ClimateHack Amsterdam: Financing for Impact: Pivoting in a Volatile Socio-political Context for a Sustainable Future
You're invited to ClimateHack Amsterdam! Breakfast Edition
The global sustainability funding landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, challenging how we finance climate solutions in an era of political uncertainty and economic volatility. As we approach COP30, governments are reassessing their green commitments, private investors are tightening their criteria, and promising climate startups face unprecedented funding gaps. Meanwhile, talent and innovation are migrating across borders in response to changing policy environments, creating both opportunities and risks for the climate transition.
How can stakeholders navigate this turbulent landscape while maintaining momentum toward urgent climate goals? What does a just transition look like when traditional funding models are being disrupted? And how can we ensure that breakthrough technologies and innovative solutions continue to emerge despite these headwinds?
Join us as sustainability leaders, investors, policymakers and entrepreneurs examine the evolving climate finance ecosystem, including:
The shifting priorities in public climate funding as governments balance immediate economic pressures with long-term sustainability commitments ahead of COP30
How the definition and implementation of a JUST transition is evolving amid changing political landscapes and competing social priorities
New investment strategies and criteria emerging in both public and private sectors as investors recalibrate their approach to climate risk and returns
The global talent migration phenomenon affecting climate innovation hubs and how regions are adapting their policies to attract and retain green expertise
Innovative financing mechanisms and partnerships that are proving resilient in volatile conditions, from blended finance to green bonds and impact investing
Strategic pivots for climate startups navigating reduced funding availability while maintaining their mission and scaling potential
This critical conversation will explore how the climate finance community can adapt, innovate and collaborate to ensure that the transition to a sustainable future remains both economically viable and socially equitable, even as the political and economic context continues to evolve.
Note: event will be conducted in English
SPEAKERS (PANEL)
Esther Goodwin Brown - Circle Economy
Esther is a labour rights practitioner with over 10 years of experience focused on social impact and workforce inclusion for philanthropic and research organisations. Since 2019, her focus has been on how the circular economy can be used to achieve a just transition for people working across industries. She leads the Circular Jobs Initiative at Circle Economy, an Amsterdam-based think tank.
Uros is a Founder and Managing Partner of TenNine VC, early-stage impact-tech VC fund from Amsterdam. They invest Pre-Seed to Series A, in Deep Tech and AI technologies for Climate Resilience and Human Health in EU and UK. Uros was previously a startup founder and executive in management consulting, with an engineering PhD from University of Twente and an MBA from Stanford.
Ben Honan is the investment lead for Climate KIC, Europe’s climate innovation agency and community. Focusing on financial innovation, Ben and the team have now made more than 100 seed stage investments in cleantech start-ups across Europe and are in the process of launching three new VC funds this year on deep tech, circular economy and carbon removals. Drawing upon his own first-hand experience of natural disasters in Australia, Ben has a passion for using innovation as a way to enable decision makers to take action in the messy middle where the options aren’t clear and the future is deeply uncertain.
Laure Remmerswaal - Catalyze Group
Laure supports innovative start-ups in e.g. Climate Tech, AgriFood, Energy Transition or Circular Economy to secure non-dilutive funding to accelerate their innovations. Catalyze Group is a strategic innovation consultancy that helps science-driven ventures maximize their impact by providing end-to-end support across the innovation lifecycle—from fundraising and project management to strategic consulting and investment readiness. With a team of 110+ experts bridging science and business, Catalyze specializes in Life Sciences, Sustainability, Digitalisation, and Industrialisation. The firm has helped clients secure over €2 billion in funding and built a global network of 5,000+ partners, positioning itself as a key player in driving breakthrough technologies forward.
More to come!
Agenda
7:45am - Doors open
8:05am (sharp!) - Panel starts
8:45am - Audience Q&A
9:00am - 30-second community pitches. Are you launching a new product? Are you looking for your next R&D expert or your next CEO? Are you looking for a job or an internship? Join our 30-second pitch session and share your business update with the audience (open to anyone).
9:15am - Coffee/tea + Breakfast Snacks + Networking
10:15am - Event concludes
Hosts
ClimateHack Amsterdam Ambassadors: Aaron Endré & Nhi Corcoran
Contact: climatehack.amsterdam@gmail.com
About ClimateHack
ClimateHack is a non-profit community-driven platform that inspires, highlights and connects climatetech entrepreneurs and innovators. With meetups across the globe, a weekly climatetech industry newsletter, weekly reports on climatetech, and an annual summit.
About TNW (A Financial Times Company) - Venue Partner
TNW is a global brand that informs, inspires, and connects people who love tech. TNW is the heart of tech. We are global super connectors for startups, scale-ups, corporations, governments and funding providers. At our hub, TNW City, we house tech companies and talent with an international focus, high-growth potential, and diverse teams.
The event is free but registration is necessary.
Please cancel if you do not plan to attend.
Event Photo Disclaimer: By signing up for this event, you consent to the use of photographs in our marketing material. If you prefer not to appear, please email coline@hackcapital.co to opt out. Your participation implies agreement.