Bryan
Duarte
Executive in Residence
INTERSECTING SOCIAL JUSTICE AND CLIMATE RESPONSIBILITY:
I am a Social Venturist, Impact Investor, Entrepreneur and, a licensed Professional Engineer with over 30 years of experience in the Energy Industry. I am the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at BlackTech Capital and the Founder & CEO of Enliten. I have experience in creating, developing and growing companies in the Energy, CleanTech and Sustainability Sectors with a focus on Underrepresented founders.
BlackTech Capital was selected, by the World Economic Forum, as one of the most innovative investment funds which invest in people and planet-focused entrepreneurs.
Helping to develop and grow early-stage companies and their founders is a passion for me; it is all about helping others to make their dreams come true. Underrepresented founders have an advantage shaped by grit; their experiences give them unique perspectives on the big challenges facing society. In short, they tend to outperform in impact and in financial returns.
In support of the above, I am a CleanTech/Sustainability Executive in Residence (EIR), Mentor or Advisor for Foresight Canada (Canada's Largest Cleantech Accelerator), Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University - #1 World University Accelerator), the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (Cleantech and Sustainability Program), University of Toronto’s Black Founders Network, Haltech Regional Innovation Centre, TechStars (Toronto, Tulsa and Global) and Founder Institute.
For me, energy is something greater than simply the power for heating, cooling and transportation, it is the force that propels people and organizations. For me the key to sustainability is not if we can overcome the technological challenges, it is all about finding and nurturing the great people and companies that are creating or will create the needed technology solutions.
My core values are Love, Integrity and Transparency with a focus on ensuring that Black and Other Underrepresented Founders get funding, especially at the early stages of their companies’ development. All the while strategically guiding them to create the CleanTech and Sustainability solutions needed in the world today.