Welcome to the MBA in Climate-Tech Management, a one-of-a-kind program at the intersection of management, innovation, and climate technologies.

About 20 years ago, when I was still a young researcher at Xerox PARC Laboratories in Silicon Valley, the first wave of climate-focused investments began. Oil prices were rising, concerns about a looming climate crisis were growing, and governments began offering incentives like subsidies for renewable energy. I believed a fundamental shift was underway, and I took part in establishing the first cleantech lab dedicated to the development of solar energy technologies, batteries, carbon capture and conversion into green fuels, and similar endeavors. In 2009, I joined the founding team of Better Place in Palo Alto, and alongside Tesla, we worked to advance the vision of the electric vehicle — a groundbreaking innovation at the time, beginning to gain traction with investors. The climate-tech sector took off, but then collapsed very quickly. Unlike regular startups, climate and sustainability solutions required infrastructure investments and long development timelines. There was no regulation, the capital market was not ready, and venture capital funds did not see the returns they had anticipated. Despite the worsening climate crisis, the sector struggled to sustain its momentum.

Today, the world is at a historic turning point, with the demand for climate technologies steadily rising: as the Earth’s population grows and with it GDP, so too does the demand and shortage of green energy, food, and clean water. In the wake of climate change, environmental and economic challenges are increasing. New business models such as the carbon market, and regulations requiring public companies to report climate risks and commit to net-zero emissions, are accelerating investment in the sector. In response, the US and European governments are injecting hundreds of billions of dollars into climate initiatives, incentivizing infrastructure development and the production of critical components. 

The challenges and solutions that have brought us to this turning point underscore the need for a new generation of business leaders, engineers, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers who understand emerging trends and know how to speak a common language to tackle these challenges effectively. I am excited to introduce the MBA in Climate-Tech Management — a new program offering a unique combination of management and business principles together with cutting-edge technologies, enabling you, too, to learn this dynamic language. During your studies, you will gain in-depth expertise in areas such as financial management, regulation, strategy, and entrepreneurship. However, what sets this program apart is its strong emphasis on the intersection of these disciplines with technological solutions in critical climate sectors, including energy, water, and food security.

This program is not just about theory — you will work on real-world projects, learn how to think about sustainable solutions, gain hands-on experience with international startups and prominent industry partners, and become familiar with the risks and opportunities shaping the market. 

I invite you to join us in this unique and groundbreaking program that opens doors to a wide range of fascinating careers — including startups, international corporations, financial institutions, strategic consulting firms, government and regulatory agencies, and the rapidly evolving field of climate technology and innovation.

Best wishes,

Dr. Michal Wolkin