Progress is felt in everyday life: more comfortable homes and hospitality spaces, better insights powered by AI, better-designed materials and products that simply work, for people and for the planet.
Life, Upgraded brings together founders and operators focused on execution. Leaders who have scaled breakthrough solutions through thoughtful product design, strong partnerships, and creative go-to-market strategies.
Sustainable design as foundation for a better life
Llisa Demetrios, Chief Curator, Eames Institute
What can climate founders learn from the legacy of Charles Eames?
A conversation on how enduring products are built: where craft, iteration, and systems thinking create solutions people genuinely want to live with and that are good for the planet.
From breakthrough material to brand adoption
Julia Marsh, Co-Founder & CEO, Sway
Gracie White, Director of Global Ocean Investments at Conservation International Ventures
Sway is redefining plastic alternatives with seaweed-based, high-performance materials already adopted by leading fashion brands. From lab to distribution network, Julia will unpack how Sway aligned science, storytelling, and strategic partnerships to move from innovation to industry integration.
Better climate by design: How building a great business became our climate strategy
Paul Lambert, Co-Founder & CEO, Quilt
Molly Wood, Technology Journalist & Climate Podcast Host
How design-forward heat pumps become a category-defining product. From residential installs to boutique hotel partnerships, Paul shares lessons in distribution strategy, brand positioning, and commercial expansion.
Heat people, not spaces: Rethinking hospitality for efficiency and comfort.
Raj Tilwa, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Focal
Elizabeth DePalmer, Managing Partner of Atomic Workshop Restaurant Group
Focal replaces gas patio heaters with energy-efficient, beautifully designed electric systems that warm people directly, not empty air. A conversation on delivering savings for hospitality leaders, better comfort for employees and guests, and lower emissions for the planet.
When sustainable materials earn consumer trust
Amir Afshar, Co-Founder, Shellworks
Joncarlos Guerra, CEO & Co-Founder, Phil’s
Shellworks is building plastic-free materials designed to disappear safely back into nature, without compromising performance or aesthetics. In conversation with a distribution partner, Amir will explore what it takes for new materials to win shelf space, secure retail trust, and integrate into existing supply chains.
New models, new money: How startups are funding and exiting today
Shaun Abrahamson, Managing Partner, Third Sphere.
Claire Veuthey, Managing Partner, Rizoma
Dane Patterson, Partner, Goodwin
The rules of climate investing are shifting. This conversation explores how founders can extend runway, rethink fundraising, and pursue creative paths to growth and exits beyond the traditional playbook of large venture rounds and IPOs.
Brand building: creating desire from day one
Natalia Kowaleczko, Founder, Pact StudioDanielle LaRoy, Co-Founder, Goodside Studio
A practical, founder-level playbook on how early-stage startups build trust and demand through brand, visual systems, and storytelling.
Closing reflections
Product showcase
Touch, test, and experience the solutions reshaping daily life . from the bedroom to the patio.
Featuring furniture from Eames Institute, seaweed packaging from Sway, electric heaters from Focal, regenerative bedding from Knotted Weaves, recycled textiles from Rhea's Factory, and plastic-free packaging from Shellworks, sustainable 3D-printed boards from Swellcycle.
About your hosts
Veronique Lafargue, Founder of Maison Lafargue and Marketing Advisor
Mark Grozen-Smith, Founder, CEO, Thresh Power
Xooglers in Climate is a community of former and current Googlers united by a shared mission: accelerating climate tech solutions. Part of the 35,000+ member global Xoogler network, the community brings together founders, investors, and operators who are building, scaling, and investing in the future of climate.
Huge thanks to SVB for hosting us for the second year!
Thanks to our sponsors
Goodwin Procter is in the business of building authentic, long-term relationships with our clients, who are some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. Our immersive understanding of these industries, combined with our expertise across high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions, sets us apart.
Iteration One is a media project documenting the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem in real time through founder interviews, startup features, and conversations with builders shaping the future. They're at Life, Upgraded to capture the stories and insights happening in the room, connecting with founders and innovators to tell compelling narratives about how things get built. If you have a story worth sharing, they'd love to connect at the event.
Pilot provides expert bookkeeping, tax, and CFO services tailored to startups and small businesses. Headquartered in San Francisco, Pilot combines U.S.-based finance experts with powerful software to deliver trustworthy financials.
Rizoma Advisors is a specialty investment bank for sustainability companies. We provide specialized M&A advisory services, enabling our clients to capture the strategic value of decarbonization. Our mission is to help scale the businesses that help humanity thrive by delivering results for the people who build and invest in them.
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Life, Upgraded: Climate innovation that improves everyday life. Hosted by Xooglers in Climate. is a free independent taking place on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Silicon Valley Bank, 222 2nd St 17-20 Floors, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA, San Francisco, United States. Attendance is free — register to secure your spot. Currently 199 people have registered out of 199 spots. The event runs for approximately 7 hours.
Join this independent over 7 hours for an engaging session of learning, discussion, and networking with fellow attendees.
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This evening independent is part of the growing events scene in San Francisco. Whether you're based in San Francisco or visiting for the independent, it's a great opportunity to connect with the local community. Browse more upcoming events in San Francisco on Rifio.
Life, Upgraded: Climate innovation that improves everyday life. Hosted by Xooglers in Climate. covers topics including AI, Climate, Tech, SF Climate Week 2026. Find similar events by browsing these topics on Rifio.