San Mateo, CA — At this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, OneValley unveiled Round Zero, a new initiative around financial support for early-stage startups working on sustainable solutions in climate, energy, water, and food systems. By tapping into $234 billion currently sitting in Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), Round Zero aims to provide critical funding for innovations with the potential for outsized impact on our society, environment, and national interests.

“Round Zero is aimed at supporting Deeptech founders building technologies for the betterment of society” – Seth Hauben introducing the Round Zero fund at this years World Economic Forum. 

Solutions Are Early and Lack Necessary Funding

Organizations around the world are setting ambitious sustainability goals. Yet, according to the International Energy Agency, 75% of the technologies required to reach mid-century climate goals are in early stages of research and development.

Furthermore, traditional philanthropy and venture capital are often too risk-averse or misaligned to support these innovations. 90% of promising sustainable technologies stall out trying to navigate the “commercialization valley of death,” a gap between the current public and private funds available. Round Zero offers a way for philanthropic investors to help solve this funding problem—while retaining the tax advantages and long-term giving potential of their funds.

Round Zero Provides a Mutually-Beneficial Funding Mechanism

DAFs are tax-advantaged philanthropic vehicles that allow donors to make charitable contributions, receive immediate tax deductions, and recommend grants over time. But today, most of that $234 billion sits idle in mutual funds, generating fees for brokers—but no impact for the world. Round Zero aims to change that to the benefit of both donors and sustainable startups.

Unlike traditional grants, investments through Round Zero’s philanthropic model can generate returns that flow back into DAFs—fueling the next generation of innovation. It’s a virtuous cycle: Give → Grow → Grant again.

Round Zero will tap into OneValley’s existing relationships with national labs such as those in the U.S. Department of Energy’s network, universities and their tech transfer programs, accelerators, and others. These relationships afford us a unique ability to identify, vet, and support promising startups as investment opportunities.

Let’s Make a Positive Difference—Together

“We have the technologies to solve some of humanity’s most pressing problems and a $230  billion pool of capital ready to invest,” said Alexander Fang, a member of Round Zero’s investment team. “With Round Zero, we’re creating a new model of philanthropic investing that can bend the arc of human history.”

By unlocking even a small portion of the billions currently sitting in DAFs, we can deploy meaningful funding into high-impact, sustainable ventures. If you’re a startup building for a more sustainable tomorrow, a philanthropic investor looking to maximize your impact, or a lab ready to reshape financial support for sustainably-focused startups, we’d love to hear from you.

Media Contact

Alexander Fang
Investment Team, Round Zero
Email: alex@rzfund.org
Phone: 858-349-2445
www.rzfund.org