Green That Pays: Founders Turning Passion into Lasting Impact

About this event

Presented by Launch Chapel Hill and Innovate Carolina

Kick off Raleigh-Durham Climate Week in Chapel Hill!

Join founders, investors, researchers, and community leaders from across the Triangle for the first event of the week.

Building a mission-driven company takes more than passion. Hear from three climate entrepreneurs as they share their experiences navigating funding, finding customers, scaling their businesses, and staying true to their missions.

Meet the Panelists

Laura Olson | Founder & CEO, Trashy

An award-winning industrial designer transforming landfill-bound waste into sustainable, high-performance architectural concrete.

William Vizuete | Co-Founder, Blue Nova Group

A UNC professor and environmental engineer developing AI-powered tools for air quality modeling, environmental monitoring, and public health.

Rachel Burton | Founder & CEO, Inoculai

A sustainability entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in biofuels and waste innovation, now developing circular specialty chemicals.

Moderator: Michael Piehler

UNC’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Director of the UNC Institute for the Environment, and Distinguished Professor specializing in environmental sustainability.

Explore The Junction

While you’re here, take a free tour of Innovate Carolina Junction , UNC’s innovation hub connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, startups, and community partners.

Parking: Convenient parking is available in the East Rosemary Street parking deck, directly across from The Junction.

This event is part of Raleigh-Durham Climate Week, November 2–6, featuring events across the Triangle.

From Innovate Carolina