Hi all,
Plug in solar is here! The SUNNY Act legalizes balcony and plug-in solar, and just passed the state assembly after passing the Senate back in April.
It’s NY Tech Week, and while climate definitely isn’t the theme, it’s still a busy week ahead. Scroll down for our picks and the full list.
In some exciting news: we’re throwing our first conference! This summer, join us at Other Intelligence, on the intersection of ecology, technology, and culture. AI dominates the conversation, but other forms of intelligence have always surrounded us. This conference widens that frame by bringing AI into contact with animal communication, plant intelligence, biomaterials, ecological sensing, rights of nature, and new models of the physical world. Register here or pitch a panel!
Here are our picks for the week:
Til next week!
Alec, Sonam, and the Climate Tech Cities team
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Agog: The Immersive Media Institute has just launched its first open call: Climate Futures + Immersive Media. This $1 million open call offers grants of $25,000–$200,000 for innovators, technologists, artists, organizers, researchers, impact-focused organizations, studios, and creative teams with an immersive climate project. Importantly: no extended reality (XR) experience required.
Applications close June 12. https://agog.org/opencall2026
Applications are now open for the Scale Ready Studio brought to you by Women.NYC. This is a free 12-week program for NYC women founders built and led by operators who’ve scaled seven to nine figure businesses. Applications close June 12th. Cohort 2 kicks-off June 24th. Learn more + apply here. (edited)
The Joules Accelerator is a 90-day, equity-free program designed specifically for advanced grid technology startups looking to accelerate their commercial traction. Based in Charlotte, NC, this nonprofit runs a highly curated cohort model for pre-seed through Series A companies, backed by an impressive network of 500+ industry advisors and partners including Duke Energy, Honeywell, Southern Company, and more. Applications are due June 15.
Climate Tech Cities and Streetlife Ventures are launching new platforms to support climate founders, funders, and career transitioners! There is no shortage of great companies raising money for their groundbreaking ideas, great investors looking to support with capital, and great talent living the mantra that every job is a climate job. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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When: Monday, Jun 1
Where: 370 7th Ave 9th floor, New York
SOSV’s HAX Plasma Forge Site Visit offers an exclusive tour of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and the newly constructed HAX Plasma Forge facility in Princeton, NJ. This full-day event showcases a $50M+ partnership between SOSV, Princeton University’s PPPL, and NJEDA dedicated to commercializing plasma technology across fusion energy, semiconductors, advanced materials, and plasma catalysis. Attendees will gain firsthand insights into world-class plasma research infrastructure and emerging startup opportunities in a rapidly advancing sector.
When: Monday, Jun 1
Where: The Globe, New York
This informal networking meetup brings together social impact professionals, climate tech builders, nonprofit leaders, and impact investors during NYC Tech Week to discuss responsible AI adoption across sectors like climate, health, education, and conservation. Rather than traditional panels, the event features structured networking groups organized by interest areas, enabling practitioners, researchers, founders, and funders to collaborate on real-world challenges. Hosted by Angela Ng (Carnegie Mellon’s Director of Business Innovation) and Paulina Muñoz (Do Good Capital author), the gathering emphasizes practical conversations about building technology that serves communities responsibly and sustainably.
When: Monday, Jun 1
Where: Solar One Environmental Education Center at Stuyvesant Cove Park, New York
Solar One’s Climate Kids program offers free, family-focused environmental education sessions held every Monday in June at their Environmental Education Center in Manhattan. This recurring event provides hands-on learning opportunities for children interested in climate and sustainability topics. The program leverages Solar One’s established reputation as an environmental education nonprofit to deliver accessible climate literacy to young audiences in an urban setting.
When: Monday, Jun 1
Where: June, Brooklyn
GrowNYC hosts an exclusive evening at June restaurant bringing together chefs, restaurateurs, and culinary innovators for a farm-to-table networking experience. This Brooklyn-based gathering connects food industry professionals with sustainable agriculture initiatives, offering direct engagement with leaders shaping the future of local food systems. The event combines networking with hands-on exploration of farm-to-industry practices in an intimate restaurant setting.
When: Monday, Jun 1
Where: Morrison & Foerster LLP, New York
The Dual-Use Innovation Exchange brings together defense entrepreneurs, investors, academics, and veterans to explore emerging technologies with applications across defense and commercial sectors. Featuring reverse pitch presentations from industry leaders at L3Harris, Marque Ventures, and NYSERDA, the event focuses on critical technology frontiers including autonomy, advanced materials, and edge intelligence. This curated networking forum offers direct engagement with founders, investors, and technical experts while identifying partnership and investment opportunities in the growing deep tech ecosystem.
When: Monday, Jun 1
Where: One Grand Central Place, New York
This event features a startup pitch competition focused on deep tech and AI innovations, complemented by a panel discussion with experienced investors and executives in the space. Held during #NYTechWeek in Manhattan, it offers direct access to decision-makers and potential funding sources for early-stage companies. The combination of live pitches and investor insights creates valuable networking and learning opportunities for founders, investors, and tech professionals.
When: Tuesday, Jun 2
Where: Remi Flower & Coffee, New York
WRISE NYC hosts a morning Climate & Coffee event at Remi Flower & Coffee in lower Manhattan, providing an informal networking opportunity for professionals interested in climate and sustainability topics. This recurring event series combines casual conversation with environmental awareness, offering an accessible entry point for community engagement without cost. The early morning timing and coffee shop setting create an approachable atmosphere for building connections around climate action.
When: Tuesday, Jun 2
Where: Experis, New York
This panel discussion examines the intersection of AI and climate sustainability, exploring how organizations can leverage AI for environmental benefits while mitigating the technology’s own carbon footprint. Featuring leaders from Climate Change AI, Earthjustice, and Green Project Management, the event addresses critical questions around measuring AI’s climate impact, accounting for data center emissions, and implementing responsible procurement practices. The discussion is part of NY Tech Week and hosted by Women in Cleantech & Sustainability NYC, offering valuable networking opportunities for professionals across the sustainability and technology sectors.
When: Tuesday, Jun 2
Where: New York
This hands-on workshop brings together sustainability professionals and technologists to explore how AI and emerging technologies can solve real-world climate and environmental challenges. Participants will engage in rapid prototyping and experimentation with no/low-code tools, followed by a panel discussion on scaling ideas beyond the prototype stage. The event encourages attendees to bring their own sustainability challenges and collaborate with peers in a limited-capacity setting during NY Tech Week.
When: Tuesday, Jun 2
Where: Glow Cultural Center, Inc., Queens
This in-person event brings together Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to increase awareness of alternative financing options specifically for AAPI small business owners. Hosted by the NYC Department of Small Business Services at Glow Cultural Center in Queens, this free event provides direct access to lenders and financing resources tailored to underserved communities. Attendees will gain actionable insights into funding pathways and have opportunities to connect with financial institutions focused on community development.
When: Tuesday, Jun 2
Where: Another Tomorrow, New York
New Earth Dialogues presents an intimate conversation with Mariam Issoufou, a visionary architect and UN Champion of the Earth Award recipient, exploring how architecture functions as a social practice that weaves together cultural memory, ecological responsibility, and community transformation. The discussion will examine her research-based practice across the Sahel, New York, and Zurich, featuring insights from completed projects like the Hikma Community Complex and Dandaji Regional Market that redefine sustainable design as an act of care and equity. This event brings together design professionals, sustainability advocates, and cultural practitioners for an evening of dialogue at the intersection of heritage, place-based design, and transformative built environments.
When: Wednesday, Jun 3
Where: New York
Bagels > Panels brings together climate-focused investors and robotics innovators for an intimate breakfast discussion on Physical AI and Robotics during NY Tech Week. Hosted by Planeteer Capital at their Union Square headquarters, the event features insights from Sightline’s latest research, interactive reverse panels, and live audience voting on industry hot takes. This monthly series combines substantive climate tech conversations with casual networking over bagels on the roof deck, offering a unique format that balances serious discussion with accessible engagement.
When: Wednesday, Jun 3
This panel brings together founders, investors, and innovators to discuss emerging and established sustainability technologies with real-world impact. Part of the prestigious NYTechWeek event series, it offers direct networking opportunities with key players in the sustainability tech ecosystem. The 90-minute session provides actionable insights into technologies and business models driving positive environmental change.
When: Wednesday, Jun 3
Where: The Bench, New York
The [Climate] Civic Salon is a bi-monthly networking gathering designed to bridge the gap between climate professionals and policy experts working to advance NYC’s climate agenda. This intimate salon format facilitates cross-sector collaboration and identifies overlooked synergies between climate and policy communities. The event addresses a critical need for de-siloing within the climate sector to accelerate policy wins in 2026.
When: Wednesday, Jun 3
Where: New York
The C2V Initiative Year 5 Final Showcase celebrates the culmination of a prestigious carbontech accelerator program, featuring 10 innovative startups demonstrating breakthrough solutions across direct air capture, point-source carbon capture, and carbon-to-value conversion technologies. Attendees will witness live pitches from companies addressing critical climate challenges through diverse approaches including humidity-swing capture, subsurface mineralization, electrochemical systems, and waste-to-graphene conversion. This event offers unparalleled networking opportunities with early-stage climate tech founders, investors, and industry leaders actively shaping the decarbonization economy.
When: Wednesday, Jun 3
Where: Brooklyn
Critical Mass: Volume Five showcases emerging startups from Newlab’s Brooklyn cohort working on cutting-edge technologies in robotics, energy, mobility, and infrastructure. This open house event combines prototype exhibits with food, drinks, and music, offering direct access to founders and innovators shaping the future. As part of #NYTechWeek, the event provides a curated networking opportunity within the broader NYC tech ecosystem during a key industry week.
When: Wednesday, Jun 3
Where: The J.M. Kaplan Fund, New York
This event brings together sustainability professionals and climate advocates to explore practical solutions for combating extreme urban heat, a critical challenge facing cities worldwide. Hosted by the New York Area Sustainability Group at The J.M. Kaplan Fund, the discussion will focus on innovative strategies to mitigate the urban heat island effect. The intimate venue and focused topic provide strong networking opportunities for professionals working in climate adaptation, urban planning, and environmental sustainability.
When: Wednesday, Jun 3
Where: Math For America, New York
EcoRise presents the inaugural Student Innovation Showcase, bringing together the next generation of innovators and environmentalists in New York City. This free event provides a platform for students to showcase their environmental solutions and sustainability projects. The showcase offers valuable networking opportunities with emerging talent and organizations focused on environmental innovation.
When: Wednesday, Jun 3
Where: Steelcase New York, New York
Out in Climate hosts a Pride Month networking happy hour bringing together LGBTQ+ climate professionals and allies in New York. This event combines professional networking with community celebration, offering an opportunity to connect with climate and sustainability leaders while honoring Pride. Steelcase provides the venue and demonstrates corporate commitment to inclusive workplace culture and sustainability initiatives.
When: Wednesday, Jun 3
Where: Brooklyn Winery, Brooklyn
GridMatch is a fast-paced networking mixer designed for professionals across the electric grid ecosystem—including utilities, project developers, and asset managers—to break down silos and collaborate on grid challenges. The event features lightning brainstorm sessions led by industry anchors, rapid-fire problem-solving workshops, and an open networking mixer, all designed to surface cross-sector solutions. Held during NY Tech Week at Brooklyn Winery, this format prioritizes actionable matchmaking and fresh perspectives across the distributed energy resources (DER) space.
When: Wednesday, Jun 3
Where: Online
Climate Tech Night Mixer brings together climate tech founders, investors, builders, and operators for a focused networking event during NY Tech Week. Designed as an intimate gathering rather than a traditional conference, attendees are encouraged to prepare lead magnets to share resources and support within the climate ecosystem. The event emphasizes meaningful connections and peer learning, with the goal of helping participants gain new insights and build relationships with climate stakeholders for future collaboration.
When: Thursday, Jun 4
Where: Pier 57, New York
This panel discussion brings together senior leaders from NYC and NY State agencies, utilities, and infrastructure partners to discuss the operational realities of maintaining critical city systems and the practical applications of AI in urban infrastructure. The event features speakers from Con Edison R&D and other major government and utility organizations, followed by a rooftop networking reception overlooking the Hudson River. Part of #NYTechWeek, this event bridges the gap between government, infrastructure, and the tech ecosystem during a critical period of urban innovation.
When: Thursday, Jun 4
Where: NYU MakerSpace, Brooklyn
SENSE: Sensor Show & Tell is an interactive workshop featuring Josh Lee, a PhD candidate in Urban Systems, presenting an air quality monitoring sensor he developed from scratch. The event combines a technical presentation on sensor design decisions and circuit architecture with a collaborative discussion where participants can examine the circuit and brainstorm improvements. This hands-on gathering is designed for the NYU community at all experience levels, from beginners to experienced hardware designers, offering practical knowledge and networking opportunities within the sensor engineering community.
When: Thursday, Jun 4
Where: The Arts Center at Governors Island (Building 110), New York
A Forest Deconstructed is an outdoor photography exhibition opening on Governors Island featuring Dutch photographer Witho Worms and poet Kai Diata Giovanni, exploring the intersection of climate, nature, and sustainable construction. The site-specific exhibition connects the natural origins of wood to the future of mass timber building, with an opening reception featuring artist conversations and light refreshments. This event is hosted by The New York Climate Exchange and offers free admission, making it an accessible opportunity to engage with climate-conscious art and sustainable materials innovation.
When: Thursday, Jun 4
Where: Brooklyn Army Terminal, Brooklyn
The Climate Scaling Summit brings together climate tech startups with a comprehensive panel of investors, capital allocators, and lenders to explore financing options across the full capital stack—from grants and venture capital to equipment leasing and infrastructure financing. Attendees will hear reverse pitches from 15+ organizations including LACI Cleantech Debt Fund, Wells Fargo, NY Green Bank, and US Green Bank, followed by 1-1 networking sessions. This event is part of LACI’s broader initiative to accelerate commercialization of clean energy innovation in New York, building on their track record of deploying $25M in cleantech pilots over four years.
When: Thursday, Jun 4
Where: Hudson Hall, Jersey City
The Summer Solstice Fundraiser brings together the clean energy community to support Let’s Share the Sun Foundation, which delivers solar and energy storage solutions to underserved communities in Puerto Rico. Hosted by Reneu Energy and partners at Hudson Hall in Jersey City on June 4, 2026, the evening features firsthand accounts from foundation participants and sponsors, combined with networking and food. This event uniquely blends fundraising with community impact storytelling, offering attendees direct engagement with solar energy advocates and mission-driven organizations.
When: Thursday, Jun 4
Where: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn
The Oceanic Global Short Film Festival NYC premiere showcases four award-winning short films exploring humanity’s connection to the ocean across environmental, cultural, and human dimensions. Curated by an international jury including renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle and acclaimed filmmakers, the screening features compelling narratives from Greenland to Tonga, all aligned with the UN Ocean Decade initiative. The evening combines cinematic storytelling with community networking and includes a complimentary cocktail with proceeds supporting ocean conservation programs.
When: Friday, Jun 5
Where: Governors Island, New York
The Billion Oyster Project DEI Committee hosts a screening of “How to Survive a Plague” followed by a facilitated discussion exploring parallels between HIV/AIDS activism and climate action. This event examines how lessons from successful social movements can inform contemporary environmental advocacy and organizational strategies. The evening concludes with light refreshments and a guided creative activity on Governors Island.
When: Friday, Jun 5
Where: Pier 66 at Hudson River Park, New York
Water Stories is a youth film showcase celebrating World Oceans Day through the voices of young NYC filmmakers exploring water, environmental, and climate issues. The event features an immersive “field station” micro-cinema installation within the Hudson River Community Sailing boathouse, participatory poetry activities, and a main film screening with filmmaker Q&A and audience voting. Presented by Here On Earth, NYU Wallerstein Collaborative, and Hudson River Community Sailing, this waterfront evening combines environmental education with creative youth expression in an innovative venue setting.
When: Saturday, Jun 6
Where: New York, NY
Code For Climate is a high-velocity hackathon sprint launching NYC’s climate tech talent during NYTechWeek, bringing together CUNY students, alumni, and technical leaders in AI and Machine Learning. Organized by Mentor Me Collective in partnership with Base44, Givebutter, Thinking About Thinking, and Google Cloud, the event bridges academic research with real-world climate solutions. Participants will architect projects for the city’s green economy alongside elite technical mentors, offering direct access to industry expertise and hands-on deployment experience.
When: Saturday, Jun 6
Where: Chinatown
This 3-hour hackathon challenges participants to build AI-powered solutions for New York City’s urban sustainability challenges, from energy efficiency to climate resilience. Open to all skill levels and backgrounds, teams will present to judges from top universities including CMU, CalTech, Columbia, and Stanford. The event combines hands-on innovation with community building and is part of the broader #NYTechWeek ecosystem initiative.
When: Saturday, Jun 6
Where: The Climate Imaginarium, New York
Weaves of Change celebrates World Ocean Day through an interactive art exhibition and community gathering at The Climate Imaginarium on Governors Island. The event features “For the Love of Seaweed,” an immersive exhibition by interdisciplinary artist Laiyonelth Hurtado exploring seaweed as a climate solution, complemented by a cyanotyping workshop and panel discussion with ocean advocates Hannah Testa and Mark Haver. This unique convergence of art, activism, and education creates an accessible entry point for community members to engage with ocean conservation through creativity and dialogue.
When: Saturday, Jun 6
Where: 245 Varet St, Kings County
This Metacrisis Salon brings together Jeremy Lent, a Guardian-recognized thought leader on civilizational transformation, to present his framework for building an ecocivilization based on nature’s design principles rather than extractive capitalism. The event pairs Lent with a yet-to-be-announced NYC-based practitioner or organizer for a facilitated dialogue exploring concrete, researched approaches to systemic redesign across global economy, housing, and agriculture. Structured as an intimate salon with community dinner and volunteer participation, this event offers deep intellectual engagement on one of our era’s most pressing questions: what viable alternatives exist to our current trajectory toward collapse.
When: Sunday, Jun 7
Where: MITU580, Brooklyn
AFTERMATH is a climate-focused event organized by ChamberQUEER that explores both the impacts of climate change and pathways toward communal, sustainable futures. Held in Brooklyn, this gathering brings together perspectives on climate resilience and collective action. The event offers an opportunity to engage with climate-conscious community members and explore innovative approaches to environmental challenges through a social justice lens.
When: Monday, Jun 8
Where: Hudson Yards, New York
This World Oceans Day roundtable brings together ESG, sustainability, and operations leaders to explore the intersection of ocean health and business strategy. Hosted by Oceanic Global and Clever Carbon in partnership with CDP, the event features recorded insights from Oliver Tanqueray (Head of Ocean at CDP) and facilitates peer-to-peer dialogue on ocean-related business risks and opportunities. Participants will leave with actionable frameworks for integrating ocean impact into corporate decision-making and strategy.
When: Monday, Jun 8
Where: 370 Jay St, Kings County
Andrew Sonta, Assistant Professor at EPFL’s ETHOS Lab, presents research on integrating social and environmental perspectives in building design and operation. This lecture explores how data-driven methods and human-building interaction analysis can advance sustainable built environment practices. The talk bridges engineering, design, and data science to address urban sustainability challenges through a multidisciplinary approach.
When: Monday, Jun 8
Where: 590 Madison Public Atrium, New York
WISE-Lit NYC hosts a book club discussion of Kim Stanley Robinson’s “The Ministry for the Future,” a critically acclaimed climate fiction novel exploring how climate change will reshape society over decades. This event brings together sustainability-focused professionals and enthusiasts for an in-depth conversation about one of the most influential contemporary works on climate futures. The casual format includes optional dinner afterward, fostering networking among WISE members interested in climate action and sustainable innovation.
When: Monday, Jun 8
Where: Crystal Lake Brooklyn, Brooklyn
Newsreel’s News and Brews #0 features environmental journalist Marlowe Starling discussing her Forbes investigation into the coordinated effort to archive federal environmental datasets before they were purged. This phone-free event combines storytelling, investigative journalism insights, and audience engagement around the critical intersection of environmental data preservation and political accountability. The intimate format prioritizes meaningful conversation over digital distraction, offering journalists and environmentally-conscious professionals direct access to a respected reporter covering one of the most urgent stories of 2025.
When: Monday, Jun 8
Where: Skylight Diner, New York
This dinner event brings together professionals interested in climate science and energy engineering for informal discussion and networking at Skylight Diner in Manhattan. The casual dining format with separate checks encourages open dialogue and relationship-building among attendees. The event addresses timely topics in sustainability and clean energy while providing a relaxed setting for professional connection.
