About The Event

Katie is the CEO and Managing Partner of The Engine. She serves as a Board Member for Boston Metal, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Form Energy, Sublime Systems, and Via Separations.

Previously, Katie was a founder and Managing Director at Project 11 Ventures and Managing Director of Techstars Boston. Katie spent her early career building significant Internet businesses as the Head of Product for Microsoft Startup Labs and SVP of Product at Eons. Katie has advised hundreds of founders and invested in over 100 companies. Key investments include Pillpack (acquired by Amazon for $1 billion), Bevi, GrabCad, Synack, Zagster, NBD Nano, Neurala, and Amino.

She holds an MBA from Yale and a BA in Biology from Oberlin College.

Dr. Yet-Ming Chiang is a Kyocera Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His research focuses primarily on advanced materials and their role in energy technologies. Prof. Chiang was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering in 2009, and is a Fellow of the Electrochemical Society, the Materials Research Society, the American Ceramic Society, and the National Academy of Inventors. Prof. Chiang has published more than 300 scientific articles and holds more than 100 U.S. patents. He serves on numerous government and academic advisory committees and is recognized as an expert in materials science, energy technologies, and battery technology. Dr. Chiang is active in developing technology from basic research and has co-founded 7 companies based on work from his MIT research laboratory.

He currently holds leadership positions at Sublime Systems, a Somerville, MA company developing decarbonized cement products, Form Energy, a Somerville, MA company developing long-duration grid storage to smooth the output of intermittent renewables, and 24M Technologies, a Cambridge, MA company that is re-inventing lithium-ion battery design and manufacturing. He previously co-founded A123 Systems, a developer of monophosphate lithium-ion batteries, and American Superconductor Corporation, a developer of high-temperature superconductor technology. Other technology areas in which he is active include low-cost metal 3D printing, where he co-founded Desktop Metal.

Vinod is an entrepreneur, investor, and technologist. He is the founder of Khosla Ventures, a firm focused on assisting entrepreneurs to build impactful technology-based disruptive companies. Vinod grew up dreaming of being an entrepreneur, despite being from an Indian army household with no business or technology connections. Since the age of 16, when he first heard about the founding of Intel, he dreamt of starting his own technology company.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in New Delhi, Vinod failed to start a soy milk company to service the many people in India who did not have refrigerators. Instead, he came to the U.S. to further his academic studies and received a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. His startup dreams led him to Silicon Valley, where he received an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Upon graduation, Vinod co-founded Daisy Systems, the first significant computer-aided design system for electrical engineers. The company went on to achieve significant revenue, profits, and an IPO. Then, driven by the frustration of having to design the computer hardware on which the Daisy software needed to be built, he started the standards-based Sun Microsystems in 1982 to build workstations for software developers. As the founding CEO of Sun, he pioneered open systems and commercial RISC processors. Sun Microsystems was funded by Vinod’s longtime friend and board member John Doerr of Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers (KPCB).

In 1986, Vinod joined KPCB as a general partner. While there, he played a crucial role in taking on Intel’s monopoly by building and growing a semiconductor company, Nexgen, which eventually was acquired by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). Nexgen/AMD was the only microprocessor to have significant success against Intel. Thereafter, Vinod helped incubate the idea and business plan for Juniper Networks to take on Cisco System’s dominance of the router market. The company went on to give KPCB a 2,500x return on its early investment. Vinod also was involved in the formulation of the early advertising-based search strategy for Excite. He helped transform the moribund telecommunications business and its archaic SONET implementations with Cerent Corporation, which was acquired by Cisco Systems in 1999 for $7.2 billion.
In 2004, driven by the need for flexibility to accommodate four growing children, the desire to be more experimental and to fund sometimes imprudent “science experiments,” Vinod formed Khosla Ventures to focus on both for-profit and social impact investments. His goals remain the same: work and learn from fun and knowledgeable entrepreneurs, build impactful companies by leveraging innovation, and spend time with a partnership that makes a difference. Vinod has a passion for nascent technologies that have beneficial effects and economic impact on society. He works closely with many KV companies as they face transitions or key decisions.

Vinod is driven by the belief that technology is a positive force multiplier to accelerate societal reinvention in food, health, climate, energy transportation, education, housing finance, media, retail, and entertainment for billions around the globe. His greatest passion lies in being a mentor to entrepreneurs who are building companies to tackle society’s largest challenges. He was also a supporter of several microfinance organizations in India and Africa.

Vinod sits on the board of Breakthrough Energy Ventures and is a charter member of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), a non-profit global network of entrepreneurs and professionals that was founded in 1992 and has more than 40 chapters in nine countries today. He is a founding board member of the Indian School of Business (ISB).

Vinod holds a bachelor of technology degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in New Delhi, India, a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, and an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Alicia Seiger is a lecturer at Stanford Law School and leads sustainability and energy finance initiatives at Stanford Law, Graduate School of Business, and the Precourt Institute for Energy. Alicia serves as Managing Director for both the Stanford Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance and the Sustainable Finance Initiative. Her work focuses on business and financial innovations to accelerate the transition to a decarbonized, equitable, and climate-resilient global economy.

In 2018, Alicia was appointed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to serve on the first-ever Decarbonization Advisory Panel for the $209 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund. She also serves on the boards of Ceres and PRIME Coalition and co-founded Stanford Professionals in Energy (SPIE). In 2014, she created Investing in a New Climate, an investor workshop series to help asset owners manage climate risk and capitalize on innovation opportunities.

A serial entrepreneur and pioneer of new business models, Alicia has been designing and executing climate and energy strategies for businesses, foundations, investors, and NGOs since 2004. She has served on the management teams of multiple startups, including TerraPass, a pioneer of the US carbon offset market, and Flycast Communications, one of the world’s first web advertising networks.

Alicia holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she also worked as a case writer for the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, and a BA in Environmental Policy and Cultural Anthropology from Duke University. A native of Silicon Valley, Alicia lives in Menlo Park with her husband and two daughters.

Akshay Singhal, the Chief of Climate Action at Log9, is a visionary leader whose passion lies in addressing the pressing issue of climate change. With a relentless drive to find sustainable solutions, he spearheads Log9’s initiatives in combating environmental challenges. Akshay firmly believes that combining cutting-edge technologies with a forward-thinking mindset can pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future.

With a deep understanding of the intricate nuances of climate action, Akshay’s expertise in developing and implementing innovative strategies sets him apart. Through his impeccable blend of creativity and analytical thinking, he has been instrumental in driving tangible impact at Log9. Akshay’s unwavering commitment to climate resilience has garnered recognition for both him and Log9, positioning them as industry pioneers in the fight against climate change. With his guidance and leadership, Log9 continues to push boundaries and set new benchmarks in sustainable innovation.

Arun Vinayak is a visionary co-founder at Exponent Energy, where he spearheads the development of sustainable energy solutions. With an unyielding commitment to combat climate change and promote renewable energy adoption, Arun has played a crucial role in establishing Exponent Energy as a leading player in the industry. His expertise lies in identifying innovative approaches to harness renewable resources, such as solar and wind power, to power communities and facilitate the transition to a decarbonized future.

Exponent Energy has implemented cutting-edge projects that generate clean, reliable, and cost-effective electricity. Arun’s strategic vision and deep understanding of the renewable energy landscape have enabled Exponent Energy to contribute significantly to sustainable development, driving the adoption of clean energy alternatives in various sectors. With a relentless dedication to environmental stewardship and a knack for innovation, Arun continues to propel Exponent Energy forward.

Suruchi Rao is a dynamic and innovative co-founder of Ossus Biorenewables, a pioneering company in the field of sustainable biotechnology. With an unwavering passion for harnessing the power of nature, Suruchi has spearheaded Ossus Biorenewables’ mission to develop cutting-edge bio-based solutions for a more sustainable future. Her deep knowledge of biotechnology coupled with her entrepreneurial spirit has enabled Suruchi to drive the company’s success in the field of biorenewable chemicals and materials.

Through Suruchi’s visionary leadership, Ossus Biorenewables has revolutionized the industry by utilizing advanced biological processes to produce sustainable alternatives to traditional chemicals and materials. Under her guidance, the company develops innovative solutions that not only reduce environmental impact but also offer superior performance and economic viability. Suruchi’s commitment to sustainability, combined with her ingenuity, has positioned Ossus Biorenewables at the forefront of the biotechnology revolution, paving the way for a more sustainable and bio-based future.

Vivekananda Hallekere is the visionary co-founder and CEO of Bounce, a widely renowned mobility solutions company. With an astute understanding of the contemporary transportation landscape, Vivekananda has revolutionized urban mobility by spearheading the development of innovative shared mobility services. His relentless drive for innovation and commitment to creating sustainable and convenient transportation options has propelled Bounce to become one of the leading bike-sharing platforms in the world.

Under Vivekananda’s leadership, Bounce has transformed the way people commute in densely populated cities, providing hassle-free access to efficient and eco-friendly transportation. His visionary approach has not only revolutionized the way people travel but has also contributed significantly to reducing congestion, air pollution, and carbon emissions. With a deep passion for leveraging technology for societal impact, Vivekananda continues to drive Bounce towards a future where mobility is seamless, sustainable, and accessible to all.

At Sequoia India, Shailesh primarily focuses on consumer technology, web3, fintech, and SaaS companies.

Currently, Shailesh Lakhani occupies the position of Managing Director at Peak XV Partners, he is also on the board of 17 other companies. In the past, he was Managing Director at Redknee (India) Technologies Pvt Ltd. Mr. Lakhani received an MBA from Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree from The University of Waterloo.