Day 1 >> Innovations & Capital
Innovations & Capital convened startups, investors, and utility partners from across the Future Grid Network to advance the path from idea to investment. Through hands-on workshops, founder pitches, and candid conversations with capital leaders, grid innovators were equipped with the connections, insights, and readiness to move their technologies toward deployment.
EY Ripples Workshop
About:
Hosted by EY at their Wavespace in Charlotte, this 2.5-hour morning session brings together Cohort 15 and 16 startups alongside select utility and capital partners from the Future Grid Network. Led by experienced EY professionals, the session covers the fundamentals of preparing for investment — including financing methods, what investors look for, and approaches to valuing your startup.
7:45
Arrival and check in
8:00
Light breakfast and networking
8:30
Welcome, introduction, and icebreaker
Jaideep Malik, Managing Director, Power, Utilities & Renewables Sector - EY Parthenon
Paul Stein, Global Client Service Partner - EY
Minsoo Pak, Managing Director - EY
8:40
Typical Financing Methods: Advantages & Disadvantages
8:55
Strengthening your business: What investors will look for
9:10
Discussion: Guest investor
Mark Karlson, Corporate Venture Capital - National Grid Partners
9:30
Valuing your startup: Methods and approaches
9:50
Breakout activity: Peer learning on investment experiences
10:10
Open Q&A
10:20
Wrap up: Key considerations when preparing for investment and EY resources
10:30
Event concludes
Tech Lemonade 6
About:
The flagship afternoon of Day 1, featuring a Honeywell keynote, eight startup pitches, and two panels tackling some of the hardest questions in gridtech investing: navigating the “Valley of Death” and how to pick winners in a rapidly evolving innovation space. The day closes with the announcement of Cohort 17, followed by networking and refreshments.
1:00
Arrive & Check In
2:00
Welcome & Introductions
2:05
Keynote: Honeywell's Vision for the Future Grid
Chris Lanker, Vice President and General Manager - Honeywell
2:25
Startup Pitch Session 1
Joseph Kao, Magnefy
Daniel Kawiecki, Solitude Labs
Jason Groenewold, Scenergy
Andrew Wang, Every Electric
2:45
Session 1: Death Valley — Funding the Future Grid
Marc Bielas, Founder - Stealth
Susanna Sabbagh, Executive Director - Halliburton Labs
Kristina Johnson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner - Catalyzer Ventures
Saba Khalid, Director of Technical Strategy and Growth - Joules Accelerator
3:30
Startup Pitch Session 2
Per Nilsson, Causergy
Shawn Burns, Path Power
Cole Ashman, Pila Energy
3:50
Session 2: Pardon the Interconnection
Adam Sledd, Executive Director - Dominion Energy Innovation Center
Mary King, SVP Venture - Aligned Climate Capital
Ben Rogers, Venture Partner - Clean Energy Ventures
Sonam Velani, Co-Founder & Managing Partner - Streetlife Ventures
4:35
Announcing Cohort 17 and closing remarks
4:45
Networking & refreshments
6:45
Event concludes