Introducing FOAK1
Aethra’s blended capital first-of-a-kind vehicle for US and Australian projects
As was the responsibility of our ancient Greek namesake, Aethra’s mandate is to protect clear skies. In today’s climate we interpret ths to mean materially accelerating the adoption of better, cleaner, cheaper engineering.
With this mandate, we are excited to announce FOAK1: a blended capital approach that allows us to back companies and project developers as they methodically advance the infrastructure essential for tomorrow’s clean industry.
Why Partner with Aethra?
Agility and Focus
As a private, closed fund with a small and highly experienced team, Aethra operates with unparalleled agility. Decisions are made quickly, allowing us to respond dynamically to the needs of FOAK projects and the evolving market landscape. Our singular focus on project execution ensures that every resource is directed toward advancing transformative initiatives.
Expertise in FOAK
FOAK projects often face a capital gap due to the inherent challenges of scaling unproven technologies. Traditional investors remain cautious, prioritizing established assets with predictable cash flows, while project finance mechanisms are inaccessible to early infrastructure-scale initiatives. Aethra specializes in bridging this gap, identifying and managing risk to enable the execution of projects at the frontier of innovation.
Flexible Financing
Dual-Purpose Capital: Aethra deploys capital to support both project-level execution and the broader scaling needs of TopCo entities. This dual-purpose approach ensures immediate project viability while strengthening the foundation for long-term growth. Flexible Structures: Our investment frameworks include equity and venture debt, structured to meet the specific requirements of each project and optimize financial outcomes.
Your bridge between the US and Australia
A partnership for the ages, Australia and the United States offer complementary strengths for advancing First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) projects, creating an ideal foundation for clean energy innovation and deployment.
Australia is a global leader in renewable energy, with some of the most cost-competitive solar and wind resources in the world. The levelized cost of electricity is as low as $35/MWh for solar and $45/MWh for wind, far below regional peers such as Japan and Korea. This affordable and abundant renewable energy positions Australia as an ideal gateway for US companies seeking to expand into Asian markets. Historically a major exporter of raw minerals to Asia, Australia is now poised to foster onshore value-adding industries powered by its renewable resources.
Through FOAK1, Aethra aims to act as a gateway for US companies seeking to access Asian markets by seeding a new wave of technologies that capitalize on this opportunity, supporting projects that advance industrial transformation and enable sustainable growth. By leveraging Australia’s renewable energy, policy support, and engineering expertise, these initiatives will drive innovation while ensuring that value creation remains local, benefiting the Australian economy and the global clean energy transition.
Projects: What we’re looking for?
Aethra collaborates with companies and FOAK / SOAK / NOAK project developers of all sectors, however our ideal alignment is as follows:
Deal Size: Investments ranging from $5M to $10M.
Geography: Projects based in the USA or Australia.
Structure: Primarily equity, with venture debt considered for select cases.
Risk Mitigation: Projects supported by robust offtake agreements (e.g., take-or-pay or liquidated damages provisions).
Impact: Meaningful greenhouse gas reductions, with no set minimum threshold.
Though We are not bound by sectors however we have particular interest in the following processes:
- Ammonia & Urea
- Aluminium Production
- Battery Materials & Critical Minerals
- Green Iron & Steel Production
- E-fuels for Transport
- Green Hydrogen Production
- Long duration energy storage
If you fit some or all of the parameters please don’t hesitate to reach out to us, or apply for funding here.
© Aethra Ventures LLC
Protecting Clear Skies