Announcement Detail


Final week to hear a VC perspective on early-stage climate tech (Mar 5, Virtual)

Fire-Side Chat: VC Perspective

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026

Time: 11:00 am - 12 pm PST

Location: Virtual

Join us for a Fireside Chat with Cece Zhao, Vice President at Vectors Capital, as part of the FoundHer in Climate 2026 series, for a candid investor perspective on early-stage climate tech, decarbonization, and what it takes to attract capital in today’s clean energy landscape.

Ticket price:

  • Free for WCS Members
  • $15 for Non-Members
  • Interested in becoming a member? Please learn more and apply here

Please note: This event will be recorded.

What does it really take to attract investment in the next generation of climate solutions?

Join us for a Fireside Chat with Cece Zhao, Vice President at Vectors Capital, as part of the Women in Cleantech and Sustainability FoundHer in Climate 2026 series. Drawing on over a decade of global experience in asset management, renewable energy, and climate-tech investing, Cece will share an investor’s perspective on early-stage decarbonization, AI-driven climate technologies, and how capital is flowing into the energy transition.

This candid conversation will explore how investors assess risk and opportunity, what founders should understand as they prepare for fundraising, and how emerging technologies are reshaping the climate innovation landscape. Designed for women-identifying founders, operators, and climate professionals, this Fireside Chat offers practical insight, real-world context, and a rare look inside the decision-making process of a climate-focused investment firm.

Speaker:

Cece Zhao

VP Climate Investment, Vector Capital

Cece (Xixi) Zhao, CFA, is a finance and clean-energy investment professional with a decade of global experience spanning asset management, renewable energy development, and climate-tech innovation. Currently a Vice President at Vectors Capital, she leads deal sourcing, due diligence, and strategic portfolio initiatives, with a focus on AI-driven and early-stage decarbonization technologies. Her background includes managing a $10B multi-asset portfolio at AllianceBernstein, driving energy-transition and ESG strategies, and advancing renewable-energy investments at AES Clean Energy. A CFA charterholder with degrees from Columbia University and the University of Hong Kong, Cece also serves on the board of WRISE Bay Area, supporting women’s leadership in the clean-energy sector.

 


About the FoundHER in Climate 2026 - Women Entrepreneurs Coaching Series

As the impacts of climate change reverberate and global energy transitions gain urgency to meet growing demand, women remain underrepresented in founding roles across climate tech and sustainability. The global climate tech market is projected to reach $100+ billion by 2030, with $20 billion in VC investments into US climate tech companies in 2024 alone. However, across the same period, solo female founders in the climate sector received less than 2% of that total funding, reflective of the larger trend of women-only founders receiving 2% of VC funding globally. To close the gap, targeted support systems and comprehensive resources are critical for equipping female founders with the tools and networks they need to succeed. 

FoundHER in Climate 2026 is an exclusive and comprehensive 10-month program designed to fast-track women entrepreneurs building in the climate, cleantech, and sustainability sectors into the top 50% of investable ventures. The program -  running from January through October 2026 - features expert-led workshops, office hours, fireside chats, and networking sessions to build critical business skills for early-stage founders looking to raise seed funding. Top industry leaders and successful founders provide hands-on guidance in fundraising, leadership, marketing, pitching, and legal fundamentals, with completion of the series intended to prepare participants for the WCS Pitch Competition and Reverse Pitch Events.

Learn more here | Schedule


EVENT SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE! Please email us at info@womencleantechsustainability.org if you have any questions.