James Larsen

CEO, e-Zinc

James has over two decades of business and engineering leadership experience in cleantech and energy, including strategy, operations, finance, design, and engineering. Currently, James is CEO of e-Zinc, a Toronto-based energy storage company with a unique and proprietary long-duration battery technology that economically enables 100% renewable energy solutions. James has successfully raised over $80 million for the company and is responsible for the formation and execution of the company's strategic plan to lead e-Zinc’s commercialization journey.

During his tenure as CEO, e-Zinc has won several elite national and global competitions, including Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada ($1.6 million), Impact Canada’s Charging the Future Challenge ($1 million), and California Energy Commission’s solicitation for non-lithium technologies ($1.6 million). Joining the company in 2018 as only the 6th person on the team, James has grown the company to over 70 people and is now in the process of building out a 50,000 sqft manufacturing facility in Mississauga, Ontario. Based on this momentum, e-Zinc has been named to the Global Cleantech 100, a list of the top 100 most promising cleantech companies in the world, for the last two years in a row.

Prior to e-Zinc, James was Director of Business Development with MaRS' Advanced Energy Centre, leading a new business line focused on the adoption of innovative clean energy technologies. His other experience includes management consulting with Bain & Company to develop strategic solutions for market-leading companies in North America and Europe. James also spent many years as an engineer working in the renewable energy industry with a variety of technologies, including hydrogen fuel cells, as well as micro-hydro and geothermal generation.

James dedicates significant personal time towards his passion for sustainable energy. He is a Director on the Board of Energy Storage Canada and founded Ivey Business School’s Social Impact Conference. James also volunteers as an Advisor with MaRS Discovery District, Canada’s largest innovation hub and startup incubator, providing business advisory to young cleantech companies to help them grow into successful sector leaders.

James holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Queen's University (Honours) and an MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University (Dean's List). James is also a registered Professional Engineer.

James lives in Toronto with his wife, Nina, and two sons, Alexander and Nicholas.

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jamesflarsen www.e-zinc.ca