Sustainable Innovation Day
🌍 Sustainable Innovation Day 2025
This invite provides access to the Conference and Pitch Day segments of the Sustainable Innovation Day program.
Conference Agenda:
12:30 | 1:30 Registration (6th floor of Chou Hall, Spieker Forum, Berkeley)
1:30 | Welcome Speech
1:35 | Panel Discussion – Where the Smart Money Goes: Investing in Climate & Sustainability Startups in 2025
Moderator: Julia Daviy Berezovska, Chair, Sustainable Innovation Council, VP of Sustainability, Berkeley Haas EWMBAA
Speakers:
Tess Maria Krasne, Principal at Alante Capital
Nickhil Choudhary, Managing Partner, Nirman VC
Danaé Robert, Principal at At One Ventures
Morgan Stanley (speaker tbc)
2:15 | Fireside Chat – Building Unicorn Companies in Climate & Sustainability Tech
Featuring: Troy Helming, CEO & Founder of EarthGrid.
Visionary entrepreneur with 25+ years in clean tech and sustainable infrastructure.Founded TradeWind Energy – generated $10B+ economic impact; #1 Wind Developer in the U.S. (2017). Founded Pristine Sun – built 350+ solar projects valued at $1B, including largest floating solar project award in North America. Author of The Clean Power Revolution (2005).
2:40 | Reverse Pitch - What Investors in Climate Tech Are Looking For
Listen to investors pitches of BMB I Ventures and other top tier investment funds.
3:30 | Pitch Day
8 startups X (3 min pitch + 3 min Q&A from Judges)
5:00 - 6:00 | Reception & Networking (Spieker Forum)
___________________________________________________
April 17 | Spieker Forum, Chou Hall | Berkeley Haas | UC Berkeley
Presented by the Sustainable Innovation Council in collaboration with Berkeley Haas EWMBA Association.
Welcome to the inaugural Sustainable Innovation Day — a premier gathering of visionary founders, climate investors, and industry change makers accelerating bold solutions for a regenerative future.
Hosted at Berkeley Haas, this one-day summit is where next-generation climate tech meets capital, and where ideas scale into movements. The full-day program includes:
Pitch Day — A curated showcase of breakthrough startups in climate, energy, circular economy, food systems, and beyond, pitching to top VCs and sustainability executives.
Future-Forward Panels — Featuring climate funders, entrepreneurs, and corporate sustainability leaders sharing what’s working in 2025 — and where smart capital is flowing next.
The One-Day Incubator — A powerful series of hands-on workshops designed to accelerate early-stage climate ventures. Topics include fundraising strategy, storytelling for impact, policy navigation, and corporate partnerships — all under one roof.
Meaningful Connections — Connect with founders, funders, operators, and policy drivers in a dynamic, purpose-driven community.
As the flagship event of the Sustainable Innovation Council, SI Day is designed to spark collaboration, inspire bold action, and advance the business of planetary progress.
Let’s build what the future needs — together.
Learn more: sustainableinnovationcouncil.org/si-day
About Sustainable Innovation Council
The Sustainable Innovation Council is a mission-driven, non-profit platform founded in San Francisco by Berkeley Haas and Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy alumni to accelerate the rise of world-changing innovations for a livable planet. Positioned at the intersection of climate, capital, policy, and cutting-edge technology, the Council serves as a trusted convening force for founders, funders, and thought leaders shaping the next generation of sustainable solutions.