Davos 2025
Join Climate Scale-Up this January 19–23, 2025 in Davos during the World Economic Forum (WEF) and be part of an exclusive gathering of global leaders, innovators, and changemakers driving climate action. Connect with the brightest minds in climate tech, investment, and policy through curated events, insightful discussions, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Don’t miss this chance to collaborate on transformative solutions and accelerate global impact—Sign Up Now— to secure your spot!
Guest Speakers
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Alysia Helming
Unicorn Founder, Clean Energy & Infrastructure Pioneer
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Kate Brandt
Chief Sustainability Officer at Google
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Bianca Lins
Cybersecurity Woman of the World 2024, Top 3 European Cyber Women 2023
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Irina Gorbounova
Vice President M&A and Head of XCarb Innovation Fund at ArcelorMittal
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Jay Lipman
Co-founder at Ethic & Nature2, Climate & Nature Investing, LinkedIn Top Green Voice
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Filipe Blackwood Oliveira
Climate Investment and Decarbonization Strategist, TPG
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Helen Zhang
Office of Eric Schmidt, ex-Diplomat and Googler, Founder Intrigue Media
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Rajesh Swaminathan
Partner, Khosla Ventures
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Heather Taylor
Partner, Climate Change & Sustainability Services at EY --- WXN Top 100 Canada's Most Powerful Women
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Ricardo Hausmann
Professor of development economics at Harvard Kennedy School and the director of Harvard's Growth Lab
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Chavalit Frederick Tsao
Family Business Steward & Chairman at TPC (Tsao Pao Chee) Group
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Dominic Hofstetter
Executive Director at the TransCap Initiative, Board Member at Expedition Zukunft
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Marina Cançado
Founder Converge Capital, Co-Founder ATO, 100 Climate Innovators, Forbes Under 30
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Seema Gupta
CEO, Climate Scale-Up, Serial Entrepreneur, Investor
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Kevin Webb
Co-Founder & Managing Director, Superorganism
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Jennifer Turliuk
Climate & Energy AI, MIT, Entrepreneur, Investor, Author
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Tod Hynes
co-CEO Maigent, Co-Founder Climate Scale-Up, Vice Chair Woodwell, senior lecturer MIT Climate and Energy Ventures
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Ujjwal Kumar
Government Relations & Public-Private Partnerships | MC/MPA Mason Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School
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Dr. Oliver Gottfried
Breakthrough Energy Business Fellow, Climate and AI
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Jason Jay
Senior Lecturer and Director, Sustainability Initiative at MIT Sloan School of Management
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Thomas Annicq
Co-Founder Oneshot.Earth
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Maria Netto
Executive Director, Instituto Clima e Sociedade (iCS)
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Jorge Hargrave
Co-Founder Brazil Climate Institute (BCI) and Director at Maraé Investments
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Tony Lent
Co-founder of Capital for Climate
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Renata Piazzon
Director General, Arapyaú Institute
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Jean-Baptiste De Cuyper
Head of Business Development - Green Hydrogen, DEME Group
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Britta Gruenig
Founder of Gruenig & Partners, Senior Fellow at the Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (University of Zurich)
2025 Cohort
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Troy Helming
EarthGrid
FOUNDER and CEO
I founded 2 of the most successful renewable energy companies in the USA: Tradewind Energy (largest wind developer in USA in 2017) & Pristine Sun (leading developer of community utility-scale solar farms in CA, WI, VT, MN, NC). I sit on the board of numerous solar and clean energy companies, and have been an advisor, investor, executive, or director of over a dozen successful companies. I'm the author of The Clean Power Revolution (2004) and creator of The Freedom Plan (2005): a blueprint to convert North American to 100% clean renewable energy.
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Philip Kessler
TURN2X
FOUNDER and CEO
Philip, the CEO of TURN2X, is a seasoned entrepreneur who previously founded and successfully exited an AI company. Now leading TURN2X, he is driving innovation in the energy sector with technology that produces CO2-neutral electric natural gas from green hydrogen and biogenic CO2.
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Daniella Zakon
Upwell Materials
FOUNDER and CEO
Daniella Zakon is the Founder and CEO of Upwell Materials, a biomaterials company based in Woods Hole, MA. Daniella earned her B.S degree in marine ecology after studying the impacts of rising CO2 on coral reefs in Thailand and Malaysia. She went on to receive her master's degree in environmental studies and business management while living and working in the Middle East. She has worked in green tech, sustainable fashion, clean cosmetics, micro-algae and more.
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Alexandra Dowling Lari
Upwell Materials
CO-FOUNDER and CMO
Alexandra Dowling Lari is Co-Founder and CMO of Upwell Materials, a biomaterial company based in Woods Hole, MA. Alexandra holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard University in English Literature and a graduate degree from Parsons School of Design in Marketing and Brand Management. She has worked in sales, marketing, luxury fashion and beauty for over twenty years for companies including LVMH, Moda Operandi and Captain Blankenship.
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Raviv Turner
NatureX RMS
CO-FOUNDER and CEO
Raviv Turner is the Co-Founder & CEO of NatureX RMS, a climate and nature risk management platform using AI co-pilots for earth observation. Raviv is also a Founding Member of the Nature Tech Collective, a non-profit member organization that helps financial institutions, insurance companies, and corporations manage their climate and nature risks. Raviv is a TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) nature data working group member. He speaks on the topics of climate and nature risks, nature insurance, GeoAI, spatial finance, and digital MRV.
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Thiago Picolo
Re.Green
PARTNER and CEO
Thiago Picolo is CEO of re.green, Brazil’s leading ecological restoration company, and has led multiple private-equity backed companies in Brazil. Previously served as CEO of Hortifruti Natural da Terra, Brazil´s largest fresh food retailer. Thiago started his carreer in finance, at Morgan Stanley and GP Investimentos, and holds a B.A. in Economics from Harvard University and OPM from Harvard Business School. Thiago is a board member at Zamp and the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies.
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Russ Wilcox
ArtifexAI
FOUNDER and CEO
Russ Wilcox, CEO of ArtifexAI, pioneers the application of artificial intelligence in urban transformation, leveraging historical city data to create more sustainable metropolitan environments. A thought leader at the intersection of AI and public policy, he brings over 16 years of expertise in machine learning and data science to address global urban and sustainability challenges.
As a member of the prestigious American Society for AI and a 2024 Autodesk Global Sustainability Leader, Russ bridges the gap between technological innovation and practical implementation. His insights on democratizing AI have been shared at the World Economic Forum and through multiple TedX talks.
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Laureen Meroueh, PhD
Hertha Metals
FOUNDER and CEO
Dr. Laureen Meroueh, Founder and CEO of Hertha Metals, is leading this venture-backed startup with groundbreaking technology designed to revolutionize steelmaking and significantly reduce emissions. Hertha Metals is on a trajectory to become the global catalyst for decarbonizing the steel industry, leveraging the unique and cost-effective technology that utilizes any grade of iron ore, including waste oxides, to produce pure iron and steel, while dramatically reducing CO₂ emissions. With an unparalleled ability to execute at unprecedented speeds, Hertha Metals is reshaping the future of sustainable steel production.
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Rory Brown
Airhive
CO-FOUNDER and CEO
Rory Brown, Co-Founder and CEO, leads Airhive in scaling their DAC technology, backed by partners like Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. The company is launching a 1,000-tonne facility to drive impactful climate action. Airhive is advancing Direct Air Capture (DAC) with modular, cost-effective systems that remove CO₂ directly from the atmosphere.
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Marie-Noëlle Keijzer
WeForest
CO-FOUNDER and CEO
Marie Noëlle is the co-founder and CEO of WeForest, a non-profit organization dedicated to tackling some of today’s most pressing challenges: global warming, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and poverty. Leading a team of 90 professionals—primarily based in Africa—she has overseen the restoration of more than 71,000 hectares (an area comparable to Singapore) with nearly 100 million trees, transforming the lives of half a million people, creating habitats for endangered species, and positively impacting adjacent landscapes 40 times larger (an area roughly equivalent to Yosemite National Park or 3 million hectares).
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Shashank Samala
Heirloom Carbon
FOUNDER and CEO
Shashank Samala, Co-Founder and CEO, leads Heirloom in pioneering scalable, cost-effective carbon removal solutions. Under his leadership, Heirloom has secured significant investments, including a recent $150 million Series B round, to scale their technology. Heirloom accelerates natural carbon mineralization, using limestone to capture CO₂ from the air, aiming to remove 1 billion tons by 2035. -
Saman Baghestani
S3 Markets
CO-FOUNDER and CEO
Saman is the Co-Founder and CEO of S3 Markets, driving the adoption of low-carbon commodities in hard-to-abate sectors like cement, steel, and ammonia through a book-and-claim system, helping organizations credibly reduce Scope 3 emissions and advancing progress towards global net zero. Saman is passionate about leveraging his background in climate and finance to unlock financial support for radically decarbonized commodity producers in an effort to tip commodity markets towards low carbon modes of production.
An MIT graduate with climate and sustainability expertise, Saman co-founded SHIFT, a tool search engine for corporate sustainability, developed technology for the UN Global Compact resource library, and led the 2024 MIT Sustainability Summit on systems change for planetary wellbeing.
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John Auckland
Seafields
FOUNDER and CEO
I've founded Seafields to pioneer a new approach to fighting climate change by introducing aquaculture to the open ocean using a little-known wonder crop, the brown seaweed, Sargassum.
I also founded TribeFirst, the leading global equity crowdfunding marketing agency that's helped more than 120 companies launch their brands and raise their money at the same time. Co-Founded GreenTribe, a pre-seed and seed stage impact investment fund. Also Co-Founder of JustCarbon, which is using Web3 technology to improve the carbon credit certification industry. -
Malte Feucht
Phlair
FOUNDER and CEO
Phlair (formerly Carbon Atlantis) is redefining Direct Air Capture (DAC) with a scalable, cost-effective technology that removes CO2 from ambient air for permanent storage or reuse in CO2-negative chemicals. Their innovative hydrolyzer for acid/base regeneration enables efficient and affordable DAC processes, addressing critical challenges in industries like aviation and aluminum production. Led by Malte Feucht, Founder and CEO, Phlair helps leading customers such as Shopify and Stripe achieve their net-zero goals.
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Jason Aramburu
Applied Carbon
CO-FOUNDER and CEO
Jason Aramburu, Founder and CEO, is a seasoned entrepreneur recognized by MIT Technology Review and the World Economic Forum for his groundbreaking work in climate tech. He looks forward to collaborating with the cohort to advance scalable carbon removal solutions. Applied Carbon is transforming agriculture and industry with innovative biochar technology that sequesters carbon, improves soil health, and reduces methane emissions.
Deal Day Program Details
MORNING SESSION
10:00 - 10:45 AM | Networking
10:45 - 10:50 AM | Keynote Speaker
Foreword: Rising to the Climate Challenge
Speaker: Jason Jay (Director of Sustainability, MIT)
10:50 - 11:00 AM | Keynote Speaker
Welcome Address: Uniting for Impact
Speakers: Seema Gupta, Tod Hynes (Co-Founders, Climate Scale-Up)
11:00 - 11:10 AM | Keynote Speaker
From Space to Earth: Innovation Lessons Learned
Speaker: Bianca Lins (Lead, Space Department, Liechtenstein)
11:15 - 11:40 AM | Climate Scale-Up, Panel 1
Transforming Industries: Innovating with Incumbents
Companies: Philip Kessler (CEO, Turn2x, electric natural gas, e-NG), Laureen Meroueh, PhD (CEO, Hertha Metals, green steel)
Panelists: Irina Gorbounova (VP M&A and Head of XCarb Innovation Fund, ArcelorMittal), Rajesh Swaminathan (Partner, Khosla Ventures)
11:40 AM - 12:05 PM | Climate Scale-Up, Panel 2
Direct Air Capture: Scaling and the Cost Curve
Companies: Shashank Samala (CEO, Heirloom, DAC), Rory Brown (CEO, Airhive, DAC), Malte Feucht (CEO, Phlair, DAC)
Panelists: Nikki Batchelor (Executive Director, XPRIZE Carbon Removal)
12:05 - 12:30 PM | Climate Scale-Up, Panel 3
Ocean Innovation: Investing in Systems Change
Companies: Daniella Zakon and Alexandra Dowling (Upwell, marine bio-materials)
Panelists: Helen Zhang (Office of Eric Schmidt), Dominic Hofstetter (Executive Director, TransCap Initiative)
PERFORMANCE
12:40 - 12:50 PM | The Human Side of Climate Impact: Damaged Skin
Choreographed by: Jason Kittelberger (Vildwerk)
Performance by: Jason Kittelberger and Anais Turaet
AFTERNOON SESSION
1:00 - 1:20 PM | Keynote Speaker
Fireside Chat: From AI to Infrastructure - Google’s Path to Achieving Net Zero
Speaker: Kate Brandt (CSO, Google)
1:20 - 1:45 PM | Climate Scale-Up, Panel 4
Green Leapfrogging: Infrastructure for the Global South
Companies: Troy Helming (CEO, Earthgrid, plasma tunneling for infrastructure),
Panelists: Dr. Kajal (IAS, Director, Department for Promotion of Industry and International Trade (DPIIT), Govt of India (Nodal Officer)), Ricardo Hausmann (Director, Harvard Growth Lab; Renowned expert on economic growth and development), Ujjwal Kumar (MC/MPA Mason Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School, specialist in private-public relations)
1:45 - 2:10 PM | Climate Scale-Up, Panel 5
Harnessing AI for Climate Resilience
Moderator: Tod Hynes (Co-CEO, Maigent, personal AI)
Companies: Raviv Turner (NatureXRMS, AI agents for earth observation), Russ Wilcox (ArtifexAI, AI finding opportunity zones for energy and infrastructure)
Panelists: Jennifer Turliuk (Practice Leader, Climate and Energy AI), Oliver (Breakthrough Energy Venture Business Fellow)
2:10 - 2:20 PM | Keynote Speaker
Human Costs of Climate: The California Lens
Speaker: Jay Lipman (Co-Founder, Ethic)
2:20 - 2:30 PM | Keynote Speaker
Staying Honest About Climate
Speaker: Jacqueline Bourke (Getty Images)
2:30 - 2:55 PM | Climate Scale-Up, Panel 6
Nature’s Role in Restoring Climate Balance
Companies: Marie-Noelle Keijzer (Weforest, restoring forests for people, climate and nature), Thiago Picolo (Re.Green, large-scale forest restoration), Jason Aramburu (Applied Carbon, distributed biochar production)
Panelists: Kevin Webb (Co-founder, Superorganism)
2:55 - 3:20 PM | Climate Scale-Up, Panel 7
Carbon Markets: Incentivizing Climate Innovation
Companies: Saman Baghestani (CEO, S3 Markets, accelerating zero-carbon modes of production)
Panelists: Heather Taylor (Partner, EY Climate Change & Sustainability Services), Filipe Blackwood Oliveira (Senior Advisor, TPG), Thomas Annicq (Co-founder, Oneshot.earth), Jean-Baptiste (Head of Business Development, Deme)
CLOSING KEYNOTES
3:20 - 3:30 PM | Keynote Speaker
Family Businesses: Leading Private Climate Action
Speaker: Chavalit Frederick Tsao (Chairman, TPC)
3:30 - 3:40 PM | Keynote Speaker
Climate Pioneers: Inspiration for the Road Ahead
Speaker: Alysia Helming (US Clean Energy Pioneer, Unicorn & Bestselling Author)
3:40 - 4:05 PM | Fireside Chat
Countdown to COP 30 – The Path Forward
Speakers: Maria E. Netto de A. C. Schneider (Executive Director, iCS), Jorge Hargrave (Co-Founder, Brazil Climate Institute), Tony Lent (Co-founder, Capital for Climate), Renata Piazzon (Director General, Arapyaú Institute), Marina Cançado (Co-Founder, Brazil Climate Institute; Founder, Converge Capital)
5-7 pm, Friday January 17
University of Zurich
By Invitation Only
Way to WEF
Together, with Falko Paetzold (Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth), Poman Lo (One Earth Summit, Regal Hotels, IST) and Seema Gupta (Climate Scale-Up), we will envision where we, as individuals and as a collective, want to be in addressing global climate challenges 20 years from now. From this future-oriented perspective, we will engage in a dynamic workshop to work backwards—mapping the pivotal steps needed to achieve this vision and defining the critical actions we must take today, tomorrow, and at WEF 2025.
10-5 pm, Saturday January 18
Flums, Switzerland
By Invitation Only
World Systemic Forum
Begin your year with mindfulness and inspiration, highlighted by Daniel Risch, Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, and Rudolf Hilti of The System Change Foundation, as they explore "The Courage to Think Differently." Engage with transformative ideas on trust-based sustainability, space exploration, and systemic change, complemented by sessions on leadership, connection, and innovative approaches to global challenges.
Ski Summit
9am-12pm, Sunday January 19
Jatzhütte, Jakobshorn summit
The Ski Summit offers a unique blend of networking, recreation, and reflection. Set against the pristine slopes of Davos, this exclusive event provides an informal yet impactful environment for decision-makers and innovators to connect. Ski sessions are interspersed with fireside chats with Frederick Chavalit Tsao (Octave Institute), small group discussions, and scenic networking opportunities, allowing participants to engage in meaningful dialogue while enjoying the breathtaking alpine setting.
Climate-Conscious Gala
6 pm, Sunday January 19
Restaurant Teufi
Our Climate-Conscious Gala is a celebration of creativity, community, and impact. Held in an alpine, eco-chic setting, the gala brings together a diverse audience of philanthropists, celebrities, advocates, and public figures. Highlights include a sustainable fashion showcase, live performances, and award ceremonies hosted by the Creative Women Platform recognizing achievements in climate innovation. The event is designed to inspire and connect, creating an emotional connection to the mission of Climate Scale-Up while fostering awareness and support for the cause.
Monday January 20
Berghotel Schatzalp
By Invitation Only
CSO Award Ceremony
The CSO Awards, presented by Future.io and proudly sponsored by Climate Scale-Up, is a prestigious recognition celebrating Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) who are driving transformative change in corporate sustainability. This esteemed accolade honors visionary leaders who embed sustainability at the heart of their organizations, demonstrating innovation, commitment, and exemplary leadership.
Wednesday January 22
Forbes Dome
By Invitation Only
Forbes Interview
Backstage interviews with Forbes offer an exclusive glimpse into the minds of industry leaders and changemakers, reaching a global audience of millions viewers. These interviews provide thought-provoking insights into leadership, innovation, and impact. The interviews are shared across Forbes’ expansive digital platforms, making them accessible to a worldwide audience and amplifying the voices of the featured guests. This intimate yet high-profile setting blends authenticity with prestige, offering a unique opportunity for impactful storytelling and global recognition.
Wednesday January 22
Forbes Dome
By Invitation Only
Musical Concert
Join us for Imagination in Action at the Dome, an extraordinary evening hosted in partnership with Forbes, where innovation meets creativity under a stunning biosphere set against the snowy peaks of Davos. With exclusive panels that bring together global leaders, visionaries, and entertainers for a powerful discussions on the future of sustainability followed by a captivating concert featuring world-renowned performers.
Deal Day Brunch
10 - 4 pm, Thursday January 23
Berghotel Schatzalp
Deal Day Brunch is all about driving outcomes. Set against the stunning backdrop of Magic Mountain in Davos, this event brings together investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers for a day of high-energy deal-making and strategic collaboration. The program includes panels on public - private - philanthropic - partnerships, speed networking sessions, and demo space where our cohort companies showcase their innovations. With a focus on action, Deal Day emphasizes forging partnerships, securing funding, and advancing climate solutions. This is where capital meets innovation to scale the ideas that will shape our future.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Want to co-host an event or become a partner? Take advantage of numerous benefits, including enhanced global visibility and brand recognition through prominent exposure at the World Economic Forum. Partners gain valuable networking opportunities with top leaders and innovators, fostering strategic partnerships and collaborations. Additionally, partners can position themselves as industry leaders in sustainability, access exclusive investment opportunities, and contribute to significant social and environmental impacts by supporting the development of cutting-edge climate technologies. Join us to drive global sustainability and be part of the change.