The current financing ecosystem remains poorly matched to the challenge of the modern energy system. Traditional venture capital often struggles with long development timelines and infrastructure-scale deployment needs. Public funding is fragmented and episodic. Institutional investors frequently enter too late. Meanwhile, geopolitical competition, load growth from AI and electrification, and rising pressure for domestic industrial capacity are increasing the urgency of getting these financing models right.
What kinds of capital structures are actually fit for purpose? Where can public institutions reduce risk without crowding out private markets? Which technologies are commercially viable — and which remain dependent on policy support? And what lessons can investors, development finance practitioners, and climate-focused policymakers learn from one another?
Join Impact for Breakfast DC for a discussion on the challenge of financing hard tech in the energy transition era. The conversation will explore the intersection of public finance, venture capital, infrastructure investment, and industrial policy — and what it will take to move from promising pilots to scaled deployment.
Speakers
- Tim Profeta, Senior Fellow, Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability at Duke University
- Paul Elizondo, energy finance and policy expert, CEO of P2 Corporate Finance
- Senofer Mendoza, Founder and Managing Partner, Mendoza Ventures
- Rokas Beresniovas, Head of Partnerships & Business Development, Montgomery County Green Bank
Moderator
- Jackson Ewing, Director of Energy and Climate Policy, Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability at Duke University
The event will be of interest to investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, philanthropies, development practitioners, and anyone focused on the future of energy, infrastructure, and industrial strategy.
Light breakfast will be served. Please bring ID. Even begins at 8 am
