Famed A16Z VC Peter Levine has donated $5 million to bring startup and company building to climate non-profits

• A16Z's Peter Levine is contributing to climate repair differently than VCs typically do.
• Instead of investing, he's training climate nonprofits who serve marginalized communities.

In 2020, long-time Andreessen Horowitz general partner Peter Levine stepped back from the pace of his career as a venture capitalist after a terrifying bout with cancer left him rethinking his priorities.

Flash forward to three-years after his surgery, Levine tells Insider that his recovery has been nothing short of a "miracle." He's now doing a little investing for A16Z again, in "selective" startups, he said. But more importantly, he's been inspired to focus on a new philanthropic project. The Levine Impact Lab has launched in partnership with the Honnold Foundation – a solar-technology non-profit founded by Levine's friend, renowned rock climber Alex Honnold.

The idea is to bring Silicon Valley startup-like training to non-profits, particularly select organizations already involved and vetted by the Honnold Foundation. It's mission is to bring solar solar energy to marginalized communities.

Complimentary Tech Event

Transform talent with learning that works

Capability development is critical for businesses who want to push the envelope of innovation.Discover how business leaders are strategizing around building talent capabilities and empowering employee transformation.Know More

"Just because you're a non-profit versus a for-profit tech company, everyone runs into the same issues. Networking, best practices, recruiting, marketing, fundraising, board composition" Levine told Insider. "If I can take the expertise that I have built over the past decade as a venture capitalist and provide that to these nonprofits in partnership with Alex Arnold, who's become a friend of mine, it's like, it's freaking awesome."

The initial cohort has been selected but Levine says the plan is to select a new cohort every year and to freely give away all documents and curriculum so that any non-profit may benefit.