As founder and Chief Executive Officer of Keiki Capital, Dan Lichtenberg ’99 marries his technical and financial expertise with his passion for developing creative solutions to global problems—global warming and climate change, food and water insecurity, income and wealth inequality—and transforming data into actionable intelligence.

At his venture capital firm in Laguna Beach, California, Lichtenberg builds, invests in, and accelerates early-stage climate tech companies that create positive social, environmental, and economic value by providing technological solutions and sustainable business models in the areas of decarbonization, adaptation, and climate risk.

“‘Keiki’ is the Hawaiian word for ‘child,’” Lichtenberg explains. “Our name represents our mission to deliver a better world for future generations.” Keiki’s first fund launched in early 2021 and has invested in over 20 innovative companies building the sustainable future of food, energy, carbon capture, and finance.

Prior to studying architecture and computer science at Columbia University, Lichtenberg says his intellectual curiosity, love of learning, and varied interests were supported at Shipley. He landed his first job on Wall Street as a software engineer and fixed-income trader at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, ultimately developing a unique skill set that he continues to draw on in his current role—whether assisting tech entrepreneurs in designing innovative climate solutions or advising them in capital markets, consumer finance, equity and debt financing, and impact investing.

“It’s really rewarding to put my efforts into initiatives that align with my values,” Lichtenberg says.