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Chris Thomas, Activate’s New Vice President of Engagement and Strategic Communications, Brings a Track Record of Innovation
Chris Thomas joined Activate in October as vice president of engagement and strategic communications. He brings a dynamic perspective to Activate, cultivated through years of diverse experiences in Europe and the United States. Though his career has centered around digital strategy, it started in a science lab — or perhaps even earlier — with a homemade computer rig that landed him in trouble (find out how that story ends below!). He ultimately considers joining Activate a “coming home of sorts to the science world.”
Reasons to Give Thanks
The world is awash in problems, yet there’s a small but exciting group of scientists, entrepreneurs, and funders who are aiming at a potentially better future with real – and perhaps revolutionary – solutions.
Activate Fellows Aren't Waiting to Decarbonize the Future
By Andrew Chang, Activate New York Managing Director. COP27 concluded this week with mixed results. As global leaders continue to look for solutions to our climate crisis, Activate Fellows aren’t waiting—they are already urgently building new tools that will make it easier for people around the world to transition away from fossil fuels toward a more resilient, low-carbon economy.
Getting it done—together—at Climate Week NYC
By Eva Koehler, Activate New York Fellowship Manager. Climate Week NYC is billed as the biggest climate event on Earth. This year’s event, focused on the theme “Getting It Done,” brought together experts from around the world—including Activate Fellows, for the first time.
How the United States is Manufacturing a Supply Chain of Innovators
By Aimee Rose, Executive Managing Director. This country has invested so much in me. Thanks to federal education support, I was able to study science for free until I was almost 30. As a chemistry student and post-graduate, I engaged with world-class researchers at world-class institutions. I translated that education into an explosives detection startup that, also with the help of federal funding, protected U.S. warfighters and the traveling public.
Always Being Prepared: How Activate Fellows are Building a Resilient Future
In light of the catastrophic destruction caused by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian, we’re highlighting some of our fellows’ efforts to build products for more resilient infrastructure that will help combat the effects of future disasters.
The Search Begins!
We’ve launched a national search, in partnership with a global executive search firm, seeking Activate’s next CEO for a new era of impact.
One. Billion. Dollars.
Nearly a year ago we were celebrating how Activate Fellows had collectively attracted more than $370 million in follow-on funding across six years and seven cohorts. One year and cohort later, it is hard to believe that our 144 fellows and their 106 companies have already surpassed the one billion dollar mark.
We’re now Accepting Applications for Cohort 2023
We’re expanding our fellowship to accelerate impact and meet growing demand.
We've Added Three New Powerhouse Members to our Board
Liesel Pritzker Simmons, investment strategist and principal of Blue Haven Initiative, has just joined the Activate board of directors. She joins Troy Brewster, senior audit manager at Blazek & Vetterling, and Morrow (“Morry”) Cater, founding principal and president of Cater Communications, who joined the board in August 2021.
Why is Geothermal So Hot Right Now?
There’s lots of excitement building around geothermal energy right now. In one week, two companies founded by Activate Fellows announced new investments totaling $150M. What’s behind (er, below?) the upwelling of interest?
Interim CEO Todd Johnson On What’s Next For Activate
We spoke with interim CEO Todd Johnson about his new role, his long history with Activate, and launching the search for a CEO to lead Activate into its next stage of growth.
Ilan Gur's Farewell Letter to Activate Fellows
Today is our founding CEO Ilan Gur's last day at Activate before he takes the helm of the U.K.’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency. Activate Fellows always have been and always will be at the center of Activate, so we’re sharing, with his permission, Ilan’s farewell letter to them.
Miguel Sierra Aznar’s Journey from Lab Rat to Climate Tech CEO
Miguel is passionate about many things, including his family, building community, and making paella. But his drive to become an engineer—and in particular, his interest in combustion and developing zero-emissions engines—propelled him on his academic and then entrepreneurial journey.
From Fellow to Managing Director: Jill Fuss is a New Kind of Activate Success Story
It was inevitable that at some point an Activate Fellow would return to the community as an Activate staff member. But that doesn’t make it any less inspiring.
FLO Materials Creates Infinitely Recyclable Eyewear, Commercializing Findings in Berkeley Lab Research
Promising results from a recent Berkeley Lab study could lead to infinitely recyclable plastic. One of the study’s co-authors, Peter Christensen, began work to commercialize the material in 2021, through FLO Materials, a startup that he co-founded with Kezi Cheng.