Fundraising Fox

Erik Birkerts

CEO at NanoGraf

Chicago, Illinois

Writes $200K – $300K checks · typically $250K

Find your path to Erik

31 people in our graph share verified history with Erik — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.

Graham CareyunlockedErik: together at NanoGraf Corporation (Acquired by Monomyth Materials) (2023–2026)
×7Erik: together at Evergreen Climate Innovations
×4Erik: together at Cranbrook Schools

About

Erik Birkerts is a C-suite executive and board director whose experience includes serving as executive during two IPOs of venture-backed companies. He most recently was Interim CEO and Board Director of NanoGraf Corporation, a silicon anode manufacturer, leading it through its acquisition by Monomyth Materials/M2 Graphite, and previously served as Chief Growth Officer of LanzaJet and CEO of Evergreen Climate Innovations, where the firm invested in 43 early-stage companies. He currently serves as an Independent Director and Audit Committee Chair at Milbank Manufacturing, holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and earned a BA from Tufts University.

CEO at NanoGraf

Intro paths

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In turn, Erik can intro founders to NanoGraf's investors below.

NanoGraf's investors · 6

Earth FoundryChicago · since 2023Emerald Technology Ventures AgZurich · $540K – $5.4M checks · since 2023Energy FoundryChicago · $1M – $5M checks · since 2023Evergreen Climate InnovationsChicago · since 2023Hyde Park AngelsChicago · since 2023Material ImpactBoston · $100K – $10M checks · since 2023

Co-founders at NanoGraf

SMSamir Mayekar
Samir MayekarDirector

Experience

  1. Milbank | Energy at WorkIndependent Board Director, Audit Committee Chaircurrent2016 — presentKansas City Metropolitan Area
  2. NanoGraf Corporation (Acquired by Monomyth Materials)Interim CEO & Board Member2026Chicago, IL
  3. LanzaJetChief Growth Officer2025 — 2026Deerfield, Illinois, United States
  4. LanzaJetVice President, Growth & Execution2024 — 2025Deerfield, IL
  5. Evergreen Climate InnovationsChief Executive Officer2016 — 2023Chicago, Illinois
  6. Evergreen Climate InnovationsExecutive Vice President & COO2013 — 2015
  7. Evergreen Climate InnovationsAdvisor2010 — 2013Greater Chicago Area
  8. Renewance IncBoard Observer2020 — 2023Chicago, IL
  9. NanoGraf CorporationBoard Observer2015 — 2023Chicago, IL
  10. Metrus Energy (Acquired by Energy Capital Partners)Board Member2021 — 2023San Francisco, CA
  11. EGA Advisors LLCPartner2010 — 2013Chicago, IL
  12. Orion Energy Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: OESX)Chief Operating Officer , EVP2008 — 2009Manitowoc, WI
  13. Orion Energy Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: OESX)Vice President, Strategic Initiatives2006 — 2008

Skills & more

Managing Rapid Growth1Start-ups43Business Strategy30Renewable Energy19Entrepreneurship26Venture Capital14Mergers & Acquisitions10Business Development18Energy11Private Equity5Energy Efficiency15New Business Development4
+11 moreProgram ManagementExecutive ManagementFinanceConsultingMarketing StrategyProject FinanceStrategic PartnershipsEconomicsStrategyLeadershipManagement

Languages Latvian

From Erik's professional profile.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Erik Birkerts?
Erik Birkerts is a C-suite executive and board director whose experience includes serving as executive during two IPOs of venture-backed companies. He most recently was Interim CEO and Board Director of NanoGraf Corporation, a silicon anode manufacturer, leading it through its acquisition by Monomyth Materials/M2 Graphite, and previously served as Chief Growth Officer of LanzaJet and CEO of Evergreen Climate Innovations, where the firm invested in 43 early-stage companies. He currently serves as an Independent Director and Audit Committee Chair at Milbank Manufacturing, holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and earned a BA from Tufts University.
Where does Erik Birkerts work?
Erik Birkerts is CEO at NanoGraf.
What check size does Erik Birkerts write?
Erik Birkerts typically writes checks of $200K – $300K.
Where did Erik Birkerts go to school?
Erik Birkerts studied at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business (MBA, Finance); Tufts University (BA, International Relations); Cranbrook Schools.

Same school

Also attended The University of Chicago Booth School of Business949

Prashant ShahPartner at Monta Vista CapitalNoorPartner at Clear VenturesTinaInvestments & Portfolio Services Team Member at Clear VenturesKatrin GeyskensExecutive Director at Capricorn Venture PartnersBill PescatelloInvestor at LightbankGlebFounder and Managing Partner at iTech Capital

+ 943 more

Also attended Tufts University376

Roger KrakoffGeneral Partner at Monta Vista CapitalMatt GersonInvestor at RevolutionAlex MorganInvestor at Khosla VenturesNiko CiminelliInvestor at Khosla VenturesClay BergerInvestor at IVP (Institutional Venture Partners)Kathryn ReddyPrincipal at .406 Ventures

+ 370 more

Also attended Cranbrook Schools13

Colleen CalhounInvestor at BURNT ISLAND VENTURESMeg BrossyGrowth Advisor at Vocap PartnersBelvin LilesVenture Innovation Associate at ID VenturesMatthew GiampetroniPartner at Velvet Sea VenturesAaron GillumSenior Vice President at 50 South CapitalMarcus Uchoa RegueiraInvestor at Terra Firma Capital Partners

+ 7 more

Shared employers

Also worked at NanoGraf Corporation (Acquired by Monomyth Materials)3

Graham CareyInvestment Director - Advanced Materials at Emerald Technology Ventures AgDaniel Nilsson SjolanderPrincipal at New System VenturesConnor HundExecutive Officer at NanoGraf

Also worked at LanzaJet1

Jimmy SamartzisChief Executive Officer at LanzaJet

Also worked at Evergreen Climate Innovations21

Joshua PosamentierManaging Partner and Co-Founder at Congruent VenturesBen RogersVenture Partner at Braemar Energy VenturesAmy FranceticCo-founder and Managing General Partner at Buoyant Ventures Management, LlcJoey BarrickSenior Associate at SJF VenturesMichelle CarrChief Executive Officer at Evergreen Climate InnovationsIan AdamsManaging Director at Evergreen Climate Innovations

+ 15 more