Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Hayley McCurdy
Join us on June 22 for a virtual discussion of differentiated financing solutions for early-stage climate tech founders. The Wharton Energy Network is thrilled to host this exciting group of panelists for what promises to be an insightful discussion.
Speakers:
- Vida Asiegbu - Principal, Energy Impact Partners
- Danielle Joseph - Executive Director, Closed Loop Ventures
- Moderated by: Alex Mitchell (WG'05, Lauder'05) - SVP, Unlocking Innovation, LA Cleantech Incubator
For climate tech founders, raising equity funding through traditional venture capital is a principal step to launching a successful company. However, many overlook the importance of other forms of capital such as venture debt, manufacturing financing, and creative financing solutions to fill critical fundraising gaps. These strategies are particularly vital when significant capital is required for capex-heavy products or companies with working capital constraints. In order to meet ambitious climate targets, diversified funding options are necessary to scale new low-carbon solutions for hard-to-abate sectors of the economy.
Another critical financing gap is access to capital. Founders from underrepresented backgrounds often don’t have access to traditional avenues of early stage capital and thus alternative financial solutions are sorely needed. As firms and corporations pledge to promote diversity and support founders from minority populations, it's crucial to consider how the status-quo fundraising strategies can impair access to capital for these founders.
This Zoom event is open to Wharton Energy Network (WEN) members. Chatham House Rule will apply to this event and there will be no recording.
Scroll to the RSVP button to confirm your spot!
Date & Time:
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET
Location:
This is a virtual panel. Zoom details will be sent out to RSVP'd guests upon registration.
Speakers:
- Vida Asiegbu - Principal, Energy Impact Partners
- Danielle Joseph - Executive Director, Closed Loop Ventures
- Moderated by: Alex Mitchell (WG'05, Lauder'05) - SVP, Unlocking Innovation, LA Cleantech Incubator
Vida Asiegbu
Principal, Energy Impact Partners
Vida Asiegbu is a Principal at Energy Impact Partners (“EIP”) Elevate Future Fund, focused on investing at the intersection of the energy transition and social impact. Ms. Asiegbu brings forth over a decade of multi-faceted experience working with early-to-late stage companies across various industries. Prior to joining Energy Impact Partners, Ms. Asiegbu worked to deploy venture equity and debt capital to companies to develop and grow their businesses during her time at Amadeo (f/k/a 13 Ventures). This work also included executing targeted portfolio support after investment. Additionally, Ms. Asiegbu worked in Investment Banking at Evercore and Citigroup where she focused on M&A and capital raising for large private-sector and publicly-traded companies. Ms. Asiegbu holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and a BA in Economics and Business from New York University’s College of Arts and Sciences and Leonard Stern School of Business.
Danielle Joseph
Executive Director, Closed Loop Ventures
Danielle is the Executive Director of the Closed Loop Ventures Group – the seed and pre-seed investment division of Closed Loop Partners focused on catalyzing innovations in the circular economy. She leads sourcing, diligence, transactions and portfolio management. Prior to Closed Loop Partners, Danielle worked on clean energy project finance activities with Invex Infraestructura and Queensland Investment Corporation. Prior to this, she worked with NewWorld Capital Group on a range of growth equity and project finance related activities across environmental opportunities, including clean energy, energy efficiency, waste-to-value, water resources and reclamation, and environmental services. Danielle earned her MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business where she led the GSB Impact Fund, an early stage investing platform for impact-driven companies. Danielle earned her BA from Pomona College.
Alex Mitchell (WG'05, Lauder'05)
SVP, Unlocking Innovation, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator
Alex Mitchell is the SVP Unlocking Innovation, oversees programs, partnerships and pilots across clean transport, clean energy and sustainable cities. He joined LACI from Groupe PSA in Paris where he was VP of Corporate Strategy, co-leading the company’s acquisition of Opel from General Motors and leading the company’s work on autonomous mobility. Previously he headed the automotive automotive industry vertical at the World Economic Forum, with a focus on autonomous mobility. Alex has also served VP of retail sales at an LA-based EV startup Coda Automotive, and worked at Toyota Europe and McKinsey. Alex is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he obtained an MBA from the Wharton School and an MA from the School of Arts and Sciences as Fellow of the Lauder Institute Global MBA program. He holds a BA from Stanford University. His rescue dog makes frequent guest appears on his Zoom calls.
