Boston, MA, March 15, 2022 – Clean Energy Ventures (CEV), a venture capital firm investing in early-stage climate tech startups, today announced the appointment of Nora Mead Brownell as Venture Partner. In this role, Ms. Brownell will support deal sourcing, due diligence and post-investment guidance for CEV and its portfolio companies, leveraging over twenty years of utility and regulatory experience.
Previously, Ms. Brownell was nominated by President George W. Bush to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) where she served from May 2001 until June 2006. She also served on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission from 1997 until 2001.
“Nora has already been deeply valuable to our firm and our portfolio companies. We are grateful for the tremendous expertise she brings through her decades of utility experience, understanding of federal and state regulatory issues and extensive network in the power industry and beyond,” commented Daniel Goldman, a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Clean Energy Ventures. “On behalf of Clean Energy Ventures, we extend a warm welcome to Nora and look forward to our expanded work together.”
In addition to her current role at ESPY Energy Solutions, Ms. Brownell serves on the Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Advisory Board, Sonnova Board of Directors and as an Independent Director for Hennessy Capital Investment Corp VI. She previously led Pacific Gas & Electric through its bankruptcy and has served on the board of National Grid PLC, Tangent Energy Solutions, Spectra Energy Partners, Times Publishing Company, ONCOR, Comverge, New World Capital Strategic Advisory Council, and the Advisory Board of Starwood Energy Fund and Direct Energy.
Ms. Brownell noted, “Clean Energy Ventures has a unique investing model, leveraging deep industry expertise to diligence investments and providing significant hands-on support to portfolio companies in the early stages of commercialization. I’m pleased to be part of it. CEV’s focus on climate technologies that can grow to scale and have the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions is a critically important focus area for me personally and I look forward to helping these companies succeed.”
Clean Energy Ventures funds disruptive, capital-light technologies and business model innovations that have the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions between investment and 2050. Leading seed and early-stage investment rounds with their first $110 million fund, the firm specializes in deep technical diligence and hands-on guidance after investment through dedicated leadership coaching, strategic marketing, IP development, and active board participation. CEV’s Venture Partner program now contains 20 venture partners who guide startups and enhance the firm’s value with their deep technical and operating experience.
Ms. Brownell is already an advisor to CEV portfolio company LineVision and plans to serve on the board of future CEV portfolio companies as well. She is currently the co-founder of ESPY Energy Solutions, LLC, a women-owned business providing highly skilled consulting services, and a member of the Clean Energy Venture Group of angel investors, CEV’s sister organization.
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About Clean Energy Ventures
Clean Energy Ventures (CEV) is a venture capital firm focused on early-stage climate technologies and business model innovations that are ready to be scaled and commercialized to address global climate risks. The firm’s principals – serial entrepreneurs and investors who have backed more than 30 companies in the advanced energy technology sectors – have been investing in, supporting, and mentoring early-stage energy startups together since 2005. Additional information is available at CleanEnergyVentures.com.
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