My name is Jason Rissman. I launched Invested in Climate to share the conversations fueling my optimism and commitment to climate action. I’ve worked on climate change efforts for over 20 years. Currently, as an Enterprise Director at the design firm IDEO, I focus on helping early stage climate founders and organizations create impact and sustainable ventures.

I also invest in and advise climate startups. I joined IDEO in 2014 as the Managing Director of OpenIDEO, an open innovation practice that has supported thousands of diverse entrepreneurs around the world. Prior to IDEO, I helped Google.org and Google launch impactful products that now reach billions of people. I also helped manage Google.org’s renewable energy venture portfolio.

Way back when, I got my start in entrepreneurship by running a hot dog stand, eating two hot dogs a day for an entire summer. (I now wish they were plant-based.) Send feedback and ideas, and get in touch through our contact page or on LinkedIn.

Parul is an engineer, entrepreneur, advisor, and angel investor. After a decade-long career in tech, she co-founded Springboard, US's top 3 online school for digital economy careers, and grew it to $40M + annual run rate with backing from marquee angels and VCs. During this journey, she built and led teams including engineering, product, project management, operations, and pedagogy. Most recently, she led Springboard's growth through launching new products, verticals, and markets like international expansion and university partnerships.
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Collaborating with researchers across the US, India, China, and Israel and helping startups across US, India, EU, and LatAm has shaped Parul's global perspective. She's passionate about education, climate action, and supporting mission-driven founders, esp. women.
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Parul is a recipient of MIT Technology Review India's Top Innovators under 35 award, the first woman recipient of the IIT Bombay Distinguished Service Award, and the Foundation of Youth Social Entrepreneurship’s fellowship for 100 change-makers under 30yrs in the Asia-Pacific region.

Taj Ahmad Eldridge is a 25+ year investment professional whose career has included high level executive roles in banking, asset management, alternative investments, and entrepreneurship. As General Partner of Include Venture Partners and former Senior Director of Investments at the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), Eldridge has built a longstanding career with expertise in the fields of fintech, media, energy, transportation, and the circular economy. Eldridge is also one of the 70 Black Investors in Bevy.com - a $325 million virtual conference platform as noted in AfroTech.
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Prior to LACI, Eldridge was the Director for the Incubator at the University of California in Riverside, California. During his tenure as Director, his team brought a $10M venture fund (Highlander Fund) to the Inland Empire - the first for the region. Because of Eldridge’s focus on blending entertainment, policy, and entrepreneurship, the region was named the #4 city in the United States for Diverse Entrepreneurs via Entrepreneur Magazine.

He has been profiled in publications such as Impact Alpha, Los Angeles Business Journal, Pitchbook, Forbes, GreenBiz, Entrepreneur Magazine, and more regarding his tireless efforts on achieving alpha while also advancing equity.