Suggestions
Lauren Kickham
Designer & builder | Climate investor
Lauren Kickham is the Impact Investment Director for the Climate Innovation Fund at Microsoft, based in Seattle, Washington. She has a strong professional presence on LinkedIn, where she has over 500 connections and actively shares insights related to climate innovation and sustainable development initiatives.
In her role at Microsoft, Kickham focuses on strategic investments aimed at fostering climate solutions, including partnerships that support sustainable practices and technologies. She has been involved in significant projects, such as Microsoft's commitment to sustainable development in Africa through initiatives like the AI for Good Lab and the Climate Innovation Fund.12
Kickham's background likely includes extensive experience in impact investing and climate technology, positioning her as a key player in Microsoft's efforts to address climate change through innovative funding strategies and collaborations.34
Highlights
We need to accelerate a clean energy transition that is equitable and sustainable. Doing this requires diverse leadership and a start-up ecosystem that ensures climate solutions benefit everyone. Yet only 1.9% of total US venture capital went to women-founded teams, Black and Latino founders received less than 1.5%, and Black and Latino women founders less than 0.1%.
At #Microsoft, we invest in diverse leaders driving the future of clean energy and climate tech innovation. At #CERAweek 2024, our Microsoft Agora House is featuring the innovations of several Climate Innovation Fund and ACCEL founders from underrepresented backgrounds. If you’re at the conference, hear BlocPower, New Sun Road, P.B.C., Twelve, and Solstice again on Thursday at 11 am.
I am also proud to amplify the partnership between Microsoft, EDP Renewables North America, and Volt Energy Utility that drives concrete action toward our commitment to an equitable and just transition of the electric power sector. From using an Environmental Justice PPA and contributing to the Sharing the Power Foundation, to being a carbon-neutral project and ensuring women and minority-owned businesses serve in prominent leadership roles in project management and construction, this partnership demonstrates what it looks like to share the wealth of the energy transition. https://lnkd.in/eDJrAhC4
After 5 long years away, I was thrilled to return to Kenya for the #africaclimatesummit. The event drew 25,000+ professionals eager to collaborate on African leadership in clean energy and climate solutions. Microsoft’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Melanie Nakagawa, and I saw some of our innovative CIF companies in action - thanks for the tour KOKO Networks! - and I was inspired by all the conversations about how to drive meaningful climate action this decade, e.g. Great Carbon Valley, Jacob's Ladder Africa. If I missed you there, send me a note! It would be great to connect.
