KA

Ken Alston

Investor at Amazon

Seattle, Washington

Overview 

Ken Alston is an Investor at Amazon specializing in Climate tech and Sustainability Venture Capital, with a focus on impact investing and cleantech sectors. He has a strong background in finance, entrepreneurship, and strategic planning, having held roles at notable organizations like Verne, Energy Impact Partners, and the U.S. Department of Energy as a Special Advisor to the Secretary of Energy. Ken Alston's career highlights include serving as a Director and Investment Manager at New Energy Nexus and contributing as an Advisory Council member at organizations like Greentown Labs and RE-volv, showcasing his expertise in the clean energy and sustainability space. His current role at Amazon as a Venture Investor in the Climate Pledge Fund further solidifies his commitment to driving positive environmental impact through strategic investments in innovative companies.

Work Experience 

A

Amazon

  • Venture Investor, Climate Pledge Fund

    2020 - Current

    At Amazon Ken has sourced, led, or contributed to VC investment including Verne (transportation), Ambient Photonics (solar technology), Electra (building materials), and the Elevate Future Fund (venture capital fund). Ken also represents Amazon as the LP advisory representative to the Elevate Future Fund and Closed Loop Partners Infrastructure Fund, and as a board member of the Greentown Labs Industry Leadership Council. He is also an investor with Amazon Catalytic Capital.

Amazon is a tech firm with a focus on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence.

Raised $8,108,000,000.00 from DBS Bank and Mizuho Bank.

amazon.com
V

Verne

  • Investor

    2022

Verne is a hydrogen optimized for heavy transport to maintain existing operations.

verneh2.com
CL

Closed Loop Partners

  • LP Advisory Council

    2022

    Investor, Closed Loop Infrastructure Fund

EI

Energy Impact Partners

  • LP Advisory Council

    2022

    Investor, Elevate Future Fund

Energy Impact Partners is a collaborative strategic investment firm that invests in energy companies.

energyimpactpartners.com
GL

Greentown Labs

  • Industry Leadership Council

    2021

    Formerly Greentown Labs Advisory Board

Greentown Labs is the largest cleantech incubator in the U.S., providing entrepreneurs with the community, facilities + resources they need!

Raised $1,000,000.00 from US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administation, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

greentownlabs.com
R

RE-volv

  • Advisory Council

    2023

RE-volv empowers people and communities to invest collectively in renewable energy.

re-volv.org
NE

New Energy Nexus

  • Director | Investment Manager

    2017 - 2020

    Ken supported the sourcing and funding of more than 50 companies at New Energy Nexus, including PowerFlex Systems (sold to EDF, 2019), Lilac Solutions ($20MM Series A follow-on: Breakthrough Energy Ventures), and Cuberg (Series A: Boeing HorizonX Ventures). He also created an internal startup accelerator program for world’s #1 battery producer LG Chem (KRX: LGCLF), leading to five startups being funded.

New Energy Nexus is an international organization that supports clean energy entrepreneurs with funds.

newenergynexus.com
UD

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

  • Special Advisor (Finance & Investment) to the Secretary of Energy

    2012 - 2016

US Department of Energy is a government administration that regulates energy policy, research, and development.

energy.gov
TW

The White House

  • National Economic Council - White House Internship

    2012 - 2012

Council on Environmental Quality works in the development of environmental policies.

whitehouse.gov

Simbol Materials

  • Strategy/Business Development MBA Intern

    2010 - 2010

Education 

Articles About Ken

Relevant Websites