Michigan Climate Venture

The first graduate student-run climate impact group backed by the University of Michigan

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A woman and a man maintaining the planet Earth as if it was a garden.
Sustainability, ensuring the future of life on Earth, is an infinite game: the endless expression of generosity on behalf of all.
Paul Hawken

A first-of-its-kind, multidisciplinary university program at the intersection of ClimateTech and VC

Michigan Climate Venture (MCV) is a program housed in the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability which centers around a graduate student-run investment fund targeting early-stage climate tech companies that have massive potential for rapid decarbonization.

MCV is designed to provide a hands-on, transformational experience that prepares students for impactful careers addressing climate change — the defining challenge of our generation.

Over the course of the academic year, graduate students from schools across campus collaborate to source, screen, vet, and ultimately invest in deals aligned with MCV's mission. MCV then provides on-going portfolio support through projects.  

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A hallmark of MCV is its multidisciplinary nature. We welcome graduate students from across the University of Michigan to apply. Examples include SEAS, Ross, Ford, Engineering, Information, and Law. Each discipline holds a different piece of the puzzle that will inform our investment research and decision making.

General Recruiting
General fund recruitment for the 2024-2025 cohort will be kicking off in Fall 2024.
Join our interest list for future updates.

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Questions for the leadership team can be sent to michiganclimateventure@umich.edu

Investment Thesis

MCV invests in early-stage ClimateTech startups, primarily pre-seed and seed, with moonshot potential to decarbonize the economy. Due to our location in the Midwest, our primary focus is on companies addressing challenges in agriculture, mobility, and materials with impact in the Great Lakes Region. We provide patient capital and seek to fill the investment gap between grant makers and venture capitalists that seek market rate returns. We believe in the value of deep partnerships and provide portfolio companies with pro bono consulting services to help them solve challenges.

Food & Agriculture

Given MCV's location in the breadbasket of the US and the Great Lakes’ unique climate system, MCV aims to work with innovators improving input efficiency and scaling carbon sequestration related to food production and consumption

Materials & Circular Economy

The Midwest is home to some of the biggest names in materials and production. MCV seeks to partner with startups with technologies and solutions that decrease material and energy waste by reimagining the processes of design, production, consumption, and disposal

Mobility

Down the street from the Motor City, MCV supports startups with solutions that reduce emissions associated with the movement of people and goods, ranging from micro-mobility solutions to battery technologies and beyond

Portfolio

Meet the Team

Dr. Gautam Kaul

Advisor

Faculty Advisor, Finance

Malavika Ramkumar

Technical Advisor

PhD Chemistry, 2027

Yanmeng Liu

Director of Operations

PhD Chemical Engineering, 2026

Zachary Pizzo

Director of Education

PhD Chemical Engineering, 2028

Kyle Lovas

Legal Lead

JD, 2026

Dario Garcia

Director of Recruiting & Culture

MBA, 2026

Katelyn Parsons

Co-Director of External Relations

MBA + MS Environmental Science, 2027

Zubin Pinkham

Co-Director of External Relations

MBA, 2026

Alessia Bernocco

Director of Investment Management

MBA + MS Environmental Science, 2027

Arsh Anand

Senior Associate

MBA, 2026

Bansal Shah

Senior Associate

MBA, 2026

Benjamin Walls

Senior Associate

PhD Chemical Engineering, 2028

Bennett Doherty

Senior Associate

MS Environmental Science, 2026

Cale Colony

Senior Associate

MS Environmental Science + MS Robotics, 2026

Chelsea Silber

Senior Associate

MBA + MS Environmental Science, 2026

Chen-Hao Kao

Senior Associate

MS Environmental Science + MEng Chemical Engineering, 2026

Elise Longley

Senior Associate

JD, 2026

Emmanuel Etuk

Senior Associate

MBA, 2026

Jared Arkfeld

Senior Associate

PhD Chemical Engineering, 2026

Katie Corbett

Senior Associate

MBA, 2026

Kelcey Williams

Senior Associate

MBA, 2026

Logan Ragsdale

Senior Associate

MBA + MS Environmental Science, 2027

Magdalia Campobasso

Senior Associate

MS Environmental Science + MS Mechanical Engineering, 2026

Robert "RJ" Juckett

Senior Associate

MBA + MS Environmental Science, 2027

Advisory Board

The MCV Advisory Board guides our investment thesis, diligence processes, and industry network. We're grateful for their time and commitment to building the next generation of climate tech leaders.

Allison Myers

General Partner & Co-Founder

Bouyant Ventures

Matt Logan

Principal

Earthshot Ventures

Joe Garcia

Principal

Rethink Impact




Partnerships

Contact

Email

michiganclimateventure@umich.edu

Location

University of Michigan, School for Environment and Sustainability
Dana Samuel Trask Building, 440 Church St, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109

Climate Tech Founder?

If you’re a climate tech founder aligned with our investment thesis and would like to apply for funding and partnership with MCV, fill out the form below.

Apply for Funding