1. Home
  2. Discover
  3. Business
  4. PitchBook News

PitchBook News - Climate tech's next act

Plus: Predicting the next craze, the new age data centers driving AI, PE firm survival strategies & more
Read online | Don't want to receive these emails? Manage your subscription.
PitchBook
Log in
The Weekend Pitch
March 3, 2024
Presented by Masterworks
(Joey Schaffer/PitchBook News)
Climate-tech startups have quickly gained ground on the broader startup market. But what do they do for an encore?

In 2017, climate-tech startups had the worst expected returns relative to nine other emerging tech verticals. The category now has the sixth-best outlook, according to new PitchBook research that uses a novel quantitative method to assess opportunities in emerging technologies.

VC investment and valuations held up better in climate tech than in other verticals last year. These companies have grown headcount faster than their tech peers, and they have significantly increased their share of patents filed, the report found.

Within the climate category, the carbon-tech subsegment presents the most attractive opportunities for early stage investors, according to the analysis. This cohort includes carbon-capture startups and firms writing the software needed to measure and account for emissions.

A repeat performance will be hard to pull off, but not impossible. Poor post-IPO performance of climate-tech companies, uncooperative energy markets and VC scrutiny are just a few of the hurdles the sector now faces.

This is the Weekend Pitch and I'm James Thorne. You can reach me at james.thorne@pitchbook.com or on X @jamescthorne.
read more
 
Share: Email LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
 
A message from Masterworks  
Get exclusive access to this $2.1 trillion investment banking secret
What do Bank of America, UBS, and JP Morgan have in common? They’ve all amassed massive investments in one $2.1 trillion asset class. It's not private equity, commodities, or crypto, but something far more exclusive… until now.

What is it? Fine art. That’s right, and these financial powerhouses aren’t the only ones investing in paintings by world class artists like Basquiat, Banksy, and Picasso. Thanks to the art investing platform Masterworks, everyday people have also unlocked the opportunity to invest in these elite assets.

So far, each of Masterworks’ 21 exits has been profitable, with investors realizing returns of 13.9%, 14.6%, 17.8% and more.

Now, PitchBook readers can get exclusive access to Masterworks’ latest deals here.

Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Investing involves risk. See Important disclosures at www.masterworks.com/cd
Share: Email LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
 
 

Trivia
(Yuichiro Chino/Getty Images)
According to our latest report on AI and machine learning, startups remain red hot, attracting investors' attention and capital. How much money did investors pour into the vertical in Q4 2023?

A) $11.5 billion
B) $19.7 billion
C) $29.3 billion
D) $22.3 billion

Find your answer at the bottom of The Weekend Pitch!
 

Predicting the next big thing

(Olm26250/Getty Images)
AI is the hot-button topic of today. But what about a year from now?

Our latest quantitative report debuts a new series: VC Emerging Opportunities. Our cross-vertical analysis covers everything from SaaS to gaming—and includes our proprietary predictions on future returns on investment. Using our VC Exit Predictor, PitchBook's quantitative team charts the course of the next generation of startup successes.
 

AI data-center startups challenge Big Tech

(Jasmin Merdan/Getty Images)
Powering a flurry of AI and machine learning startups are AI-specific data centers, whose specialized infrastructure and operations are designed to meet the rigors of the workloads, according to our latest Emerging Tech Research.

A crop of startups are emerging in the AI data-center space, looking to challenge the likes of Google, Amazon and Microsoft. The Q4 2023 AI and Machine Learning Report highlights VC-backed companies taking on Big Tech as well as other opportunities worth a look from investors.
 

How public PE firms navigate today's volatile climate

(Zhengshun Tang/Getty Images)
How are the top seven US-listed public PE firms navigating a tough investment environment? Efforts include expanding the lineup of private markets offerings, targeting more permanent pools of investor capital and revamping compensation structures and financial targets to please shareholders.

Our Q4 2023 US Public PE and GP Deal Roundup explores their financial results and what their executives have to say.
 

Quote/Unquote
(Courtesy of Oishii)
"Ultimately, most investors agree that agriculture has to change and that vertical farming will play a big role. The biggest question they have is, who is going to be the winner?"

—Hiroki Koga, co-founder and CEO of indoor vertical farming startup Oishii, speaking to PitchBook News after raising $134 million.
 

Stay tuned
Keep an eye out for these insights and research reports coming out this week:
  • February 2024 Global Markets Snapshot
  • Q4 2023 Infrastructure SaaS Report
  • Q4 2023 Biopharma Report
  • Analyst Note: 2024 IPO Pipeline
  • 2023 Annual Global Private Market Fundraising Report
  • Q4 2023 Germany Snapshot
 

Trivia
Answer: D)

Across 1,665 deals, VCs invested $22.3 billion into AI and machine learning startups in Q4 2023. You can read more about trends within the space and select companies in the report.

This edition of The Weekend Pitch was written by James Thorne, Rosie Bradbury, Madeline Shi and Jacob Robbins. It was edited by Ron Prichard.

Were you forwarded The Weekend Pitch? Sign up at pitchbook.com/subscribe.
 
Since yesterday, the PitchBook Platform added:
1
VC valuations
53
People
23
Companies
See what our data software can do
 
About PitchBook | Terms of use | Advertise with us | Contact
Follow us: in twtr fb

This email was sent to you via the PitchBook Platform.

Do you want to change your email address, get a different edition or unsubscribe? Manage your subscription here.

PitchBook Data Inc., 901 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1200, Seattle WA 98164, United States

© 2024 PitchBook. Win what's next. All rights reserved.

Older messages

Finding top tech opportunities

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Also: February returns across a range of indexes; New TAMs loom for public PE giants; Infrastructure SaaS is ready for the sea change AI will bring... Read online | Don't want to receive these

The evolution of embedded insurance

Friday, March 1, 2024

The top 10 VCs in cybersecurity startups; Q&A: How buyers assess continuation funds; European VC valuations unbowed Read online | Don't want to receive these emails? Manage your subscription.

After AI—what comes next for VC?

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Can brain therapy jump-start medtech; mapping the Netherlands' VC ecosystem; public PE firms ride private credit wave Read online | Don't want to receive these emails? Manage your subscription.

How VC powers AI data centers

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Public GPs tap creative capital; Oishii scores $134M for designer fruit; EQT bags $23B+ for buyout fund Read online | Don't want to receive these emails? Manage your subscription. Log in The Daily

Our guide to specialized healthcare funds

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Fidelity marks up Stripe shares; Microsoft backs OpenAI rival Mistral; unpacking the Netherlands' private market trends Read online | Don't want to receive these emails? Manage your

You Might Also Like

🚨 We’re Going LIVE! 🚨Ask Me Anything B2B Marketing is Starting

Monday, September 16, 2024

Here Is The Link To Join! ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

🎙️ Free Webinar Tomorrow: Get Expert B2B Marketing Advice

Monday, September 16, 2024

🚨 Free Webinar Tomorrow! Last Chance To RSVP! ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The $200/day Facebook side hustle...

Monday, September 16, 2024

A couple years ago, I never would have thought I'd be making money directly on Facebook, through the performance bonus program. However, at the beginning of this month, I've been making nearly

SEC Drops Term ‘Crypto Asset Securities’ in Binance Case

Monday, September 16, 2024

September 16, 2024 | Read Online SEC Drops Term 'Crypto Asset Securities' in Binance Case Plus Markets Price in Jumbo 50bps Rate Cut for Fed Meeting fb fb fb fb The Breakdown First Five -

What do you do when your product launch fails? [Roundup]

Monday, September 16, 2024

Hey Reader, If you've sold on Amazon for a while, you'll (inevitably) learn that products get old fast. Either you run out of stock and sales aren't what it used to be or product sales just

What channels move the needle for agencies

Monday, September 16, 2024

How agencies are aligning marketing strategies with consumer behavior ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

All Eyes On The Federal Reserve This Week

Monday, September 16, 2024

Today's letter is brought to you by Domain Money! ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Prompting with AI templates

Monday, September 16, 2024

Today's Guide to the Marketing Jungle from Social Media Examiner... Presented by social-media-marketing-world-logo It's National Collect Rocks Day, Reader... Go fill those pockets! In

Behind Mr. Ballen’s true crime kingdom 💀

Monday, September 16, 2024

The man. The myth. And his 8-figure business. Trends logo If you don't love emotional rollercoasters with missing persons, murder mysteries, and macabre intentions on otherwise quiet commutes,

Huntress secures revenue milestone

Monday, September 16, 2024

Mid-market deals spark revival; checking up on healthcare funds; VC dealmaking for India's unicorns stalls Don't want to receive these emails? Manage your subscription. Log in The Daily Pitch: