The founder of New York climate tech investment firm Planeteer Capital, Sophie Purdom, will be among dozens of experts, founders and investors taking part in Climate Salad’s inaugural Australian Climate Tech Festival & Awards on November 28 at Sydney Town Hall.
Climate Salad CEO Mick Liubinskas revealed the day-long event will feature will feature key women in the climate tech space, including GoTerra’s Olympia Yarger , Hydgene’s Louise Brown and Kristen Petroll, Xylo Systems founder Camille Goldstone-Henry, Cicada Innovations CEO Sally-Ann Williams, and VC investor Rachel Yang from Giant Leap.
Purdon, who also authors CTVC, a climate tech newsletter & strategic data platform with 60,000+ subscribers, will deliver the keynote address looking at 5 key numbers in climate tech, with War on Waste TV host Craig Reucassel also delivering at inspiring start to the day.
getting that excited tingly feeling anticipating visiting Australia's climate tech scene… and all of the other animals. two weeks! 🦘🐨🐠https://t.co/T8w5nElPfp @climatesalad pic.twitter.com/6Dy1Me6DeG
— Sophie Purdom (@SophiePurdom) November 14, 2023
“This is a massive event to really elevate the Australian climate tech industry,” Liubinskas said.
“We have international investors, government from all level and big corporates all engaging with these amazing, Australian climate tech solutions.”

Climate Salad CEO Mick Liubinskas
Among discussions, debates and deep dives into the climate tech space, there’s a climate tech explore featureing more than 25 startups addressing key climate issues, while 50 climate tech startups will share their vision of the future with 30-second elevator pitches. And if you’re a bit unsure on how to land your message, there are live pitch coaching sessions available.
The City of Sydney, which has backed the new Greenhouse climate tech hub in the CBD with a $30 million investment, will join University of Newcastle and others in outlining what doing in climate tech as part of the expo.
If you’re a founder looking for capital, 14 climate tech investors including Wollemi Capital, Main Sequence, Giant Leap, Blackbird, Virescent, Regen and Alberts Impact Ventures will be there for conversations about your ideas, while anyone looking for a job can talk to an industry expert about finding or create their role in climate tech.
Other themes explored at the Australian Climate Tech Festival include using AI to tackle biodiversity, Australia’s response to the US Inflation Reduction Act, Indigenous climate tech, diversity, industry collaboration, blue carbon, land use, and emissions capture, as well as some crystal-ball gazing into the year ahead for climate tech.
The afternoon sessions climax with the 2023 Australian Climate Tech Awards, featuring 8 categories, including Best Newcomer, Best Mentor, Best Investor and the Eureka Award for Breakthroughs, before the chance to catch up and debrief at networking drinks to end the day.
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