Chris Wu
InvestorSenior Associate at Impact Engine
Chicago, Illinois
Writes $50K – $500K checks · typically $250K
About
Chris Wu is a Vice President at Builders Vision, where he invests in companies and fund managers focused on ocean sustainability and the blue economy. Previously, he held a similar role at Impact Engine, a venture capital and private equity firm, specializing in climate technology investments across environmental sustainability, economic opportunity, and health equity. Wu spent a decade as a structural engineering consultant on municipal water infrastructure and green building projects before pursuing other ventures, and holds degrees in civil engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.
Experience
- Builders VisionVice Presidentcurrent2024 — presentChicago, Illinois, United States
- Loyola University ChicagoAdjunct Professor, Impact Investingcurrent2021 — present
- OpenlandsBoard Membercurrent2023 — present
- Impact EngineVice President2022 — 2024
- Impact EngineSenior Associate2020 — 2022
- Impact EngineAssociate2018 — 2020Greater Chicago Area
- Impact EngineMBA Intern2017 — 2018Greater Chicago Area
- On DeckClimate Tech Fellow (ODCT2)2021
- ArcadisProject Control Specialist2016 — 2018Greater Chicago Area
- Great Harvest Bread Co.Owner and Head Baker2013 — 2015Hoffman Estates, IL
- Summer Star Wildlife SanctuaryAssistant Manager2013Boylston, MA
- Robert L. Miller AssociatesSenior Project Engineer2012Rolling Meadows, IL
- A Degree of Freedom Structural EngineerStructural Engineer2010 — 2012Greater New York City Area
- Severud AssociatesSenior Structural Engineer2009 — 2010Greater New York City Area
- Severud AssociatesStructural Engineer2004 — 2009Greater New York City Area
Education
- Northwestern University - Kellogg School of ManagementMaster of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
- Copenhagen Business SchoolRegenerative Sustainability (short exchange)
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignMaster of Science, Structural Engineering
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignBachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
Skills & more
Venture CapitalImpact Investing2Social Impact MeasurementCivil Engineering2Construction1Structural Engineering14
Languages English · Mandarin
- Social Impact Analysis — +Acumen
- Wealth Management - Professional Certificate — New York University SCPS
- Professional Engineer — State of Connecticut
- LEED AP BD+C — Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
From Chris's professional profile.
Colleagues at Impact Engine
Amie Patel
Partner & CEO, Elevar at Impact Engine
Ander Iruretagoyena
Vice President at Impact Engine
Cara Wood
Vice President of Finance and Operations at Impact Engine
Demetrius Palmer
Associate at Impact Engine
Jane DiRenzo Pigott
Managing Director, R3 Group LLC at Impact Engine
Jessica Droste Yagan
Partner and CEO at Impact Engine
Joe Aguilar
Chief Investment Officer, Illinois State Treasury at Impact Engine
Kathy Wanner
Founding Partner, Fairway Capital Management at Impact Engine
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Chris Wu work?
- Chris Wu is Senior Associate at Impact Engine.
- What check size does Chris Wu write?
- Chris Wu typically writes checks of $50K – $500K.
Same school
Also attended Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management558
Jenny LeeSenior Managing Partner at Granite AsiaAndy FligelSenior Managing Director at Intel CapitalDavid Clark GuillermoInvestments at Impact America FundGiuseppe DonvitoPartner at P101 VenturesAntonio TurroniOperating Advisor at P101 VenturesJon TurowVenture Partner at Madrona Venture Group
+ 552 more
Also attended Copenhagen Business School298
LinaInvestor at InvestinorAntonio GrifoniAssociate at P101 VenturesThomas JuvinManaging Director Europe at Burda Principal InvestmentsAlexander KremerPartner at Keen Venture PartnersNicolaj ReffstrupFounder, Ganni at Giant Ventures Global LlpJoe ZhangPartner at TNBAura
+ 292 more
Also attended University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign392
Sundeep PeechuGeneral Partner at Felicis VenturesDeep NisharInvestment Team at General CatalystPrashant ShahPartner at Monta Vista CapitalNoorPartner at Clear VenturesPaul BragielCo-founder at Golden Gate VenturesGreg RudinBoard Partner at Menlo Ventures
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+ 386 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Loyola University Chicago3
Also worked at Impact Engine18
Maayan TeperAssociate at ResilienceVCIsabel GlassChief of Staff & Investor at Cade VenturesKelly CarlquistInvestor at Sandbox IndustriesSteven MillerFounding Partner at Origin VenturesKevin WillerVenture Partner at Chicago VenturesJessica Droste YaganPartner and CEO at Impact Engine
+ 12 more
Also worked at On Deck155
Erik TorenbergGeneral Partner at Andreessen HorowitzLaurenInvestor at MGV.VCSteph ScottVice President at Questa CapitalNick FitzInvestor at Juniper Ventures Management, LlcMichelle KwokPrincipal at Draper AssociatesEric PeterVenture Partner and AI Specialist at Blockchain Builders
+ 149 more
