Ryan has over 15 years of experience in investing, operating and consulting roles in the alternative energy and environmental sectors, and is widely recognized as an experienced cleantech investment professional. Ryan has invested in more than 20 energy technology companies at seed, venture and growth equity stages, totaling over $100 million of invested and committed capital. Prior to co- founding Huron River Ventures, Ryan helped establish an energy-focused private equity group within New York-based Ziff Brothers Investments, one of the largest and most successful family office investment firms in the country. There he became part of the core team of investment managers and worked on multiple transactions in sectors including renewables, biofuels, power transmission and advanced materials. Ryan began his career in venture capital working inside DTE Energy’s corporate venture group, where he worked on investments in fuel cells, energy storage, power electronics and waste-to-energy, among others. Ryan also established and executed a seed stage funding program at NextEnergy, where he funded several prominent Michigan-based alternative energy companies, and co-founded a “dot com” web portal for outdoor enthusiasts while in business school. Ryan holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, an M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, and a MBA with Distinction from the Ross School of Business at University of Michigan, where participated in the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise.
Ryan Waddington
Co-Founder and Managing Director, Huron River Ventures
