SNØCAP VC Research
Investment Thesis
SNØCAP is a deeptech venture capital firm focused exclusively on companies building the materials, molecules, and machines that power modern industry. Founded in 2023 by engineers Shrina Kurani, Nate Salpeter, and Jonathan Azoff, the firm takes a highly technical approach to climate tech investing, seeking founders with deep scientific or engineering expertise.
The firm believes that the most impactful climate solutions come from breakthrough innovations in physical technologies, not just software applications. They look for businesses that create efficiency gains, reduce costs for B2B customers, reduce emissions, own or license IP, have scientific roots, show corporate interest, need engineering support, can leverage ecosystems, and are raising their first institutional round.
Sector Focus
SNØCAP invests in three core areas:
Materials: Advanced materials for industrial applications, sustainable manufacturing, and resource efficiency.
Molecules: Chemical and biological solutions for climate challenges, including carbon capture, sustainable chemicals, biomanufacturing.
Machines: Hardware and physical systems that enable climate solutions, including energy generation equipment, manufacturing systems, industrial automation.
The firm explicitly avoids pure software plays, consumer apps, and technologies without a physical science component.
Stage Focus
- Pre-seed: Companies with strong IP and technical foundations but limited commercial traction
- Seed: First institutional round for companies with proof-of-concept and initial customer interest
- Grants to VC transition: Helping companies move from non-dilutive grant funding to venture capital
Check Size
Estimated $250K-$2M, consistent with pre-seed/seed deeptech focus and being first institutional capital.
Geographic Focus
Headquartered in Seattle, WA at the 9Zero Climate Innovation Hub. Strong presence in San Francisco. Fellowship program spans Yale, Stanford, Skidmore, University of Michigan, and University of Washington.
Portfolio Companies
SNØCAP has 11 portfolio companies across materials, molecules, and machines:
- Applied Bioplastics (appliedbioplastics.com) - Waste, plastics, recycling
- Bloom (togetherwebloom.us) - Finance, logistics, manufacturing
- CoolAmps (coolamps.tech) - Energy, materials, recycling
- Grain Ecosystem (grainecosystem.com) - Finance, reporting
- Mothership Materials (mothershipmaterials.com) - Waste, food, recycling
- Nanomox (nanomox.com) - Waste, materials, recycling
- Reviv Bio (revivbio.com) - Research, agriculture, chemicals
- Sironix Renewables (sironixrenewables.com) - Chemicals, cosmetics
- SoFab Inks (sofabinks.com) - Energy, materials
- Sparxell (sparxell.com) - Materials, cosmetics
- TriMagnetix (trimagnetix.com) - Compute, energy, datacenters
Ecosystem Partnerships
- Sweet Farm: Non-profit co-founded by GP Nate Salpeter, incubates food/ag/energy/materials startups
- 9Zero: Climate innovation community with hubs in SF and Seattle
- Envest: Global coalition of climate-focused VC funds
- Work on Climate: Strategic sponsor building climate workforce
- Climate Film Festival: GP Jonathan Azoff is inaugural sponsor
Team
Shrina Kurani, Managing Partner: Mechanical engineer, sustainability scientist. Formerly Better Ventures and Republic. Ran for US Congress on climate policy.
Nate Salpeter, General Partner: Ph.D. Mechanical Engineer, 18 years in climate tech (TerraPower, Kairos Power). Co-founded Sweet Farm.
Jonathan Azoff, General Partner: 20+ years software engineering. Exits to Zillow and Disney. Built Goat-2-Meeting (2M+ ARR), Omni (25M XRP). Former Carta engineering lead.
Abigail Albright, Founding Venture Partner: Product leader, angel investor (35+ startups), co-founded spatial computing fund. Wharton MBA.
Kate Kingen, Founding Venture Partner: Finance executive, $21bn transaction experience as investment banker.
Kelci Zile, Venture Partner: Director of EnVest, formerly Madrona Venture Labs and AWS Marketplace sustainability.
Lead Tendency
Likely leads or co-leads as first-check investor in specialized deeptech thesis.
Decision Process
Partnership model with technical due diligence emphasis.
Founder Preferences
Deep technical expertise (Ph.D./engineering), academic research background, corporate interest/pilots, mission-driven on climate impact.