Looking Back, Leaping Ahead
Reflections on a year of climate innovation and what's next at the Yale Innovation Summit
As another academic year comes to a close, we're taking a moment to reflect on the momentum, breakthroughs, and community we’ve built together at Yale and beyond. From bold student ideas to alumni-led startups and lots of peer learning, it’s been a season of climate innovation marked by collaboration and courage. And now, we’re turning our eyes toward what’s next: the Yale Innovation Summit, a unique opportunity to gather, connect, and imagine a more sustainable future—together.
Green Innovator Cohort Final Dinner 💚
We wrapped up our first annual Green Innovator Cohort with a group dinner at Marsh Hall including some beautiful weather, a gorgeous sunset, fun cookies, and reflections on the semester of learning.
Throughout the semester the Green Innovator Cohort, a program co-sponsored by the Yale Center for Business and Environment and Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking, met for group dinners, attended events together on campus, and took a trip up to Cambridge, MA to attend the MIT Climate and Energy Prize final pitch.
The goal of this cohort was to bring students from all parts of campus together who have a shared interest in climate innovation. This semester the cohort included students from Yale School of Environment, School of Management, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Divinity, Architecture, Public Health, Drama, and many different majors from Yale College. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn from many varied perspectives!
Yale Innovation Summit | May 28th - 29th, 2025
Mark your calendars for the Yale Innovation Summit 2025, taking place May 28-29 on Yale University’s campus! This premier event brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, alumni, and industry leaders from across the Northeast and beyond for two days of groundbreaking ideas, purposeful networking, and transformative opportunities.
Why Attend?
The summit features six dynamic tracks—Arts, Biotech, Civic, Climate, Health, and Technology—showcasing cutting-edge panels, inspiring keynotes and engaging workshops. A highlight of the event is the Pitch Competition, where founders compete for a share of $350,000 in prizes and recognition across various categories. Whether you’re an innovator looking to present your idea or an attendee eager to explore the future of innovation, this is your chance to connect with over 2,000 like-minded individuals.
Specific Highlights from the Climate Track
Climate Keynote
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, co-lead of Yale Planetary Solutions and professor of green engineering.
Live Podcast: Future in Bloom
Podcast host Steph Speirs and guest Sophie Purdom from Planeteer Capital and CTVC ask the question “What does it take for climate action and climate innovation to become the new normal?” and explore 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.
Calling All Alumni and Community Members
If you've been looking for an opportunity to reconnect with the Yale community while exploring groundbreaking ideas and collaborations, this is it. Register here! If you are planning to attend, share on LinkedIn and let us and others know so we can all connect!
For more details on registration and application, visit the official event page. Let’s innovate together at Yale!
Hope to see you at the Summit!
The Green Innovator Team