As a trader at Bear Stearns, I’d dealt with many wealthy clients, but there was something different about one investor, David Gelbaum. He was unassuming, quiet, and intensely private, happy to operate without recognition. But behind the modest exterior was an incredible vision. While most were focused on short term gains, David was thinking about the long term health of the planet. He wasn’t just about numbers; he wanted to make a difference.
Through his Quercus Trust, David became one of the largest investors in early stage green technology companies. I watched him invest heavily in solar energy, biofuels, and other clean tech innovations at a time when many in finance were still sceptical. His approach wasn’t about chasing profits alone, it was about reshaping the future. David was investing in companies that could genuinely address the climate crisis, paving the way for a more sustainable world.
What struck me most, though, was how David lived his values. On trips back to California, I’d see him driving his Toyota Prius, long before hybrid cars were mainstream. He didn’t need a flashy vehicle as a grand display of wealth. His choices were always thoughtful, reflecting his deep commitment to reducing his carbon footprint. This extended beyond his lifestyle to his philanthropic efforts. David wasn’t just writing cheques; he was buying and preserving vast stretches of land, like the 700,000 acres he set aside in the Mojave Desert for conservation. He understood that the planet needed more than just financial investment, it needed care and preservation for future generations.
David’s influence profoundly shaped my career choices. It wasn’t just the business side, although I learned a great deal from him. It was his perspective on how wealth and influence could be harnessed for the greater good. His legacy of investing in green technology and protecting the environment inspired me to align my own career with those values. It’s one of the reasons why I’m focused on supporting green hydrogen now through my company Hyppo Hydrogen Solutions. Like David’s early investments in renewable energy, hydrogen is part of the next wave of solutions that can help decarbonise industries and further the clean energy revolution.
In many ways, David’s ethos continues today with companies like Toyota. Once a pioneer with the Prius, they’re now leading the charge into a new era of planet-friendly vehicles with their fuel cell models, like the Toyota Mirai. Hydrogen fuel cells represent the future, clean, efficient, and scalable….Welsh even! Toyota much like David in his time, is taking bold steps to decarbonise transport and support sustainable energy.
Success isn’t just measured by financial returns but by the lasting impact we leave behind for the world.
#hydrogen #sustainability #greeninvestment #toyota
