EB

Erik Birkerts

Climate Tech Professional with Leadership Expertise in Commercialization, Operational Execution, Business Development, Strategy, and Capital Formation

Chicago, Illinois

Invests in

Stages:

  • Min Investment:

    $200,000.00
  • Max Investment:

    $300,000.00
  • Target Investment:

    $250,000.00

Work Experience

2024

  • Vice President, Growth & Execution

    2024

  • CEO Emeritus

    2024

  • Chief Executive Officer

    2016 - 2023

    Led the overall organization in its mission of providing catalytic capital and support to high-potential startups working on solutions for clean energy, decarbonization, and environmental sustainability. Managed investments in 43 early-stage companies, helped these companies raise nearly $500 million in additional capital and stewarded 5 investments through profitable acquisitions by larger companies.

  • Executive Vice President & COO

    2013 - 2015

    The Clean Energy Trust was created to accelerate the development of Midwest clean energy businesses by connecting entrepreneurs, researchers and early stage companies with the expertise and capital needed to become sustainable. CET leverages the region's world-class research institutions, corporations, and financial firms to cultivate a clean energy ecosystem, attracting top researchers and entrepreneurs to invigorate the region's economy.

  • Advisor

    2010 - 2013

  • Board Member, Audit Committee Chair

    2016

    Milbank, founded in 1927, is the largest manufacturer in the U.S. of electrical metering housings and related equipment and maintains an extensive product portfolio in energy management solutions, EV charging infrastructure, transfer switches and other technologies enabling the smart grid.

2022 - 2023

  • Board Observer

    2022 - 2023

    Kadeya manufactures intelligent, closed loop beverage vending systems that combat single-use plastic bottles.

2020 - 2023

  • Board Observer

    2020 - 2023

    Renewance provides full lifecycle management solutions for industrial Li-ion batteries.

2015 - 2023

  • Board Observer

    2015 - 2023

    NanoGraf is the leading developer of Si-based anode materials for advanced batteries. I relinquished my board observer role following NanoGraf's successful Series B financing round.

2021 - 2023

  • Board Member

    2021 - 2023

    Metrus develops, finances and operates large energy efficiency projects for commercial and industrial customers. Metrus was successfully acquired in late 2022 by private equity firm Energy Capital Partners.

2010 - 2013

  • Partner

    2010 - 2013

  • Chief Operating Officer , EVP

    2008 - 2009

    Orion Energy Systems is a publicly traded manufacturer and turn-key installer of lighting and energy management solutions for commercial and industrial buildings. Orion operates a 265,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Manitowoc.

  • Vice President, Strategic Initiatives

    2006 - 2008

  • Principal, Co-Founder

    2000 - 2007