFACTURING

Putting Biology to Work For The Bioeconomy

Aviation and petrochemicals produce 8% of global emissions. Erg Bio converts agricultural waste into cost-competitive sustainable aviation fuel, chemicals, and biomaterials using breakthrough low-cost sugar production, enabling scalable biomanufacturing.

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Founder and partner testimonials

Real Impact. Real Voices.

"We are lucky and grateful to have Justin as one of our pre-seed investors. His incredible network with other top investors in deeptech and his ability to make introductions fast made a huge difference during and after our fundraise."
Pauliina Meskanen
CEO, Calectra
“Justin is one of the most talented community builders I’ve worked with. His work across Maryland’s climate tech space is transformative. Every event he organizes creates meaningful relationships that support my work. He connects the right people, fostering innovation, collaboration, and long-term value. If you’re looking to grow a community, launch a network, or build momentum in climate innovation, Justin is the person you want at the center of it.”
Mike Ducker
Climate Tech Ecosystem Manager, Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator
“Justin brought exceptional leadership and vision to DC Climate Week. As the Innovation Track lead, he curated a lineup of emerging technologies—balancing what’s relevant now with what’s commercially viable in the next decade. His deep relationships with founders, early and late stage funders, and thought leaders ensured the best technologies were showcased.
As an advisory board member, Justin was a force behind the scenes—engaged, strategic, and constantly pushing for excellence. He challenged leadership when needed and pulled in critical resources to make things happen. His stewardship and governance was key to the success of the week, and to the strength of the broader climate tech ecosystem.”
C’pher Gresham
Co-Founder, DC Climate Week and Gridvolve
“Justin has been my personal sherpa through the founder journey, helping me navigate the hardest parts of building FinEV. He’s offered sharp insight, steady perspective, and key introductions—including the one that led to our Head of BD. He builds deep trust with founders through empathy and integrity, and he’s always shown up when it’s mattered most.”
Nic Abel
Founder & CEO, FinEV
"Justin has single handedly built-up DC and Baltimore climate tech ecosystems with gamechanging local, national, and scientific leadership in hard, frontier and deep tech sectors.”
Michael Holt
Founder, Traverse Management and Traverse Ventures
“Justin has been a trusted expert and ally to my venture. He always has his finger on the pulse of the climate technology and venture capital ecosystems, and enthusiastically supported us from our earliest stages. Justin connected us to the right people at just the right times, and offered critical advice and insights that guided our product and business model.”
Alexander Rovalino
Co-Founder of Aquapitas

We’re not chasing hype—we’re building what’s next.

We partner with bold thinkers, entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, and LPs who disrupt with discipline for the benefit of the planet. Are you a climate-hard-tech entrepreneur looking for the right place to grow? Get in touch and let’s start the conversation.