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Lena Thiede
Co-Founder/ Partner bei Planet A Ventures
Professional Background
Lena Thiede is a distinguished leader and co-founding partner at Planet A Ventures, an innovative Green Tech venture capital firm dedicated to supporting groundbreaking European startups. In her role, Lena is pivotal in measuring the scientific impact of the initiatives that Planet A Ventures backs, ensuring that investments yield tangible benefits for both the economy and the environment. With over 11 years of extensive work experience at the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), she possesses a deep understanding of sustainable development issues, particularly in the context of international cooperation.
Throughout her career, Lena has held key positions that have allowed her to influence policy and drive significant programs. As the Head of Development Cooperation in Tanzania and East Africa, she successfully led government programs focused on biodiversity, water resources, and thorough monitoring and evaluation processes. Her comprehensive expertise in these areas has made her a recognized voice in environmental policy and sustainability.
Lena's professional journey is characterized by her commitment to environmental sustainability, researched insights, and strategic leadership across prominent organizations, including the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU), the OECD, GIZ, and Ecologic Institute. She is currently advising the Exist Program of the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, leveraging her vast experience to guide and nurture startups in their quest to innovate and create lasting change.
Education and Achievements
Lena Thiede holds an impressive educational background that complements her professional endeavors. She earned her Master of Arts in Political Science, honing her expertise in international affairs, while also studying at notable institutions such as the Mercator Fellowship on International Affairs. Her academic work culminated in a Diplom in Political Science from Freie Universität Berlin, where her thesis examined "The Effectiveness of International Environmental Regimes," showcasing her analytical capabilities and her interest in sustainability and policy effectiveness.
Additionally, Lena pursued Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, where she laid the groundwork for her future endeavors in policy-making and environmental advocacy.
Throughout her remarkable career, Lena has received numerous accolades and has contributed to various high-impact initiatives that reflect her dedication to environmental and social governance (ESG). Her work has spanned many sectors, and she has consistently been at the forefront of discussions surrounding sustainability in European contexts and beyond.
Notable Contributions and Affiliations
In addition to her role at Planet A Ventures, Lena has actively participated in several influential organizations. As a senior policy advisor at the Ecologic Institute in Berlin, she provided strategic guidance on environmental policies and practices. She has served on the advisory board of the EXIST Program under the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, where she contributed her insights to foster an ecosystem conducive to innovation and sustainability.
Moreover, Lena has been a prominent member of initiatives such as Cleantech for Europe, Global Women in VC, and the Rising Tide Collective, reflecting her commitment to promoting sustainable practices and advancing women's representation in the venture capital space. Her involvement with encourageventures e.V. and as a co-founder of the Sustainability Network (3plusX) demonstrates her passion for collaborative efforts and knowledge sharing in the sustainability domain.
Lena’s vast experience also includes several key roles at the BMZ and various global institutions, where she focused on sustainable development and policy implementation. She has been instrumental in driving policy dialogues, managing regional cooperation initiatives, and enhancing the efficacy of development programs at both national and international levels. Her work at the OECD and as a junior associate at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) further enriched her skills in strategic analysis and consulting, reinforcing her capacity to navigate complex policy landscapes.
Commitment to Impact
Throughout her career, Lena has remained steadfast in her commitment to measurable impact. She believes that assessing the scientific impact of investments and initiatives is crucial to ensuring sustainable development and fostering innovation in response to global challenges. At Planet A Ventures, her role underscores the importance of integrating scientific rigor in the evaluation of green technology startups, ensuring they contribute positively to environmental goals.
In her advisory roles, Lena has continually sought
Highlights
Noah is the world`s first #biodiversity champion: he took into the ark male and female specimens of all the world's species to save them.
What a great name for a conference whose key objective is to fund sustainable #tech solutions and empower collaboration within the #naturalcapital ecosystem. Looking forward to being part of the NOAH Conference 2023.
❗ Great lineup of digital champions and sustainability market leaders. See all speakers here https://lnkd.in/eWRVj-ka covering ☀ Solar, Hydro and Renewables 🚜 Sustainable Agriculture 🚰 Sustainable Food and Water 🚼 Environmental Systems 🍼 Plastic, Recycling and Waste 🏙 Corporate Sustainability 🚛 Eco-friendly Transportation 🏗 Sustainable Construction And check out Planet A`s biodiversity startup map where we highlighted many of the attending founders. https://lnkd.in/e7rzbT5r
➡ I will be part of a panel discussion on biodiversity and nature-based solutions with Natalie Rothausen (RWE), Christof Schenk (Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt von 1858 e.V.), Nick Zumbühl (Nala Earth), Gilad Goren (MRV Collective) and Marco Rodzynek (NOAH). I look forward to discussing ways to channel more private capital into the nature market and partner up with exciting tech founders.
Thanks to Marco and the team for providing the space to collaborate, it has never been more important.
#impactinvesting #greentech #naturetech #startups #biodiversity #VC
At Planet A, we believe that entrepreneurs can deliver game-changing greentech innovation. That`s why we teamed up with PLANETech - Climate Change Technologies, Nature4Climate, FLORA Ventures, InNegev, Third Derivative & Enel Group and launched the Nature Tech Competition.
🚀 Startup Applications for the Nature Tech Competition - Accelerating Nature for Climate are open now. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3NEC2Z4
🤝 Looking for the opportunity to win $2.2M in equity investments, fully funded pilots, strategic partnerships & mentorships? All stages and geographies are welcome.
Applications close: 7th September, 2023
Noam Sonennberg, Tamar Moise, Deborah Kreis, Talya Herring, Karina Rubinstein, Gil Horsky, Aya Ephrati
#naturetech #biodiversity #greentech #vc
