About SICouncil
Mission
SICouncil redefines what counts as innovation and gives the planet a voice in the decisions of builders, investors, and policymakers.
Vision
A world where the planet is a stakeholder in every decision about the future, and nothing counts as innovation unless it leaves people and living systems better off.
Principles
01
We look at everything an innovation changes, including its limitations and what it could cost people or living systems as it scales.
02
Ecosystems, non-human life, and the communities that depend on them belong in every decision about what gets built and funded.
03
We start by asking whether we are solving the right problem. The right question can make a problem disappear rather than merely reduce it.
04
Our assessments rest on evidence, transparent criteria, and peer expertise, and we revise our positions openly when the evidence changes.
05
Selection is only the start. We work to move innovators toward investors, partners, pilots, and real-world use.
06
Our programs are open worldwide and judged on merit, with particular attention to communities most exposed to environmental and social disruption.
Our story
Every decision to build, fund, or scale a technology helps determine the world we will inhabit. Yet the people and living systems affected by those decisions often have little influence over them. Benefits have advocates. Costs can remain dispersed across communities, ecosystems, and generations.
The Sustainable Innovation Council was founded in San Francisco to bring those consequences into view—and help worthwhile alternatives gain support.
Our founding experience spans renewable energy, energy storage, advanced manufacturing and supply chains, entrepreneurship, and investment, alongside cleantech projects in water, green building, energy efficiency, waste, and food technologies. Across these fields, we encountered innovations whose public value was difficult to finance, and technologies whose commercial promise overshadowed their wider costs. SICouncil emerged from the conviction that both deserve closer examination.
We put that conviction into practice through the Imagine Next Global Planet-First Innovation Challenge. Our selection process evaluates originality, feasibility, founder capability, and real-world fit alongside consequences for climate, ecosystems, non-human life, and communities.
In 2026, we screened more than 1,500 startups and evaluated over 160 in depth. Fifty were selected, and seventeen pitched at the Imagine Next Summit. Workshops, founder preparation, and conversations with investors helped teams address the practical barriers between a promising technology and a viable business. Across Berkeley and San Francisco, the Summit brought together founders, funders, researchers, and corporate leaders to work through financing and deployment challenges.
Our research and public positions examine the decisions surrounding innovation: what new infrastructure serves, who benefits, who bears its costs, and which alternatives are being overlooked. Innovation Chronicles makes this work public, connecting analysis with the technologies, companies, and policies shaping our future.
We are building an open community around that responsibility. SICouncil Associates contribute expertise, mentorship, evaluation, and connections. Our programs bring people together to identify promising innovations, examine their consequences, and strengthen their path into practice.
Our standard is simple: innovation should leave people and Earth’s living systems better off. SICouncil exists to make that standard matter in what gets funded, what gets built, and what becomes possible.
April 2025
Sustainable Innovation Day
14 startups pitched to 130+ investors, founders, and leaders at UC Berkeley Haas.
Dec 2025
IMAGINE NEXT Challenge launches
A global search for planet-first innovation opens to founders worldwide.
April 2026
Summit and Top 50
Founders from 36 countries; 50 selected; 400+ registered at the Summit in Berkeley and San Francisco.
Nov 17, 2026
Challenge 2027 opens
The third global call, with in-person finals at the Imagine Next Summit during SF Climate Week.
People
Founder & President
Julia Daviy is the Founder and President of SICouncil. Her work spans nearly two decades in renewable energy, cleantech, advanced manufacturing, and innovation ecosystems. She holds an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas and is the author of Imagine Next: Inventing Beyond the Goals We Inherited.
Read Julia's full profileTeam
Brady Moir
Program Director
Entrepreneur and Program Director bringing venture capital and impact investing expertise to support climate innovation.
Brady Czekanski-Moir is an entrepreneur and Program Director at the Sustainable Innovation Council, where he leverages his expertise in venture capital, startup fundraising, and impact investing to support climate tech entrepreneurs. He is currently an MBA candidate at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, focusing on sustainable finance and bringing transformative climate solutions to market through strategic program development and ecosystem building.
Ronald Kimbowa
Founding Member
UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy alumnus and Makerere University School of Public Health candidate.
Ronald Kimbowa is a Founding Member of the Sustainable Innovation Council and holds a Master's in Public Affairs from the Goldman School of Public Policy, UC Berkeley. He is currently completing his Master's in Public Health at Makerere University (2021-2025). With experience at the UN Refugee Agency in Africa, Ronald anticipates a future where sustainable innovation drives global resilience and equitable development.
Soumya Ranjan Bej
Innovation Challenge Lead
Award-winning senior technologist accelerating funding strategies for breakthrough sustainability solutions through enterprise IoT and mobile platform expertise.
Soumya Ranjan Bej is a Funding Fellow at the Sustainable Innovation Council, bringing his expertise in enterprise IoT, mobile platforms, and telecom to accelerate funding strategies for breakthrough sustainability solutions. An award-winning senior technologist and solutions expert, he has a strong track record of developing and deploying innovative technology solutions that drive business transformation and environmental impact.
Funding Fellows & Research
Our funding fellows evaluate IMAGINE NEXT applicants using the Symbiotic Matrix and support founders on their path to capital.
Dr. Balaji Vasudevan, Ph.D.
Funding Fellow
Advisor and Judge of Imagine Next, Director of Programs at First Flight Venture Center. AgriFoodTech, synthetic biology, and climate agriculture expert.
Dr. Balaji Vasudevan is an AgriFoodTech, synthetic biology, and climate agriculture expert with deep experience at the intersection of science, venture building, and commercialization. He serves as a venture and technology scout, startup mentor, and advisor supporting early-stage companies across agtech, alternative proteins, RNA-based crop protection, regenerative agriculture, and biotech-enabled food systems. Based at First Flight Venture Center in Research Triangle Park, Balaji works closely with founders to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and capital readiness — helping science-led startups strengthen technical validation, competitive positioning, fundraising strategy, and go-to-market pathways. He actively supports deal flow development, scientific and technical due diligence, and venture builder initiatives across global agri-food ecosystems. With domain expertise spanning plant molecular biology, genome editing, RNA technologies, ag-biologicals, and novel proteins, Balaji combines deep technical credibility with practical commercialization insight. He is a frequent panelist, judge, grant reviewer, and ecosystem contributor in global AgTech and FoodTech forums. At IMAGINE NEXT: Innovation for Planetary Resilience, Dr. Vasudevan serves as a Judge for the Global Innovation Challenge and Advisor to the Sustainable Innovation Council, contributing scientific rigor and capital-alignment perspective to startups advancing solutions aligned with the living systems of Earth.
Kyle Shankle, Ph.D.
Funding Fellow
Plant molecular biologist (Ph.D., UC Davis) and MBA candidate at UC Berkeley Haas, advancing agbiotech research and working with agri-food tech startups to bridge laboratory research and real-world applications.
Kyle Shankle is a Funding Fellow at the Sustainable Innovation Council with a Ph.D. in Plant Molecular Biology and Plant Developmental Biology from UC Davis and an MBA in progress at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. As a Research Scientist at Botanical Solution Inc., he advances cutting-edge agbiotech research while working with agri-food tech startups. Kyle is passionate about bridging the gap between laboratory research and practical real-world applications, driving sustainable solutions that contribute to a more resilient and sustainable food system.
Rahul Sharma
Funding Fellow
Former U.S. Navy Submarine Warfare Officer and part-time MBA candidate at UC Berkeley Haas, focusing on clean energy leadership and carbon capture technologies.
Rahul Sharma is a Funding Fellow at the Sustainable Innovation Council, bringing unique leadership experience as a former U.S. Navy Submarine Warfare Officer and part-time MBA candidate at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. He led teams through critical national defense exercises on one of the world's most operationally demanding submarines and successfully recruited over 200% of Northern California's target goals as a Nuclear Officer Recruiter. Now focused on clean energy leadership, Rahul is passionate about carbon capture technologies and environmental sustainability, leveraging his proven leadership skills and commitment to creating a more habitable world.
Arome Ibrahim
Research Analyst
Junior Researcher and MSCA Fellow at LUT University (Finland) and Double Degree candidate at RMIT University (Australia). Researches regenerative business models, regenerative innovation, technology entrepreneurship, and extended reality (XR and AI).
Arome Ibrahim is a Junior Researcher and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Fellow at LUT University, Finland, concurrently pursuing a Double Degree in the DREAM+PLAN program at RMIT University, Australia. He holds an Erasmus Mundus Master's Degree in Impact Entrepreneurship, jointly awarded by the Zagreb School of Economics & Management (Croatia), ISM University of Management and Economics (Lithuania), and HEC Liège Management School (Belgium). Prior to his academic career, he founded an award-winning emerging technology company specializing in Virtual and Augmented Reality, which received multiple grants and recognitions. He also led Immersive Tech Africa, an initiative focused on expanding access to Extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence across Africa. His interdisciplinary experience spans Nigeria, Croatia, Lithuania, and Belgium, integrating entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, and innovation management. His research interests focus on Regenerative Business Models (RBM), Regenerative Innovation, Technology Entrepreneurship, and Extended Reality (XR & AI). With more than seven years of experience as a facilitator and mentor in entrepreneurship and innovation programs such as the Mercedes-Benz Fellowship, Global Startup Awards, AI Forge UK, NASA GLOBE Symposium, Reimagine Education Awards, Games for Change, and Startup Grind, Arome has developed strong expertise in supporting the next generation of impact entrepreneurs. He currently serves as a team member of the LUTES FORWARD Accelerator, hosts the ReGen Rhythm Podcast, acts as the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program Lead for LUT Storming, co-leads the LUT/LAB Virtual Worlds Community, and serves as a student representative at the Nordic Research School in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NORSI).
Advisory Board
Distinguished leaders from academia, venture capital, policy, and industry who have shaped the global clean-energy transition and guided some of the world's top climate-tech ventures.
Rhonda Shrader
Executive Director of Berkeley Haas Entrepreneurship Program, Bay Area Lead for NSF I-Corps, and faculty member for NSF I-Corps and UC LAUNCH.
Executive Director, Berkeley Haas Entrepreneurship Program. Bay Area Lead, NSF I-Corps. Entrepreneur in Residence I-Corps, MIT, and iGrill. Early team member, MIT-spinout Organogenesis. Faculty member, NSF I-Corps & UC LAUNCH. Harvard neuropsychology & Berkeley Haas MBA.
Hans-Josef Fell
Former Member of the German Bundestag (1998–2013), architect of German energy transition legislation, CEO of Energy Watch Group.
Member of German Bundestag (1998-2013). Architect of German energy transition legislation, particularly the feed-in tariff law mechanism, which has been adopted by over 100 countries. CEO of Energy Watch Group. Author of the book 'Global Cooling'.
Libby Schaaf
Former Mayor of Oakland (2015–2023), spearheaded Oakland's Climate Action Plan, lecturer at UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy.
Former Mayor of Oakland (2015–2023) who advocated for sustainable urban development and equitable policies. Spearheaded Oakland's Climate Action Plan. Champion of Public-Private Partnerships. Innovative Urban Solutions Advocate. Lecturer at UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy.
Eicke Weber
Physicist, Professor Emeritus of UC Berkeley, former Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems.
Physicist, Professor Emeritus of UC Berkeley. Former Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems. Co-founded German Energy Storage Association and European Solar Manufacturing Council.
Janez Kopač, Ph.D.
Commissioner at the Slovenian Energy Regulatory Authority, former Director of the Energy Community Secretariat (2012–2021), former Slovenian Minister of Finance and Environment.
Dr. Kopač is one of Europe's most respected energy governance leaders, with a distinguished career shaping policy, regulation, and international cooperation across the continent. He currently serves as a Commissioner at the Slovenian Energy Regulatory Authority and works as an independent consultant. From 2012 to 2021, he served as Director of the Energy Community Secretariat in Vienna, where he played a pivotal role in modernizing and integrating energy markets across Southeast Europe, the Black Sea region, and beyond. Dr. Kopač previously held several senior governmental positions in Slovenia, including Minister of Finance (1992), Minister of Environment and Energy (2000–2004), and General Director for Energy at the Ministry of Economy. He holds a Master's degree in Economics and a Ph.D. in Social Sciences from the University of Ljubljana.
Steven Weissman
Former Administrative Law Judge at the California PUC, founder of the Berkeley Law Energy Program, Fulbright Scholar and global energy policy expert.
Former Administrative Law Judge, California PUC: Shaped renewable energy policies and launched the PUC's dispute resolution program. Founder, Berkeley Law Energy Program: Pioneered energy law education and advanced sustainable energy frameworks. Fulbright Scholar and Policy Advisor: Global expert on energy law, environmental policy, and sustainable urban development.
Alina Sevastyuk
Cross-sector leader with expertise in multinationals, tech startups, and sustainability in emerging markets.
Cross-sector leader with expertise in multinationals, tech and sustainability startups, and governments in emerging markets. Led transformative programs in companies like KPMG and Coca-Cola. As a lecturer and communication strategist, she has shaped narratives, managed global campaigns, and educated future leaders.
Attila Schillinger
Professor of Practice and Director of the Strategic Communication Master's program at University of Oregon, co-founder of Avantgarde Group, founder of climate science nonprofit Greenterest.
Attila Schillinger is Professor of Practice in Public Relations and Director of the Strategic Communication Master's program at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication. With a background in law (ELTE Budapest) and a Master's in Public Relations (Ball State University), he pivoted to communication to inspire change through creative thinking. In 2003, he co-founded Avantgarde Group, a consultancy advising major corporations including L'Oréal and AIG on sustainability performance and crisis management. He later earned a Master's in Conflict and Dispute Resolution at UO, specializing in climate change. Schillinger also serves as Adjunct Professor at the University of Budapest, Member of the Sustainability Council at Budapest Business School, and Partner at ESG Core-ComLab. He founded Greenterest, a nonprofit dedicated to bridging climate scientists and communicators to amplify the voice of climate science.
Global network
Regional representatives connect SICouncil with founders, institutions, and governments across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
Edwin Diender
Regional Lead, Asia
Mauricio Cárdenas Piñeros
Country Representative, Mexico & Costa Rica
Claudia Cornejo
Country Representative, Peru
Axel Méndez Portela
Country Representative, Argentina
Get involved
An open community contributing expertise, judgment, and connections in a concrete role: Advise, Mentor, Evaluate, Connect, or Contribute knowledge.
