Overview
This event promises an insightful discussion on climate entrepreneurship featuring two distinguished members of Wolfson’s fellowship, along with other guests. It's an open invitation for all, whether you are an entrepreneur passionate about sustainable business practices, a sustainability enthusiast seeking innovative solutions to climate change, or simply intrigued by the conversation.
Opening remarks will be given by Muhammad Irfan, Founder and CEO of IZ Energy Services Ltd, followed by our panel who will share experiences and insights on successful ventures, sustainable business models, overcoming climate-related challenges through innovation, and integrating sustainability into business practices.
Panelists
- Prof Steve Evans
Steve Evans is Director of Research in Industrial Sustainability at the Institute for Manufacturing, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge. He leads one of the largest global research team trying to improve the environmental impact of the world’s industrial system.
Steve started working in his first factory in 1976, before becoming Engineering Systems Manager at Martin-Baker Engineering, where he helped design and make the world’s best ejection seats. Helping save 2 lives per week and working on a product that has 2 seconds to succeed, often travelling at up to 1000kph, was too much fun and forced a change in career into teaching and research.
Now at the University of Cambridge, he tries to find ways to help industry become sustainable, and is particularly interested in inexpensive solutions – expensive solutions are too easy! His team comes from across the globe, solving problems in Africa and Asia as well as the advanced economies. Steve has led the first UK research into multi-disciplinary engineering teams, the first into eco-design, the first into Circular Economy and many other projects, totaling over £30 million. Steve loves to bring people together to solve tough problems.
He has co-founded a number of clean technology start-ups and has held various posts advising industry and international governments, including Specialist Adviser to the UK House of Lords Science & Technology Committee. Steve is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering & Technology, Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment and was recently elected by his peers as a Member of Academia Europaea.
- Prof Chris Coleridge
Chris Coleridge is the founder and CEO of Carbon13, a digital deal origination and processing platform for climate-focused investment professionals. Prior to Carbon13, Chris was an advisor to the board of Orbitt, a company that connects global investors with African companies to increase the efficient allocation of capital across the continent. Chris also served as an advisor to the board of the FINTECH Circle Institute, a peer-to-peer online learning platform designed to empower finance professionals with the necessary digital skills to adapt to the rapidly changing industry.
Chris Coleridge received their PhD in Organizational Behavior/Strategy from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Their research focused on social networks and their impact on innovation outcomes. Before their PhD, they completed an MSc in Organizational and Social Psychology also from LSE. Chris also holds an MBA from London Business School, where they studied Organizational Behaviour and Marketing. Additionally, they have a Diploma in Direct Marketing from the Institute of Direct Marketing, as well as a BA in English from the University of California, Los Angeles.
- Andy Hale
Andy Hale is the co-founder and CEO at xtonnes. He has over 10 years of experience working across strategy, supply chain innovation, technology commercialization and entrepreneurship. A former engineer, management consultant and Assistant Professor in Entrepreneurship, his expertise spans service development and deployment, commercializing novel service products to support clients across the defense, utilities, manufacturing, construction and transport sectors.
- Natalija Stepurko
Natalija Stepurko is the co-founder and CEO of Bravely Culture. Natalija's background combines scientific expertise with an entrepreneurial mindset. In 2022/2023 Nataljia joined the Carbon 13 Venture Builder program with a focus of meeting co-founders and building a business that will help combat global warming. That's how Bravely Cultured was born – a company dedicated to sustainable protein production by precision fermentation, which is critical for addressing the challenges of global warming.
By coming along, you'll gain valuable perspectives from industry leaders, connect with like-minded individuals, and contribute to shaping the discourse around sustainable businesses. The interactive session between the audience and the panel will tackle critical questions such as:
- How can entrepreneurs identify market needs and gaps in the context of climate challenges?
- What are the methods for measuring and reporting the environmental impact of a business?
- How can businesses balance environmental and financial goals effectively?
- What strategies can be employed to integrate sustainability into product/service design and business practices?
The event, organised by the Sustainability & Conservation Hub in collaboration with Wolfson Enterprise Society and the Entrepreneurship Hub.
Agenda
5.30 – 5.45: Arrival
5.45 – 6.00: Opening remarks by Muhammad Irfan
6.00 – 6.30: Panel Discussion (Prof Steve Evans, Prof Chris Coleridge, Andy Hale, and Natalija Stepurko)
6.30 – 7.15: Interactive Discussion and Q&A
Access
This event will take place in Gatsby Room on the first floor of the Chancellor's Centre. It has step-free access with a lift and there is an accessible toilet located each floor of the building.
For more details please view our AccessAble guide.