Powering the Energy Transition
We invest in, build and operate energy transition businesses
to help the world reach a net-zero carbon economy.

Who We Are
Modern Energy® is a clean energy company that invests in, builds and operates energy transition businesses to help the world reach a net-zero carbon economy.
We are focused on being a “hundred-year company” where exceptional people can collectively make an outsized and lasting impact on climate change.
Our growing portfolio includes three fully-owned businesses delivering distributed energy solutions to customers and markets in the United States and Brazil.
As a certified B-Corp, Modern’s mission is affordable, reliable, sustainable energy for all. We are headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, and are privately held.
Four Stages of the Energy Transition
Increase Energy Productivity
Decarbonize Electric Power Generation
Electrify Everything Possible
Decarbonize What’s Left
What We Do
We make investments to accelerate the clean energy transition, by both building businesses ourselves and partnering with innovative energy entrepreneurs.
We execute on these investments via a playbook and platform that were tailor-made to accelerate clean energy businesses from seed to maturity.
Trust Our Partners
We trust that giving our partners room to run leads to better business outcomes, because talented business leaders know best when it comes to running their business.
Accelerate Growth
Our platform provides access to low-cost growth capital from seed to maturity, leading institutional, policy and regulatory knowledge in energy, and company-building support for a number of additional general and administrative functions.
Align Incentives
We offer a quicker path to liquidity for founders via profit sharing, and meaningful upside retention upon joining the Modern Energy family. Relative to other capital partners, this means you can receive meaningful compensation without needing an exit.
News and Perspectives
View AllModern Energy Welcomes Industrial Sun
Jan 6, 2022The Tech Capital: Faro Energy to invest $20m in solar farms for TIM Brasil’s network infrastructure
Jun 1, 2021Our Team

Our Founders
Modern Energy was founded by Mark Laabs and Benjamin Abram, friends since 2007 with a shared aspiration to help tackle some the world’s biggest challenges. Mark and Ben have common roots in North Carolina’s Triangle.
Modern Energy is built on their foundational partnership: Ben acquired and incubated American Efficient, one of the leading managers of energy efficiency resources in the United States. Mark co-founded Faro Energy, one of the leading distributed solar companies in Brazil. Since establishing Modern Energy in 2016, initially as a combination of 100% of their ownership in those two firms, Mark and Ben have worked together to create an exceptional platform for people to contribute their time and talent to driving the energy transition.