Playbooks & Guides
Speedstrapping Playbook
Third Sphere’s updated framework for founders to grow rapidly without taking on growth stage VC risk that has increased since 2021. Core ideas – minimal equity, rapid revenue, AI-powered efficiency, and private credit — should now be Plan A, not a fallback. This is an evolving multi-chapter guide.
→ Read Chapter 1
Design for Climate Finance (first shared at NY Climate Week)
We first introduced this idea in 2023 at Climate Week, but since then private credit has continued to grow and now even seed stage companies are using it. We don’t mean venture debt but the real full stack: grants, customers, partners, lenders, and off-balance sheet structures.
→ View the Presentation
ClimateTech Exits Playbook
A working guide to exit strategies for climate startups — covering M&A, IPOs, secondaries, PE roll-ups, and the unique challenges and opportunities of exiting in climate tech. Includes case studies and deal frameworks.
→ Read the Playbook
Theses & Perspectives
Request for Startups: Climate Adaptation & Resilience
Third Sphere’s call for founders working on adaptation and resilience — what we’re looking for, why the sector is underinvested, and what business models we think can work.
→ Read on LinkedIn
HBS Case Study on Urban Us
A Harvard Business School case study on Third Sphere’s predecessor fund, exploring the early thesis behind climate-focused venture investing through four portfolio companies.
⚠️ Spoiler alert — where are they now? Starcity ultimately wound down. Remix was successfully acquired. Seamlessdocs was also acquired, though largely in stock. One Concern lives on, finding itself at the intersection of climate resilience and the current AI wave — operating as both a platform and a hedge fund.
→ Read the Case Study
Tools & Network
Updates (Newsletter)
Third Sphere’s newsletter covering climate tech, startup strategy, and the evolving VC landscape. New editions published regularly.
→ Browse the Archive
Portfolio Job Board
Open roles across Third Sphere’s portfolio companies — spanning climate tech, mobility, infrastructure, and more.
→ Browse Jobs
Synchronicity
Third Sphere’s network platform for founders and investors to search and filter investors, partners, and talent across the community.
→ Access Synchronicity
Credit & Debt Providers
A curated, filterable database of non-dilutive capital sources for climate and hardware founders. Email miela@thirdsphere.com for help navigating it.
→ View the List