About us

Alain Poivet

Architect, Sunplanter Founder & CEO.

Prior to funding Sunplanter Inc, Alain focused on solar energy solutions applied to buildings since 2006 and founded Sunplanter in France in 2009. Working on a 4 year research program, he co-developed and patented a game changing technology.

Alain is a seasoned architect and entrepreneur in the building industry with more than 20 years of architectural experience. Alain co-founded and led Poivet Chameau, a 20-staff architectural firm in Paris/France and completed numerous architectural projects internationally.

Alain graduated with honors from Ecole d'Architecture de Versailles, France.

Stephen Fisher

Engineer, entrepreneur, CEO

Stephen Fisher has over thirty years of experience in the semiconductor industry in the areas of advanced process and equipment development. He has co-founded four companies: SemiQuest Inc.,a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) pad company, Praesagus Inc., A CMP modeling company, Obsidian Inc., A CMP equipment company, And Quester Technology Inc., a chemical vapor deposition equipment company. He has served as the vice president of technology or bnusiness development in all of his companies. He has also worked at Applied Materials as director of copper CMP. His startup companies have created over $270M in combined product value. The companies have been sold to Cadence, Applied Materials, And Canon for a total value of $220M.

Mr. Fisher has published over 20 papers on semiconductor processing, materials, and equipment development.

He has A B.S. Degree In Chemical Engineering from Columbia University.

Mitja-­‐Alexander Linss

Senior marketing advisor

Mitja built a global marketing team for General Compression, a Boston-­based start-­up firm engaged in wind energy storage via compressed air. Previously, Mitja severed in an international marketing capacity with Fortune 500 companies, including Invention Machine, a PLM software company, Brady Corporation, and RSA Security (now part of EMC). Recently, Mitja co-­founded CrossRoads Renewables, a Boston‐based renewable energy advisory firm.

Mitja holds a master in economics and political science from Johannes‐Gutenberg Universität in Mainz/Germany.

Brian Birney

Engineer, Clean Tech Open mentor

Brian is a small business professional with experience in both software/internet services and the construction/building management industries. His expertise lies in developing strategies, analyzing business markets, managing vendor and client relationships, and launching new technology products.

Brian is a licensed contractor and broker, as well as a LEED Associate Professional (BD&C).

Brian received his BS in Mechanical Engineering and his MBA from Stanford University.

Chloé Soroquère

Marketing and Business Development Consultant

Chloé has expertise in marketing, social media and business development strategy and services. She provides support in start-up and/or growth mode while implementing sustainable solutions that lead to competitive advantage and expense reductions.

With over 20 years of experience in consumer banking, financial services, data exchange and consumer internet industries, Chloé held key senior positions with firms such as Wells Fargo, Fleet Bank and ELM Resources.

Chloé has an MBA from San Francisco State University.

Yannick Roux

Tesla Motors Engineer, advisor

Yannick Roux is currently the manufacturing engineering manager for Motor and Gearbox at Tesla Motors. He previously held managerial positions at Renault Automation and FIAT group. Yannick has implemented new manufacturing facilities for electric Vehicle Powertrain Systems, Battery, AC Motor, Transmission, High Efficiency Gas Engine, andAutomotive Final Assembly.

In addition, he has experience in setting up production facilities overseas including insourcing & outsourcing worldwide in Asia, Europe, and America.

Yannick received a Master degree in mechanical engineering from ENSIAME ISIV.

Jason Walters

Market Strategy Consultant

Jason is an expert on solar incentives and market dynamics.  He was responsible for NRG Energy’s and Solar Power Partners’ (SPP) regulatory and governmental affairs in distributed generation markets across multiple states, as well as for SPP’s new market research and solar renewable energy credit contract negotiation.  

Jason also has over 20 years of program management and consulting experience in technology, finance, consumer product and service industries in the US, Europe and Africa.

He holds a Bachelor Degree in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara and a MBA in Marketing and International Management from ESCP Europe (Paris), the world’s oldest business school, rated #1 by the Financial Times in 2010.