Episodes
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Worried about retaining your best employees?
Our guest on this episode is helping you do just that.
Lindsay McGregor is the CEO and Co-Founder of Factor.ai and co-author of the bestselling book "Primed to Perform: How to Build the Highest Performing Cultures Through the Science of Total Motivation."
Lindsay has one of the best track records of working with fast-growing startups like Slack, Grab, and Flexport byhelping them build a high-performance team culture.
Previously, Lindsay led impactful projects at McKinsey, partnering with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, universities, and school systems.
She earned her B.A. from Princeton and her MBA from Harvard Business School.
In Episode 075 of CLIMB by VSC, Lindsay discusses why the 'fun' culture in entrepreneurship isn't working, the importance of measuring your teamâs motivation, and why autonomy could be killing your startup.
Follow us on LinkedIn:Lindsay McGregorâ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaymcgregor/Jay Kapoorâ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaykapoor/VSC Venturesâ https://www.linkedin.com/company/vsc-ventures/
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:47 Meet Lindsay McGregor
00:02:01 3 Frameworks Every Founder Needs to Know
00:03:36 Tactical and Adaptive Balance in Startups
00:08:53 The 6 Key Motivators for Your Startup
00:16:00 The 'Fun' Culture in Entrepreneurship isn't Working
00:23:43 Are You Measuring Your Teamâs Motivation?
00:31:05 Strategy is Ignoring Great Ideas: Slack Founder
00:31:57 Autonomy is Killing Your Startup
00:36:02 No Velocity? Your Startups is Doomed to Fail
00:39:32 Factor.ai is Simplifying Management
00:42:38 Great founders Arenât the Most Charismatic
00:48:28 You Needs this Pit Stop Strategy to build a Great Company
00:53:03 Where can people learn more about Factor.ai? -
The value of water to water security is $4 trillion today and is likely to triple in the next 10 years. [Source: Global Water Intelligence]To put that $12 trillion into perspective, it is higher than the GDP of every other country other than the US and China.Meet Peter Yolles, General Partner at Echo River Capital, a seasoned entrepreneur and strategic investor in early-stage water technology companies.Peter founded WaterSmart Software (acquired by Vertex One), serving 200 water utility customers and reaching over 20 million people.With a joint MBA and MES from Yale and a BA from the University of Colorado, he authored the CREO Syndicate report on water impact investment.Peter continues to advise founders with his deep domain and operational expertise.In Episode 074 of CLIMB by VSC, Peter and host Jay Kapoor analyze the water value chain, the three Ds VCs need to know when investing in water technology, carbon capture, portfolio companies & more.Connect with us on LinkedIn:1. Peter Yolles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolles/2. Jay Kapoor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaykapoor/
00:00:00 Trailer00:00:51 Introduction00:03:23 How your daily water use impacts the global economy00:08:57 The true cost of water mismanagement00:10:29 You're paying 400x more for dangerous water00:15:18 Methane: A hidden climate threat00:18:32 Why are nature-based solutions slower in decarbonization00:23:19 Experience vs Mindset: What makes a successful founder? 00:25:15 What signals a growth mindset in founders?00:26:47 How do you evaluate a founderâs grit?00:32:09 Can investors save tribal water rights?00:35:17 Why curiosity beats fear in business00:37:39 Recruitment mistakes are costing startups
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As many have attested, there's nothing romantic about being a founder.It's about doing what has to be done.And thatâs what makes entrepreneurship difficult.In Episode 073 of CLIMB, Zach Coelius, Managing Partner at Coelius Capital, maintains that being a founder is 10x harder than being a VC.Talking about an investorâs MO, Zach equates being in the stands, drinking a beer, with the same as being a VC and deciding which companies will survive, and which will die.Zach is known for his investments in Angel List, HelloSign, Mercury, and more, but what is lesser known about him is that before investing, Zach sold an ad-tech business to Facebook (now Meta).As if this isn't impressive enough, he also raised $33M for Coelius Capitalâs Fund II, that too in a record 3 weeks!In the latest episode of CLIMB by VSC, Zach and host Jay Kapoor discuss their views on: âą repeat founders versus first-time founders âą how Zach sold his companyâą the journey as an entrepreneur & more.Tune in to the full episode now.Connect with us on LinkedIn: Zach Coelius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachcoelius/Jay Kapoor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaykapoor/Chapters:00:00 Trailer00:47 Zach Coelius Introduction02:07 What does it feel like being an investor?06:00 The three stages of being a founder09:30 What are the common mistakes most founders make?11:11 How do early founders navigate challenges?12:52 Itâs hard for founders to find an authentic circle13:40 How do you evaluate someone with the right mix of learning and conviction?15:31 Which three networks stand out to Zach?17:00 What is it about vertical software that excites you?20:56 What gets you excited about AI?23:10 What is the process of securing a hit deal?24:20 You canât change your pitch every time you change a business.27:48 How to get comfortable with uncertain opportunities?29:25 Are there commonalities across industries?33:21 What are the most common mistakes boards you've worked with make?41:05 Itâs all about timing.42:14 Whatâs the flipside of being a general partner?45:45 Whatâs a piece of advice you give to founders that isn't taken well enough?51:10 Episode Outro
Watch the full video on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/U4NFkF7jCmg
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Ann Bordetsky, partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), joins us in this episode to discuss how AI is creating new business categories and transforming the tech industry.Ann shares her journey through the tech world, her role in supporting startups, and the keys to building successful businesses today. She highlights the importance of understanding market trends and customer needs to innovate and stay ahead.Listen to Ann's unique experiences and get valuable advice for entrepreneurs and investors keen on navigating the evolving landscape of tech with AI.This episode is ideal for anyone curious about technology, startups, and innovation in business.About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in early-stage startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency, VSC.Our fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem.Chapters:1. 0:00 - Introduction and Overview of Category Creation2. 6:09 - The Role of First Movers in Market Evolution3. 12:15 - Attributes of a Successful Category-Creating Founder4. 18:25 - Depth and Vision in Pitching Ideas5. 24:50 - Validating New Categories6. 30:55 - The Impact of AI on Small and Medium Businesses7. 37:05 - Lessons from Mobile Era and Patience in Investing8. 43:43 - Democratizing Creative Tooling with AI9. 49:46 - Supporting Female Founders10. 56:13 - Final Thoughts and Advice for Founders Pitching to Investors
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Join us in this episode as we talk with Jason Shuman, a General Partner at Primary Ventures. Jason shares his journey from selling shoes to becoming a big name in venture capital and we dive deep into how venture capitalists like him support and grow startups.Jason talks about his early days of starting his own business, his experiences, and how he moved into the world of investing. He explains what startups need to do to succeed and how investors can really help them grow.Youâll hear stories from Jasonâs own life, like how driving for Uber helped him make important business connections. He also gives us a peek into his strategies for picking and supporting new companies.This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs, seasoned investors, and anyone interested in the transformative power of venture capital.About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in early-stage startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency, VSC.Our fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem.
Chapters -
0:00 - Intro: Value and Impact of Venture Capital5:05 - The Growth and Influence of New York's Tech Ecosystem10:17 - Leveraging the "X for Y" Investment Framework15:10 - The Strategic Use of AI for Enhancing Small Businesses20:04 - Understanding the Dynamics of SMB Customer Acquisition25:00 - The Role and Impact of Expert Networks in Venture Capital30:44 - Discussing the Distinct Approach of Primaryâs Investment Team35:42 - Insights into the Scale and Incentives in Venture Capital40:16 - The Significance of Being Present and Engaged in Investments45:21 - Practical Advice for Founders on Learning and Networking50:02 - Closing Remarks and Reflections on Venture Capital Practices
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In this episode, we welcome Sunil Paul, a pioneer in ride-sharing and a significant figure in sustainable transportation. Paul, who started Sidecar and influenced the early stages of Getaround, dives into his newest venture, Spring Free EV. With his extensive experience, including his early work as a NASA contractor and AOL's first internet product manager, Paul brings a rich history of innovation and policy analysis.Join us as Sunil Paul shares his journey from a technology policy analyst in Washington D.C. to becoming a cornerstone in the evolution of ride-sharing and electric vehicles. The discussion unpacks the origins and future of Spring Free EV, emphasizing its role in transitioning fleet vehicles from gas to electric through innovative financing models. Paul elaborates on the challenges and potential of electric vehicles in solving the climate crisis, reflecting on how electrification can aid in managing renewable energy sources like solar and wind due to battery storage capabilities.About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in early-stage startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSC.Our fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem.
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We welcome Peter Relan, a seasoned Silicon Valley veteran with a rich 40-year history of entrepreneurship and investment. Renowned for founding the YouWeb Incubator, Relan has been instrumental in the early stages of companies that have become household names, such as Discord. His early engagement with VSC Ventures has been invaluable, and his participation promises a wealth of knowledge and experience.Relan shares the compelling story behind Discord's success, emphasizing the importance of a strong founding team, innovative thinking, and the right investor support. The conversation also turns to Relan's unique approach with YouWeb, where he opts for a deeply involved, personalized mentoring method, distinguishing his work from more conventional, larger-scale incubators. His ability to foresee and act on emerging trends, from digital entertainment to the latest advancements in climate technology, highlights his forward-thinking approach.About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in early-stage startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSC.Our fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds. Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem.
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This week, we host Kate McAndrew, founding partner of Baukunst. We discuss the âart of buildingâ successful startups and VC firms as well as the philosophy and practices that have driven Kate to find and invest in groundbreaking technologies over her venture career.From building and leading a $100 million Fund I to championing innovative business models, Kate shares her journey and insights on taking risks, the importance of art and design in technology, and how to be the perfect board member for transformative companies. If you're curious about what it takes to build the future and create category-defining companies that matter, this conversation is for you. About VSC Ventures: VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in early-stage startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSC.Our fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds. Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem.Chapters00:00:00 Trailer00:00:44 Introduction00:07:21 What's the secret to leading pre-seed rounds successfully00:11:33 How do founders find the right Venture Capital fit00:20:57 Focusing solely on the end goal can lead to failure00:23:29 How do founders stay motivated for goals YEARS AWAY00:33:26 Resume Versus Real Experience: What Matters Most?00:35:40 How an Airbnb executive created a baby formula brand00:41:36 Why some founders succeed without deep industry experience00:45:54 How do Venture Capital Teams handle competition00:49:50 Being too hard on yourself can doom your startup00:53:19 Technology isn't the only answer to climate change
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We're honored to host Sunil Nagaraj, a visionary investor in the intersection of deep tech and climate innovation, and founding partner of Ubiquity Ventures. Nagaraj's unique perspective on "software beyond the screen" and his commitment to supporting early-stage, tech-driven startups are at the forefront of our discussion. We dive into the essence of nurturing technologies with disciplined financing and the strategic scaling of startups to mitigate climate change.
Our conversation spans a variety of topics, from the complexities of venture capital in the climate tech space to the pivotal role of startups in driving substantial change. Sunil shares insights on the importance of focusing on high-impact areas and the potential pitfalls in the startup ecosystem, particularly emphasizing the significance of avoiding the "moonshot culture" that often hinders the progress of deep tech ventures.
About VSC Ventures:
VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in early-stage startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSC.
Our fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.
Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem.
Links discussed in this episode:
Moonshot Culture is Strangling Deeptech article: https://www.ubqt.vc/p/moonshot-culture-is-strangling-deeptech
Ubiquity University: https://university.ubiquity.vc/
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This week, we have the privilege of presenting a discussion from "Consensus in Conversation," hosted by Conor Gaughan, featuring Matt Rogers, CEO of Mill Mills. This episode dives into Matt's impressive journey from his formative years at Apple, where he contributed to the design of groundbreaking products like the iPhone and iPod, to co-founding Nest, and now leading the charge at Mill with a mission to combat food waste through innovative consumer hardware.Matt shares his thoughts on the power of intelligent product design not only to create impactful consumer products but also to address significant environmental challenges. The conversation is a rich exploration of design thinking, sustainability, and making a meaningful impact through entrepreneurship. It's a compelling listen for anyone interested in how thoughtful engineering can contribute to a better world.Youâll gain valuable insights from Matt's experience in building a complete product experience, the critical role of perseverance in entrepreneurship, and the balance between driving purpose and profit. Be sure to tune in next week as CLIMB returns to its regular programming, continuing to explore stories of innovation, resilience, and the journey towards a more sustainable world.
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We are joined by Ian Samuels, founder and managing partner of New System Ventures, a climate tech investment firm dedicated to fostering transformative climate solutions. With a rich background in climate finance, policy, and technology, Ian offers deep insights into the intersection of climate innovation and investment. Our discussion dives into the role of policy in climate tech, the nuances of climate-focused investing, the challenges and opportunities in decarbonizing sectors like transportation, as well as the growth of The conversation also touches on the importance of capital efficiency in climate tech startups and the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on the climate technology landscape. About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in early-stage startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSCOur fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem.
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We have the pleasure of hosting Eric Rosenblum, the Managing Partner at Foothill Ventures. Eric shares his compelling journey from his humble beginnings in a small Ohio town to making significant strides in the tech world, including his time at Google where he embraced the fast-paced culture and learned valuable lessons in building scalable solutions. We dive into Eric's expertise in guiding startups through the complex landscape of deep tech and climate technology, drawing on his vast experiences from Google to launching successful ventures in Shanghai. About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in industrial automation and climate adaptation startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSCOur fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem.
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We are excited to welcome Alex Hall, co-founder and CEO of Concrete AI, a trailblazer in the construction industry's shift towards sustainability. With an innovative generative AI platform, Concrete AI revolutionizes the concrete mix formulation process, significantly reducing time, costs, and carbon emissions for manufacturers and the construction sector. Our discussion with Alex will explore how generative AI is transforming traditional practices and the broader implications for sustainability in construction. We'll also touch on the challenges and opportunities in adopting new technologies within this age-old industry.About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in industrial automation and climate adaptation startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSCOur fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem.
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We're excited to have Rishi Taparia, Twitter friend turned real-life companion and the founder and managing partner of Garuda Ventures. With the recent close of their first institutional fund at $31 million, Garuda Ventures is taking the early-stage startup world by storm, offering not just capital, but invaluable advice and support to entrepreneurs.Rishi shares his journey from banking to venture capital, and then as an operator in growing companies, before making his way back to venture, emphasizing the importance of resilience, relationship-building, and the nuanced understanding of market needs.About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in industrial automation and climate adaptation startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSCOur fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem.
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We sit down with Graham Brown, Managing Partner at Lerer Hippeau Ventures. Brown brings his venture capital expertise to the table, focusing on climate tech innovation. Lerer Hippeau has been the earliest investor in some of the most iconic consumer brands of the last decade, including Casper, Oscar, Buzzfeed, Mirror, Axios, and more. In late 2022, they announced $230M across two new funds. More recently, the fund has been an active investor in the kinds of climate and industrial automation companies we love to discuss on CLIMB.Our conversation covers the detrimental impact of large fund sizes on the early-stage founders they back, the evolving venture scene in New York over the past decade, and what makes climate tech startups succeed in 2024. Brown is now at the helm of one of the most iconic seed funds in our business and this interview had key insights for entrepreneurs and investors navigating the venture market in 2024.About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in industrial automation and climate adaptation startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSCOur fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem
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We are excited to welcome Francesca Whitehead. As a Vice President at Fifth Wall, Francesca brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective on the intersection of property technology (prop tech) and climate innovation.Fifth Wall, known for being the largest venture fund in real estate and prop tech, plays a pivotal role in decarbonizing the built environment, aligning perfectly with Francescaâs passion for impactful climate investing.Francesca shares her journey from growing up in Hong Kong and Vietnam, where the impacts of climate change were a daily reality, to her roles at Goldman Sachs and KKR, where she honed her investment skills with a focus on climate-related projects. She dives into her time at G2VP, a climate tech-focused fund, and discusses her current role at Fifth Wall, highlighting her strategic moves in the climate tech space, especially in Europe.We dive into the significance of heat pumps in reducing home emissions, the challenges and opportunities in carbon accounting, and the evolving landscape of climate tech investing. Francesca's insights into the complexities of the built environment, from materials to construction and building management, shed light on the potential for significant climate impact.This episode is brought to you by VSC Ventures, a leader in supporting and promoting climate startups.About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in industrial automation and climate adaptation startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSCOur fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem
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We sit down with Nate Williams, the founding partner of Union Labs Ventures. This episode dives into the complexities of startup success and the role of sales in ensuring a startup's longevity and growth.Nate Williams begins by discussing common pitfalls in startups, particularly the tendency to over-feature products, which can hinder finding a true Minimum Viable Product (MVP). He emphasizes the importance of focusing on one customer segment and use case, and securing payment for it as a foundation for success.We then explore the problem Union Labs aimed to solve in the venture capital industry. Nate, drawing on his experience as an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) at Kleiner Perkins and a veteran in running successful startups, shares insights into the evolution of venture capital, particularly in deep tech. Union Labs was conceived to assist entrepreneurs from day zero, focusing on two key aspects: de-risking the product-market fit and addressing the crux of product development in deep tech.Closing the episode, Nate offers insights into the broader implications of deep tech investment for venture capital funds and Limited Partners (LPs). He stresses the importance of understanding the unique nature of deep tech, which often involves a higher level of technical risk and requires specialized knowledge and approach from investors.This episode is brought to you by VSC Ventures, a leader in supporting and promoting climate and technology startups. About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in industrial automation and climate adaptation startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSCOur fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem
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We're joined by Micah Kotch, an influential figure in the climate investment arena and a partner at Blackhorn Ventures. Kotch's expertise lies in investing in companies that revolutionize the way we use resources, emphasizing the integration of digital infrastructure to accelerate the energy transition.On this episode, Micah shares his experiences and insights on leveraging artificial intelligence in the fight against climate change. We explore how AI is reshaping various sectors, from energy to construction, and its pivotal role in designing efficient and sustainable solutions. Kotch discusses the importance of foundational data assets and how startups can leverage them for operational improvements and supply chain resilience.He also sheds light on the evolving landscape of micromobility, focusing on how it aligns with urban electrification and its potential to reshape cityscapes. We discuss the challenges and opportunities in this sector, including the emergence of new business models and the impact of regulatory environments on the growth of micromobility solutions.This episode is proudly presented by VSC Ventures, a trailblazer in supporting and promoting climate startups. About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in industrial automation and climate adaptation startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSCOur fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem
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We're joined by Helena Merk, CEO of Streamline Climate. Helena, who started as a coder, now leads the charge in helping startups navigate the tricky world of climate tech funding. What led her from coding to this niche? How do startups succeed in this complex world?Helena shares insights into different grant programs, the importance of building relationships with grant issuers, and the challenges startups face in the grant landscape. Helena also emphasizes Streamline's role in aiding companies to find and apply for appropriate grants. About Streamline Climate:Streamline Climate is an innovative platform designed to assist climate companies in the fast and efficient drafting of proposals, particularly for grants, RFPs, permits, accelerator applications, and awards. The service is geared towards teams looking to maximize their impact in the climate sector, providing a streamlined process for generating and managing documents. Streamline Climate offers a variety of features including templates, AI-driven suggestions for key points in proposals, and tools for building a compelling narrative, all aimed at saving time and enhancing the quality of submissions.About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in industrial automation and climate adaptation startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSCOur fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem
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Sander Dolder, Senior Vice President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), dives into their unique structure and goals. NYCEDC was established in the 1990s to repurpose federal properties turned over to the city, including transforming Times Square and repurposing industrial sites.Dolder discusses NYCEDC's efforts to diversify New York City's economy post-2008 recession, particularly focusing on climate transition and sustainable industries. He shares his journey from management consulting to his current role, driven by a passion for merging environmental justice work with the private sector. The discussion also touches on the challenges and opportunities in public-private partnerships, particularly in the climate technology sector, where local government interaction is crucial. Dolder emphasizes the importance of bridging gaps in ecosystem, workforce development, and infrastructure to facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices and technologies in New York City. This episode is brought to you by VSC Ventures.About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in industrial automation and climate adaptation startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSCOur fund has invested alongside Lowercarbon, NEA, Uncork Capital, Left Lane, Alley Corp, Obvious Ventures, Third Sphere, and other leading early-stage funds.Through our weekly conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share our work with innovative companies like Paintjet, Glacier, Concrete.AI, Presso, â â Ampleâ â , â â Actualâ â , â â Sesame Solarâ â , â â Synopâ â , â and Vibrant Planetâ â in addition to highlighting companies and leading voices across the early stage ecosystem
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