Climate Action USA: the Early-Stage Innovators Leading the Way
Where are the innovators with the technology and ideas to fight the climate crisis? Join us and our sponsors, Silicon Valley Bank and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati for an Online Innovation Showcase and meet the companies with the vision, ambitions and plans to deliver on our net zero commitments. Through a series of dynamic presentations, you’ll gain:
- Invaluable introductions to leading early-stage innovators
- Actionable insight into the latest technology
- Updates on the trends shaping innovation.

Agenda
8:30-8:40: Setting the Scene: Early-Stage US Cleantech Venture Trends, 2021+
To welcome you, we will provide insights on early-stage cleantech venture trends based on our quarterly investment data and our recently-released 2021 50 to Watch list of companies.
Hosts:
- Richard Youngman, CEO, Cleantech Group
- Dan Baldi, Market Manager, Climate Technology and Sustainability, Silicon Valley Bank
- Bob O’Connor, Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
8:40-09:50: Early-Stage Innovation Showcase 1: Pieces of the decarbonization jigsaw
In our first showcases, six exciting early-stage pre-seed to Series A companies will present and three investor reviewers will respond and offer questions. Please see the companies and investor reviewers below.
To start the session, the investor reviewers will highlight one or two early-stage trends and themes they are paying attention to.
Co-hosted by: Silicon Valley Bank
Moderator:
- Anthony Deorsey, Consultant Manager, Cleantech Group
9:50-10:10: Randomized Networking Break
To keep the energy flowing, you’ll have the opportunity to meet people in small zoom breakouts. You’ll have the chance to join three different groups during the networking break.
10:10-11:20: Early-Stage Innovation Showcase 2: Glimpses of future supply chains
In our second innovation showcase, six exciting early-stage pre-seed to Series A companies will present and three investor reviewers will respond and offer questions. Please see the companies and investor reviewers below.
To start the session, the investor reviewers will highlight one or two early-stage trends and themes they are paying attention to.
Co-hosted by: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Moderator:
- Shelby Brodman, Analyst, Cleantech Group
Companies

CH4 Global
Developer of a seaweed-derived animal feed product that reduces methane emission.
Presenter:
- Steve Meller, CEO

EnPower
Developer of electrode engineering for Li-ion batteries improvements without new chemistries.
Presenter:
- Annette Finsterbusch, CEO

Ripe Technology
Blockchain for supply-chain transparency in food.
Presenter:
- Phil Harris, President & Co-Founder

The Eighth Notch
Software that enables last mile carriers like UPS to “increase delivery density” and thereby save money and reduce their carbon emissions.
Presenter:
- Jamie Sapp, CEO

ClearFlame Engine Technologies
Developer of clean combustion engine technology that uses decarbonized liquid fuels.
Presenter:
- BJ Johnson, Co-Founder & CEO

Boundary Layer Technologies
Developer of hydrogen-powered hydrofoiling cargo ships.
Presenter:
- Ed Kearney CEO & Founder

Perch Mobility
Provider of distributed charging containers for micromobility.
Presenter:
- Tom Schreiber, Co-Founder & CEO

Supply Shift
Developer of supply chain analytics and transparency tool for commercial industries.
Presenter:
- Alex Gershenson, CEO

Spectacular Labs
Developer of a spectral imaging solution for food pathogen detection.
Presenter:
- Arthur Montazeri, Co-Founder & CTO
Investor Reviewers
Latest Global Cleantech Insight

The next frontier in EV charging: Innovation and outlook for home charging
Recently, public EV fast charging has been the focus of much attention (and funding). In the U.S., the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will make…
- Cultivated Proteins, Indoor Farming, and Natural Capital dominate Agriculture & Food at Cleantech Forum Europe Live In Edinburgh
- Plastic packaging, next-gen battery technologies and cement – trends from Cleantech Forum Europe Live in Edinburgh
- Climate Risk Analytics – Tools to Navigate New Reporting Requirements
- Credible Carbon Accounting: A View of the Future from Cleantech Forum Europe, Live In Edinburgh
About Cleantech Group
At Cleantech Group, we provide research, consulting and events to catalyze opportunities for sustainable growth powered by innovation. We bring clients access to the trends, companies and people shaping the future and the customized advice and support businesses need to engage external innovation.
The company was established in 2002 and is headquartered in San Francisco with people based in London, Paris and Boston