RJ

Ryan Jeffery

Senior MD @ gener8tor | Investing in Climate Tech Startups I Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University

Greater Chicago Area

Work Experience

2013

  • Senior Managing Director, Sustainability

    2022

    Manage all sustainability & climate tech investments and accelerator programs (including our 2x a year Global Sustainability Accelerator, AgTech Accelerator, US Venture Sustainability Accelerator, CO.LAB Sustainable Mobility Accelerator, Carbon Removal Accelerator and Great Lakes Resilience Accelerator. gener8tor is a nationally ranked accelerator that invests in high-growth startups. For each program, we invest $100K in each of six startups who receive a concierge experience during our 12-week program. gener8tor supports the growth of these startups through our network of experienced mentors, technologists, corporate partners, angel investors and venture capitalists.

  • Managing Director, Sustainability

    2021

    Running the gener8tor Sustainability Accelerator that works with five cutting-edge sustainability and climate tech startups to provide them with the coaching, capital, and connections they need to build and grow their business. Learn more here --> https://www.gener8tor.com/gener8tor-sustainability-accelerator

  • Mentor & Advisor

    2013

  • Adjunct Professor

    2024

    Teaching a course on "Innovating for Climate" at Northwestern University. Working with students to address critical environmental and climate challenges in the Great Lakes ecosystem and beyond. By applying lean startup principles and insights from experts in entrepreneurship, science, technology, and engineering, students will have the opportunity to bring innovative climate solutions to life that make a real impact.

2017

  • Founder & Co-CEO (Acquired by sr4 Partners)

    2017

    Ignite is a diverse and dynamic leadership community by sr4 Partners. We provide weekly live, virtual training experiences that cultivate the character and competence to lead in our changing world. See upcoming experiences here: experienceignite.com/calendar

  • Founding Partner

    2015

    Investing, advising and growing ventures that preserve and protect our planet

  • Mentor

    2013

  • Advisor

    2011

2020 - 2021

  • Principal & Head of Growth

    2020 - 2021

    We help organizations thrive. We understand the importance of high-performing leaders and teams - especially in today’s challenging business environment. For over a decade, our work has helped organizations cultivate holistic leaders, cohesive teams, thriving cultures, and inclusive change. We do this through our consulting services and our Ignite Leadership Community.

2014 - 2020

  • Board Member & Advisor

    2014 - 2020

  • Founding Partner

    2014 - 2016

    Bringing ideas to life that advance the world. Part of founding team that launched 6 different companies focused on modernizing antiquated industries; 4 of 6 still in operation with $20m in outside capital raised Led efforts to identify, structure and close investment opportunities in viable early-stage companies Supported the company’s early efforts to raise fund to invest in technology startups

2014 - 2016

  • Co-Founder

    2014 - 2016

    Built team of entrepreneurs, sales execs, designers, developers, marketers, and doers addicted to solving hard problems. Worked with companies across industries to help them leverage modern sales, marketing, service, and operational technologies to take their business to the next level.