Launching Climate Ventures

Led by HBS Professor Jim Matheson, the Launching Climate Ventures (LCV) Sprint will provide participants with an understanding of the activities required to launch a climate-focused venture from an R&D lab including identifying climate problems, translating, and licensing IP, building a founding team and pursuing early financing. LCV is for anyone interested in founding, joining, and/or investing in early-stage ClimateTech companies.

LCV is offered in partnership with other Harvard climate-focused venturing groups including Harvard Grid, Wyss Institute, Harvard i-lab, OTD, and HBS Business and Environment Initiative. These collaborations provide participants the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other Harvard climate-focused colleagues including from HBS, SEAS, HES, and HKS.

In addition to exploring the key mechanics of starting a climate technology company, we will also cover the context of climate change, examine key climate problems and opportunities, and highlight critical policy initiatives focused on driving climate innovation.

What to Expect:

A full day of interactive workshops based on HBS-style cases, lectures, and provoking discussions with experienced climatech entrepreneurs and investors. 

Agenda:

9:00 – 9:30 am Arrival, Coffee & Networking

9:30 – 10:15 am Welcome & Intro to Climate Solutions — Professor Jim Matheson

10:15 – 11:15 am Starting a Climate Company: Addis Energy Case Study — Co-founder MIT Professor Yet-Ming Chiang and Co-founder & CEO Michael Alexander

11:15 – 11:30 am Break

11:30 am – 12:15 pm Leaving The Lab & Licensing IP — Sam Liss (Office of Technology Development), Dr. Emily Stoler (Wyss Institute - Sustainable Materials), Ben Schlatka (Material Impact), Paul Hayre (Harvard Grid)

12:15 – 1:00 pm Lunch (on your own – brown bag or Spangler Cafe)

1:00 – 1:45 pm Finding Your Climate Passion & Problem — Rebekah Emanuel (Harvard i-lab & Climate Circle Leader)

1:45 – 2:30 pm Beginning with the End in Mind: Embracing Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) — Jesse Lou (Founder/CEO at Recursion)

2:30 – 2:45 pm Break

2:45 – 3:30 pm Raising Climate Finance — Dr. Amrit Jalan (ENI Ventures), Dr. Christina Chang (prior Lower Carbon), Max Sabbe (Breakthrough Energy Ventures)

3:30 – 4:00 pm Next Steps: Mapping Your Path to Climate Impact — Professor Jim Matheson

4:00 – 5:00 pm Networking Social

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

The Harvard Grid welcomes attendees of all abilities to our events. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about physical access, please contact grid@harvard.edu in advance of the event.

FUTURE COMMUNICATIONS

Please note: by registering, you agree to receive emails about this event and future communications from Harvard Grid.