Vikrum Aiyer is public policy executive and trusted advisor to top technology founders, with 20 years of experience across the White House, venture-backed startups, and civil society. He is recognized for bridging partisan divides, scaling regulatory win in category-defining markets, and shaping policy at the forefront of AI, climate, and innovation.
He is currently the Head of Global Public Policy at Heirloom Carbon, a climate technology company pioneering direct air capture through carbon mineralization. Vikrum leads global efforts to shape policy, unlock investment, and build coalitions that accelerate the carbon removal industry and support high-quality workforce development — all in service of long-term America’s energy security and industrial competitiveness. In this capacity he was appointed to the World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers program, to advance critical energy policy dialogues across the globe, and to help advance the US Energy Dominance agenda.
Vikrum also held senior roles in the U.S. Department of Commerce and the White House National Economic Council, where he helped steward a $3.2 billion budget and coordinated national strategies for intellectual property, manufacturing innovation, and STEM investment.
Later, at the ACLU, he led a bipartisan portfolio of advocacy efforts to protect civil liberties across state and federal arenas, building coalitions that crossed traditional political lines on issues ranging from privacy to artificial intelligence to first amendment protections.
Vikrum has been recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 and the San Francisco Business Times 40 Under 40. And in 2025 he was appointed a Senior Fellow to the University of California at Berkeley’s Center on Law & Business. Given his role helping startups navigate regulatory infl ection points across AI, fusion, gig economy platforms and energy policy he serves as an advisor to the CEO’s of Pano.ai (an AI Hardware company) and Focused Energy (a fusion company).
With a career spanning startup innovation, federal policymaking, and civil society leadership, Vikrum brings a track record of bridging ideologies and industries to help emerging markets thrive — and to help policy work for both business and the public good.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My days tend to be a blend of public policy work, relationship building, and long-term strategic thinking. I spend my mornings reading primary source news and policy updates so I can ground my work in facts rather than noise. Much of the day is dedicated to bridging conversations between government leaders, technologists, and civil society about climate and AI governance. Productivity for me is less about volume and more about clarity: I try to start each day by identifying the two or three decisions or relationships that truly matter and make sure those receive my best energy.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I like to begin with questions rather than assumptions. I test concepts through conversation, especially with people who do not think like me. Once I understand the contours of an idea, I try to anchor it in values and goals that will still matter a decade from now. From there, I work collaboratively—building coalitions, aligning incentives, and ensuring that the people closest to the issue shape the outcomes. Ideas become real when they are trusted, not just when they are clever.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The growing acknowledgment that climate repair and AI governance are deeply interconnected excites me. Both require public trust, accountability, and thoughtful policy design. We’re finally seeing more leaders recognize that technology cannot be separated from ethics or community impact, which opens the door for better long-term decision-making.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I block regular time for uninterrupted thinking and reading. In a world driven by constant alerts and meetings, protecting time to synthesize information helps me make better strategic decisions. I also try to write things down—writing forces clarity.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t rush. Depth compounds. The relationships, habits, and values you invest in early will matter far more than short-term achievements. And when in doubt, choose curiosity over fear.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I believe that doing the right thing is a competitive advantage. Many people assume ethics slow innovation, but I’ve seen again and again that trust, transparency, and community engagement actually unlock opportunity and resilience.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I regularly wake up early and start the day when my inbox is quiet, the streets are quiet, and my ambitions are large. It creates space for reflection, reframes stressful problems, and helps me reconnect with what truly matters.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step away and try to simplify the problem. Talking it through with someone I trust also helps. Often overwhelm is a sign that I’m solving too many problems at once rather than the right one.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I prioritize building trust long before it is needed. By investing in authentic relationships across sectors—government, community, and industry—I’m able to navigate complex challenges more effectively. When difficult issues arise, there is already a foundation of honesty and respect to work from.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Earlier in my career, I sometimes overestimated how quickly large systems could change. When initiatives moved slowly or stalled, I took it personally. Over time, I learned the value of patience, persistence, and coalition‑building. Real change happens when you align incentives, not just arguments.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I’d love to see a neutral, mission‑driven clearinghouse that helps local governments, startups, and communities navigate climate and AI policy together. It would offer standardized guides, legal explainers, and community engagement tools so innovation doesn’t leave people behind.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
ChatGPT.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Recently, I spent around $100 on computer parts for my son and a memory card for my stepson.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The Daily by the NY Times keeps me informed.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I enjoyed revisiting films like Gattaca, which explore ambition, ethics, and human potential. Stories like that help me think about the kind of future we’re building—and who gets included in it.
Key learnings
- Long‑term thinking and trust are essential for climate and AI innovation.
- Relationships and coalition‑building are as important as technical expertise.
- Ethics are not a brake on progress—they can be a strategic advantage.
- Reflection and perspective help leaders make better decisions.