Heatmap News
U.S. left-leaning, climate-focused
Background
Heatmap News was founded in 2022 and launched publicly in March 2023 by Nico Lauricella (former editor-in-chief of The Week's digital operation), Randy Siegel (former North American CEO of Dennis Publishing, The Week's parent company), and Sara O'Connor (formerly CEO of The Week). Robinson Meyer, a veteran climate journalist previously at The Atlantic, joined as founding executive editor. The outlet raised $4 million in a Series A round led by Autumn Road Capital, a media- and technology-focused venture firm, bringing total funding to approximately $5 million at launch. Heatmap operates on a subscription model with a metered paywall, priced at $9.99 per month or $99 per year. Its editorial mission centers on climate change, clean energy, and the economic and political forces shaping the energy transition, taking a solutions-oriented approach. Media Bias/Fact Check rates it as left-leaning, citing its singular climate focus, use of emotionally framed language, and alignment with progressive environmental priorities. Since the Trump administration's second term began in January 2025, Heatmap has reported critically on federal energy and environmental policy shifts, including actions affecting solar development on public lands and the rollback of Biden-era clean energy incentives.
Sources
- Seasoned media veterans launch Heatmap, a digital news platform focused on climate change — Editor & Publisher
- The Week alums launch climate news startup with $4M Series A funding — Axios
- Heatmap News is a new subscription-based climate media company from alumni of The Week — Nieman Journalism Lab
- Heatmap News - Bias and Credibility — Media Bias/Fact Check
- Heatmap News — Wikipedia
- Heatmap News — Crunchbase
Profile compiled 2026-08-09; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.