On February 19th, Walking Softer hosted our first in-person pitch showcase, highlighting our cohort of young innovators building transformative solutions to our planet’s biggest challenges. Each founder brings a distinct approach to climate solutions - from seaweed packaging and seed-bombs to heat pumps and vertical gardens. As Walking Softer’s first in-person pitch event, the showcase was both a milestone and a reflection of what happens when Changemakers from across the spectrum intersect and collaborate.

My Reflections

“We all care about the environment, that’s our common thread.” - Emma Hudson, Food for Thought 

During a conversation between Emma Hudson (Food for Thought)  and Ananya Chopra (Good Machine), Hudson was asked, “how do you see the diversity of the cohort playing out in real life?” She responded, “We all care about the environment, and that’s our common thread,” emphasizing that even though the founders and projects are vastly different, they have been able to learn from each other and grow together because of what makes them similar- their commitment to climate solutions. 

Her response was simple, but it prompted me to reflect on what this cohort represents and how that is reflected in “real life.” A central theme of the evening was diversity- not just in identity, but in knowledge, work, and technical approaches. “Climate innovation” is often narrowly associated with the technology and energy sectors. But climate solutions and innovation extend far beyond that, and in reality, climate touches every industry. This cohort demonstrated that the climate crisis and its solutions not only intersect but collaborate…or “cross-pollinate,” with every system we rely on, such as food, data, education, government, photography, and infrastructure. Diversity in this context reflects the full spectrum of climate innovation. It shows that true progress and effective solutions require multiple entry points- technical, creative, community-centered, and systemic.