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Outlet profile

The Cool Down

U.S. left-center, climate-advocacy focus

Owned byPalmetto, a North Carolina-based clean-energy company (acquired November 2025); previously independently owned by co-founders Dave Finocchio and Anna Robertson
FundingOwned by Palmetto (privately held clean-energy company); previously venture-backed with a $5.7 million seed round led by Upfront Ventures, with participation from Revolution's Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, Jetstream, Swingbridge, Niche Capital, and angel investors including Bill Simmons (founder of The Ringer); generates revenue through advertising
On the administrationbroadly critical

Background

The Cool Down launched in July 2022, founded by Dave Finocchio — co-founder and former CEO of the sports media site Bleacher Report — and Anna Robertson, a former executive at ABC News who spent years as a producer for anchor Diane Sawyer; Ryan Alberti joined as chief operating officer. The outlet raised a $5.7 million seed round and set out to be what it called 'America's first mainstream climate brand,' emphasizing practical consumer tips, clean-tech product recommendations, and solutions-oriented environmental news rather than traditional political or policy journalism. Media Bias/Fact Check rates it left-center, citing its focus on environmental advocacy and progressive viewpoints, and grades its factual reporting as mostly factual. Despite describing itself as nonpartisan and not a policy organization, its editorial framing consistently favors climate action and clean energy over fossil fuels. In November 2025, Palmetto — a North Carolina company that leases solar panels, heat pumps, and home batteries to consumers — acquired The Cool Down in what was described as the first purchase of a climate media platform by a clean-energy company; no purchase price was disclosed. The acquisition introduced a structural conflict of interest: The Cool Down's parent company profits directly from the adoption of the same clean-energy products the outlet promotes. Since becoming a Palmetto subsidiary, the outlet has continued covering the second Trump administration's environmental rollbacks in a tone that is consistently negative, using language such as 'outrage,' 'worst fears,' and 'total disgrace' to characterize administration climate actions.

Sources

  1. Climate media startup raises $5.7 million — Axios
  2. Online media vets launch The Cool Down — GeekWire
  3. The Cool Down — Bias and Credibility — Media Bias/Fact Check
  4. Scoop: Palmetto Is Buying 'The Cool Down' — Heatmap News
  5. Palmetto Acquires The Cool Down — Palmetto
  6. Benesch Advises Palmetto in Acquisition of The Cool Down — Benesch Law
  7. The Cool Down — Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding

Profile compiled 2026-07-15; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.

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