The Seattle area is known for business giants, grunge icons, and much more. Now, the burgeoning field of climate tech is making its mark and adding another chapter to the region’s rich history of innovation.
“If you aren’t energized, then you aren’t paying attention,” said Brian Young, Washington Department of Commerce’s clean tech sector lead. The state is ready for a carbon-free energy economy, he added. “It’s time to execute. The opportunity is unlike any I’ve seen in 20-plus years in this state.”
Washington is a leader in clean energy projects and zero emissions policies, and knowledge flows between world-class research institutes and leading tech companies, fostering advances with global impact.
We’re highlighting a handful of Seattle-area leaders working in and around climate technology — folks who stand out because of their drive, dedication and innovative strategies for combating climate change and bolstering the sector’s community.
Of course, they aren’t the only ones leading efforts around the region, and many others are speaking this week at two climate-focused events in the Pacific Northwest: PNW Climate Week and the Bloomberg Green Festival.
Read on to meet the area’s movers and shakers and learn what they’re excited about and what needs to happen to energize the regional climate tech ecosystem.
Brian Young, Gov. Inslee’s clean technology sector lead, Washington Department of Commerce
Young coordinates statewide economic development efforts in clean tech, a role he’s held for a decade.
The state is leading on multiple climate tech fronts, Young said, including in producing sustainable aviation fuels, development of the energy storage supply chain, and building green hydrogen infrastructure. “Washington has nation-leading, if not world-leading, policy in place to fight climate change,” said Young. “This is the time to invest in the infrastructure of a carbon-free economy.”
Aina Abiodun, president and executive director, Vertue Lab
Abiodun is the president and executive director of VertueLab, a nonprofit launched in 2007 that provides funding, accelerators and other programs supporting climate tech entrepreneurs in the Pacific Northwest.
Abiodun says the Pacific Northwest has momentum, policy and passion working in favor of a thriving climate tech sector, but hasn’t reached critical mass. “Until you have a core group of people working in the space, and lots of knowledge exchange and deal flow, you don’t really get a buzz,” she said. “We haven’t graduated to the next level, but the opportunity’s here and I do believe that funding is also hiding behind the wings.”
Lowell Bander, Seattle lead, 9Zero
Bander is organizing a Seattle spin-off of the first-of-its-kind San Francisco climate co-working space that opened this April.
“I’m excited by all the people committed to transitioning their careers to be 100% focused on climate solutions,” they said. To keep the sector growing, Bander said newcomers need mentors who can help them find their niche in climate work.
Gabriel Scheer, senior director of innovation, Elemental Excelerator
Scheer leads the energy, mobility and built environment team for Elemental Excelerator, a nonprofit investor focused on scaling climate tech. In years past he organized Seattle Greendrinks, an early effort to build community in the space.
“As investors, we need to be able to easily find entrepreneurs working on relevant technologies,” Scheer said. “Seattle has so much to offer.” Scheer wants to see more of the money and talent that’s concentrated in corporations move into climate solutions.
Mel Clark, president and CEO, CleanTech Alliance
CleanTech Alliance brings together startups in multiple sectors, creating a network and providing resources to over 1,100 companies in clean tech.
“We need to help protect and maintain our strong suite of climate legislation in Washington state,” said Clark. “We need to create more opportunity for diverse and underrepresented clean tech entrepreneurs and we need more students to choose energy and climate tech careers.”
Dan Schwartz, director, University of Washington Clean Energy Institute
Schwartz oversees the Clean Energy Institute, which includes an open-access experimental arm called the Washington Clean Energy Testbeds, a place for climate startups to access equipment and experts.
“We need to do basic research, accelerate tech development and support demonstration projects,” said Schwartz. The testbeds are going all-in on next-generation batteries, which means engaging more faculty and students, forming new partnerships, and building a battery fabrication facility.
Jackie Moe, PNW Climate Week organizer
In addition to her role as a project manager for PitchBook Data, Moe works with fellow event volunteer organizers to host PNW Climate Week each year.
Moe urges people to adopt the “every job is a climate job” mentality and work within their roles at existing companies to create change. “Climate solutions are now synonymous with better solutions,” she said, benefiting the climate crisis but also improving efficiency and cost for everyone.
Some of the other folks to keep an eye on in the climate tech space:
- Ken Alston, venture investor for Amazon’s $2 billion Climate Pledge Fund
- Brandon Middaugh, senior director for Microsoft’s $1 billion Climate Innovation Fund
- Ben Eidelson, “Climate Papa” writer and podcaster, and general partner of the Stepchange climate fund
- Jonathan Azoff, co-founder of SNØCAP, a new climate-focused venture capital fund
