Autodesk Foundation

?? Diversity in Climate Tech Investing: Where is the Data??? We're excited to share the latest article, hosted on Impact Entrepreneur, in a series from Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) within the Autodesk Foundation’s Inclusive Climate Innovation Initiative (ICII). This series provides actionable insights to foster a more inclusive funding ecosystem. In the U.S., less than 3% of venture capital funding goes to Black and Latinx founders, and funding to Black founders has decreased year over year since 2020. This disparity is even more pronounced in climate tech investing, where diversity data is scarce, making it challenging to assess representation and distribution of capital. Hadas Webb, Deputy Director at Browning the Green Space, a nonprofit working to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, within clean energy, highlights how data has the power to pave the way for inclusive outcomes, ensuring that underrepresented entrepreneurs receive the support they need. ?? Read the full article to learn more about actions we can take together to harness the power of data for inclusion ??? Link in comments #InclusiveInnovation #ClimateTech #DiversityInTech #VentureCapital

I had the chance to contribute to a recently published report from Deloitte on the future of corporate philanthropy that highlights innovative funding models, stakeholder engagement and evolving as a field in a turbulent time.? Great to have these conversations and hear from our peers, thanks to Monitor Deloitte for elevating these insights! Autodesk Foundation https://lnkd.in/gd8SECzj

We're excited to welcome AWE (Achieving Women Equity) Funds to our Health & Resilience portfolio. AWE Funds is an early-growth venture fund investing in emerging entrepreneurs leveraging tech-enabled innovation to catalyze climate action and gender equity. The fund ensures the inclusion and representation of women owners, leaders, and consumers—intentionally measuring their participation through its investments.

Aluminum is one of the most widely used materials on Earth. Emissions from its production, however, have been historically difficult to decarbonize—particularly due to its need for large amounts of uninterrupted heat. This challenge is intensified by the expected 50% growth in aluminum demand by 2050. ?? ?? The Autodesk Foundation is thrilled to welcome Found Energy to our Energy & Materials portfolio. Found Energy is a #ClimateTech startup on a mission to decarbonize heavy industry sectors with an aluminum-thermal power system that converts aluminum into heat and hydrogen. This groundbreaking tech offers the first economically viable approach to harnessing energy from aluminum oxidation, creating productive on-site energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. “With the Autodesk Foundation’s support, we are accelerating the scale-up and deployment of our breakthrough low-carbon aluminum fuel technology to the industries and geographic regions that need it the most.” — Peter Godart, Co-founder & CEO, Found Energy Learn more about Found Energy’s efforts to decouple industrial growth from emissions and pave the way for a more sustainable future ??

Revolution Workshop, a nonprofit in our Work & Prosperity portfolio, is uplifting people of color in Chicago's historically disadvantaged neighborhoods and transforming the construction industry through comprehensive workforce development programs. ??? Revolution Workshop's holistic approach equips learners and workers with essential trade skills, modern construction management skills, and crucial soft skills like financial literacy and conflict resolution. Partnering with local employers like Power Construction, the organization ensures its curriculum aligns with industry needs—bridging the gap between employers and a skilled, inclusive construction workforce. ?? "The construction industry has so many opportunities from a career-path perspective, and Revolution Workshop does an awesome job understanding what each individual person’s needs are, what their challenges are, and then helping them out—giving people that desperately need opportunities a chance in our industry." — Robert (Bob) Gallo, Owner, Former COO, Power Construction ?? Watch the full video to learn how Revolution Workshop is paving the way for a more stable future for Chicagoans ?? https://lnkd.in/g-di-4p5 #FutureOfWork Autodesk Construction Cloud

Calling all climate technology startups in Ghana for a chance to win $3,000. ?? Are you a Ghanaian startup contributing to tackling Climate Change? We’re searching for the most scalable ventures to join a fierce pitch competition in Accra! ?? Apply to the Climate Champion Competition backed by Startup Discovery School, Sahara Impact Ventures, and Academic City University College and powered by Autodesk Foundation. How do you know if this is for you? Our eligibility criteria are below ???? 1. Have a scalable solution that is tackling the impact of climate change 2. ?Have an MVP 3. ?Have a business based in Africa 4. Must?be able to pitch in Accra on the 9th of September 2024 If this is you apply below, applications close on 27th August ?? https://lnkd.in/euiSU3Ns

Applied Carbon, part of our Energy & Materials portfolio, is scaling the production and use of biochar using cutting-edge robotics and automation. The startup's tractor-based pyrolysis system turns agricultural waste into biochar—a nutrient-rich substance that not only sinks carbon for thousands of years but also enhances soil health—transforming fields into carbon sequestration powerhouses without leaving the farm. ?? ?? Applied Carbon's technology offers an affordable, scalable #CarbonRemoval solution and boosts agricultural productivity. The potential? Removing over one gigaton of carbon emissions annually in the US alone! ?? #ClimateTech “To preserve people and planet, the world needs well-designed physical infrastructure that has never been built before.” – Dr. Morgan Williams, Co-Founder & COO, Applied Carbon Learn more about our investment in Applied Carbon ??

The Autodesk Foundation is pleased to share a progress update on our efforts to embed access and inclusion across all of our work. ?? "From portfolio leadership diversity to supporting inclusion in the funding ecosystem to equipping emerging talent from around the world, we are motivated by the potential for access and inclusion principles to advance our entire team’s work addressing the most pressing social and environmental challenges." — Beth Foster-Chao, Climate Adaptation & Resilience Investment Lead, Autodesk Foundation Read Beth's full update to learn more about our Access & Inclusion strategy and progress through FY24 ??

In response to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres' call to action on #ExtremeHeat, a group of philanthropies convened by ClimateWorks Foundation is catalyzing an initiative for philanthropy to invest an initial commitment of $50 million in climate adaptation and resilience efforts in regions most vulnerable to the impacts of #ClimateChange, including extreme heat. “The climate crisis presents unprecedented challenges to our health, economic well-being, and safety. How we tackle it offers a unique opportunity to build a future where no one is left behind. Philanthropy can help drive positive social impact by supporting innovative approaches to climate adaptation and resilience, such as piloting community-based parametric insurance in India, building coalitions to advocate for debt reform for small island developing states, fostering entrepreneurship in East Africa to develop cold chain infrastructure, and scaling the use of solar-reflective ‘cool’ roofs. We proudly support this collective effort and philanthropy’s growing investments in adaptation and resilience. Together, we can create a more resilient future.”?–?Helen M., President and CEO, ClimateWorks Foundation ? Read our full statement:?https://lnkd.in/gpJJgqm5 Arab Foundations Forum (AFF),?Autodesk Foundation,?Bloomberg Philanthropies,?the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF),?Howden Foundation,?Humanity United,?Laudes Foundation,?Quadrature Climate Foundation,?The Rockefeller Foundation,?Shockwave Foundation,?Trafigura Foundation,?Wellcome Trust #ClimateAction

?? We're hiring! The Autodesk Foundation is currently seeking candidates for a new Impact Measurement and Management Associate contract position to assist in the development and documentation of our organizational IMM practices, systems, and tools. ?? The IMM Associate will maintain and enhance the Foundation's focus on real-world outcomes and data-based decision-making across our three impact opportunity areas: Health & Resilience, Energy and Materials, and Work and Prosperity. Learn more and apply today ?? https://lnkd.in/dTdmQd3Y