As an investor, I’ve always believed the work goes beyond AUM, carry, or even financial returns. Those are metrics—important, yes—but they don’t capture the full story of what investment can achieve.
My approach is rooted in a deep pragmatism: profits will come when investments solve real problems.
What drives me is understanding the broader value an investment creates—the co-benefits that ripple through society, strengthening the systems we rely on. These aren’t just abstract ideas; they’re tangible impacts that shape the world my daughter will live in and the opportunities future generations will inherit.
I often think about action through the lens of friction. If a system is too complex or misaligned with human behavior, it fails. That’s why I design with the psychology of action in mind—building for simplicity, scalability, and least resistance.
At the same time, I take a long view, pairing foresight practices with historical study. The rise and fall of civilizations, the motivations of empires, and the mechanics of change offer powerful insights into the systems shaping our future. By combining this understanding of what has been with a vision of what could be, I aim to not just forecast possibilities, but actively work toward the most probable and desirable ones.
This is where my work bridges investing and systems thinking. Investments are a lever, not just to generate returns, but to push the systems that underpin them in the right direction. I look for opportunities that address root problems, not just symptoms, and bring my network and resources to bear in scaling these solutions.
I’ve often wondered: what would happen if more investors like me were entrusted with directing capital toward impact? What if they combined pragmatism with a systems mindset, aligning incentives to solve humanity’s wicked problems?
Lately, I’ve been meeting other climate investors and learning that many view this space as a trend rather than a systemic challenge. They focus narrowly on financial potential, treating climate tech as the latest shiny object to chase, rather than a long-term imperative to solve. These investors often overlook the broader co-benefits—the ripple effects that create resilience, drive market differentiation, and establish a foundation for sustainable long-term returns.
What’s troubling is how quickly some of these same investors are ready to abandon ship. The moment the buzz shifts to another sector or trend, they pivot, chasing the next wave of hype without fully realizing the potential of the space they just left behind. This shortsightedness creates a cycle of half-finished solutions and unrealized opportunities, leaving critical gaps in markets that require steady hands and consistent vision.
Climate tech is not a passing trend to exploit; it’s a systemic challenge that demands enduring commitment and thoughtful engagement. Treating it like a flash-in-the-pan investment thesis not only undermines its transformative potential but also risks alienating stakeholders who depend on genuine, scalable solutions.
The irony is, the co-benefits that so many investors dismiss as secondary—resilience, societal progress, and alignment with policy trends—are the very factors that make this space durable and lucrative in the long run. By jumping from one trend to the next, we risk losing not just momentum, but credibility as stewards of the capital needed to solve humanity’s most pressing problems.
True value creation comes from building and staying the course, seeing beyond quarterly returns to the systems that will underpin future markets. As investors, we can’t afford to treat systemic challenges like seasonal fashions. If we do, we miss the chance to shape enduring solutions—and leave the future poorer for it.
I’m not here to suggest a naïve approach to capital; I know the discipline required to achieve meaningful returns. But I also know that impact and profit aren’t mutually exclusive. The most transformative investments often generate both—when designed with foresight and executed with precision.
This isn’t about rejecting financial rigor; it’s about expanding the lens. As investors, we have a responsibility not just to follow the market, but to lead it toward a future worth investing in. That’s the path I’ve chosen—not as an outcast, but as someone who believes the systems we shape today determine the returns we reap tomorrow.
