Accelerating the Rate of Climate Innovation Together

A joint venture of Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and New Energy Nexus, Third Derivative (D3) is a vertically integrated engine for climate innovation. We combine a next-generation accelerator, committed venture capital, a curated ecosystem of global corporations, and unparalleled market, regulatory, and policy insights.

We are mission driven and market focused. Rising to the climate crisis challenge is a once-in-a-generation, trillion-dollar economic opportunity. That’s why we were founded with purpose: to find, fund, hone, and scale the most-promising technologies to achieve larger, faster reductions in global carbon emissions.

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We work to make the world better, not from some airy theoretical hope, but in the pragmatic and grounded conviction that acting out of hope can cultivate a different kind of world worth being hopeful about. Third Derivative’s pragmatic, integrative way of deploying innovative climate technologies faster perpetuates the ‘applied hope’ that the world needs more of right now.
Amory B. Lovins, Cofounder and Chairman Emeritus, Rocky Mountain Institute
Our company is breaking diesel dependency in Nigeria, one of the most-populous countries and fastest-growing economies in the world. Positively disruptive companies like ours need accelerators that can connect them to capital, corporate partners, and game-changing networks all over the world. I'm excited to see Third Derivative help startups with this new approach.
Ugwem Eneyo, CEO and Cofounder, Shyft Power
If we're going to achieve the speed and scale of change that the world needs to tackle the climate crisis, we have to take startups with the most-promising no-carbon solutions—and then immerse them in a new kind of innovation ecosystem that gives them their best shot at succeeding. That's what Third Derivative will do for dozens of companies at a time. It's a thrill to be building it.
Danny Kennedy, CEO, New Energy Nexus
Technology solutions play a critical role in addressing some of the world’s most-pressing challenges, including climate change. At AT&T, we’re using technology to help both mitigate and adapt to climate change. By setting ambitious climate-related targets, we’re addressing our own impact, and we’re working with customers to help them reduce their emissions. We are excited about the opportunity to serve as a founding member of D3 because this project has the potential to scale climate solutions in our industry and beyond. We believe RMI’s efforts, combined with the other stakeholders, can meaningfully move the needle for clean tech.
Susan Johnson, Executive Vice President, Global Connections & Supply Chain, AT&T
For energy and climate innovations to quickly grow from concept to full-scale deployment, it is essential for entrepreneurs to collaborate, align with, and get support from a diverse set of market-focused stakeholders. D3 is what's needed to accelerate the pace of innovation and deployment, focusing on solutions that address climate change, the largest challenge now facing humanity.
Jules Kortenhorst, CEO, Rocky Mountain Institute
Third Derivative delivers cost-effective de-risking of curated early stage deal-flow, enabling us to consider investments in earlier stage companies. Also, leveraging RMI’s knowledge and ability to convene global energy stakeholders provides Emerald and our Global Energy Transformation Alliance a differentiated advantage.
Gina Domanig, Managing Partner, Emerald Technology Ventures