David Lincoln

David has been a prominent investor in venture and growth equity for 25 years and has founded and led multiple firms investing over $1 billion in energy and clean technology.

Prior to co-founding Activate, David was the founder and Managing Partner of Element Partners, an $860 million series of funds dedicated to a broad range of investments in clean technology. From 1996 to 2005, David was also a Co-Founder and Managing Director of EnerTech Capital, one of the first venture capital firms formed to invest specifically in the deregulation and transition of the global electric markets.

From 1991 to 1996 David served as President and CEO of Deven Resources, Inc., a private equity firm dedicated to the acquisition and development of energy properties; and from 1984 to 1991, David was a partner with CMS Companies, a Philadelphia-based investment, and financial services firm.

David has also been an active participant in helping to shape federal policy for the venture capital and growth equity industry. As a board member of the National Venture Capital Association for four years, David chaired the NVCA Energy & Cleantech Committee and worked with policymakers to promote capital formation for technology companies focused on US energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.

In addition, as the 2014-15 Chair of the NVCA Growth Equity Group, David worked with industry participants, research firms, and policymakers to establish and benchmark Growth Equity as a distinct asset class within private equity.

David holds a BA in Geology (with honors) from Colgate University, an MS in Energy Management and Policy from the University of Pennsylvania, and is active in addressing the Philadelphia public schools’ crisis as an executive committee board member with City Year of Philadelphia.