Policy as Code: The Next Edge in Climate Innovation

1. Regulation Is Not the Enemy — It's the Architecture

Founders often see policy as a barrier. But in climate, policy is product. Treating it like code—written, versioned, and deployed—lets startups lead instead of follow.

The best climate founders shape policy. Whether testifying before state commissions or working with nonprofits to draft bills, these founders are pulling levers most teams ignore.

• The Inflation Reduction Act baked in over $370B in climate incentives. Founders who helped draft its language are now first in line to benefit.
• Rewiring America shows how startups can become policy collaborators, not just beneficiaries.
• A 2024 BCG study showed companies with early policy engagement had a 32% faster path to commercial scale.

2. What “Policy as Code” Really Means

• Version Control: Track legislative drafts and amendments like Git commits.
• Feedback Loops: Use field deployments to suggest updates to rules or pilot waivers.
• Compliance by Design: Build regulatory constraints into product UX from day one.

Think of it as an API layer between innovation and government. Those who speak both dialects win faster.

3. Mini Case — ZEROGRID

• CODE: Former FERC staffer turned founder builds solar-permit engine that adapts to local rules in real time.
• CAPITAL: Closed a $5M seed round, including mission-aligned policy funders.
• CUSTOMER: Partnered with 4 municipalities who helped write the permitting templates.
• COMMUNITY: Built a working group with solar installers and county inspectors—resulting in a 68% drop in permit time.

"Policy was our launch partner. We just wrote it like code."

4. Checklist — Is Your Startup Policy-Ready?

• Do you have a map of relevant federal/state/local regulations?
• Are any of your team advisors ex-agency or regulatory insiders?
• Have you contributed to a working group, RFI, or rule-making process?
• Do you view regulation as static or as an evolving system you can improve?

If your answer to the last question is “evolving system,” you’re already thinking in code.

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Capitol Stack backs founders who don't just navigate rules—they write them.

Want help translating regulation into runway? Let’s talk.