Introducing Topaz Conway, Investment Committee Chair at Climate Tech Partners

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Recently, Juliette, an analyst here at Climate Tech Partners, sat down with Topaz, a trailblazing pioneer with an impressive track record. From launching her first business at 21 to embracing a fully off-grid lifestyle in rural Australia, Topaz’s path has been both adventurous and influential. Here’s a look at the conversation between Topaz and Juliette, covering her insights on entrepreneurship, climate action, and the power of leading by example.

Entrepreneurial Beginnings

Topaz’s journey began with a bold entrepreneurial move—spotting opportunity at a liquidation sale. She purchased equipment at a bargain, launching her own business creating custom rubber stamps. Though humble, this business gave her a foundational experience in entrepreneurship. Within eighteen months, she sold it at a profit, igniting her passion for business. “ I was twenty-one, I thought I can do that. I did not think to be scared. I just saw something opportunistic I could do and did it,” she recalled. From the outset, Topaz was an entrepreneur with a fearless drive.

Pioneering in Bioengineering

Following a start in biomedical research fundraising at the Garvan Institute, Topaz explored venture capital before discovering her true calling in bioengineering. In 2001, in Seattle, Washington, she became CEO of Cytopeia, a bioengineering startup focused on pioneering benchtop cell sorting technology for medical research. With her characteristic tenacity, Topaz led Cytopeia through its early challenges—managing capital raising, product development, manufacturing, and international product launches. Her leadership guided Cytopeia to create a groundbreaking product that drew industry-wide attention, ultimately leading to its acquisition by global medtech leader Becton Dickinson in 2007.

It was in these early years in Seattle that Topaz started her own angel investment journey and began building her portfolio of tech and biotech investments.

Topaz continued her entrepreneurial path, founding a subscription-based wine business in the U.S. two  decades ago. Over three years, she curated global wine selections, offering customers unique regional experiences. She sold this business before returning to Australia.

A Commitment to Climate Action

Today, Topaz leads by example, living fully off-grid in rural Australia with solar power, rainwater systems, and an electric car charged on-site. Her dedication to sustainability is personal and professional—she’s committed to supporting climate tech solutions that tackle the pressing issues faced by rural communities. Inspired early in life by her parents’ respect for resources, Topaz is dedicated to long-term responsibility in addressing climate challenges.

Educating and Empowering Future Innovators

Topaz believes deeply in the power of education to drive positive change. “ We can’t change people by force; we can work to influence them by example,” she emphasizes. Recognizing the challenges facing young people today, she mentors with the goal of instilling proactive optimism over anxiety. In rural communities especially, she’s observed a heightened awareness of environmental shifts, which she sees as fertile ground for climate education.

To foster innovation, in 2012 Topaz co-founded and was Chair of Springboard Enterprises Australia (SBE), launching accelerator programs for female entrepreneurs across various sectors. Through SBE, she has supported over seventy companies, raising $250 million and achieving five exits and two IPOs.

She was recognised by Vogue Australia as a “Gamechanger” in 2018 for her work supporting female entrepreneurs.

Topaz was a Commercialisation Adviser for almost a decade, reviewing over 6000 startups (and advising the best) for Accelerating Commercialisation grants for the Australian Federal government.

Her influence continued as a Non-Executive Director at Cicada Innovations Incubator, Australia’s leading deeptech incubator.  At Investible, she was chair of the Investment Committee of a climate-focused seed-stage VC fund. She has served on multiple Boards including Chair of CleanSpace Technologies (ASX:CSX), Omni Tanker Pty Ltd, Telstra Industry Advisory Board, and Alberta Research & Industry Advisory Council.

As a Professor of Practice at the UNSW Business School and Non-Executive Director at UTS Foundation, Topaz has also shared her expertise in sustainability, helping shape UTS’s forward-looking vision.

Next Steps with Climate Tech Partners

Topaz is excited to join Climate Tech Partners as Chair of the Investment Committee. She views CTP’s collaborative model with corporates and its focus on experts from energy, transport, and industry as a powerful approach to de-risking investments. Her mission is not only to address the impacts of climate change but to drive systemic transformations in energy, agriculture, and heavy industries, contributing to a resilient and sustainable future.

In all she does, Topaz is driven by action, whether launching ventures, mentoring startups, or advising on climate investment. We are thrilled to welcome her to Climate Tech Partners, where her vision and experience will inspire and support the next wave of sustainable innovation.

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