Episodios
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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!) -
¿Faltan episodios?
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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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🌎 Want the full PodLetter? Go to our substack to see the written content that supplements the audio interview.
---
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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!) -
We're joined by Panama Bartholomy, Founder and Executive Director of the Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC).
The rise of building decarbonization policies in the U.S.Why state-level action is crucial, regardless of federal shiftsThe future of heat pumps and electrification in both the U.S. and ChinaHow the BDC is driving neighborhood-scale building decarbonization
We talk about Panama’s background, the journey of creating the BDC, and why heat pumps and electrification are at the heart of decarbonizing buildings.
He shares insights on the challenges of transforming America’s building sector, the importance of state-level action, and the opportunities for public-private partnerships in pushing climate tech forward. We also talk about China, and Panama offers a unique perspective on the role of international collaboration in the race to decarbonize.
Tune in for an in-depth discussion on:Enjoy!
00:27 Panama’s Background and Early Career09:09 Early Challenges in Building Decarbonization12:50 BDC’s Vision and Impact16:17 BDC's Three Vertical Approach: Policy, Market, and Consumer Education21:07 U.S. States Leading the Decarbonization Effort24:41 The Mid-Transition of Building Decarbonization
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🌎 Want the full PodLetter? Go to our substack to see the written content that supplements the audio interview.
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TopicsPaid version starts
30:35 The Incentive Structure and Challenges of Heat Pump Adoption34:20 Panama's Trip to China49:24 Quick Hits: Business Ideas, Resources, and BDC's VisionLinks
Panama Bartholomy | Building Decarbonization CoalitionConnect 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!) -
Bucket List:
Intro to Yair What the F**K is FOAK How to “Do FOAK” How offtake agreements are game-changers & the largest open-source offtake directoryFinding commercialization talent The danger of spinning out deeptech too soonHow founders and investors can break through the noise
- Do a live podcast recording ✅
Thanks to Extantia, one of THE leading ClimateTech funds in Europe, we recorded our first live podcast with Co-Founder, Partner, & LinkedIn Top Voice Yair Reem.
It was FOAKing awesome.
And no, it wasn’t awesome just because we got to do a live podcast, but because so many of you showed up to listen!! Shoutout to all of the CleanTechies that came through; we’re sufficiently motivated to do another 🚀.
No frills this time, the pizazz was in the recording, here’s the info you need:
In today’s recording of our live discussion, you can hear us break-down everything regarding FOAK financing for hardware climate tech startups:While you listen, here’s some links for ya:
Connect with YairFollow ExtantiaCheck out the last episode we did with ExtantiaConnect with Somil & SilasFollow us on LinkedInSubscribe on YouTubeUpgrade to PaidSee y’all at the next CleanTechies Live Podcast Recording ☕️
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!) -
And... don't forget to fill out the post climate week survey! 📝
What events we liked — Third Sphere, Political Risk Event, Climate Capital Summit, New Climate Futures The events we didn’t like — VC hangouts & loud bar meetups Our biggest takeaways — There needs to be better collaboration across events; and the UNGA & NYCW are competing for the best climate talentOur biggest gripes — Too much posturing and getting stuck in echo chambers; too much noise — not enough signal What we are going to do differently next year — hosting more of our own events / attending fewer ones & finding places where the real debates are happening Our hot takes 🔥:FOAK financing isn’t realDealflow isn’t an alpha for VCs anymoreStartups need to pursue generating PE-quality returns to succeed
NYCW 2024 was a DOOZY…filled with plenty of good and crazy times that we equally don’t really remember. It went by in a blur, but so much happened in the week that we need to break it down with all you CleanTechies out there.
Listen to the ep to hear about:👉 AND…last but not least, stay tuned to hear the recording of our first live podcast (coming later this week)…👀
👉 If you’ve made it this far, you must really be interested in a better NYCW experience…fill out the post-Climate Week surveyPost Climate Week Survey
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!) -
Hey Everyone!
We're excited to share two big announcements. 🚨🚨
First, CleanTechies is doing its first-ever live podcast! 🎙️🎊
We are partnering with Extantia, one of THE leading ClimateTech VCs in Europe, to do our first ever live podcast recording. 🎉
When: Wednesday, Sep. 25th @ 4 pm Sharp (be early)Where: Register for addressRegister for 1 of 15 CleanTechies tickets here: https://lu.ma/n8gteqtmSecond, we are hosting a soccer game for CleanTechies ⚽
When: Friday, Sep. 27th @ 5:30 pmWhere: Near Sunset Park in Brooklyn (final location shared if approved)Register here: https://lu.ma/duovm34kWe’re very excited to see you all there 😎!
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!) -
NY Climate Week is ####ing insane — event after event after event.
If you’re not careful, you’ll waste an entire week of work and sleep — and get nothing out of it.
We are here to give you our two cents… or rather, 35 min of advice on how to get the most out of your climate week experience.
This is for you regardless if this is your first or fifth climate week.
We broke it down into:
Before - How to prepDuring - What to keep in mind during the chaosAfter - Mastering the follow-upHave a listen and comment with your advice for all the other CleanTechies.
🚨🚨🚨 ALSO… here is the list of events we’re attending during NYCW. Don’t be a stranger — we’ll be more excited to say hi than you can handle.
Events We're Attending
Good luck out there!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!) -
We’re back with another episode featuring Jonathan, a founder shaking up the battery tech industry!
Jonathan, a UC Berkeley Chemical Engineering grad, spent years in wastewater treatment before realizing the key driver of adoption was economics. In 2017, he and his co-founders, frustrated with their jobs, started their own company after working in thin film membrane industries.
(Psst! This is a free version of the episode. To get the whole enchilada, become a paid subscriber on our substack)
Today they are building Coreshell, a company helping replace the use of Graphite in batteries while also making us less reliant on China, the main global supplier of Graphite.In this episode, we cover:
The lack of true innovation in battery tech over the last 20 years.How luxury EVs focus on range, while China slashes prices.How Coreshell’s tech could reduce reliance on China’s graphite monopoly.The EU’s take on battery recycling vs. US policy.Join us for more insights!
Jonathan Tan | CoreshellConnect 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.
🌴 https://linktr.ee/cleantechies
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🌐 Become a paid Subscriber to get access to the Slack CommunitySupport 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!) -
In this episode, we are joined by Till Stenzel, Partner at SET Ventures, a European venture capital firm that has been in operation in 2007 which makes them one of the first climate VCs out there. They invest $2-$5M in rounds that range from $3-10M at the Series A/A+ stage. SET Ventures focuses on innovative business models and typically like to lead or co-lead rounds. Their investments range over 6 focus areas: distributed energy systems, digital utilities, AI & enabling technologies, built environment, industrial energy management, and mobility & transport.
On a personal note, Till takes us on a fascinating ride through his career, from his early inspiration drawn from Amory Lovins and the Rocky Mountain Institute, to his venture into renewable energy projects across Northern Africa during the early solar boom, and his pivotal role at E.ON, where he navigated their corporate energy strategy towards renewables. In the age old debate of investing in the “now” of tech — tech we already have commercializable vs. investing in the future (i.e. more expensive breakthroughs), Till believes in the now, saying I quote “we don’t really need major science and energy breakthroughs to turn our energy system carbon free.” Mind blowing — listen to the ep to find out why.
He talks about:
How Europe's regulatory environment is shaping the energy transitionThe challenges of scaling EV and grid technologiesWhy the future of freight electrification might be closer than we thinkEnjoy!
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00:00 Introduction01:28 Innovative Business Models 24:45 The Impact of Europe's Regulatory Environment26:39 Challenges Faced by Utilities32:15 The Power of Storytelling and Education
🌎 Want the full PodLetter? Go to our substack to see the written content that supplements the audio interview.
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TopicsPaid Version Starts
35:27 Exit Modeling and Fund Strategy48:57 Looking Forward for SET Ventures50:21 Helpful Resources in Climate TechLinks
Till Stenzel | SET 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 thisSupport 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!) -
This is a masterclass on investing in the future 🌍💰.
Today, we're sitting down with Peter Sofer, Investment Partner at Clean Energy Ventures (CEV). Based in Austin, Texas, Peter tackles investing in the toughest-to-decarbonize sectors. CEV is known for backing companies that could be the only game in town for the long haul, with potential to achieve multi-gigaton greenhouse gas reductions.
Peter’s journey is packed with insights, from his time at the Environmental Defense Fund to leading Clean Energy Ventures' second fund, targeting $305 million in Seed and Series A investments.
This episode dives into an issue not often discussed in detail — the future of climate tech amid political and economic uncertainty. Peter breaks down how the evolving political landscape and macroeconomic factors will influence the availability of non-dilutive funding, and why a company's storytelling is critical for fundraising success.
In this conversation, we explore:
How Clean Energy Ventures chooses companies that are addressing the most challenging sectorsThe potential impact of a new administration on climate tech, especially around the IRA His thoughts on geopolitical tensions, China’s dominance in renewables, and the future of onshoring production---
Clean Energy Ventures' Investment Philosophy Challenges of Hard-to-Decarbonize Sectors Navigating Political and Economic Uncertainty
🌎 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
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TopicsPaid Version Starts Here
Onshoring vs. Global Competition Evaluating Startup SuccessExit Landscape for Climate Tech Startups Empowering the Next Generation of Climate EntrepreneursLinks
Peter Sopher | Clean Energy 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 thisSupport 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’s episode is special to me! When I first learned about ClimateTech, I dreamed of building a Venture Studio in the space. Although I didn’t even know what a Venture Studio was back then, I quickly realized that founder-market fit is crucial for success. While I’m not there yet, I started my own recruitment firm to gain the freedom and impact I wanted in a field with a huge need for affordable services.
Maybe one day, I’ll follow in Ben’s footsteps. But for now, this conversation with Benjamin, who co-founded Ouishare in France and has been building companies ever since, was incredibly fulfilling. We dive deep into his latest venture, Marble, discussing what they do, how their business model works, and how they’re funded. We also explore how to find the right co-founder and the role of policy in advancing ClimateTech.
There’s so much more to uncover, and I’m excited to have him back on one day. Enjoy the show!
Intro Ben's BackgroundWhat They DoFundraising for MarbleChallenges of Building in ClimateFinding a Co-Founder
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🌎 Want the full PodLetter? Go to our substack to see the written content that supplements the audio interview.
---
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Topics—(end of free preview)—
Policy and Regulation in Climate TechKey Opportunity Areas in Climate TechLinks
Benjamin Tincq | MarbleConnect 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!) -
We don’t always have climate philanthropic-learning orgs on, but when we do, it’s always a banger 💥
We're sitting down with Karl Burkart, the Co-Founder and Deputy Director of One Earth. One Earth funds advanced scientific research and technology applications to address the climate crisis at scale across three pillars:
Renewable energy transitionNature conservationRegenerative agricultureKarl's journey is nothing short of fascinating, starting from his early days as an architect focused on sustainable design in the Bay Area and is now leading One Earth.
This episode explores an issue that doesn’t get enough love in climate tech — biodiversity and nature. Right now, the issues are in how biodiversity is measured, valued, and integrated into markets. Karl breaks down how and why biodiversity is becoming an investable space, particularly through monitoring and verifying the health of ecosystems. It’s so promising that Fortune 500s get into this space 💰.
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01:03 Background04:22 From Architecture to Sustainability to Climate Change08:16 Transition to LA10:34 The Role of Media and Content Creation in Climate Change16:09 One Earth and its Three Pillars21:55 The Need for More Funding and Support in Climate Solutions24:22 The Potential Impact of a Change in Administration on Climate Philanthropy27:33 The Role of Philanthropy and Impact Investing in Climate Solutions
🌎 Want the full PodLetter? Go to our substack to see the written content that supplements the audio interview.
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Topics—(end of free preview)—
29:29 Nature Tech x AI37:15 Biodiversity in Climate Solutions(get the full episode by becoming a paid subscriber on our Substack today! https://cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe
Karl Burkart | One EarthConnect 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.
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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!) -
This is a special breakdown of Ample’s strategic playbook and how you can apply it to your hardware climate startup. The full version of this episode is only available to our paid subscribers — soo… if you’re looking for a reason to become a paid sub… here is your chance 😉
John de Souza | Ample Inc.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.
Become a paid subscriber today by clicking here: 👇 https://cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe
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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, our guest is John de Souza. Co-founder of Ample Inc. A startup betting that battery swapping is the future.
If you're at all like me, you're thinking that sounds bat shit crazy. Well, listen to today's episode, and you'll realize it's the opposite. It's the only logical conclusion to EVs.
We can't gloss over this -- John is special. This is his 4th major startup endeavor, and it's clear that it is because he brings a level of maturity and wisdom that very few founders do. He could have ridden off into the sunset, but he decided to stay in the arena because it's what he does.
I guarantee you will learn a lot from John today. I'm not even going to thank you for tuning in today because you're doing yourself a favor by listening to this episode.
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🌎 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(free preview time stamps are slightly different)
03:26 John's Career & Entrepreneurial Origins05:20 The Inspiration for Ample09:06 Battery Swapping13:51 OEM Partnerships16:15 A Universal Battery Module18:38 Integration w/ OEMs & Production Lines22:54 Deployment & Scale23:22 Business Model & Global Expansion24:47 Ample's GTM Strategy: (Partnering with Uber and Commercial Fleets)28:07 Efficiency & Cost Control: In-House Battery & Swapping Station Production
—(end of free preview)—(get the full episode by becoming a paid subscriber on our Substack today! https://cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe
John de Souza | Ample Inc.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.
LinksSupport 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!) -
Drew D’Alelio is an Investor at Connecticut Innovations, the government investing arm of the state of Connecticut, who helps manage and co-founded the state’s $100M climate tech fund. He plays a pivotal role in managing their $100M Climate Tech fund with a triple bottom line of returns, climate mitigation and adaptation, and CT jobs.
His passion for sustainability was sparked by witnessing the impacts of climate change firsthand in Florida, where his family is from. Over the years, he has developed a deep expertise in mobilizing capital for climate solutions, including structuring investments for solar projects at the U.S. Development Finance Corporation.
At Connecticut Innovations, they focus on leveraging the state’s strengths in manufacturing, materials science, and engineering to support early-stage companies that align with Connecticut’s decarbonization goals. Drew’s unique approach to venture capital combines financial acumen with a deep commitment to public service, ensuring that each investment not only generates returns but also fosters innovation and job creation within the state.
We talk about:
**How they manage their triple bottom line: creating jobs, making money, and having a positive impact on the planet
**The complexities in evaluating climate tech investments in infrastructure and second-order effects
**Connecticut's strengths in manufacturing and a tight-knit ecosystem that facilitates quick connections
**Their close collaboration with Yale and UConn to support early-stage climate tech innovation and commercialization
TOPICS:
**03:01 Connecticut's Climate Tech Fund
**07:46 The Triple Bottom Line
**14:35 Facilitating Partnerships
**23:24 University Collaborations
--In the full episode--
**Connecticut's Strengths and Industries
**Engaging with Universities and Startups
**Exciting Sectors: Sustainable Fuels and Carbon Sequestration
**Aviation and Synthetic Hydrocarbons
**Skepticism and Second Order Effects
**42:21 Why Move to Connecticut
LINKS:
**Drew D’Alelio | Connecticut Innovations
**Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn
**Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn
**@Silas & @Somil_Agg on XSupport 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!) - Mostrar más
