Tamer Institute

Three central takeaways emerged from the 2024 Climate Business & Investment Conference, which gathered established industry leaders, startups, investors, and researchers to discuss the climate tech market's progress and needed adjustments.

Tamer Fund for Social Ventures portfolio venture change:WATER Labs, founded by Diana Yousef, ’03BUS ’04SIPA, won the top prize at the Fundación MAPFRE's Social Innovation Awards. The award recognizes the startup's innovation of the iThrone, a portable toilet that provides an innovative solution to human waste management in areas without developed water and sanitation infrastructures.

Sharon Joseph '97, CEO at the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem, discussed her goal to provide educational and career developmental support to the children of Harlem and their families, and the change she's seen in hundreds of students' lives in the last few years.

“Solar power is widespread and very cheap. Technological innovation in China is incredible. Now there are a lot of investments because there is innovation to invest in," said Professor Bruce Usher in a recent interview. During a recent CBS faculty trip to Hong Kong, Professor Usher discussed China’s progress in the green economy.

South African clean tech startup Plentify, a Tamer Fund for Social Ventures portfolio member founded by Jon Kornik ’11, closed an oversubscribed funding round to propel the company’s expansion in South Africa and international markets.

Institute advisory board co-chair Shaiza Rizavi ’96 was part of a dynamic panel discussing the power of entrepreneurship at the intersection of climate and poverty at the dynamic panel at the Asia Society.

Entrepreneur India spoke to a few innovative entrepreneurs about their ideas and how they are making an impact in the world, including Mani Vajipeyajula '13, co-founder and CEO of Banyan Nation, which has helped put over two billion bottles made from recycled plastics in over 20 brands across the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and lubricants industries. 

BlocPower, where Donnel Baird '13 is founder and CEO, announced its "Race to Decarbonize," an initiative that brings together sustainability leaders to race to net zero at city-scale.

Congratulations to Jennifer Pryce '00, CEO of Calvert Capital, for being named to Forbes 50 Over 50! This list honors women around the world who are doing impactful, innovative work. Jenn was chosen for the investments category for her leadership at Calvert Impact and Climate United. Under Jenn's management, Calvert Impact has released multiple new products and tripled AUM for their flagship product, the Community Investment Note.

Kinara Capital, founded by CEO Hardika Shah '09, received top honors in the "Woman Ahead" category at the tenth edition of India’s most prestigious awards for entrepreneurship — The Economic Times Startup Awards.