Founders and Investors share how they’re saving the world at Disrupt 2024

Until recently, saving the world usually didn’t involve turning a profit. But as the world has warmed, a range of startups and investors have emerged that have squared the circle, making a clear business case for reducing humanity’s impact on the planet.

We’re excited that Rebecca Hu, co-founder and CEO of Glacier; Allison Wolff, co-founder and CEO of Vibrant Planet; and Hyuk-Jeen Suh, co-founder of Ven^x and general partner at SkyRiver Ventures, will be joining us on the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 on October 28–30 in San Francisco.

In their panel discussion, “How Startups Can Save the World,” the investor and two founders will share their insights on starting climate-centric companies, including how they’re navigating novel and complex markets, how their mission helps drive innovation and recruitment, and how they balance planet and profit. 

Rebecca Hu co-founded Glacier to build a world without waste. Using AI to digest reams of data from a suite of sensors, the company’s custom robots can sift through piles of waste to pluck high-priority recyclable materials with greater accuracy and speed than manual picking. The goal is to help companies and governments improve recycling rates, which are currently dismal.

For Allison Wolff, the wildfires that have swept through California in recent years left an indelible impact — and inspired her to co-found Vibrant Planet, a software and data startup that seeks to protect vital ecosystems. The company’s platform brings together stakeholders from government, industry, nonprofits, and the public so they can develop mutually beneficial strategies to limit catastrophic wildfire risk, protect water and biodiversity, and draw carbon out of the atmosphere.

Hyuk-Jeen Suh spent years investing in deep tech like most of his peers, seeking out founders, building ad hoc syndicates, and repeating the process with the next deal. A few years ago, he had an epiphany: Why don’t investors work together more closely, leveraging economies of scale to find more and better deals? He and four other investors founded Ven^x, a collaborative venture hub inspired by startup accelerators.

Join us to find out what it takes to build companies that are positive for investors and the climate at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 this October 28–30 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Register by August 23 to enjoy exclusive discounts. Grab your savings.