Michael Smith

Michael Smith is a co-founder and General Partner at Regeneration.VC, an early-stage venture fund dedicated to Consumer ClimateTech. He plays a pivotal role in supercharging technical interventions that enable consumer businesses to meet their environmental targets, focusing on investments that align with circular and regenerative principles across design, use, and reuse themes. His firm recently closed Fund II at $150M, demonstrating significant commitment to climate innovation. dld-conference+4

Beyond his role at Regeneration.VC, Michael serves on the boards of several impactful companies, including Neutreeno, Smarter Sorting, and Greyparrot, often joining these boards following investments from his fund. He is also a founding advisor to the Salk Institute's Harnessing Plants Initiative, showcasing his broad engagement across the climate and sustainability ecosystem. dld-conference+3

Michael has a diverse entrepreneurial background, having founded and successfully exited ventures in media and real estate. He launched The Playlist Generation, a leading background music provider, and co-founded Creative Space, a real estate firm specializing in adaptive reuse projects. This experience provided him with a strong foundation in business operations before transitioning to climate-focused investments. dld-conference+3

In 2015, Michael established Ponvalley, a family office dedicated to environmental initiatives, encompassing philanthropy, research, and impact investments. Notably, he convened Shared Mission, an emergency climate summit shortly after the 2016 election, bringing together prominent figures like Al Gore, General Wesley Clark, and leaders from the Department of Energy and Harvard University. eu+2

He is an alumnus of Northwestern University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Media Studies. His educational background complements his career trajectory from media ventures to his current leadership role in climate tech, demonstrating a blend of communication skills and entrepreneurial drive. dld-conference+2