Eclipse VC Hires Joe Fath, T. Rowe Price Investor Known for Rivian Bet

Eclipse, a venture capital firm focused on startups in physical industries, has hired Joe Fath, a longtime T. Rowe Price investor known for his bets on companies like Tesla and Rivian, as a partner and head of growth. Fath will bring his experience in investing in growth-stage companies to Eclipse, which aims to help startups scale and achieve success.

Eclipse, a venture capital firm specializing in startups within physical industries such as manufacturing, energy, and defense, has recently hired Joe Fath as a partner and head of growth. Fath brings over two decades of experience from T. Rowe Price Group Inc., where he managed the US Growth Stock Fund and made significant investments in companies like Amazon, Meta, and Alphabet [1].

Fath's tenure at T. Rowe Price included early-stage bets on companies that grew into giants, as well as later-stage investments. Notably, he played a pivotal role in backing Rivian Automotive Inc., making T. Rowe one of the company’s largest shareholders ahead of its 2021 IPO. Fath’s exposure to the electric vehicle space also includes early due diligence on Tesla Inc. [1].

Fath will leverage his extensive experience to help Eclipse's portfolio companies scale and achieve success. Eclipse aims to build "durable platform companies" across the US manufacturing, energy, and defense sectors [1]. The addition of Fath underscores Eclipse’s commitment to supporting next-generation industrial companies and its strategic focus on these sectors.

This hire is significant for Eclipse, which is looking to expand its influence in the physical industries sector. Fath’s track record of identifying and investing in high-growth potential companies positions him as a valuable asset to the firm. His experience in both early and later-stage investments will be crucial in guiding Eclipse’s growth strategy.

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-05/vc-eclipse-hires-t-rowe-veteran-fath-after-tesla-rivian-bets
[2] https://www.biospace.com/business/the-top-five-biopharma-venture-capital-raises-of-h1-2025
[3] https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/stocks/TROW/pressreleases/33870868/t-rowe-price-trow-receives-a-rating-update-from-a-top-analyst/