Your Full Guide to the Inaugural Raleigh-Durham Climate Week – GrepBeat

2026-11-02 · Raleigh

Raleigh Founded

North Street, Downtown Raleigh

Presented by Carolina Climate and Raleigh-Durham Startup Co., the inaugural Raleigh-Durham Climate Week gathers innovators and funders for free climate-focused programming from November 2 to 6.

The inaugural Raleigh-Durham Climate Week (RDCW) is a week-long series of events designed to shine a light on climate-centered innovation, strategies, and opportunities. Presented by Carolina Climate and Raleigh-Durham Startup Co., the event gathers founders, funders, builders, and enthusiasts for free events across the Triangle from November 2-6.

Founder brief

Who should attend

Climate tech entrepreneurs, software builders exploring environmental sustainability, and regional founders targeting clean energy will gain actionable insights. Those leading businesses that interface with sustainable construction, power systems, or carbon reduction will find tailored discussions and facility visits across the week.

What happens

Attendees participate in facility tours across sites like the FREEDM Systems Center at NC State, Leaf & Limb, and RTI Pilot Xcelerator. Programming also features interactive workshops on AI, panel discussions on sustainable design and local commercial ventures, and strategy games.

Who's in the room

Participants interact with regional founders and operators such as Alex Lassiter of Greenplaces, Haroon Inam of DG Matrix, and Phil Cohen of Simplifyber. Industry leaders like Melissa Keeney and Dr. Jackson Ewing join hosts Majela Fonseca and Malhar Shah alongside local investors and builders.

How to prepare

Review the distinct tour destinations and workshop topics in advance to map your transit between Downtown Raleigh and research facilities. Arrive ready to ask targeted technical questions during lab walk-throughs, and prepare a succinct description of how your venture addresses environmental or energy efficiency challenges.

Organizer: Carolina Climate and Raleigh-Durham Startup Co.

Register

At a glance

Tickets
Free
Sectors
Climate energy

Agenda

  1. 09:00 · Green That Pays: Founders Turning Passion Into Lasting Impact — Conversation with three climate founders and tour of the Junction
  2. 11:30 · From Wasteland to Wonder: Tour + Lunch & Learn — Behind-the-scenes tour of Leaf & Limb and presentation by Basil Camu
  3. 13:00 · Lab Tour: FREEDM Systems Center at NC State — Tour of FREEDM Systems Center on NC State's Centennial Campus
  4. 14:00 · RTI Pilot Xcelerator Tour — Learn about scaling technologies and tour RPX laboratories
  5. 15:00 · AI, Energy & The Environment — Panel discussion and audience Q&A
  6. 15:00 · Confession of a Pilot: How to Fly Better in the Climate Crisis — Virtual session led by Captain Katie on travel impact and mitigation
  7. 16:00 · AI (f)or Climate Good? You dig in. — Interactive workshop led by Rae Lieff Axelbank
  8. 17:00 · Women in LEED — Panel discussion led by Melissa Keeney on LEED certification and sustainable design
  9. 13:00 · AI and the Environment: What We Know, What We Do Not, and How to Decide for Yourself — Discussion led by Abigail Merrill with Dr. Jackson Ewing and Shawn Jones
  10. 14:00 · Game On for Climate Action — Strategy game led by Teresa Townsend
  11. 15:00 · Built Here: The Climate Companies in Our Backyard — Panel discussion between local climate entrepreneurs
  12. 16:00 · Climate Needs YOUR Skills — Session led by Josh Dorfman on applying existing talents to climate companies
  13. 11:00 · Walking Mastermind for Climate Founders and Leaders — Lightly guided networking session on the go led by Noa Ronen
  14. 13:00 · Built to Endure: What Living Systems Teach Climate Founders — Keynote address

Speakers, judges and hosts

  • Majela Fonseca — Co-Founder and Co-Chair (Host)
  • Malhar Shah — Co-Captain (Host)
  • Noa Ronen — Founder and CEO (Host)
  • Rae Lieff Axelbank — Mediator (Host)
  • Alex Lassiter — Greenplaces (Panelist)
  • Haroon Inam — DG Matrix (Panelist)
  • Melissa Keeney — U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) (Panelist)
  • Phil Cohen — Simplifyber (Panelist)
  • Vicki Lee Parker-High — NC Sustainable Business Council (Panelist)
  • Abigail Merrill — GrowthUp Partners (Speaker)
  • Basil Camu (Speaker)
  • Dr. Jackson Ewing — Duke University Nicholas Institute (Speaker)
  • Josh Dorfman — Plantd (Speaker)
  • Shawn Jones — Better Together Brain Trust (Speaker)
  • Teresa Townsend — Planning Communities (Speaker)

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