Launching Climate Ventures

Hosted 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. The LCV Sprint is for anyone interested in founding, joining, and/or investing in early-stage ClimateTech companies.

The LCV Sprint is being offered in partnership with other Harvard University climate-focused groups

including The GRID, The Salata Institute and The HBS Business and Environment Initiative. The intent of

these collaborations is to ensure LCV Sprint participants gain the holistic perspective inherent in climate

ventures. This will also provide participants the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other Harvard

climate-focused colleagues including from HBS, SEAS, 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:

- Full day immersive, interactive workshop with HBS-style mini cases, lectures, networking, and thought provoking discussions with experienced ClimateTech entrepreneurs and investors. 

- Breakfast, lunch, and snacks provided

Speaker Profiles:

Jim Matheson - Senior Lecturer of Business Adminstration, Harvard Business School

Sam Liss - Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships, Harvard Office of Technology Development

Tom Clay - HBS Executive Fellow; CEO, Xtalic Corp.

Paul Hayre - Executive Director, Harvard Grid

Agenda:

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Coffee & Networking 

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Welcome & Introduction: The Climate Problem 

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: The Grand Climate Challenges 

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM: Break 

10:45 AM - 11:30 AM: Out of the Lab: Sources of Climate Innovation 

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Translating & Licensing Intellectual Property 

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Lunch & Networking 

12:30 PM - 1:15 PM: The Climate Startup Journey 

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM: Building a Successful Founding Team 

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Coffee & Break 

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM: Financing Climate Ventures & ClimateTech VC 

3:15 PM - 3:45 PM: Mapping The Path to Impact 

3:45 PM - 4:00 PM: Taking The Next Step!

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Happy Hour

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 the Harvard Grid.