Atlas
Back to Clean Energy
Founder / Operator·Clean Energy

Nat Kreamer

Founder at Fairtide

New York, NY

NK
LinkedIn
Why they matter

Rare operator-investor with both deep solar lineage and an active portfolio in industrial-decarbonization adjacencies.

Background

Co-founded Sunrun in 2007 and served as its first President. Subsequently CEO of Clean Power Finance (later Spruce Finance, NYSE: SPRU). Former CEO of Advanced Energy United and Chairman of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). U.S. Navy SEAL Bronze Star recipient (Afghanistan); named an Obama Champion of Change for veteran clean-energy leadership. Now founder of Fairtide, investing in industrial-decarbonization software and robotics (AMP Robotics, Highland Electric Fleets, Formic, Synop.ai, Charge Robotics).

Notable deals

  • 2007
    Sold the first residential solar power purchase agreement in the United States as Sunrun's first President.
  • 2022
    As CEO of Advanced Energy United, helped secure >$100B in incentives for the U.S. energy transition.
  • 2023
    Founded Fairtide and led investments in AMP Robotics, Highland Electric Fleets, and Synop.ai.

Call-prep brief

Background

Nat is the third Sunrun co-founder and has had the most varied career of the three: solar finance CEO (Spruce), trade association CEO (Advanced Energy United / SEIA Chair), and now a thesis-driven investor at Fairtide focused on industrial decarbonization.

What he cares about

  • Industrial decarbonization. Robotics, electrification of fleets, software for traditional industries.
  • Policy mechanics. Uniquely sharp on how Treasury guidance shapes deal economics.
  • Veteran-led teams. Visible bias toward founders with operational discipline.

Recent moves

  • Building out Fairtide's portfolio; recent deals visible through Highland Electric Fleets and Synop.ai.
  • Stepped back from AEU CEO role; remains engaged on policy.

Sensitivities

  • He's heard every "future of solar" pitch. He responds to specifics on industrial adoption curves and unit economics.
  • His policy expertise is real. Don't over-claim on IRA specifics.

Questions to ask

  1. Within his Fairtide thesis, which adjacency is currently most underpriced relative to its decarbonization potential?
  2. How does he evaluate founder readiness when the customer is a traditional industrial. What signals matter?
  3. Where does he see the next $1B+ exit in industrial-decarbonization software?

Outreach draft

Subject
Industrial decarbonization: your Fairtide thesis
Hi Nat, I lead climate / industrial investing at [Firm]. Fairtide's portfolio shape. Robotics + electrification + software for traditional industries. Maps closely to where we're allocating, and your operator depth across Sunrun, Spruce, and AEU makes you a uniquely useful sounding board. Would 20 minutes work in the next two weeks? Happy to come prepared with specific portfolio overlaps and a couple of unit-economics questions. Best regards, [Your name] [Your firm]

Linked companies

Sources