Episoder
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In This Episode
In today’s episode of CleanTechies, we’re joined by Anca Timofte, the CEO and Founder of Holocene, a direct air capture (DAC) company revolutionizing carbon removal through a continuous-loop liquid system. With over a decade of experience in carbon capture—including being one of the first employees at Climeworks—Anca offers unparalleled insight into the challenges and opportunities of building climate solutions.Anca walks us through:
**How Holocene's low-temp carbon capture slashes energy costs with novel organic chemistry.
**Solid vs. liquid DAC: Why Holocene’s approach is a game-changer for scaling carbon removal.
**Holocene's milestones: Securing Google as a customer and advancing major projects.
**Startup lessons: Co-founder alignment, mission-driven hiring, and thriving in Knoxville.
**Why DAC matters: Tackling legacy and ongoing emissions in a decarbonized world.
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Topics:
(time stamps are accurate for the full episode and approximate for the free preview)
**00:00 Intro
**02:51 Understanding Direct Air Capture
**05:54 Business Model and Customer Segments
**08:54 Partnerships and Market Dynamics
**11:48 Scaling and Project Deployment
**15:06 Founding Story and Entrepreneurial Journey
**24:52 Navigating Co-Founder Dynamics
**25:48 Adapting to Political Changes
**27:09 Embracing Uncertainty in Entrepreneurship
**28:30 Bipartisan Support for Carbon Capture
—(Free Version ends here)—
**30:19 Public Perception of Carbon Capture
**32:15 Survival vs. Success in Carbon Capture
**34:01 Building a Team in Knoxville
**39:30 Engaging with the Local Community
**41:07 Hiring Lessons Learned
**43:20 Balancing Parenthood and Entrepreneurship
**45:13 Unexpected Challenges in the Startup Journey
**46:31 Valuing Team Dynamics
**47:26 Resources for Climate Tech Founders
**48:36 Encouragement for Carbon Capture StartupsLinks:
**Anca Timofte | Holocene
**Read the DOE report on direct air capture technologies here.
**Participate in the CleanTechies Listener Survey: Take Survey.
**Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn
**Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn
**Recommended Book: Horizon by Barry Lopez – A lyrical exploration of travel, nature, and climate.This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.
Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Jane Melia is the CEO and Co-Founder of Harvest Thermal, revolutionizing home heating with heat batteries.
Jane’s journey began with a vision to make home electrification both cost-effective and climate-friendly. Harvest Thermal has developed a patented system that combines heat pumps with thermal storage, reducing household emissions by 90% and energy bills by 30%, all while providing unparalleled comfort.
Here’s the kicker: Jane and her team have successfully navigated the challenges of hardware deployment, secured millions in grant funding, and built a business that’s not only scalable but also grid-friendly and future-proof.
With heating and hot water responsible for 10% of global emissions, Harvest Thermal is tackling one of the toughest climate challenges, turning it into a win for homeowners and the planet.
Get the full episode today to hear:
How Harvest Thermal is cutting bills and emissions while keeping homes cozyThe secrets to scaling hardware technology in a competitive marketWhy heat batteries are the key to making electrification affordable and sustainableHow Jane balances product innovation with deployment strategy to drive impact at scaleDon’t miss a moment! If you want to get the full discussion, become a paid subscriber today or redeem your trial upgrade to test it out.
📝 Show Notes:
Topics
02:14 Jane Melia's Background and Journey04:36 Understanding Thermal Storage Technology08:22 Consumer Demand for Home Electrification10:18 Key Ingredients for Success in Home Heating12:41 Differentiators in Customer Experience14:06 Geographic Expansion and Market Strategy18:01 Installer Relationships and Deployment Strategy20:22 Balancing Product Development and Deployment22:17 Building a Strong Team for Growth28:57 Fundraising Strategy and Market Positioning36:01 The Role of Policy in Supporting Innovation40:23 Vision for the Future of Home ElectrificationLinks
Jane Melia | Harvest ThermalConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedInThis podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Manglende episoder?
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Martin Freimüller, the CEO and Co-Founder of Octavia Carbon, a cutting-edge Direct Air Capture (DAC) company based in Kenya
Martin’s journey began with a deep appreciation for Africa’s potential and the realization that Kenya, with its abundant geothermal energy and skilled talent pool, is the perfect location for DAC. In just two and a half years, Octavia Carbon has developed patented technology, grown to a team of 61 (40 of them engineers), and even built Kenya’s first DAC pilot facility.
Here’s the kicker: they’ve managed to secure millions in prepaid carbon revenue to fund their projects — all before raising their $5M seed round. Octavia’s tech pulls CO2 from the air, stores it underground as minerals, and leverages Kenya’s unmatched renewable energy resources to make the process both cost-effective and scalable.
Reliable and affordable carbon removal is critical to the fight against climate change, and Octavia Carbon is showing that emerging markets can lead the charge.
Get the full episode today to hear:
How they got customers to prepay millions for their pilot projectsWhy Kenya is the global sweet spot for DACThe role clean energy and carbon storage play in shaping Africa’s economyWhat makes Direct Air Capture the hardest engineering challenge in the world—and why Octavia is ready to solve it📝 Show Notes:
Topics
02:25 Octavia Carbon05:35 Founding Octavia Carbon09:07 Understanding Direct Air Carbon Capture (DAC)13:24 Kenya: The Ideal Location for DAC14:44 The Climate Tech Scene in Africa21:15 Opportunities in Emerging Markets27:45 Navigating Skepticism in DAC30:35 Cost Advantages of Operating in Emerging Markets35:46 Best Practices for Founders in Emerging Markets38:31 Verifying DACLinks
Martin Freimüller | Octavia CarbonConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedInThis podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
On today’s episode, we’re speaking with Martin Schichtel, the CEO and Founder of Kraftblock, a thermal energy storage solution for industrial clients that use high heat.
Today, they’re delivering their 5th project. All of which have been paid for by their customers — yep, you read that right. They have not used equity to pay for these pilot and demonstration projects.
Their tech takes excess heat or electricity and turns it into heat, stores it in these engineered rocks. When demand is needed, they deliver the power. Reliable and affordable energy storage is the key to the energy transition.
Get the full episode today to hear….
**How they managed to get their customers to pay for their pilots and demonstration projects
**The role consumer demand for cleanly produced products is having on the world
**The importance of validating the idea WITH CUSTOMERS before you build your pilot
**The energy storage landscape globally
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Topics
(time stamps are accurate for the full episode and approximate for the free preview)**00:00 Market Education and Heat Storage Innovations
**03:08 The Journey of Kraft Block and Its Technology
**05:51 Transitioning from Technical to Commercial
**09:12 Understanding the Customer Base and Revenue Models
**11:56 Global Demand for Clean Products
**15:11 The Evolution of Thermal Energy Storage
**18:07 Prototyping and Development Challenges
**20:57 The Current State of Energy Storage Industry
**24:08 Market Conditions Driving Change
**26:52 Sustainability and Waste Management in Technology
**28:44 Innovative Material Development for Energy Storage
**31:59 Validation Principles for Hardware Startups
**35:07 Funding Strategies for Hardware Projects
—(Free Version ends here)—
**39:41 Building Trust in Hardware Industries
**42:30 Navigating Speed to Market in Hardware
**45:22 Climate Tech Trends and Political Influences
**49:58 Future of Energy Storage and Startup Opportunities
**53:52 Underrated Climate Founders and ResourcesLinks
**Martin Schichtel | KRAFTBLOCK
**Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn
**Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn
**William Kamkwamba (the CleanTech OG that Martin would love to have dinner with)This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.
Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Joshua Posamentier is the co-founder and managing partner at Congruent Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund focused exclusively on climate tech. With a background in physics and a career that began in the semiconductor industry, Josh transitioned into climate investing after holding various roles at Intel and Prelude Ventures. Widely regarded as an OG in the climate tech space, Josh has been investing in climate solutions since well before the current wave of interest, making him one of the most experienced voices in the field. His deep technical expertise, combined with over a decade of focused climate investing, has given him a unique perspective on the evolution of the sector from its early clean tech days to today’s thriving climate tech ecosystem. Josh’s experience includes navigating the highs and lows of the market, from the early 2010s downturn in clean tech investing to today’s booming climate sector, providing invaluable insight to founders.
Congruent Ventures is an early-stage climate tech fund based in San Francisco that invests across a wide range of sectors, including energy transition, food and agriculture, urban mobility, and sustainable production. The firm has made over 60 investments in companies that focus on delivering measurable, impactful climate solutions while achieving top-quartile venture returns. Congruent Ventures is known for its hands-on approach, staying actively involved with portfolio companies from seed through later funding stages.
📝 Show Notes:
Topics
00:00 The Journey into Climate Tech Investing10:05 Congruent Ventures19:50 Navigating the Climate Tech Landscape29:47 Challenges of Measuring Impact39:52 Hardware vs. Software & Insights from Semiconductors30:15 Navigating NIMBYism34:37 Investment Strategies39:52 The Future of Energy Demand and Policy45:59 Exciting InnovationsLinks
Joshua Posamentier | Congruent VenturesConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Our reflections and musings as we close out the year...
Topics
01:28 2024's Top CleanTechies Episodes
07:37 Insights
12:49 Reflections on Branding and Storytelling
20:22 Milestones and Achievements in 2024
26:12 Key Lessons for Climate Tech Startups
34:59 Future OutlookSupport the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Julia Kumari Drapkin is the CEO and founder of ISeeChange, a data platform that combines resident-generated insights with AI to address climate adaptation challenges. Julia’s background as a climate science reporter, covering disasters like Hurricane Katrina, inspired her to bridge the gap between people’s lived experiences and actionable climate solutions. Her expertise in storytelling and data-driven insights shapes ISeeChange's people-first approach to building climate resilience.
ISeeChange leverages ground-truth data—stories, photos, and observations—from residents and combines it with sensor, satellite, and proprietary AI models. The platform delivers actionable insights to cities, counties, and utilities, enabling them to prioritize real-time responses and long-term infrastructure design to adapt to 21st-century climate risks. By creating a feedback loop between communities and decision-makers, ISeeChange helps build trust, improve climate outcomes, and unlock the value of previously siloed data.
In this episode, Julia shares insights on:
Ground-Truth Data Integration combining resident observations with existing satellite and sensor data, delivering more granular and actionable insights for managing floods, heat waves, and infrastructure failuresAdaptation Over Politics, evident by how they are growing fastest in Republican-led states, showing that climate impacts are bipartisan and adaptation solutions resonate when framed around local needs like infrastructure protection and economic resilienceAI-Driven data processing, enabling faster prioritization of critical tasks while transforming anecdotal community feedback into validated, actionable intelligence for utilities and governmentsEnjoy!
📝 Show Notes:Topics
03:01 Data-Driven Solutions for Climate Adaptation05:50 The Role of AI in Climate Data12:08 The Importance of Ground Truth Data15:04 Government and Climate Tech: A Complex Relationship17:54 The Future of Climate Adaptation and Mitigation20:48 Challenges and Opportunities in GovTech24:13 Political Resilience in Climate Solutions27:08 Insurance and Climate Risk29:59 Building Community Trust in Climate Data32:47 The Human Element36:07 Feedback Loops and Learning from Mistakes38:59 Sales Cycles and Market Dynamics41:49 Finding Common GroundLinks
Julia Kumari Drapkin | ISeeChangeConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Learn how this carbon capture startup also produces green chemicals AND hydrogen -- how they funded their first demo plant -- their secrets to building a resilient business model -- and what he would advise Trump's admin in order to help keep climate on track while also competing with China.
Listen Time: Full Show 58:31 (no ads) | Free Preview 37:14
On today’s episode, Owen Cadwalader, the COO of Travertine, delivers one of the most value-dense episodes we’ve ever released.
Hear how they are solving the massive sulfur waste problem while also capturing carbon and producing sulfuric acid and hydrogen.
In a short time, they are on track to build their first plant, producing ~100 tons a year near Rochester, NY. They have also navigated the startup landscape masterfully.
There is a lot to learn here.
Some of the discussion topics:
**How to interact with the chemical industry
**How to reframe CO2 emissions as waste
**How to get the Trump admin to back climate
**The sulfate waste landscape
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Topics
(time stamps are accurate for the full episode and approximate for the free preview)
**00:00 Intro
**02:54 Owen's Journey to Tech
**06:08 Travertine’s Tech
**08:53 Multiple Revenue Streams
**12:06 Customer Base and Market Challenges
**14:55 Environmental Impact of Sulfate Waste
**17:47 Navigating the Chemical Industry Landscape
**21:09 Pricing Strategies & Market Competition
**29:22 Identifying Beachhead Markets in Climate Tech
**30:48 Navigating Political Landscapes for Climate Tech—(Free Version ends here)—
**32:13 Building Resilient Climate Tech Businesses
**34:04 On-shoring
**35:59 Global vs Local Impact of Resource Extraction
**36:29 The Future of Carbon Dioxide Removal
**37:52 Focusing on Outcomes Over Technology
**40:43 Funding Strategies for Climate Tech Projects
**43:05 Advocating for Continued Innovation Funding
**45:22 Reframing CO2 as Industrial Waste
**50:00 Lessons from Fundraising in Climate Tech
Links
**Owen Cadwalader | Travertine
**Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn
**Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn
This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Hear the story of how Sila Nanotechnologies has successfully developed, taken to market, and scaled up a new Anode technology for the battery industry. -- Learn the importance of Job Creation in landing funding -- Understand why CleanTech is actually bi-partisan -- and Understand where the puck is going with the battery industry.
Listen Time: Full Show 1:09:26 (no ads) | Free Preview 41:27
On today’s episode, Gleb Yushin, the CTO of Sila Nanotechnologies, pours out the wisdom he has from 14 years working on and scaling up Sila Nanotechnologies to the point where their Anode tech is in millions of batteries around the world.Not many companies reach this scale and even less so among climate companies. The lessons he has for you will benefit you massively.
There are incredibly potent lessons on:
A successful GTM strategy for a battery chemical (Anode in this case) How to fund your small and commercial scale production facilities. Why there will likely be bi-partisan support for clean technology Key lessons on team building and talent acquisition---
🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today (cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe)
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Topics
**00:00 Intro
**02:57 The Journey of Gleb Yushin
**05:49 Founding Sila Nanotechnology
**09:03 The Role of Silicon in Battery Production
**11:53 Scaling Up Production
**15:12 Market Integration and Collaboration
**18:09 Challenges in Manufacturing
**20:51 Future of Battery Technology
**24:03 The Importance of Job Creation
**34:51 Rapid Iteration and Automation in Production
—(Free Version ends here)—
**38:05 Funding Strategies and Equity vs. Debt
**42:08 Government Support and Job Creation in Clean Tech
**45:57 Bipartisan Support for Clean Technology
**51:46 Talent Acquisition and Team Building in Startups
**1:02:10 Challenges and Trends in the Battery Industry
**1:04:32 Startup Opportunities in Battery Recycling and Supply Chain
Links
**Gleb Yushin | Sila Nanotechnologies
**Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn
**Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn
**This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Nate Loewentheil is the founder and managing partner of Commonweal Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on solving America's biggest challenges through entrepreneurship. Nate’s career spans angel investing, politics, and public policy. Previously, he served in the Obama White House, advising President Obama on emerging technologies such as clean energy and broadband expansion. His background includes roles in the Yale Entrepreneurial Society, founding the Roosevelt Institution, and advising startups during his time running venture investments for a family office.
Commonweal Ventures invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies tackling generational challenges such as climate change, competition with China, and an aging population. The firm focuses on startups that leverage government partnerships as a strategic advantage, tapping into resources like national labs, regulatory data, and long-term infrastructure projects.
The firm's investment philosophy distinguishes itself from traditional GovTech by emphasizing the unique ability of government to unlock enterprise value rather than solving it as a "problem to fix." With a bipartisan advisory board that includes former Trump, Bush, Obama, and Clinton administration officials, Common Weal Ventures excels at navigating regulatory landscapes and creating opportunities for impactful innovation.
📝 Show Notes:
Topics
05:54 The Role of Government in Innovation12:07 Investing in Early-Stage Companies14:55 Understanding Political Dynamics in Climate Tech17:52 Preparing for Trump 2.027:19 Shifting Political Economy and Government's Role31:05 Future of Government Involvement in Commercialization32:56 Engaging with Government Agencies35:19 Best Practices for Founders in Government Relations38:08 Investing Dynamics in Climate Tech42:49 Encouraging Generalist Investors in Climate Tech44:15 America's Competitive Edge: Entrepreneurship45:40 Impact of Monopolies on Startups48:04 Political Landscape and Antitrust Dynamics49:51 Looking Ahead: Opportunities in Climate TechLinks
Nate Lowentheil | Commonweal VenturesConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Hear the CEO of Skytree explain how you MUST build for scale to achieve impact in a timely manner -- how O&G have been releasing their captured Co2 for years -- why their biggest investor is a huge Greenhouse Operator -- the importance of co-locating your carbon capture tech with the demand -- his journey into climate -- and a few more hot takes.
Listen Time: Full Show 57:04 (no ads) | Free Preview 41:09
On today’s episode, Rob van Straten, the CEO of Skytree captures our attention with his deep wisdom on how to scale a successful carbon capture technology company.Why you should trust him? He brings a long career of experience building and scaling companies that he parlayed into Skytree where they are currently crushing it with their modular, mass-production capable carbon capture system.
Spoiler alert, you can’t do this successfully if you’re doing it on a project basis - you need to do it with a modular system that you can mass produce (it allows for faster iteration of the design).
Learn:
**How they build their team culture and value young talents
**How Oil & Gas has been catching and releasing carbon for years and how Skytree is now actually solving this problem — also related, why their largest investor is the largest owner/operator of greenhouses in the Netherlands
**Why you MUST set out to achieve scale from day one.
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---Topics
**00:00 Intro
**03:03 Rob’s Journey Into Climate
**05:57 Mentorship & the Next Gen of Entrepreneurs
**09:05 Skytree's Origin and Technology Overview
**15:09 The Future of Carbon Capture: Machines vs. Plants
**28:30 Innovative Approaches to Carbon Capture
**32:45 How They Partner with Greenhouses
**38:23 Scaling Up: Lessons from the Solar Industry
**41:35 Collaboration with Large Emitters
**45:50 The Future of Oil and Energy Transition
**48:03 The Carbon Capture Startup LandscapeLinks
**Rob van Straten | Skytree
**Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn
**Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn
This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Amy Duffuor is a co-founder and General Partner at Azolla Ventures and Managing Director at Prime Impact Fund, Azolla's predecessor vehicle. She has a diverse background that spans immigration research, management consulting, impact investing, and renewables investment banking. Amy began her career studying marginalized West African migrants and later pursued an MPhil in Migration Studies at Oxford University. Transitioning into management consulting, she worked on supply chain and procurement projects in London and Southeast Asia, where she developed a passion for climate change solutions. Her experience running venture accelerator programs in Southeast Asia for impact-driven startups inspired her to focus on early-stage climate tech investing. Prior to Azolla, Amy worked at Bank of America as a renewables investment banker, contributing to projects like the IPO of Sunnova, a leading residential solar company.
Azolla Ventures is a venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage investments in climate technology startups. Their investment strategy emphasizes three key criteria: Impact, Additionality and Commercial Potential. In July 2023, Azolla Ventures announced the final close of their fund at $239 million. This fund blends catalytic, charitable capital with impact-aligned, market-rate capital to drive investment into solutions with deep potential for climate impact that are systemically overlooked by conventional financiers. Amy has even constructed a microcosm of LP signals that they use to understand where investing gaps in the ClimateTech funding ecosystem lie.
In this episode, Amy shares insights on:
Using blended finance to de-risk early-stage climate tech investmentsThe unique challenges and misconceptions in hardware-focused climate startupsEmbedding equity and justice in climate tech venturesEnjoy!
📝 Show Notes:Topics
05:50 The Role of Blended Finance11:51 The Unique Landscape of Hardware Companies15:04 Building Trust with Entrepreneurs17:49 The Importance of Environmental Justice21:01 The Future of Climate Tech Investing28:54 The Art of Simplifying Complex Technologies31:52 Investing Ahead of the Curve39:59 Integrating Equity and Justice44:08 Future AspirationsLinks
Amy Duffuor | Azolla VenturesConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Listen Time: Full Show 38:51 (no ads) | Free Preview 31:19
Today, we are speaking with Shaun Abrahamson from Third Sphere.Third Sphere is a leading ClimateTech investor that also has a debt strategy for high-volume production startups in the hardware space. They have backed companies like ChargeLab, ClimateBase, Gradient, OneWheel, Therma, Revivn, & Wasted (check out the episode we did with Revivn).
This is Shaun’s third time on the pod — if this is your first time hearing him, you’ll understand why because he is very thoughtful.
During NY Climate Week, the Third Sphere team put on a great event titled “Climate Tech Exits.” It was really well beloved by many NY CW attendees.They covered:
**Why exits are so crucial to the success of Climate investing
**The state of climate tech exits
**How it looks compared to tech broadly
**What to learn from the original tech winners like Google & Apple
**What the paths forward might be
**The patterns of successful foundersIn today’s episode, we recap the key points of their event and then dig into Shaun’s advice to founders on how to ensure they are doing things right, in order to see an exit.
We are sure you’ll find it educational.
📝 Show Notes:
Topics:
**0:00 The Importance of Climate Tech Exits
**2:48 Current State of Climate Tech Investments
**6:06 Challenges in the IPO Market
**8:50 Corporate Venture Capital's Role
**12:08 Future Opportunities in Climate Tech
**14:56 The Shift from Mitigation to Adaptation
**18:11 Building Sustainable Business Models
**21:01 Navigating M&A Opportunities
**23:55 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysLinks:
**Shaun Abrahamson | Third Sphere
**Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn
**Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn
**This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
There’s no sugarcoating it…Trump is bad news for ClimateTech — but thankfully, we have interviewed 200+ ClimateTech Entrepreneurs on how to build politically resilient companies — ensuring the future is greener no matter who the president is.
Today, we’re distilling those key lessons for you.
Key risks across / what’s on the chopping block Possible silver linings & some wins Recognizing the reality of the situation Examples of likely downside Choose a new narrative Key advice to startups Better / Faster / Cheaper Bring on Non-Climate Investors Choose the Right Customers Involve CVCsBuild in Climate-Friendly StatesHelp the US Compete with China Recognize Climate is not Everyone’s #1 IssueWe recognize the severity of the situation we are in. But since we are here, we might as well learn from it and continue to do the good work moving forward.
🚨 Also — a huge thank you to our paid subscribers for the questions and inspiration for this episode! Want to be a part of future ones? Upgrade to paid now!
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📺 Watch on YouTubeTopics
00:00 Brief Reactions02:53 Key Implications (What’s at Risk & Upsides?)06:11 Rural vs Urban Perspectives on Climate Issues09:00 Navigating Climate Conversations in a Conservative Context11:51 Opportunities and Risks for Climate Tech Under Trump15:13 Changing how you Market Your Climate Tech Startup 21:52 Strategies for Climate Tech Founders Moving ForwardLinks
Cipher: With Donald Trump victory, here are his energy and climate positionsNature: Big State and Local Wins for Climate and Conservation in the United StatesThe Hill: 18 House Republicans ask Johnson not to target IRA clean energy tax creditsConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Today we are joined by Duncan Logan, CEO & Co-Founder of 9Zero. A community platform to bring climate professionals together in person and online so we can work together to solve the climate crisis.
Duncan previously founded RocketSpace where he saw many tech startups that would go on to become unicorns. Companies like Uber, FlexPort, and Spotify. Having this experience made him realize the importance of creating a hub for people to collaborate and bump into each other.
They are extending this even further by building these hubs in all major climate cities because unlike the 2000’s tech boom, there is no one silicon valley for climate. We need to connect NY, DC, Boston, Houston, London, Berlin, SF, Seattle, and beyond.
Duncan brings a lot of experience and some great stories (like the time he met Elon).
Enjoy!
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Topics
**00:00 The Climate Ecosystem: A Call to Action
**02:01 Duncan Logan: Building Climate Tech Communities
**11:09 9Zero: The Silicon Valley of Climate
**20:14 Connecting Climate Hubs: A Collaborative Approach
**29:45 Navigating Complexity in Climate Tech
**38:50 Leadership in Climate Startups: The Right Team MattersLinks
**Duncan Logan | 9Zero
**Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn
**Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn
**@Silas & @Somil_Agg on XThis podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.
Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Jean-Simon Venne is the co-founder and CTO of BrainBox AI, a pioneering company using artificial intelligence to optimize energy use in buildings. With a background in telecom and deep expertise in building mechanics and computer engineering, Jean-Simon has led BrainBox’s efforts to bring scalable, autonomous HVAC systems to the market. In this episode, Jean-Simon discusses his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of scaling AI in the built environment, and how BrainBox AI leverages deep learning to decarbonize buildings and support grid efficiency.
BrainBox AI is a Montreal-based company that uses artificial intelligence to optimize HVAC systems in commercial buildings, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Having raised $30 million in Series A funding, backed by investors like ABB Technology Ventures and Desjardins Capital, BrainBox is expanding globally with over 700 installations across 20 countries. Its AI-driven solutions address the growing demand for sustainable building management in the real estate sector.
In this episode, Jean-Simon shares insights on:
Using deep learning to optimize building energy consumptionPredicting room temperatures hours ahead to save energyDrawing inspiration from autonomous vehicles for scalable building efficiencyEnjoy!
00:00 Harnessing AI for Building Efficiency03:13 The Journey of an Entrepreneur06:03 Innovating in Climate Tech08:54 The Vision Behind Brainbox AI12:10 Building a Scalable Solution'15:00 Navigating Team Dynamics as a CTO17:50 Balancing Innovation and Core Development21:10 Creating an Ecosystem of Innovation25:27 The Acceleration of AI Innovation29:17 Navigating the Unknown in Technology Development31:59 Understanding AI and Its Value37:31 Challenges in Selling to Property Owners41:49 The Future of Buildings and AI Integration46:03 The Challenges and Excitement of AI Evolution
TopicsLinks
BrainBox AI | Jean-Simon VenneConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Brian Berzin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Thea Energy, a nuclear fusion company aiming to commercialize clean, dispatchable energy. With over 70 years of scientific research from Princeton Plasma Physics Lab, Thea Energy focuses on utilizing a stellarator design for efficient and scalable fusion power. Previously an electrical engineer and venture capitalist, Brian combines his technical and entrepreneurial expertise to lead Thea in developing the next generation of energy solutions, targeting commercial deployment by the 2030s.
Thea Energy is an American fusion power company established in 2022 as a spin-off from the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). The company focuses on advancing fusion energy technology through a novel stellarator approach that utilizes all-planar electromagnetic coils. This method simplifies the design and enhances the precision of magnetic field control, aiming to make fusion energy a viable and sustainable energy source for the future
In this episode, Brian shares insights on:
Advancing fusion energy with simplified, scalable technology.The 70-year journey of fusion research at Princeton Plasma Physics Lab.The future timeline for commercial fusion power plants.Enjoy!
02:10 The Journey of Thea Energy12:47 Brian's Path to Fusion20:53 The Right Time for Fusion24:42 Understanding Nuclear Fusion25:10 Understanding Fusion vs. Fission30:58 The Future of Fusion Energy41:29 Government's Role in Nuclear Energy48:01 Reflections on Climate Week
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Topics:Links:
Brian Berzin | Thea EnergyConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Today, we are speaking with Liz Dennett, the CEO and Founder of Endolith.
Endolith recently spun out of Cemvita to form its own independent company. (Ep #200 with Moji from Cemvita)
By 2050, we will need more copper than in the history of mankind due to the electrification of industry and developing countries. If we don’t solve this, it could lead to geopolitical conflicts.
Their tech uses microbes to eat crushed rocks and poop out copper (I did say explain it to me like I’m 5). They add this to existing mining operations to increase output by ~10%.
This helps us get closer to solving copper demand.
In today’s conversation, we cover
**Copper in electrification
**Her journey to CEO of Endolith
**Why copper could be the thing wars are fought over
**The innovation behind microbial mining
**The balance between generating hype and focusing on scientific advancements
Enjoy!---
🌎 Want the full PodLetter? Go to our substack to see the written content that supplements the audio interview.
---
🌴 https://linktr.ee/cleantechies
📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube
🗣️ Take the Listeners Survey
📫 Get Written Summaries of Each Episode in Your Inbox
🌐 Become a paid Subscriber to get access to the Slack Community
Topics:
**0:00 The Importance of Coppe
**2:49 Liz's Journey to Endolith
**6:06 Microbes and Metal Recovery
**8:49 Deep Tech Startup Challenges
**12:11 Spinning-Out of Endolith from Cemvita
**14:53 The Impact of Copper on Society
**18:04 Geopolitics and Copper
**20:57 Electrification and Global Outcomes
**25:40 Speaking Truth to Power
**28:26 The Complexities of Clean Energy Access
**30:44 Areas to Decarbonize Mining
**32:36 Partnering with Mining Incumbents
**35:55 Balancing Hype and ‘Doing Science’
**40:39 The Role of Politics in Green Mining
**45:11 Recycling & the Future of MineralsLinks:
**Liz Dennett | Endolith
**Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn
**Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn
**@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X
**This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
A while ago, we released a survey to collect people's feedback on NY Climate Week 2024. Well… the results are in! And we are here to recap them.
If you want to know…
What people thought the best events were (and why) As well as the worst… (namedropped… 😬) and why Favorite topics Topics people want to see more next yearWhat everyone’s goal was, and did they achieve it? What people will do differently next yearAnd takeaways from your favorite CleanTechies hostsWe enjoyed making this, and we think you’ll enjoy listening. Let us know how we did!
0:00 Introduction to the NY Climate Week Survey Results1:03 Highlights of Favorite Events2:31 Factors Contributing to Event Success3:53 Least Favorite Events8:08 Key Topics Discussed11:51 Goals of Attendees20:30 Broader Feedback and Suggestions for Improvement23:19 Takeaways
TopicsLinks
Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) -
Arjun Jairaj is an investor at noa, a London-based VC firm focused on early-stage ventures in the built environment across North America and Europe. With experience spanning private equity, startup founding, and advisory roles, Arjun has worked in India, the UK, and beyond, including founding a shared economy startup called Plonk. At noa, he focuses on real estate, construction, energy, and mobility, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and climate technology.
Navigating regional investment differencesThe impact of political landscapes on climate techEmerging opportunities in robotics and decentralized energy systems.
In this episode, Arjun shares insights on:📝 Show Notes:
Topics
00:21 Saul Griffith as Inspiration03:19 Climate Consciousness Growing Up07:33 noa’s Investment Process12:26 Political Shifts in Climate Policy22:45 Regional Differences in Built EnvironmentPaid version starts
32:37 – Contrarian Investing and VCM43:58 – Business Models vs. Deep Tech47:22 – Future OpportunitiesLinks
Arjun Jairaj | noaConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the show
Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!) - Vis mere
