Featured Speakers

As the President and CEO of NGIF Capital, an investment firm that manages cleantech venture funds for natural gas, John Adams leads the organization’s long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies. John is accountable for the organization’s fiscal integrity, is responsible for a team in offices across Canada, reports to a Board of Directors and Investment Committees, and operates its investment fund Cleantech Ventures.

As the Managing Partner of Cleantech Ventures, a $50 million cleantech venture fund for natural gas and hydrogen, John is responsible for the strategic direction and investments from the fund, manages the day-to-day activities of the fund operations, maintains positive relationships with the Limited Partners, and oversees a portfolio of seed and Series A startups. As the President and CEO of NGIF Accelerator, a non-profit subsidiary organization of NGIF Capital and technical accelerator for natural gas, hydrogen and renewable natural gas startups, John is responsible for public and private funding and delivery of its technology and innovation programs the organization operates.John has over 30 years of experience in financing, cleantech, investment, energy, venture capital, and portfolio management. In addition, he holds positions on the following boards:

• Board Member and Audit and Finance Committee Member, non-profit Clean Resource Innovation Network.

• Board Member for Cleantech Ventures portfolio companies Ionada, Lelantos, and CarboNet Nanotechnologies and Board Observer for ThermoLift, and Galatea Technologies.

• Chair and Board Member of Ionomr Innovations.

Previous positions include Board Member and Audit and Finance Committee Member publicly traded Tidewater Renewable Ltd. LCFS (TSE) From July 2021 to April 2024.

Previously, John held executive positions at the Canadian Gas Association, Sustainable Development Technology Canada and senior positions at Mitsui Canada.

John has participated in numerous selection juries, including for the International Gas Union’s Research, Development, and Innovation Committee, Natural Resources Canada, and Emissions Reduction Alberta. 

He obtained his bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Toronto and completed the Berkley Venture Capital Executive Program. John has his ICD.D certification (Institute of Corporate Directors).

He received notable awards, including Canada’s Clean50 in 2022.