Unlocking Climate Innovation: Announcing the 9Zero Hero Inaugural Event and Expert Climate Tech Panel
Announcing the inaugural 9Zero Hero Event on Thursday, August 29th, at 9Zero San Francisco. This landmark evening will celebrate Tom Steyer, a leading advocate for climate action, and feature a highly anticipated panel discussion on the future of climate finance and technology.
Honoring Tom Steyer
Tom Steyer, renowned climate investor and co-executive chair of Galvanize Climate Solutions, will be honored for his groundbreaking contributions to sustainable practices. His influential book, Cheaper, Faster, Better: How We’ll Win the Climate War, has significantly shaped climate policy and fostered community engagement. Steyer's dedication to advancing climate solutions epitomizes the spirit of the 9Zero Hero series.
Announcing the Expert Panel
We are thrilled to present an insightful panel discussion moderated by Julie Castro Abrams, with distinguished panelists Kim Kolt and Colin le Duc. This discussion will explore critical areas of climate finance and technology:
Navigating Climate Finance and Risk: Examine how current trends and climate risks shape investment decisions, and discuss strategies for balancing financial returns with climate impact.
Political Climate and Policy Impacts: Delve into how current political elections and policies are likely to affect the climate finance landscape. The panelists will offer their insights on how upcoming and recent policy changes could shape future investment strategies and climate solutions.
Scaling Climate Technologies and Measuring Impact: Explore strategies for supporting and scaling high-potential climate technologies and methods for effectively assessing the success of climate finance initiatives.
Panelist Highlights
Julie Castro Abrams: Julie Castro Abrams is the founder and Managing Partner of How Women Invest, a venture firm focused on high-growth, tech-enabled women-founded enterprises. Her leadership includes heading the Women’s Initiative for Self Employment, launching over 6,000 women-owned businesses, and driving board diversity legislation in California. Julie’s extensive experience in supporting women-led ventures and her advocacy for board diversity make her an exceptional moderator for this discussion.
Kim Kolt: Kim Kolt, a founding General Partner at Bay Bridge Ventures, brings a wealth of expertise in climate tech investment. At Bay Bridge Ventures, Kim leads investments in groundbreaking climate technologies aimed at solving critical environmental issues. Her previous experience as Founder & President of For Good Ventures, combined with her roles at Goldman Sachs in Technology (TMT) Investment Banking, as well as her LEED certification, underscores her profound understanding of the financial and technological aspects of climate solutions and their implementation in the built environment. Kim’s credentials include a Cornell University undergraduate degree and an MBA from The Wharton School, along with various industry designations. She also serves as Chairman of the Board of Sustainable Ocean Alliance (www.soalliance.org), reflecting her commitment to advancing sustainable ocean conservation and innovative climate solutions.
Colin le Duc: Colin le Duc, Founding Partner at Generation Investment Management, is a leading figure in sustainable investing. He heads Generation’s San Francisco office and focuses on private markets, while also serving as Vice Chair of Just Climate, a dedicated climate investment arm. Colin’s extensive experience includes roles at Sustainable Asset Management in Zurich, Arthur D. Little in London, and TotalEnergies in Paris. His global perspective is further enriched by his work across nine countries on four continents. Colin's academic background includes a degree in International Management and Modern Languages from the University of Bath and completion of the Corporate Finance Programme at London Business School.
An Evening of Insight and Inspiration
The 9Zero Hero Event will begin with a VIP reception at 5:00 PM with a book signing with Tom Steyer. The evening will feature Tom Steyer’s award presentation and an engaging panel discussion offering invaluable insights into the future of climate finance and technology.
Please Note: The event is currently oversubscribed, but tickets are available through sponsorship opportunities. For more information or to explore sponsorship options, please contact Ann Oleson at ann@9zero.com. Secure your place via sponsorship and join us for an evening dedicated to inspiring and driving impactful climate action.
