Every founder has a dream—but turning that dream into a fundable, scalable business? That’s a whole different game. James Martin takes you inside the unseen world of climate tech startups—from pitching investors to winning partnerships that matter. This is where the next generation of builders learn how to break through—one deal, one pivot, one bold idea at a time.

Building a great product is just the beginning—getting it into the hands of customers is the real test. This session breaks down the essentials of pricing, positioning, and go-to-market strategy for founders who are ready to turn ideas into actual sales. It’s a no-fluff, real-talk guide for anyone trying to make sure their startup isn’t just surviving but thriving.

When the vision is big but the runway is short, every founder faces the moment of truth: how do you fund the dream without selling your soul? This session dives into the real world of startup fundraising—how to tell your story, build the right relationships, and navigate the pivot moments that make or break your business. It’s a raw, honest look at the hustle behind the headlines.

Building a company in the renewable energy space without a dime of venture capital? That’s not just hard—it’s unheard of. James Martin pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to lead an impact-driven business, navigate risk like a pro, and build a team that can weather any storm. If you’ve ever felt like the odds were stacked against you, this story proves that resilience isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the secret to long-term success.

This is more than just a talk about money. It’s a masterclass in moving through walls—breaking into industries that weren’t designed for you and rewriting the rules on who gets funded. Taj Ahmad Eldridge shares the real talk on navigating capital access, flipping rejection into opportunity, and building scalable, sustainable ventures in climate tech and beyond. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a bold idea into an investment-worthy business, this session is a roadmap for building big and bold in a world that often says you can’t.

What does it take to go from a steady corporate paycheck to building a startup from scratch? Don Ward tells the story of Laundris—how he bet on himself, put his savings on the line, and built an AI-powered platform that’s reshaping the supply chain game. It’s a story about grit, ownership, and the power of community when the deck feels stacked against you. If you’re ready to stop playing small and start building big, this is the playbook you didn’t know you needed.

Jasmine Crowe-Houston built a company that’s feeding millions while flipping the script on what a Black woman founder in tech can achieve. This is the real story—raw, unfiltered, and packed with lessons that hit hard. From bootstrapping to boardrooms, Jasmine takes you inside the highs, lows, and brutal honesty of building Goodr. This is a session every entrepreneur, investor, and changemaker needs to hear if they’re serious about turning vision into reality.

Dr. Lonnie Johnson, the legendary inventor behind the Super Soaker and 140+ patents, shares the raw, untold story of turning backyard experiments into billion-dollar innovations. In this conversation with Dr. Rodney Sampson, Dr. Johnson reflects on the obstacles he faced as a Black engineer in America, how he built a global empire from a simple water gun, and why resilience and reinvention are the ultimate keys to success.

This is more than a story of innovation—it’s a blueprint for anyone determined to turn a spark of an idea into a world-changing legacy.

“Perseverance is the magic word,” Dr. Lonnie Johnson tells a packed room, his voice steady but filled with conviction. “You’ve got to believe in yourself. You’ve got to have the confidence to go out on a limb and take that risk.”

As the audience leans in, the stories flow—of setbacks, failures, and breakthroughs. A founder recounts how his product can stop potholes from forming. Another shares how she’s empowering students to recycle smarter. And then, like an Oprah moment for climate tech, the room erupts as each founder is awarded $50,000 live on stage.

This is entrepreneurship in action—messy, bold, and absolutely necessary.