Hande Ilhan

Hande Ilhan is an engineer-turned-climate-tech entrepreneur and an MBA candidate at Harvard Business School. She is the founder of Kykloris, a climate-tech startup that turns crustacean waste into sustainable biopolymers. By replacing chemicals and petroleum-based materials with natural biopolymers, Kykloris helps reduce food waste, advance circularity, and promote a more sustainable future.

Before Harvard, Hande worked at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), specializing in climate-tech investments. She played a pivotal role in guiding companies across diverse regions toward green innovation and sustainable business practices. Her work in ESG investing reinforced her belief that entrepreneurship is key to solving climate challenges. As a second-time founder, she took this mission into her own hands, launching Kykloris to drive systemic change in the materials industry and accelerate the shift toward sustainable alternatives.

As a Cheng Fellow, Hande is deeply committed to environmental impact. She believes that cutting-edge technology is essential to addressing climate change and is dedicated to advancing sustainable solutions at the intersection of science, business, and environmental responsibility.