Clean energy and climate tech companies often rely on government grants and publicly funded projects to grow their businesses. While these funds are essential, they don’t always arrive when needed.
Payments can be delayed, or businesses may require upfront cash to begin work before grant money comes in. That’s where one startup is stepping in to fill the funding gap.
Enduring Planet, a company born in the Pacific Northwest, is doing just that—helping climate startups with their cash flow by offering more flexible and faster funding solutions.
Launched in 2021, Enduring Planet started out by offering loans backed by government grants. Since then, the company has expanded its services to include loans secured by government contracts.
They’ve also introduced part-time or “fractional” Chief Financial Officer (CFO) services to help startups manage their finances more effectively.
“Our mission at Enduring Planet is to ensure climate entrepreneurs have the capital they need to succeed,” said Dimitry Gershenson, the company’s CEO and co-founder, based in Portland, Oregon.
The fintech startup has secured $9 million in capital to lend to early-stage climate tech companies, with loan amounts ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. The company is backed by several impact-driven investors, including Green Spark Ventures, ImpactAssets, the Toniic investor network, and clients of Figure 8 Investment Strategies.
While borrowers still pay for the capital, Enduring Planet offers competitive rates—annual interest can reach up to 18.5%, but other charges are kept minimal, with only a 1.5% loan origination fee.
“When you factor in all fees, we’re one of the most affordable options available,” Gershenson said. He added that unlike many lenders, Enduring Planet doesn’t ask for personal guarantees or collateral on personal or business assets. Instead, they secure loans strictly against awarded government grants or contracts.
The company doesn’t just provide funding—they also act as connectors. Enduring Planet collaborates with a network of venture capital firms and helps its borrowers find additional investors if they’re looking to raise more capital.
“We’re unlocking stuck capital and resolving inefficiencies in the climate finance system,” said Erin Davis, the company’s co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, based in Washington, D.C.
The third co-founder is Joshua Krafchin, the company’s Chief Technology Officer, who works from Oakland, California. The Enduring Planet team has grown to 17 employees.
The company recently completed a funding round of its own, raising $4.9 million from investors such as K Street Capital, Avesta Fund, Cerulean Ventures, Resolute Ventures, Dangerous Ventures, Portland Seed Fund, and E8 Angels.
To find borrowers, Enduring Planet works closely with startup accelerators and early-stage investors. They also actively track public databases to identify climate startups that have received grants or contracts and reach out directly to offer support.
Though they’ve raised $9 million for lending, they’ve already deployed $13 million—thanks to loan repayments and reinvestments.
Impressively, over 90% of the startups receiving loans from Enduring Planet either have a diverse founding team, are led by underrepresented founders, or serve marginalized communities through their innovations.
While the number of players offering financial support to climate startups is growing—with groups like the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, Ezra, and Spring Lane Capital—Enduring Planet has carved out a unique role by focusing on unlocking capital quickly and efficiently through government funding channels.
What drives them? According to Gershenson and Davis, it’s the passion and dedication of climate entrepreneurs.
Many founders in this space aren’t just chasing financial returns—they’re deeply committed to solving climate challenges, which gives them the resilience to keep pushing through tough times.
“Most of the people building in climate tech aren’t doing it for the money,” Gershenson explained. “They care deeply about the mission. That passion keeps them going, even when it’s hard.”
Their work isn’t just helping companies grow—it’s helping create a more sustainable future. And Enduring Planet is making sure the right funding is there to support the movement.
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