Accelerating Business Towards A Sustainable Future

Business is no longer just about economics.

Consumers and communities are increasingly expecting businesses to “do the right thing” in terms of how they operate and what they produce, including environmental, social and cultural considerations.  Government policy is also accelerating New Zealand towards a sustainable future, with a clear roadmap to achieve Net Carbon Zero, while also ensuring investments into business and industry are achieving wider benefits beyond the financials.  Investors are also making the shift in this direction, with several private and institutional investors now specializing in investments that offer environmental and social benefits alongside financial returns.

- What does this mean for existing businesses?

- Does this present an opportunity for fledgling and growth ventures?

This event is intended for business owners wanting to understand what support exists to help them transition to Net Carbon Zero and a prosperous sustainable future, and those starting and growing companies which will deliver benefits to the environment and communities they exist within.

Speakers include government agencies and specialist investors focussed on helping businesses, New Zealand and the world make this transition, including Callaghan Innovation, MPI SFFF, Climate VC and Pacific Channel.

Pramesh Maharaj, Senior Account Manager, EECA

Pramesh Maharaj has over 20 years of energy related experience working across New Zealand manufacturing companies such as NZ Sugar, Evonik Peroxide, Natural Gas Corporation and Carter Holt Harvey(OJI Fibre Solutions).  Pramesh has lead various teams and programmes to reduce energy wastage in the business sector and increasing the use of renewable energy. Pramesh has worked in heavy industry and provides expert energy efficiency advice and support to process heat industries such as pulp and paper, steel and chemical plants, cement works, milk processing plants, including sugar refining and glass manufacturing and covered cropping.

Pramesh holds a degree in Chemical and Process engineering, and an MBA business degree. He was General Manager for a LPG subsidiary at Natural Gas Corporation, and then business development manager at Carter Holt Harvey creating markets for wood fuels. He is a co-founder of a renewable bio-energy company called Living Energy Ltd. Pramesh has developed various best practice guides on process heat efficiency and fuel switching opportunities and enjoys working with businesses to reduce their use of fossil fuels.

Kirstin Mead, Navigator Lead, Callaghan Innovation

Kirstin is the Customer Navigation Lead at Callaghan Innovation. She strives to ensure all customers of Callaghan Innovation have an experience worth sharing. Her day to day gives her access to the best and brightest innovative companies in Aotearoa; an incredible privilege that makes going to work an epic learning journey every day. Kirstin will share Callaghan Innovation's role in the innovation ecosystem, focusing on the products and support Callaghan Innovation can provide.

Lachlan Nixon, Principal, Pacific Channel Lachlan is passionate about working with people to create value and impact from technology. At local venture capital firm Pacific Channel, Lachlan is an integral member of the investment team working to make significant investments into kiwi ‘deep-tech’ start-up companies. Lachlan has made several successful investments during his time at Pacific Channel including Quantifi Photonics, OPUM Technologies, NZeno, A1 and clean-tech companies Cetogenix and Hot Lime Labs.

Jonathan Young, Head of Policy, Research & Insights

Jonathan Young is Head of Policy, Research and Insights at Ara Ake, New Zealand’s future energy centre. Through his previous Parliamentary role as Energy & Resources Spokesperson, Jonathan gained a depth of knowledge and understanding of New Zealand’s integrated energy system and energy systems further abroad. He is passionate about a low emissions energy future, with a strong focus on innovation and insights, and building connections to respond to the challenges of the transition.

Dr Jez Weston, Partner, Climate VC Fund

Dr Jez Weston is a Partner at the Climate VC Fund, run by 2040 Ventures. Originally a metallurgist, he has long experience in climate policy and science, commercialisation, and public and private investment into innovation. He managed the Commercialisation Partner Network and the PreSeed Accelerator Fund for MBIE. He is an Investment Committee member for Return on Science and Deputy & Operations Manager for KnowYourStuffNZ.

Please register to attend this event.