Financing the Climate Future: From Breakthroughs to Deployment
What does it take to move climate solutions from promising to deployed?
Join us in Malibu for an afternoon of high-signal conversation at the intersection of climate innovation and capital — co-hosted by Larta Institute, Creative Visions Foundation, and Collidescope Foundation.
Financing the Climate Future: From Breakthroughs to Deployment brings together investors, funders, founders, and policy leaders to examine how money moves — and where it gets stuck — in the transition to a climate-resilient economy. From early-stage grants and partnerships to venture capital and responsible investing strategies, we’re tracing the full arc of climate finance and asking what it will take to get solutions to scale.
Opening Remarks: Rohit Shukla, Larta CEO & Dan Thorman, Co-Founder, LA Climate Week
The afternoon features three focused panels:
🌱 Fueling Climate Innovation: How Grants & Partnerships Unlock Small Business Growth — This panel explores how leading Southern California institutions are accelerating climate innovation by supporting small businesses and startups through grants, sponsorships, and strategic partnerships. Speakers will share how their organizations are reducing risk, enabling early-stage growth, and helping climate solutions reach scale—bridging the critical gap between innovation and investment readiness.
Panelists:
Julie Clowes, Assistant Deputy Director, California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)
Chris Johnson, Innovation Strategy, Wells Fargo Foundation
Porsha Cropper, Sr. Program Officer, The Broad Foundation
Anuj Desai, Senior Advisor (Climate Adaptation & Resilience), Southern California Edison
Seed Talk #1: Kathy Eldon, Co-Founder, Creative Visions
📈 The Future of Climate Investing: Rethinking Capital for Climate Solutions — This panel examines the evolving landscape of climate investing—where capital is flowing, where it’s constrained, and how the rules of traditional venture capital may fall short for climate solutions. Investors will discuss key barriers to scaling capital in the sector, where Southern California is leading, and how new models of finance can better support the unique timelines and risks of climate technologies.
Panelists:
Lauren Faber O’Connor, Partner, Lowercarbon Capital
Aaron Fyke, Managing Partner, Thin Line Capital
Justin Winters, Executive Director, One Earth
Hayley Nystrom, Investor, Blue Bear Capital
Seed Talk #2: Marslaidh Ryan, Aquarium Director and Interim Chief Operations Officer, Heal the Bay
💡 Sustainable and Responsible Investing for Retail Investors — This panel explores how individual investors can play a meaningful role in advancing climate and social impact through sustainable/responsible and community investing strategies. Panelists will share real-world examples of how environmental, social, and governance factors influence financial performance, how capital can be directed toward underserved communities and climate solutions, and how shareholder advocacy can drive corporate change. Attendees will gain practical insights into aligning their investments with their values—without sacrificing returns.
Panelists:
Jeremy Pearce, AIF, Financial Advisor, Sharepower Responsible Investing
Andrew Olig, Executive Director; Sr. Investment Specialist, Morgan Stanley
Elizabeth Alm, Portfolio Manager and Senior Investment Analyst, Saturna Capital
Kate Monahan, Director of Shareholder Advocacy, Trillium Asset Management
Closing Remarks: Rohit Shukla, Larta CEO & Dan Thorman, Co-Founder, LACW
The event concludes with a reception, offering food and drinks and a time to connect with speakers, fellow investors, and the broader Southern California climate ecosystem.
This event is for: climate investors and funders, clean tech founders and startup leaders, sustainability professionals, policy advocates, and anyone curious about how capital can accelerate the transition.