SF Climate Week 2025 takeaways
Originally published via LinkedIn.
What I love about high-intensity events like SF Climate Week is the quiet space for reflection after. That’s when the dots really connect. I’m ready to put words to my experience and initial learnings.
☀️ My SF Climate Week objective ☀️
Expand insight into:
➡️ The path to becoming deployment ready (energy systems, consumables, housing).
➡️ Fundraising environment for early stage founders.
➡️ Goals of LPs, family offices, and investment funds.
➡️ De-politicized areas of potential progress to support in the years ahead.
➡️ How to better engage with the Climatebase community.
🌱 Session Highlights 🌱
💡 Beyond lithium: The future of sustainable energy storage
Thomas Chepucavage shared how Zenthos Energy is building long-duration energy storage capabilities using aluminum, cracking the nut to making aluminum rechargeable.
💡 Seaweed as a nature-based solution panel at 9Zero Climate Innovation Hub
Julia Marsh spoke about how Sway's scalable plant-based polybag is in-market. Geoff Chapin discussed the circular economy "by design" dynamics that are part of Carbonwave's emulsifier product, in addition to the benefits of leaning on the plastic industry's infrastructure. Mike Blakeley at Seagreen Insights established insights that of 15,000 seaweed species, 20 are commercially harvested. Sally Aaron at Marine Biologics explained the importance of knowledge-sharing across multi-species solutions. Kaira Wallace at Ocean Rainforest described experiences with the ag permitting process for harvesting seaweed in California.
💡Happy hour with Mercury and Leap Forward Ventures
Met Pam Marrone, who is leading Invasive Species Corporation to create bio-based solutions to control invasive species. Talked to Thomas Okey, founder at Climate Sealutions Initiative about his work protecting oceans.
💡Family offices & investors summit at the USS Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum
Caught up with Jamie Moran at ClimateDoor; discussed the nascent, emerging climate economy ecosystem emerging in Canada. Appreciated hearing about Djoann Fal's vision at 🌏 The Atlas Capital & Climate Tech Coalition to fund the next wave of transformative innovation. Appreciated Kate Ringness's key point for industry practitioners to establish attainable "smart goals."
💡Geothermal house SF Climate Week
Learned about geothermal’s potential in the US: Bi-partisan support, utility for powering data centers, legislative activity in California, potential geothermal sites, and critical importance of public education. Enjoyed talking to the team at Zanskar for a brief moment. Thank you to Project InnerSpace for an incredible experience, FoundrySF for the great venue, and participants of The Geothermal Opportunity panel.
💡Enhanced geothermal talk with Fervo Energy
Learned about topics like enhanced vs. conventional geothermal; relying on existing fractures vs. creating new ones; geographic scalability; seismicity risk.
😎 Excited for continued convos, especially at PNW Climate Week in July 😎