Image, clockwise from top left: Katie Rae ’97 MBA, CEO and Managing Partner at Engine Ventures; Seth Goldman ’95 MBA, co-founder of JUST ICE TEA, Eat the Change and Honest Tea; Julie Zimmerman, PhD, co-lead of Yale’s Planetary Solutions Project and Yale Professor of Green Engineering; and Scott Wharton ’95 MBA, CEO of Tandem PV
 

Yale Ventures is pleased to announce a dynamic and visionary keynote session for the Climate Track at the Yale Innovation Summit, taking place May 28–29, 2025. The Climate Catalyst Keynote Panel will bring together four trailblazers—a scientist, investor, entrepreneur, and CEO—who are shaping a resilient future in the face of the climate crisis. Together, they will explore how and where we innovate to tackle our shared planetary challenges, showcasing the intersection of scientific discovery, technological innovation, novel financing approaches, with human-centered business models. Through their unique perspectives, these speakers will highlight how to accelerate the transformation toward a resilient and thriving economy. 

A series of rapid-fire talks will feature leaders driving bold climate solutions in real time:

• Seth Goldman ’95 MBA, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of JUST ICE TEA, Eat the Change and Honest Tea
• Katie Rae ’97 MBA, CEO and Managing Partner at Engine Ventures
• Scott Wharton ’95 MBA, CEO of Tandem PV, a Silicon Valley-based solar company
• Julie Zimmerman, PhD, Vice Provost for Planetary Solutions and professor of green engineering

“Too often, climate discussions focus on the obstacles. This keynote flips the script. It’s about action, imagination, and the people already building a livable future.” — Stuart DeCew MBA, MEM ’11, Executive Director of the Yale Center for Business and the Environment (CBEY)

The Climate Track at the Yale Innovation Summit is led by DeCew and Josie Jayworth ’24 PhD, Environmental Innovation Fellow at Yale. The full track programming explores the intersection of science, innovation, and impact—spotlighting climate tech startups, sustainable investment models, green infrastructure, and the role of innovative financing in driving a just transition. Additional track elements include: 

Live Podcast: Future in Bloom 

Podcast host Steph Speirs with guest Sophie Purdom from Planeteer Capital and CTVC asks the question “What does it take for climate action and climate innovation to become the new normal?” and explores the answers for all different sectors of our society.  

Reverse Pitch: Climate Edition

Where corporate and climate-focused VCs pitch the most urgent environmental problems they’re seeking solutions for, followed by real-time questions from a panel of Yale-affiliated founders and scientists.

Green Chemistry Spotlight

Featuring Connecticut chemistry companies who are making the materials of our world in new ways highlighting the business and environmental case for sustainable materials.

Infrastructure and Climate-Ready Cities

A panel on how physical spaces and public-private infrastructure can drive climate resilience, featuring leaders from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Port of Portland, and J.P. Morgan.

First of a Kind (FOAK) Financing  – Enhanced Geothermal

A look at enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) as an example of successful first of a kind (FOAK) financing, with speakers from Fervo Energy and the investors who support them. 

Cross-Track Collaboration: Water Innovation 

In partnership with the Health Track, this session brings together innovators, researchers and policy makers to examine water infrastructure and access as both a health and climate imperative.  
 

About the Yale Innovation Summit    

The Yale Innovation Summit, taking place May 28-29, 2025, is the Northeast's premier event for innovation and entrepreneurship. Held on Yale University's campus, the Summit brings together visionaries, investors, founders, and industry leaders for two days of discovery, connection, and opportunity. Featuring six programming tracks—arts, biotech, civic, climate, health, and technology—it showcases panels, keynotes, pitch competitions, and exclusive investor networking.    

Hosted by Yale Ventures, the Summit unites Yale’s schools, centers, and innovation hubs in a dynamic, campus-wide collaboration that showcases the university and Connecticut's extraordinary depth of innovation and commitment to real-world impact.  

For more information and to register, visit https://ventures.yale.edu/summit.