Evergreen Climate Innovations

Stored: Evergreen Climate Innovations

Evergreen Climate Innovations
Type:	Nonprofit Organization
Parent organization:
Top organization:
Employees:	11
Executive:	Chief Executive Officer
Budget:
Address:	20 N Wacker Dr, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60606
Website:	https://evergreeninno.org/
Creation Legislation:
Wikipedia:	Evergreen Climate Innovations

Evergreen Climate Innovations

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Mission
To support entrepreneurs and startups in developing impactful climate technologies, delivering environmental, economic, and social benefits by providing catalytic capital, mentorship, and ecosystem connections across the Greater Midwest.

Services
Early-Stage Investment; Startup Mentorship; Climate Tech Ecosystem Development; Awards and Grants

Regulations
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code

Evergreen Climate Innovations is a Chicago-based nonprofit, formerly known as Clean Energy Trust, founded in 2010, dedicated to advancing climate technology innovation by supporting entrepreneurs and startups in the Greater Midwest through its pioneering 501vc® Investment Fund and various programs.

Official Site

Mission

Evergreen Climate Innovations aims to combat the climate emergency by catalyzing innovation in climate technology. It provides early-stage funding, mentorship, and resources to startups, fostering solutions in renewable energy, energy efficiency, transportation, and carbon management, while promoting inclusive economic growth and environmental impact across the Greater Midwest.

Parent organization

Evergreen operates as an independent nonprofit without a formal parent organization, though it collaborates closely with government agencies, corporate partners, and philanthropies to fulfill its mission.

Legislation

Evergreen was not created by specific legislation but incorporated in 2010 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under the Internal Revenue Code, evolving from Clean Energy Trust (rebranded in 2021) to focus on broader climate tech innovation.

Partners

U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration for funding
U.S. Bank Foundation for Cleantech Inclusion Award
Nicor Gas for Multicultural Innovator Award
Heartland Climate Tech Partnership for regional collaboration

Number of employees

Evergreen employs approximately 11 staff members as of 2025, per LinkedIn and website data, including leadership, investment managers, and program coordinators, with additional support from volunteers and experts.

Organization structure

Evergreen is structured to support climate tech startups:

Leader

The Chief Executive Officer is Erik Birkerts, leading the organization since July 2020, overseeing strategy, investments, and partnerships.

Divisions

Key operational areas include:

501vc® Investment Fund for early-stage capital
Programmatic Support for mentorship and awards
Ecosystem Development for regional collaboration

List of programs

501vc® Investment Fund
U.S. Bank Foundation Cleantech Inclusion Award
Nicor Gas Multicultural Innovator Award
Heartland Climate Tech Partnership

Last total enacted budget

Evergreen’s specific budget is not publicly detailed; its operations are supported by donations, grants (e.g., $475,000 federal earmark in 2024), and corporate sponsorships, with portfolio startups raising $41 per $1 invested, though no total figure is isolated.

Staff

The staff of about 11 includes Erik Birkerts (CEO), Ian Adams (Managing Director), Paul Seidler (Managing Director), and others in investment, operations, and engagement roles, supported by a board chaired by Amy Francetic and a network of Evergreen Experts.

Funding

Since 2010, Evergreen has been funded through private donations, corporate partnerships (e.g., U.S. Bank, Nicor Gas), and federal/state grants, operating as a 501(c)(3) with a revolving 501vc® Fund that reinvests returns, amplifying its impact without a fixed budget.

Services provided

Evergreen invests $100K-$250K in early-stage climate tech startups (e.g., Aquarry, Inc., 2023), offers mentorship, connects founders to investors and customers, administers awards (e.g., Cleantech Inclusion), and builds a Midwest climate tech ecosystem, supporting over 50 portfolio companies since inception.

Regulations overseen

Evergreen operates under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, ensuring tax-exempt status for its nonprofit activities, but does not create regulations.

Headquarters address

20 N Wacker Dr, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60606

History

Founded in 2010 as Clean Energy Trust by Nick Pritzker and others, it rebranded to Evergreen Climate Innovations in 2021 to broaden its climate tech focus. It pioneered the 501vc® Fund, investing over $9 million in 50+ startups by 2025, raising $41 per $1 invested, and expanded with federal support (e.g., 2024 earmark) to cement Chicago as a climate innovation hub.

External links

References