Philip Kwait (’01)

Philip is the founder and CEO of Fellowship Energy, a renewable energy finance company focused on owning and financing renewable energy systems.

Philip spent over a decade covering international markets as Founder of 国际展望 (International Outlook), a China-based financial research firm who published in China’s main national financial media. He lived and worked in over 20 countries during the first decade of the 2000’s when Chinese economic growth outbound expansion was at its pinnacle. Upon returning to the US thereafter, Philip entered private equity focusing on project finance in energy, materials, media, and security.

"As a young person coming from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to UCLA, the diversity and energy I experienced at UCLA was game-changing for me and set me on a course to continuously pursue new experiences, take risks, and strive to grow and create value."

In 2017, Philip founded Fellowship Energy, a renewable energy finance company focused on owning and financing renewable energy systems for faith-based and other tax-exempt properties in the US. Fellowship Energy was awarded the US Department of Energy’s SunShot Award for “Best Nonprofit Solar Program” in the US in 2019, as well as the Interstate Renewable Energy Council's (IREC) 2019 award for “Best Community Shared Renewables Project”. Fellowship Energy’s program has grown to include large municipal and commercial projects throughout the United States.

"My experience with UCLA Ventures is a case study for why anyone would want to participate. One of the first introductions made through the fund was with a fellow alum and member, and has proven to be an invaluable business relationship. Our teams, both composed predominantly of UCLA graduates, have supported one another to grow and realize a market opportunity based on a shared objective."

"We hope to strengthen UCLA Ventures and create a dynamic atmosphere to encourage and provide support for students and graduates with an orientation toward entrepreneurship."