“I had no intention of actually investing in cleantech, but then …” 

 

Alison Shaw brings her marketing savvy to E8’s Outreach committee. She originally contributed the slightly different perspective of a fledgling angel investor learning how to translate an enthusiasm for cleantech innovations into action. This was a valuable perspective for the Board on how best to help its membership quickly move up the learning curve of a pretty unique investment niche.

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Alison spent over a decade at Microsoft Corporation in a variety of technical, marketing, and senior management positions. Since leaving the corporate world some time ago, she served as the founding Chair of KidsQuest Children’s Museum and drove its inception – her 8 year baptism by fire into the start-up world. 

 

Alison has been an active community volunteer with various non-profit groups, particularly Social Venture Partners and Hopelink, as well as a long-time advocate for quality public schools.

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Alison has an Honours B. Math from the University of Waterloo in Canada and an M.B.A. from the University of British Columbia. Her first cleantech investment was a Tesla Sedan, and she smiles every time she plugs it in or accelerates around a curve.

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“At first I came just to listen. I loved learning each month about new ideas and companies, but I was very passive; I didn’t see myself having the knowledge to invest. Yet the more I listened, the more I understood that real change – in areas that I care about – can happen through angel investing. A game-changing innovation can leap from the lab or drawing board. Jobs can be created. And I have the fun of seeing which ones might make me a profit…who couldn’t help but join in?”