​Watch three climate tech founders pitch live — then learn as investors dig into what worked, what didn't, and what would make them lean in.

​This isn't a pitch competition; it's a working session where climate-focused investors share real-time feedback and unpack what they look for in early-stage companies. After the pitches, join a candid conversation about emerging opportunities in climate tech, the gaps and advantages in the Southeast funding landscape, and what it takes to build a thriving climate innovation hub in this region.

​For climate tech founders at any stage — whether you're sketching on napkins or closing your seed round, you'll leave with a sharper sense of how investors evaluate climate companies and what moves actually build momentum in this space.

​Speakers

​Josh Grehan

​Josh Grehan is Partner at Helios Climate Ventures. He brings a depth of operating experience in a range of industries. Most recently Josh helped grow Finch Therapeutics from 10 to over 200 people and raised over $300M in private and public financing including leading Finch's $1B IPO. Before Finch he served in the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a Special Assistant to Minister Dion. The Arctic was part of his portfolio.

​Josh is originally from Lily Plain, Saskatchewan but now calls Durham, NC home. He was awarded a Davis Scholarship to attend Princeton University and later won the Sachs Scholarship to pursue a master's at the University of Oxford where he graduated with distinction. In his spare time he is a Big Brother and loves getting out on a bicycle, be it mountain, cyclocross, or road. He has served on several boards including Princeton University.

​Shruti Shah

​Shruti Shah is a General Partner at Symphonic Capital, an early-stage venture firm investing in solutions that improve life for the 99%. A founder turned investor, she brings an operator’s rigor and a systems builder’s lens to backing companies across health, wealth, and climate resilience.

​Shruti joined Symphonic as a Venture Partner in 2022, became Partner in 2024, and General Partner in 2025. At the firm, she has helped deepen and expand Symphonic’s thesis—ensuring climate is treated not as a silo, but as a systemic force shaping household stability, health access, and financial inclusion.

​Stephanie Simon

​Stephanie Simon is Founding Partner at Blueridge Climate Ventures. She has worked in strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship for 20+ years.

​She is also a former founder and has investing and climate experiences as an American Family Ventures Fellow, Terra.do Climate Fellow, Climate Angels Fellow (at Climate Capital), and as a member of E8 Angels. She is actively engaged in mentoring and advising startups.

​Moderated by Joshua Hayes

​Josh is a Partner at Hutchison PLLC, where he practices corporate law and focuses on providing practical and actionable advice to entrepreneurs, startups, established companies, and investors across a wide range of sectors, including SaaS, digital marketplaces, hemp, medical devices, gene therapy, biotechnology, and biopharmaceuticals. He has extensive experience in corporate, commercial, and transactional matters, including early- and late-stage equity and debt financings, mergers and acquisitions, strategic joint ventures, university spinouts, licensing, and corporate governance. Josh also frequently serves as outside general counsel to early-stage startups throughout their full lifecycle, from pre-revenue through exit.

​Location

​NCSU Plant Sciences Initiative

​840 Oval Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606

​Questions?

​This session is part of Raleigh-Durham Startup Week. Click here to learn more about the event, plus get answers to your FAQs.

​About Carolina Climate

​​​Carolina Climate is a founder-led initiative building the climate tech ecosystem across the Triangle and North Carolina—connecting founders, funders, and partners to strengthen community, increase visibility, and position the region as a leader in climate innovation.

​Track Supporter

​Climate Tech Day at #RDSW26 is made possible by an Impact Partner Grant from the City of Raleigh.