Microsoft announces a $100 million grant to Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Catalyst

Breakthrough Energy Catalyst (“Catalyst”), a program within the Breakthrough Energy network founded by Bill Gates, is a model for public-private sector partnership to help build the foundation of the net-zero economy. The Catalyst program will focus on direct air capture, green hydrogen, long-duration energy storage, and sustainable aviation fuel. Yesterday, Microsoft announced a $100 million grant to Breakthrough Energy Catalyst.

“It’s imperative that we accelerate the development of new technology that propels us toward a net zero economy this decade,” said Brad Smith, President and Vice Chair of Microsoft. “By playing all the roles that we can – customer, investor, and now, donor through our $100M grant in Breakthrough Energy Catalyst – Microsoft is committed to working across public and private sectors to help nurture and scale the most promising climate innovations.”

“Avoiding a climate disaster will require a new industrial revolution. Half the technology needed to get to zero emissions either doesn’t exist yet or is too expensive for much of the world to afford. Catalyst is designed to change that and provide an effective way to invest in our clean technology future. By working with this growing community of private and public partners, Catalyst will take a global view of the energy innovation landscape – the key technologies, leading-edge companies, financing partners, and pivotal policies – and fund the projects that will have the greatest positive impact for our planet,” said Bill Gates.

Source: Microsoft, Breakthrough Energy