Shell Portfolio Company ThinkOnward Empowers Sustainability

Despite having bedded into the energy sector through oil and gas, Shell is forging its path to a greener future with the new climate tech revolution. 

ThinkOnward, a Shell portfolio company, is a climate tech platform that empowers individuals and organisations to set, track and achieve sustainability goals. Its technology helps users adopt eco-friendly habits, reduce carbon footprints and implement green practices by providing tools for planning, monitoring and accountability.

The platform — previously known as Studio X and rebranded to Onward earlier this year before evolving once again — encourages users to take actionable steps towards climate resilience, such as reducing energy consumption, promoting sustainable resource use and supporting renewable energy initiatives. 

ThinkOnward’s technology blazes a way to a more sustainable future

ThinkOnward's approach emphasises continuous improvement in environmental stewardship, aiming to foster a community of climate-conscious individuals committed to making a positive impact on the planet through measurable, sustainable actions.

Headed up by CEO Jeff Allyn, the trailblazing climate tech company is working with energy and climate tech companies alike to showcase how fostering and leveraging digital capabilities can be vital to not only working toward but reaching green goals.

Speaking on ThinkOnward’s previous rebrand earlier this year, Jeff said: “The new identity is inherent to the mission itself: to move Onward toward novel energy solutions and Net Zero goals.

“We eagerly look forward to using our collaborative, innovation platform to achieve rapid, previously unattainable energy solutions for our clients.

“These solutions will only become more accessible, expeditious and impactful.”

In the past year alone, ThinkOnward has made significant strides in advancing energy technology. For instance, the company developed a highly efficient oil slick identification algorithm in a eighth of the time it would typically take an independent customer. 

Additionally, ThinkOnward managed to analyse a complex well dataset in just three weeks — a task that would have taken a traditional energy company a staggering 60 years to complete.

Jeff said: “As CEO, it’s my mission to do whatever it takes to remove the barriers and bring the best teams together to advance energy innovation and navigate the energy transition so that we can achieve a net zero future. 

“No matter how difficult the challenge, there’s nothing that can’t be solved when you bring the right blend of talent, perspectives, experiences and technology together and hold it accountable to a well-executed plan.”

This leans into ThinkOnward’s main mission — accelerating the pace of energy innovation. This approach embodies the idea that progress can not be made alone and that collaboration is key to successfully tackling some of the world’s most pressing climate challenges.

“The best solutions to your challenges are not always found in your organisation but can exist in the collective intelligence of our community of geoscientists and data scientists”, ThinkOnward said.

Meet ThinkOnward’s team of climate tech bright minds

Working alongside Jeff is CFO Shirley Golden, who joined Shell Finance more than a decade ago. She leverages her experience at Shell to ensure the brand puts its best foot forward to help other businesses on their climate journey. 

Also on ThinkOnward’s leadership team:

• Mik Isernia, Head of Sales
• Cristina Mirabal, Head of HR
• Chris Samuel, Head of Engineering
• Nate Suurmeyer, Head of Innovation
• Cliff Vars, Head of Product
• Christine Whatley, Head of Marketing

Alongside this leadership team, ThinkOnward has an advisory made up of five professionals who work closely with ThinkOnward executives across strategy, research and project execution. These figures provide hands-on mentorship to the company’s startup accelerator members and climate challenge project participants. They are:

• Anousheh Ansari, CEO of nonprofit crowdsourcing solution XPRIZE Foundation
• Eric Drummond, CEO and Founder of Innovation Corridor
• Angel investor, analyst and strategic advisor Nils Mellquist
• Noel Kinder, CSO of Nike
• Tina Sharkey, lecturer at USC's Iovine and Young Academy

These executives underpin ThinkOnward’s ongoing work in supplying the energy industry with new solutions, resources and opportunities to approach evolving energy challenges.

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