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 student-run investment fund targeting early-stage ClimateTech companies that have massive potential for rapid decarbonization.
The Venture 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 and support deals aligned with MCV's mission.
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 grantmakers 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
MCV launched in Fall 2021 and was thrilled to add ReJoule as the first startup in our portfolio.
Team
Dr. Gautam Kaul
AdvisorFaculty Advisor, Finance
Aaron Friedman-Heiman
Co-Director of Recruiting & CultureMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2024
Christopher Meyer
Director of Investment MangementMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2024
Daniel McGill
Co-Director of EducationMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2024
Dara Gill
Co-Director of External RelationsMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2024
Linnet Leon
Co-Director of External RelationsMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2023
Shriya Suriyanarayanan
Co-Director of Recruiting & CultureMBA, 2023
Siri Kore
Co-Director of EducationMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2023
Vinayak Mishra
Director of Fund OperationsMBA, 2023
Janet Genser
Senior AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2023
Jason Smullen
Senior AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2022
John Pontillo
Senior AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2022
Kyle Kasten
Senior AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2023
Laura Dyer
Senior AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2022
Marney Coleman
Senior AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2023
Mustafa Isik
Senior AssociateMBA, 2023
Nolan Woodle
Senior AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2023
Olivia Rath
Senior AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2023
Zachary Nerod
Senior AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2024
Angelo Gagliardi
AssociateMS Environmental Science + MS Signal Processing and Machine Learning, 2024
Ankit Mathanker
AssociatePhD Chemical Engineering
Annie Kartheiser
AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2025
Drashti Thakrar
AssociateMBA, 2024
Gerardo Ampudia
AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2024
Ian Corey
AssociateMBA, 2024
Jacob Kennedy
AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2025
Josh Phan-Gruber
AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2025
Koichiro Tachibana
AssociateMBA, 2024
Mackenzie Mock
AssociateMS Environmental Science, 2024
Nikunj Bhimsaria
AssociateMBA, 2024
Praveen Mahendran
AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2025
Rob Squiers
AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2025
Robert Brewer
AssociateJD, 2024
Valerie Crum
AssociateMBA + MS Environmental Science, 2025
Join us!
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.
Note: Student recruiting for Fall 2022 has concluded. Join our interest list to be notified of future updates (Law school recruiting will happen in Winter '23, and we will conduct our recruiting cycle for other schools in Fall '23)
Questions for the leadership team can be sent to michiganclimateventure@umich.edu.
Join the list!Partners
Contact
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