This work inspires me because I can see the immense potential for impact. I believe we have so much untapped potential for solving big energy and climate challenges that can be mobilized with small, intentional actions. We need to increase our collective efforts earlier in the technology development timeline and think of our region as a place that can not only deploy lots of clean energy, but invent, test, and manufacture the next generation of solutions. This creates opportunities for new business, new partnerships, and new ideas to emerge. This is why I often talk about the importance of an innovation ecosystem, because it strengthens connections between the folks with high potential and those who have experience and resources to make big things happen. And once that ecosystem is connected, you can see exponential growth in innovative projects and partnerships.
It's also critical to think about representation in the energy field. With a wave of new opportunities coming, how do we best support underrepresented individuals and communities to benefit from the investments being made. Our programs are being designed to address the systemic issues facing diverse founders and making sure more women and people of color are given equitable access to these opportunities. We were lucky to work with the Center for Economic Inclusion to map these challenges and identify tangible solutions to shift the paradigm. Their report on these equity and access opportunities in energy innovation was released recently. I am particularly inspired by their team, as well as others in the Minnesota startup and entrepreneur ecosystem, who are making sure diverse founders are receiving development, support, and funding.
Lastly, when considering the decarbonization needs of our region, obviously we have to consider the unique challenges of cold-climate. But I see this as our market advantage, with our academic and industry understanding and expertise of these conditions. Minnesotans take great pride in our cold-climate resilience and I think that can translate into amazing things in developing more robust products to serve the immense amount of people, communities, and businesses that live in these climate zones.
Overall, I can just see the necessary elements of change coming together for Minnesota — public and private investment, excitement about emerging technology, broader understanding and support for a clean energy economy, momentum in the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, corporate commitments to decarbonization, and overall interest in partnership to make Minnesota a stronger leader in energy, climate, and cleantech innovation. That's what inspires me.
