Speeding the Energy Transition: How Do We Get Climate Tech to Market Faster?

As climate impacts accelerate, the question is no longer whether markets will respond—but how fast and how well. This opening keynote brings together few of the most influential voices at the intersection of climate, capital, and corporate accountability.

As geopolitical tensions rise and supply chains, energy security, and resilience become matters of national interest, the boundaries between climate innovation and defense priorities are rapidly converging. This panel explores how government and private capital can work together to accelerate climate technologies by leveraging defense-driven demand, public procurement, and early-stage financing mechanisms. Panelists will examine how federal and state agencies, including the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, are supporting early traction through grants, SBIR/STTR programs, and direct procurement. The discussion will highlight the growing role of dual-use technologies, where defense adoption can provide early customers, validation, and revenue pathways for climate startups at a time when defense dollars may move faster than traditional climate funding.

As climate commitments shift toward execution, organizations across sectors are embedding sustainability into core business strategy and operations. This panel explores how leaders are decarbonizing, managing climate risk, and aligning capital with long-term sustainability goals. Panelists will share where progress is tangible, where challenges remain, and how evolving policy and market dynamics are shaping decisions. The discussion will also highlight the importance of cross-sector collaboration in accelerating solutions. Ultimately, it offers a practical look at how climate leadership is becoming a driver of resilience and competitive advantage.