ClimaTech 2025: Massachusetts Doubles Down on Climate Innovation With Best of Business to Move Forward

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After a breakout first year, ClimaTech returns to Boston for its second annual event, uniting thought leaders, policymakers, and tech innovators to drive urgent climate action. With new programming across two stages and over 60 speakers from all across the climate and technology landscape, the 2025 event will catalyze large-scale change across sectors – from energy and transportation to real estate and AI. By connecting changemakers and reimagining typical sessions in favor of building mentorships and partnerships, ClimaTech is part dialogue, part workshop and part showcase.

ClimaTech will begin on May 13 with a VIP reception and opening kickoff featuring an exclusive fireside chat with GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik and MIT President Sally Kornbluth as they explore the future of energy innovation, talent development, and real-world impact. This conversation will dive into how GE Vernova and MIT’s groundbreaking $50 million alliance is driving cutting-edge research in electrification, decarbonization, and renewables acceleration —while shaping the next generation of energy leaders.

ClimaTech will then feature top thought leadership and dynamic panel discussion on May 14th, including a keynote speech by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, who is expected to address affordability in climate tech and the importance of private and public sectors working together to drive innovation and our economy.

"We're proud to host ClimaTech again this year in Massachusetts, where we are a global leader in climate innovation. We're excited to bring together leaders from across the world here to strategize on how we can accelerate progress in this critical sector to bring down energy costs, achieve energy independence, create new jobs and make people’s lives better," said Governor Maura Healey.

Spotlight on Agenda: A Day of Cross-Sector Climate Collaboration

May 14’s robust agenda will feature transformative conversations around the electric grid, clean mobility, AI innovation, and the role of universities in scaling climate solutions. The day will close with a ceremony – bestowing the Inaugural ClimaTech Distinguished Person Award to Yvonne Hao, outgoing Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development for her decades of service in sustainability.

Highlights include:

• Power Shift Panel: Executive from National Grid, Mike Phillips (Sense), and Zachary Gerson (Foley Hoag) discuss how to modernize the electric grid to meet rising demand and regulatory shifts.
• From Provinces to Projects: H.G. Chissell (AEG), Justin Trudell (FirstLight), Dan Burgess (ME), Francesca Dominici (Harvard) to explore how regional collaboration and market innovation are enabling decarbonization and strengthening resilience.
• AI for Earth: Tod Hynes (MIT) and Alan Neuhauser (Axios) explore how AI transforms ESG reporting, climate risk forecasting, and supply chain resilience.
• The Future is Flexible: Pedro Azagra (Avangrid), Hudson Gilmer (LineVision), Scott Harden (Schneider Electric), and Seth Frader-Thompson (EnergyHub) discuss building a resilient grid for EV demand and distributed generation in a panel headlined by Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.
• Built to Adapt: Galen Nelson (MassCEC), Jit Kee Chin (Suffolk,) Steele Divitto (Steele Group), Jane Chen (StepWise) explore the innovative solutions that are reshaping the future of real estate across residential and commercial asset classes.
• Fueling Climate Tech Innovations: Rebecca Davis (MACP), Georgina Campbell Flatter (Greentown Labs), Emily Knight (The Engine), and Cyrus Wadia (Activate) highlight how incubators and R&D accelerate early-stage climate ventures.
• Clean Mobility Panel: Sabrina Shankman (Boston Globe), Will Graylin (Indigo), Bryan Koop (BXP) and Abdellah Chajai (Keolis) highlight innovations in EVs, transit, and sustainable deliveries.
• From Pilot to Scale: Brian Kurtz (DOE), Roger Martella (GE Vernova) to explore pathways to scale successful climate pilots into broader implementation
• Charting the Blue Horizon: Cvic Innocent (Frankenbuild), Nadir Ait-Laoussine (SeaAhead), Judith Underwood (Blue Innovation Lab), Jennifer Downing (New Bedford Ocean Cluster), Bruce Carlisle (MassCEC) to discuss innovations in the blue economy and ocean-based climate solutions
• Manufacturing the Future: Lily Fitzgerald (MassTech Collaborative), Benjamin Sovacool (BU), Laura Teicher (FORGE), Jose LaSalle (Florrent) to explore reimagining manufacturing with clean energy.
• Bridging Health, Bio, and Climate: Tricia Crimmins (TechBew), Johanna Jobin (Takeda) and Bob Biggio (Boston Medical Center) to delve into the strategies that are transforming the life sciences sector.
• From Vision to Velocity: Our closing panel will feature diverse financial leaders including Sahir Surmeli (Mintz), Deanna Zhang (Node) and Jim Bowen (Renewable Guard) to explore how each layer of the capital stack plays a role in advancing climate technologies and infrastructure.

In addition to the expert panels, ClimaTech will prioritize several working sessions that move business forward, including:

• ClimaTech Innovation Challenge - Designed for all stage companies who are looking for connections and funding to make their ideas a reality.
• Bring-a-First of A Kind (FOAK)-Deal Lunch - Funders and founders will gather to talk early infrastructure climate deals. Each participant will be able to share a deal.
• Climate Salon - an hour-long workshop for up to 50 participants on what it takes to enable startups to scale, faster.

Registration for ClimaTech is available at https://climatech.live/attend/. Students can register for free up until doors open, and then $49 at the door. Attendees at ClimaTech will access the day’s agenda, expert information and have the opportunity to network via a custom mobile app. Further information can be found at https://climatech.live/.

ClimaTech is made possible by our partners: National Grid, GE Vernova, Amazon, The Boston Calling Music Festival, Brookfield, Heatmap News, indiGO Tech, Keolis, Live Nation, Zipcar local universities, Incubators, government agencies and others.

About ClimaTech: ClimaTech is the premier event for business, innovation, and climate action—held annually in Boston, a global hub for climate technology. Bringing together policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate leaders, ClimaTech offers immersive programming that fuses science, policy, and enterprise to accelerate climate solutions. The summit features dynamic dialogue, a climate-tech startup expo, and curated networking opportunities that spark high-value connections. Hosted in iconic Boston venues like the MGM Music Hall, ClimaTech is where transformative partnerships are born and bold climate action begins.

Learn more at www.climatech.live and follow ClimaTech on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and YouTube.