A business-first mindset with a people-first approach.

A business-first
mindset with a
people-first approach.

Our team is known for our persistence, process, and an unparalleled network. Our focused investment thesis was developed through years of industry leadership.

Our team is known for our persistence, process, and an unparalleled network. Our focused investment thesis was developed through years of industry leadership.

Our team is known for our persistence, process, and an unparalleled network. Our focused investment thesis was developed through years of industry leadership.

Our team is known for our persistence, process, and an unparalleled network. Our focused investment thesis was developed through years of industry leadership.

Emily Kirsch

Founder and Managing Partner

Emily is a leading entrepreneur, investor, and thought leader accelerating innovation for a sustainable future. She began her career working alongside Van Jones, former advisor to President Obama, on clean energy initiatives across California. Emily is the host of the podcast Watt It Takes, an aspiring wingfoiler, an avid fan of long hikes and bike rides, and a proud mom.

Marie Thompson

Partner


Marie leads the investment team, diligence, and fund strategy, with responsibilities across sourcing, portfolio support, ops, and LP relationships. Her entire career has been at the intersection of energy + risk, with roles in strategy, planning, risk, finance, and investing. Marie is a proud cancer survivor, avid track & field fan, and outdoors enthusiast.

Emily Kirsch

Founder and Managing Partner

Emily is a leading entrepreneur, investor, and thought leader accelerating innovation for a sustainable future. She began her career working alongside Van Jones, former advisor to President Obama, on clean energy initiatives across California. Emily is the host of the podcast Watt It Takes, an aspiring wingfoiler, an avid fan of long hikes and bike rides, and a proud mom.

Marie Thompson

Partner


Marie leads the investment team, diligence, and fund strategy, with responsibilities across sourcing, portfolio support, ops, and LP relationships. Her entire career has been at the intersection of energy + risk, with roles in strategy, planning, risk, finance, and investing. Marie is a proud cancer survivor, avid track & field fan, and outdoors enthusiast.

Emily Kirsch

Founder and Managing Partner

Emily is a leading entrepreneur, investor, and thought leader accelerating innovation for a sustainable future. She began her career working alongside Van Jones, former advisor to President Obama, on clean energy initiatives across California. Emily is the host of the podcast Watt It Takes, an aspiring wingfoiler, an avid fan of long hikes and bike rides, and a proud mom.

Marie Thompson

Partner


Marie leads the investment team, diligence, and fund strategy, with responsibilities across sourcing, portfolio support, ops, and LP relationships. Her entire career has been at the intersection of energy + risk, with roles in strategy, planning, risk, finance, and investing. Marie is a proud cancer survivor, avid track & field fan, and outdoors enthusiast.

Emily Kirsch

Founder and Managing Partner

Emily is a leading entrepreneur, investor, and thought leader accelerating innovation for a sustainable future. She began her career working alongside Van Jones, former advisor to President Obama, on clean energy initiatives across California. Emily is the host of the podcast Watt It Takes, an aspiring wingfoiler, an avid fan of long hikes and bike rides, and a proud mom.

Marie Thompson

Partner


Marie leads the investment team, diligence, and fund strategy, with responsibilities across sourcing, portfolio support, ops, and LP relationships. Her entire career has been at the intersection of energy + risk, with roles in strategy, planning, risk, finance, and investing. Marie is a proud cancer survivor, avid track & field fan, and outdoors enthusiast.

Gabriel VanLoozen

Principal

Gabriel is involved throughout the investment lifecycle, from sourcing and diligence to portfolio company support. Gabriel earned a JD/MBA from the University of Michigan and held roles in operations, law, finance, and strategy at Bosch, Orrick, ENGIE, and Anthesis Group, working across the U.S., Germany, Malaysia, and Japan. Gabriel grew up on an organic farm in Northern Michigan and has been passionate about nature and the environment from an early age. He enjoys skiing, making music, and going on adventures with his family.

Gabe Cuadra

Principal

Gabe is involved throughout the investment lifecycle, from sourcing and initial calls through portfolio company support. Prior to Powerhouse Ventures, he provided utilities with research and advisory services across demand-side management, transportation electrification, and building electrification in various roles at E Source. Gabe is a Returned US Peace Corps Volunteer, having served 4 years in Costa Rica. He was once a competitive distance runner, but now does most of his running chasing after his family.

Gabriel VanLoozen

Principal

Gabriel is involved throughout the investment lifecycle, from sourcing and diligence to portfolio company support. Gabriel earned a JD/MBA from the University of Michigan and held roles in operations, law, finance, and strategy at Bosch, Orrick, ENGIE, and Anthesis Group, working across the U.S., Germany, Malaysia, and Japan. Gabriel grew up on an organic farm in Northern Michigan and has been passionate about nature and the environment from an early age. He enjoys skiing, making music, and going on adventures with his family.

Gabe Cuadra

Principal

Gabe is involved throughout the investment lifecycle, from sourcing and initial calls through portfolio company support. Prior to Powerhouse Ventures, he provided utilities with research and advisory services across demand-side management, transportation electrification, and building electrification in various roles at E Source. Gabe is a Returned US Peace Corps Volunteer, having served 4 years in Costa Rica. He was once a competitive distance runner, but now does most of his running chasing after his family.

Gabriel VanLoozen

Principal

Gabriel is involved throughout the investment lifecycle, from sourcing and diligence to portfolio company support. Gabriel earned a JD/MBA from the University of Michigan and held roles in operations, law, finance, and strategy at Bosch, Orrick, ENGIE, and Anthesis Group, working across the U.S., Germany, Malaysia, and Japan. Gabriel grew up on an organic farm in Northern Michigan and has been passionate about nature and the environment from an early age. He enjoys skiing, making music, and going on adventures with his family.

Gabe Cuadra

Principal

Gabe is involved throughout the investment lifecycle, from sourcing and initial calls through portfolio company support. Prior to Powerhouse Ventures, he provided utilities with research and advisory services across demand-side management, transportation electrification, and building electrification in various roles at E Source. Gabe is a Returned US Peace Corps Volunteer, having served 4 years in Costa Rica. He was once a competitive distance runner, but now does most of his running chasing after his family.

Gabriel VanLoozen

Principal

Gabriel is involved throughout the investment lifecycle, from sourcing and diligence to portfolio company support. Gabriel earned a JD/MBA from the University of Michigan and held roles in operations, law, finance, and strategy at Bosch, Orrick, ENGIE, and Anthesis Group, working across the U.S., Germany, Malaysia, and Japan. Gabriel grew up on an organic farm in Northern Michigan and has been passionate about nature and the environment from an early age. He enjoys skiing, making music, and going on adventures with his family.

Gabe Cuadra

Principal

Gabe is involved throughout the investment lifecycle, from sourcing and initial calls through portfolio company support. Prior to Powerhouse Ventures, he provided utilities with research and advisory services across demand-side management, transportation electrification, and building electrification in various roles at E Source. Gabe is a Returned US Peace Corps Volunteer, having served 4 years in Costa Rica. He was once a competitive distance runner, but now does most of his running chasing after his family.

Shaandiin Cedar

Senior Associate

Shaandiin is responsible for sourcing, diligence, and post-investment support. Shaandiin worked with utilities, developers, and Fortune 1,000 corporate sustainability teams at Trellis (GreenBiz), as well as the non-profit sector helping to deploy energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions into residential and low-income building portfolios. Shaandiin has published several feature stories as a climate tech journalist. She is a Diné (Navajo) tribal member, interested in advancing tribal decarbonization pathways, rock climbing, and good sci-fi content.

Lucy Reading

Senior Associate


Lucy provides support across sourcing, diligence, and fund operations. She began her career in economic consulting and has investing experience from graduate roles at DBL Partners and Evergreen Climate Innovations. Lucy grew up in Hong Kong where she fell in love with hiking, one of the city’s best kept secrets.

Shaandiin Cedar

Senior Associate

Shaandiin is responsible for sourcing, diligence, and post-investment support. Shaandiin worked with utilities, developers, and Fortune 1,000 corporate sustainability teams at Trellis (GreenBiz), as well as the non-profit sector helping to deploy energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions into residential and low-income building portfolios. Shaandiin has published several feature stories as a climate tech journalist. She is a Diné (Navajo) tribal member, interested in advancing tribal decarbonization pathways, rock climbing, and good sci-fi content.

Lucy Reading

Senior Associate


Lucy provides support across sourcing, diligence, and fund operations. She began her career in economic consulting and has investing experience from graduate roles at DBL Partners and Evergreen Climate Innovations. Lucy grew up in Hong Kong where she fell in love with hiking, one of the city’s best kept secrets.

Shaandiin Cedar

Senior Associate

Shaandiin is responsible for sourcing, diligence, and post-investment support. Shaandiin worked with utilities, developers, and Fortune 1,000 corporate sustainability teams at Trellis (GreenBiz), as well as the non-profit sector helping to deploy energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions into residential and low-income building portfolios. Shaandiin has published several feature stories as a climate tech journalist. She is a Diné (Navajo) tribal member, interested in advancing tribal decarbonization pathways, rock climbing, and good sci-fi content.

Lucy Reading

Senior Associate


Lucy provides support across sourcing, diligence, and fund operations. She began her career in economic consulting and has investing experience from graduate roles at DBL Partners and Evergreen Climate Innovations. Lucy grew up in Hong Kong where she fell in love with hiking, one of the city’s best kept secrets.

Shaandiin Cedar

Senior Associate

Shaandiin is responsible for sourcing, diligence, and post-investment support. Shaandiin worked with utilities, developers, and Fortune 1,000 corporate sustainability teams at Trellis (GreenBiz), as well as the non-profit sector helping to deploy energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions into residential and low-income building portfolios. Shaandiin has published several feature stories as a climate tech journalist. She is a Diné (Navajo) tribal member, interested in advancing tribal decarbonization pathways, rock climbing, and good sci-fi content.

Lucy Reading

Senior Associate


Lucy provides support across sourcing, diligence, and fund operations. She began her career in economic consulting and has investing experience from graduate roles at DBL Partners and Evergreen Climate Innovations. Lucy grew up in Hong Kong where she fell in love with hiking, one of the city’s best kept secrets.

Nejra Karic

Operations Associate

Nejra provides operational, administrative, event, and communications support for Powerhouse Ventures. Previously, she led EV infrastructure projects where she scaled operations and drove global expansion across Europe, LATAM, and the U.S. Nejra is a passionate traveler who loves immersing herself in new cultures, enjoys social dancing, and loves exploring new languages and ways of connecting with people around the world.

Nejra Karic

Operations Associate

Nejra provides operational, administrative, event, and communications support for Powerhouse Ventures. Previously, she led EV infrastructure projects where she scaled operations and drove global expansion across Europe, LATAM, and the U.S. Nejra is a passionate traveler who loves immersing herself in new cultures, enjoys social dancing, and loves exploring new languages and ways of connecting with people around the world.

Nejra Karic

Operations Associate

Nejra provides operational, administrative, event, and communications support for Powerhouse Ventures. Previously, she led EV infrastructure projects where she scaled operations and drove global expansion across Europe, LATAM, and the U.S. Nejra is a passionate traveler who loves immersing herself in new cultures, enjoys social dancing, and loves exploring new languages and ways of connecting with people around the world.

Nejra Karic

Operations Associate

Nejra provides operational, administrative, event, and communications support for Powerhouse Ventures. Previously, she led EV infrastructure projects where she scaled operations and drove global expansion across Europe, LATAM, and the U.S. Nejra is a passionate traveler who loves immersing herself in new cultures, enjoys social dancing, and loves exploring new languages and ways of connecting with people around the world.

Limited Partners

Limited Partners

Limited Partners

Limited Partners

Entities

Individual Investors

Albert Wenger

Albert Wenger

Founder and Managing Partner, Union Square Ventures

Founder and Managing Partner, Union Square Ventures

Founder and Managing Partner, Union Square Ventures

Alexia Kelly

Managing Director, High Tide Foundation

Alina Zagaytova

Alina Zagaytova

Former General Counsel, Redwood Materials

Former General Counsel, Redwood Materials

Former General Counsel, Redwood Materials

Andrew Beebe

Andrew Beebe

Managing Director, Obvious Ventures

Managing Director, Obvious Ventures

Managing Director, Obvious Ventures

Audrey Lee

Audrey Lee

Former Senior Director of Energy Partnerships, Microsoft

Former Senior Director of Energy Partnerships, Microsoft

Former Senior Director of Energy Partnerships, Microsoft

Christian Okoye

Christian Okoye

Emerging Tech Investor, Generate Capital

Emerging Tech Investor, Generate Capital

Emerging Tech Investor, Generate Capital

Cindi Bough

Cindi Bough

Managing Director, OGCI Climate Investment

Managing Director, OGCI Climate Investment

Managing Director, OGCI Climate Investment

Colleen Calhoun

Colleen Calhoun

Operating Partner, The Engine

Operating Partner, The Engine

Operating Partner, The Engine

Corinne Still

Corinne Still

Partner, Apollo Global Management

Partner, Apollo Global Management

Partner, Apollo Global Management

Dan Shugar

Dan Shugar

Co-Founder and CEO, Nextracker

Co-Founder and CEO, Nextracker

Co-Founder and CEO, Nextracker

David Crane

David Crane

Former CEO, NRG

Former CEO, NRG

Former CEO, NRG

Dorian West

Dorian West

Former Director of Engineering, Tesla

Former Director of Engineering, Tesla

Former Director of Engineering, Tesla

Drew Baglino

Drew Baglino

Former SVP, Tesla and CEO, Heron

Former SVP, Tesla and CEO, Heron

Former SVP, Tesla and CEO, Heron

Gabriel Kra

Gabriel Kra

Co-Founder and Managing Director, Prelude Ventures

Co-Founder and Managing Director, Prelude Ventures

Co-Founder and Managing Director, Prelude Ventures

Howard Wenger

Howard Wenger

President, Nextracker

President, Nextracker

President, Nextracker

Jason Green

Jason Green

Founder and GP, Emergence Capital

Founder and GP, Emergence Capital

Founder and GP, Emergence Capital

John Rapaport

John Rapaport

Chief Investment Officer, Keyframe Capital

Chief Investment Officer, Keyframe Capital

Chief Investment Officer, Keyframe Capital

Chief Investment Officer,
Keyframe Capital

Jon Wellinghoff

Jon Wellinghoff

Former Chair, FERC

Former Chair, FERC

Former Chair, FERC

Kurt Kelty

Kurt Kelty

VP of Battery, Propulsion, and Sustainability, GM

VP of Battery, Propulsion, and Sustainability, GM

VP of Battery, Propulsion, and Sustainability, GM

Libby Wayman

Libby Wayman

Investor, Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Investor, Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Investor, Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Lynn Jurich

Lynn Jurich

Co-Founder and Co-Executive Chair, Sunrun

Co-Founder and Co-Executive Chair, Sunrun

Co-Founder and Co-Executive Chair, Sunrun

Marc van Gerven

Marc van Gerven

Non-Executive Director, AES

Non-Executive Director, AES

Non-Executive Director, AES

Mark Hartney

Mark Hartney

Principal, Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Principal, Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Principal, Breakthrough Energy Ventures

Maryrose Sylvester

Maryrose Sylvester

Former President of US Electrification, ABB

Former President of US Electrification, ABB

Former President of US Electrification, ABB

Mateo Jaramillo

Mateo Jaramillo

Co-Founder and CEO, Form Energy

Co-Founder and CEO, Form Energy

Co-Founder and CEO, Form Energy

Matt Maloney

Matt Maloney

Former Head of Energy and Resource Innovation, SVB

Former Head of Energy and Resource Innovation, SVB

Former Head of Energy and Resource Innovation, SVB

Nicole Systrom

Nicole Systrom

Chief Impact Officer, Galvanize

Chief Impact Officer, Galvanize

Chief Impact Officer, Galvanize

Page Crahan

Page Crahan

General Manager, Tapestry at X

General Manager, Tapestry at X

General Manager, Tapestry at X

Richard Kauffman

Richard Kauffman

Former Board Chair, Generate Capital & NYSERDA

Former Board Chair, Generate Capital & NYSERDA

Former Board Chair, Generate Capital & NYSERDA

Rick Needham

Rick Needham

Chief Commercial Officer, Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Chief Commercial Officer, Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Chief Commercial Officer, Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Sam Adeyemo

Sam Adeyemo

Co-Founder, Aurora Solar

Co-Founder, Aurora Solar

Co-Founder, Aurora Solar

Veery Maxwell

Veery Maxwell

Founding Partner, Galvanize

Founding Partner, Galvanize

Founding Partner, Galvanize

Our Values

Courage

It takes courage to completely reimagine and rebuild the biggest industries in the world. We are here to take the early risk so that founders can bring their visions to life.

Courage

It takes courage to completely reimagine and rebuild the biggest industries in the world. We are here to take the early risk so that founders can bring their visions to life.

Courage

It takes courage to completely reimagine and rebuild the biggest industries in the world. We are here to take the early risk so that founders can bring their visions to life.

Courage

It takes courage to completely reimagine and rebuild the biggest industries in the world. We are here to take the early risk so that founders can bring their visions to life.

Collaboration

No single startup or venture fund can transform these industries alone. We collaborate closely with founders, corporate leaders, and fellow investors to lead the way—together.

Collaboration

No single startup or venture fund can transform these industries alone. We collaborate closely with founders, corporate leaders, and fellow investors to lead the way—together.

Collaboration

No single startup or venture fund can transform these industries alone. We collaborate closely with founders, corporate leaders, and fellow investors to lead the way—together.

Collaboration

No single startup or venture fund can transform these industries alone. We collaborate closely with founders, corporate leaders, and fellow investors to lead the way—together.

Creativity

The structures and technologies of the past century won’t take us where we want to go. It’s creativity—the ability to envision and execute what’s never been done before—that powers the development and deployment of transformative solutions.

Creativity

The structures and technologies of the past century won’t take us where we want to go. It’s creativity—the ability to envision and execute what’s never been done before—that powers the development and deployment of transformative solutions.

Creativity

The structures and technologies of the past century won’t take us where we want to go. It’s creativity—the ability to envision and execute what’s never been done before—that powers the development and deployment of transformative solutions.

Creativity

The structures and technologies of the past century won’t take us where we want to go. It’s creativity—the ability to envision and execute what’s never been done before—that powers the development and deployment of transformative solutions.

The industry is our community.

The industry is
our community.

The industry is our
community.

Widely respected because we’ve helped it grow.

Widely respected because we’ve helped it grow.

Meet the founders, investors, and corporate leaders who have built this industry - and those that are taking it to the next level - at our annual party, New Dawn.

Meet the founders, investors, and corporate leaders who have built this industry - and those that are taking it to the next level - at our annual party, New Dawn.

© 2025 Powerhouse Ventures. All rights reserved.