climate tech sector

Climate technology startups in Washington state are raising new funding rounds even as the AI boom draws investor dollars away from other sectors. Founders in the Pacific Northwest are still managing to close deals, a sign that venture capital interest in clean energy and climate innovation has not dried up entirely, though founders face a tougher environment as AI companies absorb a growing share of available cash.

Axios has published its weekly roundup of energy and climate-related deals, covering the latest funding, mergers and investment activity in the sector. The roundup tracks which clean energy and climate startups and companies secured capital or struck agreements over the past week, offering a snapshot of where investor money is flowing in the energy transition.

A new ranking places California as the third-best state economy in the United States for 2026, based on a particular set of economic measures. The finding is drawing attention in California media, where the state's economy is often debated given its size, its tech sector, and persistent concerns over costs of living and business climate.