Jack Baron

Managing Director, Venture For ClimateTech

As a successful entrepreneur, Jack brings unique experience to Venture For ClimateTech, along with a global network of contacts from his more than 17 years in the energy and climate tech industry. Prior to this role, he was Co-Founder and President of Sweetwater Energy, a cellulosic ethanol/sugars company that, in its early years, was part of a NYSERDA clean energy incubator. Under his leadership, the company went on to raise $57M and prove its full-scale production capabilities in Europe. Prior to starting Sweetwater, he co-founded PAETEC, serving as president and chief marketing officer to help take the telecommunications company from launch to $2B in revenues, and through its exit and sale to Windstream.

Jack is an Endeavor Entrepreneur, a prestigious designation that provides access to the global Endeavor network of mentors, partners, and funders. He was part of MIT’s Startup Exchange / STX25 incubator/accelerator program, acted as the former Chairman of the Rochester Angel Network, and was the former President of ETI Technical College. He sits on a number of boards in Rochester — including the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, The Harley School, and OneStream Networks — and has been involved in helping his wife’s organization, Greentopia, become the first designated EcoDistrict in New York State.

In his spare time, Jack plays the guitar and sings in his rock band, Don’t Know Jack. He and his family reside in Rochester on Irondequoit Bay, and are active in outdoor sports, including boating, kayaking, hiking, camping, golf, and skiing.