The Radical Fund: 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

The Radical Fund is a pioneering early-stage venture capital firm dedicated to supporting climate-focused entrepreneurs across Southeast Asia. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, the fund addresses some of the most pressing challenges posed by climate change in emerging markets. Unlike traditional climate investment funds centered mainly on decarbonization, The Radical Fund embraces a comprehensive approach combining both climate mitigation and adaptation solutions tailored to Southeast Asia's unique socio-economic landscape. With a vision to transform Southeast Asia into a global leader in climate ventures, this fund stands out for its regional focus, strategic investments, and operational support to startups driving sustainable and climate-resilient innovations.

1. Founding and Vision

Established in 2022 as part of the Utopia Capital Management group, The Radical Fund emerged to bridge the funding gap for early-stage climate tech ventures in Southeast Asia. Its founders recognized that climate change impacts on this region are distinct from Western contexts, necessitating a broader range of solutions beyond mere emissions reductions. The fund’s vision is to make Southeast Asia the world’s leading climate venture economy by supporting ventures that deliver both measurable climate outcomes and commercial returns. Operating as a partnership with a core team based in Bangkok and expanding regionally, The Radical Fund reflects a forward-looking commitment to ecosystem-building.

2. Focus on Climate Adaptation and Mitigation

What makes The Radical Fund distinctive is its dual focus on climate mitigation and adaptation. While many funds prioritize decarbonization technologies, The Radical Fund invests in ventures that also help communities adapt to climate impacts. This is crucial in a region vulnerable to extreme weather, rising sea levels, and environmental stresses. By funding startups developing scalable solutions in renewable energy, nature-based solutions, circular economy, and food systems, the fund supports an inclusive climate transition aligning with the realities faced by millions in countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

3. Target Markets and Regional Reach

The fund specifically targets six key Southeast Asian markets: Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. These countries are among the most climate-vulnerable in the world yet present high growth potential for climate ventures. The Radical Fund’s approach is highly localized, supporting startups that either originate or have significant operational presence in the region. This strategy enables tailored solutions and direct impact, addressing local policy environments, market conditions, and social needs effectively.

4. Investment Strategy and Portfolio

The Radical Fund primarily invests at pre-seed, seed, and pre-Series A stages, aiming to back founders who demonstrate the potential to scale commercial businesses while generating meaningful climate impact. Investment sizes typically range from $250,000 to $800,000 per company. The fund’s portfolio includes a diverse set of companies across sectors such as solar financing (e.g., Okapi Technologies), electric vehicle logistics, sustainable agriculture, waste management, and circular economy innovations. Beyond capital, portfolio companies benefit from hands-on technical and operational support to accelerate their growth and impact.

5. Collaboration and Ecosystem Engagement

A notable strength of The Radical Fund is its emphasis on collaboration within the climate ecosystem. It is a member of the Utopia platform, which manages multiple funds supporting early-stage ventures globally. The Radical Fund actively engages with regional stakeholders including family offices, institutional investors, corporations, accelerators, and government entities. It also participates in regional climate summits and educational initiatives, helping to build networks that strengthen the climate startup landscape in Southeast Asia.

6. Support for Diversity and Inclusion

The Radical Fund is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within its portfolio and the broader ecosystem. Recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives and equitable opportunities in climate innovation, the fund actively seeks to support founders and teams from varied backgrounds. This inclusive approach aligns with its mission to deliver solutions that are beneficial and accessible to a wide range of communities, particularly those most affected by climate change in emerging markets.

7. Challenges Addressed by The Radical Fund

Southeast Asia faces significant challenges such as limited access to affordable clean energy, inadequate climate-resilient infrastructure, and fragmented climate finance. The Radical Fund aims to tackle these issues by investing in technology-enabled solutions that lower barriers to climate-friendly products and services. For instance, its investments in solar financing platforms help homeowners adopt renewable energy despite high upfront costs. By addressing such challenges head-on, the fund is contributing to shifting the region toward sustainability and resilience.

8. The Role of Climate Tech in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is projected to contribute roughly 25% of global energy demand growth by 2035, making climate tech vital to achieving net-zero goals. The Radical Fund’s investments emphasize tech-driven ventures with scalable impact, such as AI-enabled energy efficiency, nature-based carbon credit verification, and electric vehicle infrastructure. These technological innovations hold promise to not only reduce emissions but also drive economic development, energy security, and improved quality of life across the region.

9. Notable Portfolio Companies

Among its portfolio, Okapi Technologies exemplifies The Radical Fund’s mission. Based in Malaysia, Okapi offers solar financing solutions that democratize access to residential solar power by providing affordable leasing plans. This removes upfront cost barriers, promotes adoption of clean energy, and generates green income streams for investors. Another example includes ventures in waste management and circular economy sectors that collaboratively work to reduce environmental footprint while creating sustainable livelihoods.

10. Future Outlook and Impact

As climate challenges intensify in Southeast Asia, The Radical Fund is positioned to play a critical role in scaling solutions that combine climate resilience with commercial viability. The fund plans to support over 30 companies through its $40 million initial close, with ambitions to expand further through additional capital raises and broader impact initiatives. Its focus on early-stage, climate-resilient innovation aligns with a growing urgency to decelerate climate risks while uplifting communities economically and socially, setting a roadmap for inclusive climate action in the region.

Conclusion

The Radical Fund encapsulates a dynamic and holistic approach to climate investment tailored to Southeast Asia’s unique needs and opportunities. By simultaneously addressing climate mitigation and adaptation, emphasizing local relevance, and supporting early-stage ventures with capital and operational expertise, it is fostering an inclusive climate transition across one of the world’s most vulnerable regions. As the fund grows and its portfolio ventures advance, they collectively contribute to a sustainable future that balances environmental imperatives with economic development. The Radical Fund not only bridges critical funding gaps but also inspires a new wave of climate entrepreneurship poised to influence Southeast Asia’s trajectory for decades ahead.