As the world grapples with the urgency of tackling climate change, the renewable energy sector has emerged as a beacon of hope. But traditional avenues for investing in green solutions have often been out of reach for the average person. That’s where crowdfunding platforms like Climatize are revolutionizing the landscape.
I recently had the privilege of speaking with Will Wiseman, the CEO and Co-Founder of Climatize, a groundbreaking platform that’s making renewable energy investment accessible to everyone. His journey from witnessing the 2019 climate strikes in Barcelona to founding this innovative company is nothing short of inspiring.
The Spark that Ignited a Movement
“Seeing over 100,000 people protesting for climate action, I was struck by the sad realization that traditional activism lacked the tangible change necessary to solve this macro problem,” Will reflected. This pivotal moment sparked his determination to find a more impactful solution.
Will realized that the key to driving meaningful change in the renewable energy sector lies in empowering individuals to become active participants. “Climate change is an all-hands-on-deck problem,” he emphasized. “We need everybody at any capacity to become a participant.”
Democratizing Renewable Energy Investment
This realization led Will to create Climatize, an SEC-registered funding portal that allows anyone to invest in renewable energy projects with as little as $5. By lowering the barrier to entry, Climatize is ensuring that virtually anyone can contribute to combating climate change and be part of the energy transition.
“This is one of the largest wealth creation opportunities of our lifetime, and it’s incredibly important that everybody has the potential to participate as an active stakeholder in the energy transition,” Will explained.
A Platform Built on Transparency and Trust
One of the standout features of Climatize is the transparency it offers to its investors. “Knowing that your money went and helped this family as well as created environmental impact is what we’ve found to be very catalytic,” Will shared.
Investors on the platform can see the direct impact of their contributions, from project development to installation. This level of engagement fosters a deep sense of trust, resulting in an average investment size of $6,000 – significantly higher than the industry average of $2,000.
Rapid Growth and Tangible Impact
Since its launch in May 2023, Climatize has already catalyzed nearly $35 million in investments into 11 solar and storage projects across seven states. These projects are projected to avoid emissions equivalent to 65 million vehicle miles, a testament to the platform’s ability to drive real, measurable change.
“The success of Climatize speaks volumes,” Will noted. “Some of our projects have been funded in as little as two hours, demonstrating the strong demand and trust that our investors have in our offerings.”
Aligning Passion with Skill: Will’s Superpower
Will’s journey to founding Climatize is a testament to the power of aligning one’s passion with their skills. He describes his “superpower” as the ability to self-teach and stay on the cutting edge of emerging trends in the renewable energy space.
After the Inflation Reduction Act introduced new tax credit opportunities, Will quickly immersed himself in learning the intricacies of this evolving landscape. “I delved into the renewable energy tax credit space, and within about nine months, it scaled to a $9 billion market,” he shared.
By voraciously consuming information from podcasts, readings, and thought leaders, Will was able to incorporate tax credit transactions into Climatize’s offerings, demonstrating his ability to continuously expand his knowledge and adapt to new developments.
The Future of Renewable Energy Crowdfunding
As Climatize continues to grow, Will has ambitious goals. “My goal is to fund $1 billion per year of renewable energy projects within the next five years,” he stated. “Together with the team at Climatize, we’re building the financial network for climate action that enables anyone to invest in any renewable energy project from anywhere in the world.”
By empowering everyday individuals to become active participants in the renewable energy transition, Climatize is proving that small contributions can lead to significant change. As more people discover the power of crowdfunding in this space, the future of sustainable energy has never been brighter.
If you’re interested in learning more about Climatize and how you can get involved, I encourage you to visit their website at www.climatize.earth. Together, we can build a greener, more sustainable future for all.