Climate + Small Biz Summer School: Integrating the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem to the Climate Economy
Summer means heat and we’re seeing record highs. Climate change is here and requires immediate action from all of us to mitigate its impact. How can we help our small business clients respond? Are there new business opportunities? Are there new lending products we can develop to help them invest in climate response. Join our summer school series to learn how you can get involved in environmental climate resiliency for small businesses and contribute to solutions for our climate crisis. This four-part series is for all small business service providers.
Register for the FULL four-part series here, or register for each individual session below:
Why does climate resiliency matter to the entrepreneurial ecosystem?
August 2, 2023 at 11:00 am PT
In this first session, we’ll discuss why and how we can build an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem that responds to the climate crisis. Inclusiv Center for Resiliency and Clean Energy are experts in climate response. We’ve invited VP Neda Arabshahi to explain why it’s important that small businesses integrate a response into their business model. They will also demystify what is possible and has been done in other states and where there are gaps. We’ll discuss the components of an entrepreneurial ecosystem that embraces the climate economy.
Technical assistance for green businesses
August 16, 2023 at 11:00 am PT
What are the ways that a small business can go green? They can become more energy efficient, they can use products that are more eco-friendly, and they can be green businesses. Learn about the resources that are out there that can make it easier for small businesses to participate in the climate economy from the types of equipment, to rebates and more. We’ll also hear about efforts that help small clean tech companies start and grow.
- Corona Maria, California Green Business Network
- Amanda Anthony, San Mateo County Program Director, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
Access to capital for the green economy
August 23, 2023 at 11:00 am
What are the access to capital gaps that small businesses face when embracing the climate economy? What’s the role of microlenders and CDFIS? Learn about resources available to you to start your green product portfolio, how to provide small businesses the capital they need to go green and help green businesses grow.
● Jonathan Scott Verhoef, Energy Efficiency Analyst, GoGreen Business Energy Financing
● Additional speakers to be announced
Operationalizing climate programs
September 13, 2023 at 11:00 am PT
Saying you want to do climate work and doing the work means money and buy-in from your clients and organization. The good news on the funding front is that the federal and state governments are investing heavily in climate response. Learn about new opportunities to fund your loan programs and business technical assistance to incorporate climate response. On small business buy-in, what does it take for small businesses to take action and how can we debunk the economic vs environmental justice conflict.
- Naima McQueen, Former Executive Director, Alliance for Community Development
- Masika Henson, Change Management Consultant