VERGE Welcome

Presented by: Joel Makower Chairman & Executive Editor, GreenBiz Group

The Power of a Billion-Member Platform

How Facebook activates a billion-member platform to reduce energy consumption while providing leadership and transparency in data center design and sustainability.

Presented by: Bill Weihl Manager of Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Facebook

In conversation with: Joel Makower Chairman & Executive Editor, GreenBiz Group

Special Announcement

One Great Idea: How the Social Web Transforms Real Estate

Data and web-based tools unlock energy efficiency opportunities for real estate stakeholders.

Presented by: Riggs Kubiak CEO, Honest Buildings

One Great Idea: Pecan Street Project

Texas demonstration project uncovering what's possible for consumer applications through the convergence of smart grid, EVs, mobile devices and cloud computing.

Presented by: Brewster McCracken President & CEO, Pecan Street, Inc.

One Great Idea: Big Data Made Concrete

A visual presentation of real-world big data applications.

Presented by: Kathrin Winkler Vice President, Corporate Sustainability, EMC Corporation

One Great Idea: From Smart Grid to Smart City

Convergence of smart city technologies is ushering in a new era of convenience, sustainability and innovation-driven economic development.

Presented by: Jesse Berst Managing Director and Head of Environmental Affairs, Global Smart Energy

Future of Energy Innovation

How policy drivers, smart grid opportunities and strategic partnerships are transforming global energy and transportation markets.

Presented by: Alan Salzman CEO & Managing Partner, VantagePoint Capital Partners; Steve Malnight VP, Customer Energy Solutions, Pacific Gas & Electric

In conversation with: Jesse Berst Managing Director and Head of Environmental Affairs, Global Smart Energy

Drivers of Change: An Audience Experience

An interactive workshop to better understand the opportunities created by future change in the built environment, energy, urbanization and sustainability.

Presented by: Chris Luebkeman Director, Global Foresight & Innovation, Arup

One Great Idea: CityStates

How cities are vital to the future of sustainability

Presented by: Mark Lee Executive Director, SustainAbility

The City as a Startup

How revitalization in major downtown areas achieves community-focused sustainability goals, maximizing economic development and inspiring other cities to do the same.

Presented by: Tony Hsieh CEO, Zappos

One Great Idea: Unleashing Capital for Clean Energy

Presented by: Dan Reicher Professor, Stanford Law School

One Great Idea: Peer-to-Peer Bike Share

How creating a “liquid marketplace” for sharing bikes will change the future of collaborative consumption.

The City as a Platform

How open data and innovation strategies build resiliency and help cities achieve sustainability goals.

Presented by: Melanie Nutter Director, Department of the Environment, City of San Francisco; Rohit Aggarwala Special Advisor to the Chair, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group; Kerrie Romanow Director of Environmental Services, City of San Jose

In conversation with: Joel Makower Chairman & Executive Editor, GreenBiz Group

One Great Idea: Picking Up the PACE

How innovative clean-energy financing can change the world.

Presented by: Clay Nesler Vice President of Global Energy and Sustainability, Johnson Controls

One Great Idea: Attracting Business at the Speed of Light

How unique public-private partnerships, that do not rely on public funding, can modernize the necessary communications infrastructure to attract world class businesses and reinvigorate communities.

Presented by: Patrick Kennedy CEO, OSIsoft

VERGE and the Built Environment

How design technologies and creative urban development is reshaping the built environment in sustainable cities.

Presented by: William McDonough Founder and Principal, MBDC and William McDonough + Partners

VERGE Accelerate: Where is the Money in Cleanetch?

VERGE Accelerate: Investors are now looking for nimble, innovative startups offering IT and data-intensive business ideas, how can entrepreneurs position themselves to succeed?

Presented by: Josh Green President of National Venture Capital Assocation, MDV; Mitch Lowe Founder / Managing Partner , Greenstart; Rodrigo Prudencio Partner, Nth Power

VERGE Accelerate: Pitch Competition

VERGE Accelerate: A heart-pumping, crowd-sourced pitch battle featuring startups in digital transportation, smart energy systems and collaborative consumption.
Presenters include: Michael Keating, CEO, Scoot Networks; Ryan Wartena, CEO, GELI; Nick Yecke, CEO, PV Power; Will Dennis, Co-Founder, Liquid; Archie Gupta, CEO, Root3; Dan Rosen, CEO, Solar Mosaic; Nathalie Criou, CEO, RidePal; Jason Riley CEO, Genability; Andrew Chen, CEO, WegoWise

Platforms for Disruptive Transportation

Pioneers in sustainable mobility -- from the Zipcar for electric scooters to tech-enabled ride-sharing and a cutting-edge electric motorcycle -- talk about disruptive business models and the future of transportation.

Presented by: Daniel Kim Founder & President, Lit Motors Corporation; Sunil Paul Founding Partner, Spring Ventures; Michael Keating CEO, Scoot Networks