Aligning Purpose and Profit in Climate Action with Matt Ward of 4WARD

We’re joined by Matt Ward, Founder and CEO of 4WARD, a global platform connecting climate and sustainability innovators across industries. Matt shares his entrepreneurial journey from e-commerce ventures and manufacturing to purpose-driven work focused on building networks that accelerate climate solutions.

He explains how his drive for impact led to creating 4WARD.earth, a platform that fosters collaboration between startups, investors, researchers, and corporates across 60+ cities. Through this work, Matt challenges conventional thinking around consumption, fulfillment, and the role of community in solving big environmental challenges.  

Key Takeaways:

• (01:34) How Matt left engineering for entrepreneurship after rejecting corporate life.
• (04:07) Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. Follow advice from those ahead of you.
• (08:01) How climate failure and global crisis drive 4WARD’s mission.
• (10:48) Community grows form local to global through shared purpose.
• (14:18) Reusing and shared ownership reduce waste more effectively than recycling alone.
• (17:22) Repurposed EV batteries offer a practical alternative for energy storage.
• (19:29) 4WARD connects sectors to cut carbon and boost impact.

““There is effectiveness to recycling, but even more important is the less you buy, the less the world needs to produce.”
- Matt Ward

Resources Mentioned:

• 4WARD website

Connect with Matt Ward, Founder and CEO of 4WARD

Matt Ward LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwardio/ 
4WARD LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/4wardearth/ 

Connect with Nathan Mersereau:

Phone: 248-645-1520 
Email: nathan.mersereau@planningalt.com
Twitter: @NathanMersereau
LinkedIn: Nathan Mersereau
Address: 255 S Old Woodward, Suite 310
Birmingham, MI 48009