Beyond the Pitch Deck

Following my Ph.D., I entered the startup world to apply my R&D experience from a new perspective. New Leaf enabled me to explore this space from two angles: as a developer working on internal and partner organization projects; and as a technical consultant to its financiers engaged in other cleantech initiatives.

I supported New Leaf in incubating several projects, including:

• Development of a novel rapid-deployment vertical-axis wind turbine. I was hired to support the scale-up to hundreds of kW, leading the mechanical design of the erection system. Ultimately, the risk versus market potential failed to justify the scale-up.
• Supporting a partner developing thermal power plant retrofits. I examined several of their concepts, and produced plant thermodynamic models, costing, and financial forecasts.
• Developing kite-powered wind energy. I drove techno-economic modelling, IP management, supplier and client negotiations, and project documentation. I secured a patent for our solution, but unfortunately, our key client ran out of cash.

As a consultant, I investigated sector trends and evaluated specific early-stage cleantech opportunities. Topics were wide-ranging: carbon management; batteries; biofertilizers; geoengineering; green buildings; nanomaterials; waste-to-fuel; and more. Examples of work products included market and technical briefs, techno-economic models, and prior-art analyses.

Overall, I found the professional growth I sought. My responsibilities grew progressively from R&D design to business development to strategic leadership. More broadly, I developed a unique ability for brokering knowledge and helping stakeholders navigate complex, innovative ideas amidst uncertainty.