#225 Solving Sulfur Waste while Capturing Carbon & Producing Sulfuric Acid & Hydrogen w/ Owen Cadwalader (Travertine)

CleanTechies

45:49

In this episode of The Innovators & Investors Podcast hosted by Kristian Marquez, guest Sindhu Joseph, founder and CEO of CogniCor, shares how artificial intelligence is transforming the financial services and wealth management industry. Sindhu discusses the significant wealth disparity she has observed globally and how CogniCor’s AI-powered co-pilot platform empowers financial advisors to scale their services, reaching beyond the traditional 30% of affluent households to potentially 70-80%. By reducing administrative burdens and providing a unified, real-time 360-degree view of client households, CogniCor enables advisors to deliver personalized, data-driven financial advice efficiently. Sindhu also reflects on her 15+ years of experience in AI, her global upbringing across India, Europe, and the US, and how her human-first approach shapes CogniCor’s mission to democratize access to wealth management. The episode explores the future impact of AI on work and society, the importance of domain expertise combined with AI knowledge, and the challenges posed by fragmented legacy systems in financial services. Listeners gain valuable insights into the intersection of AI innovation, fintech disruption, and ethical leadership in building scalable, impactful technology solutions. Whether you’re a financial professional, investor, or tech enthusiast, this episode offers a deep dive into AI’s transformative potential in wealth management and the inspiring journey of a visionary founder driving meaningful change. Learn more about Sindhu's work at https://www.cognicor.com/ Connect with Sindhu on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sindhujoseph/ Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/ Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? Check out his website at https://finstratmgmt.com…

about a year ago 37:14

MP3•Episode home

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

---
🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today (cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe)
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📺 Watch on YouTube
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
**

Support the show

If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less.

70+ Placements
5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech)
The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary)
90-day placement guarantee

It's really hard to say no to that.

Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company.

We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank.

Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com

Chapters

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Owen's Journey to Tech (00:02:54)

3. Travertine’s Tech (00:06:08)

4. Multiple Revenue Streams (00:08:53)

5. Customer Base and Market Challenges (00:12:06)

6. Environmental Impact of Sulfate Waste (00:14:55)

7. Navigating the Chemical Industry Landscape (00:17:47)

8. Pricing Strategies & Market Competition (00:21:09)

9. Identifying Beachhead Markets in Climate Tech (00:29:22)

10. Navigating Political Landscapes for Climate Tech (00:30:48)

256 episodes

#225 Solving Sulfur Waste while Capturing Carbon & Producing Sulfuric Acid & Hydrogen w/ Owen Cadwalader (Travertine)

CleanTechies

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

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

—(Free Version ends here)—

Support the show

If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less.

70+ Placements
5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech)
The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary)
90-day placement guarantee

It's really hard to say no to that.

Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company.

We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank.

Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com

Chapters

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Owen's Journey to Tech (00:02:54)

3. Travertine’s Tech (00:06:08)

4. Multiple Revenue Streams (00:08:53)

5. Customer Base and Market Challenges (00:12:06)

6. Environmental Impact of Sulfate Waste (00:14:55)

7. Navigating the Chemical Industry Landscape (00:17:47)

8. Pricing Strategies & Market Competition (00:21:09)

9. Identifying Beachhead Markets in Climate Tech (00:29:22)

10. Navigating Political Landscapes for Climate Tech (00:30:48)

256 episodes

All episodes

CleanTechies

1
#257 Betting on $2 Trillion in Climate Infrastructure & Lessons from the DOE Loan Programs Office | Brendan Bell (Aligned Climate Capital) 28:35

3 days ago28:35

28:35

What does it take to scale the clean energy transition—both at the bleeding edge of new technology and in the nuts-and-bolts of infrastructure? Today’s episode dives into the nuanced world of climate finance and infrastructure with Brendan Bell , Chief Operating Officer and Partner at Aligned Climate Capital . Unlike most investors who play in either venture or infrastructure, Align straddles both worlds, backing early-stage companies while also owning and operating clean energy assets. Brendan shares his unusual path from the Sierra Club to the U.S. Senate, the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, and now into the private sector. Along the way, he offers candid insights into what makes a strong infrastructure investment, how venture-backed technologies eventually scale into bankable assets, and why understanding both sides of the capital stack is critical to accelerating the clean energy transition. This is a masterclass on the interplay between policy, venture innovation, and hard infrastructure. If you’ve ever wondered how moonshot technologies meet the realities of capital markets and project finance, this conversation will give you the inside view. 📝 Show Notes: Topics 02:43 – Dual Strategy: Venture vs Infrastructure 04:05 – Evaluating Infrastructure Projects 06:06 – Career Journey to Aligned Climate Capital 07:55 – Inside the Loan Programs Office 10:10 – Impact of Early Loans and Technology Bets 12:25 – Evolution of the LPO 15:42 – Lessons from Oil and Gas 22:48 – Current State of Infrastructure Investment 24:40 – Community Solar and Storage 27:55 – Global Trends and Race for Electrons 32:45 – Successful Investment Example 34:32 – Team Structure and Investment Philosophy 39:48 – Policy and International Markets 44:59 – Global Impact on Costs and Adoption Links Brendan Bell | Align Climate Capital 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#256 Soil Health, Carbon Markets & Measuring the Hidden Climate Solution Beneath Our Feet | Chris Tolles (Yard Stick PBC) 56:25

10 days ago56:25

56:25

How can we fight climate change by focusing underground? It turns out one of the biggest untapped climate solutions isn’t in the air—or in the trees, it’s in the soil beneath our feet. Today’s guest has developed a game-changing way to measure and protect soil organic carbon , helping farmers, agribusinesses, and carbon markets work together for climate impact and economic resilience. Our guest is Chris Tolles , Founder & CEO of Yard Stick PBC . Some quotes to hook you: “Soils store way, way more carbon than all the trees and plants and animals combined.” “If you want to sell soil carbon credits, you’ve got to measure soil carbon—accurately and at scale.” “Healthy soils aren’t just about climate—they’re about keeping Cheerios on the shelves.” “Identify the application of your technology that helps someone make money or save money—that’s what all businesses do.” Check Out Our Sponsor! ErthTech Talent – Expert, Affordable CleanTech Search FirmGet the best CleanTech talent without paying absurdly high prices. Affordable: Search fee is 12–15% of first-year base salary (most charge 25–30%). Specialized: ONLY works with CleanTech startups. Proven: 70+ placements since 2020 (Aypa Power, ChargeScape, QCells, & more). Save time and money when you work with ErthTech Talent. Plus, Silas runs it—so you already know him. Reach out and tell him you saw this ad. Show Notes: Topics 05:50 – What Yardstick does and how the tech works 08:07 – Why soil organic carbon matters for climate and food security 09:31 – Is higher soil carbon concentration always better? 09:31 – Yardstick’s two main revenue streams 14:02 – Climate product or economic solution? 17:21 – How big companies will make the change 30:12 – Is framing as a “climate solution” a dead end? 36:45 – Balancing production and soil health 42:16 – Revisiting emissions per calorie in agriculture 49:10 – Messaging Yardstick to different audiences Links - Connect with Somil | Connect with Silas - 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#255 Burning Aluminum is Clean & Replaces Fossil Fuels | Peter Godart (Found Energy) 1:05:19

17 days ago1:05:19

1:05:19

Ever wonder how we are going to decarbonize heavy industry? Well, you won't have to wonder much longer. Today's guest has an incredible solution that is 1) drop in, 2) cost parity (or better), 3) has an existing supply chain, 4) overcomes any scarcity concerns, and 5) prevents users from changing anything they do. Our guest is Peter Godart , the Co-Founder of Found Energy . S ome quotes to hook you: - "We've developed what we call the world's first rechargeable fuel." - "There's really no other technology that can store energy for this long and then be dispatched as easily." - "Aluminum is just one of the best materials we have available to actually burn something." - "If you don't have a green grid, actually exacerbates the issue. At least in the short term, makes things worse." Check Out Our Sponsor! ErthTech Talent : Expert, Affordable CleanTech Search Firm Get the best CleanTech talent without paying absurdly high prices. Affordable : Our search fee is 12-15% of first-year base salary (most charge 25-30%). Specialized : We ONLY work with CleanTech startups. Proven : 70+ placements since 2020 (Aypa Power, ChargeScape , QCells, & more). Save time and money when you work with ErthTech Talent. Plus, Silas runs it, so you already know him. — Reach out and tell him you saw this ad. 📝 Show Notes: Topics 1:04 Core technology & how it works? 4:58 Why is a new fuel source needed for industrial decarb? 13:00 What is "rechargeable fuel"? 19:08 Path to cost parity w/ fossil fuels 20:56 You can use aluminum waste!? 26:24 Targe industries & markets 34:36 How to handle the supply chain? 40:37 Energy density comparison to traditional fuels 50:51 Next milestones for scaling the technology 1:01:50 Timeline for commercial deployment Links - Connect with Somil | Connect with Silas - 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#254 The Path to Cost Parity Between Sustainable Fuels & Fossil Fuels | Conor Madigan, Aether Fuels 56:24

24 days ago56:24

56:24

CleanTech founder Conor Madigan (Aether Fuels) reveals sustainable fuel tech breakthroughs, smart hiring, & building resilient climate startups. Join us as Conor Madigan, Founder and CEO of Aether Fuels, shares how their innovative tech is set to decarbonize aviation and shipping by drastically cutting costs and boosting fuel yield from waste streams. A second-time founder, Conor also unpacks his proven strategies for building high-talent, low-ego teams and fostering constructive tension for optimal results. Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts Memorable Quotes: "The overall result of that is to cut the capex of a plant by about 50%." — Conor Madigan "Until you've built a big network of your own... it's pretty invaluable to have a top-notch recruiter." — Conor Madigan "If you compare an electrified system versus a fired system, you can boost the output by about 20%." — Conor Madigan "I… try to create a constructive sort of tension inside of an organization by pairing together certain personality traits." — Conor Madigan In this episode, we discuss: 00:53 - Introduction to Conor Madigan and Aether Fuels 03:55 - Aether Fuels' core technology and market 05:27 - The innovation: cutting CAPEX and boosting yield 28:00 - The year-long "funnel" to choose the right climate problem 30:59 - Conor's philosophy on team building: high talent, low ego 32:00 - Creating constructive tension in R&D vs. Engineering 38:35 - Why senior hires need to be "player-coaches" at startups 40:30 - Transparent communication during challenging times 46:00 - Policy trends and market drivers for SAF 49:50 - Cost parity expectations for Aether Fuels' product Links Conor Madigan | Aether Fuels 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#253 The Plug-and-Play Battery Solution for Modern Home Energy | Cole Ashman (Pila Energy) 54:55

4 weeks ago54:55

54:55

Today, we're speaking with Cole Ashman , the CEO and founder of Pila Energy . Pila is democratizing access to battery backup systems through industrial-grade, consumer-priced batteries that are simply plug-and-play. No electricians, no permitting, just reliable power. Pila's innovative approach is disrupting the home energy market, from enabling demand response programs to making backup power accessible and affordable for everyone. Listen today to hear how they are reshaping energy reliability and demand response access. Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts Select Quotes From This Episode: "Controlling loads... shutting off your air condition, technically great, but who wants their AC shut off on the hottest day of the year?" "We're able to turn entire apartment complexes into batteries by coordinating up to hundreds of these distributed batteries." [Sponsor] ErthTech Talent: Affordable CleanTech Search Firm To build a successful CleanTech startup, you need the right people. Affordable : Our search fee is 12-15% of first-year base salary (most charge 25-30%). Specialized : We ONLY work with CleanTech startups. Proven : 70+ placements since 2020 ( Aypa Power , ChargeScape , QCells , & more). Save time and money when you work with ErthTech Talent. Plus, Silas runs it, so you already know him. — Reach out today and tell him you saw this ad. Links Cole Ashman | Pila Energy 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#252 The Big Battery Bill: What the OBBB Means for Batteries in America | Eric McShane (Electroflow Technologies) 37:03

5 weeks ago37:03

37:03

In this episode, we talk with Eric McShane, co-founder and CEO of Electroflow Technology (backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures). Eric is on a mission to revolutionize lithium production, a vital battery material. We discuss the "Big Beautiful Bill's" impact on the battery industry and how Electroflow Technology's innovative approach addresses the critical need for domestic lithium production, especially given that "99% of this crucial battery material [LFP] is made in China." Eric shares how their unique process transforms brine into LFP, helping the U.S. become competitive again by "building real stuff" and using abundant low-concentration lithium brine resources. Key Topics: BBB's Impact: The "Big Beautiful Bill's" role in boosting U.S. battery capacity and achieving self-sufficiency in materials like lithium iron phosphate (LFP). Electroflow's Innovation: Details on Electroflow Technology's unique method for transforming brine into LFP and its benefits. Go-to-Market Strategy: Electroflow's plan for market entry and key differentiators. Climate Tech Perspective: Eric's insights on being a climate tech founder and the excitement of "building real stuff." Future Goals: Electroflow Technology's objectives and plans for utilizing U.S. lithium brine resources. Get Involved: How investors and engineers can connect with Electroflow Technology. Support the Show! Upgrade to paid today! It’s $10/month or $100/year. Your support helps us continue to bring you valuable CleanTech insights. Upgrade to Paid Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#251 How to Fix a Quarter Trillion Solar Assets at Scale | Nikhil Vadhavkar (Raptor Maps) 27:28

6 weeks ago27:28

27:28

In this episode, we sit down with Nikhil Vadhavkar , co-founder and CEO of Raptor Maps , to uncover how the company is tackling the invisible crisis in clean energy: operational inefficiency across $250B+ worth of solar assets. Nikhil explains why the solar industry’s problems aren’t just about building more — they’re about getting the existing infrastructure to perform. From labor shortages to rising insurance costs, from underperforming fields to unscalable maintenance methods, Raptor Maps is turning traditional solar operations on its head. Their secret? A software platform built on digital twins, computer vision, and robotics that lets field techs do more of what matters. You'll hear how Raptor Maps found product-market fit by replacing the most dangerous and manual tasks on solar farms with drone- and robot-driven workflows, and how that foundation has evolved into an AI-ready platform used across tens of gigawatts of global deployments. Nikhil shares the journey from MIT and NASA to Y Combinator and utility-scale solar, reflecting on what it means to build something technically excellent, deeply customer-embedded, and truly scalable. We cover: How climate-driven damage (hail, fire) and tariffs are reshaping solar economics Why investors are demanding deeper visibility into solar asset performance What it takes to operate robots and AI in the middle of nowhere And how Raptor Maps built a customer-led culture — even as it scaled --- Upgrade to paid today! It’s $10/month or $100/year. You probably spent that much on random Amazon stuff last week. What’s stopping you from upgrading to paid? Upgrade to Paid 📺 Watch on YouTube | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🎧 Spotify | 🗣️ Join the Slack Channel 📝 Show Notes: Topics 02:51 Shifting Value Toward Operational Assets 03:02 Core Challenges in Solar 06:26 The Insights Behind Raptor Maps 11:06 From Doing a PhD to Raptor Maps 20:31 Creating Scalable Solutions 24:44 Shifts in the Ecosystem and Market Positioning 31:45 Building Trust Through Industry Collaboration 40:36 Looking Ahead This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#250 How This Company Installs Level 3 Chargers Without Utility Upgrades | Tyler Phillipi (OptiGrid) 47:31

7 weeks ago47:31

47:31

Wow - 250 Episodes! Thank you all for being part of this journey so far. Stick with us as it’s only getting better. Quotes From This Episode: "Operating an electric vehicle in your fleet is insanely cheap..." - Tyler Phillipi "Level 3 chargers without utility upgrades... Think garden hose in, fire hose out." - Silas Mähner "Amazon and Walmart... are doing the same exact thing from every portion of their fleet because it makes financial sense." - Tyler Phillipi Announcement! We’re hosting a CleanTechies meetup in San Francisco! If you’re around on the 10th of July in San Francisco, join us for a friends of CleanTechies meetup ! Register today as space is limited! In this episode, we speak with Tyler Phillip i, CEO of OptiGrid . OptiGrid revolutionizes EV charging with innovative, easy-to-install units that cut installation time from 18 months to as little as 4 weeks. Partnering with Orange EV, OptiGrid tackles the fleet electrification bottleneck with a "garden hose in, fire hose out" approach, bypassing power constraints. Learn why giants like Amazon and Walmart electrify fleets for financial benefits, and how OptiGrid makes EV charging "dumb easy," driving a quiet revolution. Topics 00:00 Operating electric vehicles in fleets is cheap (Cold Open) 00:28 Intro to OptiGrid 04:57 OptiGrid's technology 07:52 Why fleets are electrifying despite challenges 12:52 OptiGrid's installation process 19:07 Advantages of working with Orange EV 24:03 Economic drivers for EV adoption 30:40 Corporate sustainability commitments and EV adoption 32:23 Grid challenges and the role of utilities 35:12 Supply chain and battery manufacturing 37:38 Tyler's thesis on team building 43:36 Getting the best out of people 44:45 Future of OptiGrid Links Tyler Phillipi | OptiGrid Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#249 Why There's a Trillion-Dollar Green Building Boom Happening | Matt Ellis (Measurabl) 53:29

8 weeks ago53:29

53:29

Matt Ellis (Measurabl): Building a Climate Tech Empire Join us with Matt Ellis , Founder & CEO of Measurabl , as he shares how they're transforming the green building industry. Discover how they're leveraging data and AI to drive sustainability, navigating policy, and helping building owners lower emissions. Matt dives into building a billion-dollar climate tech company, the importance of constant reinvention, and lessons in fostering a thriving company culture. In this episode: (01:23) Reinventing Measurabl (05:57) AI and Data's Impact on Measurabl (15:43) Advice for Climate Tech Founders (35:42) Lessons Learned in Talent & Team Building (48:41) Emerging Trends in Sustainability Data & Business Models Connect: Matt Ellis on LinkedIn | Measurabl Website 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#248 Without Federal Funding, How are Cities Deploying Curbside Charging? | Tiya Gordon (It's Electric) 45:00

10 weeks ago45:00

45:00

Today, we’re excited to have Tiya Gordon , founder of It’s Electric , back on the pod to discuss their progress since we last spoke in early 2024. She also gives us a big update on what’s happening in the curbside charging space across the US. With the federal funding support being pulled, a lot of cities are facing challenges in meeting their electrification goals. It’s Electric is thriving by helping them get curbside chargers in place with ZERO up-front costs. As if that wasn’t enough, they also help building owners earn extra revenue. A true win-win solution. Tune in for some golden nuggets on what the market is doing now and an absolute master class on how to build a high-performance team at an early-stage clean tech startup. Links ** Tiya Gordon | It’s Electric **Listen to the first episode we did with Tiya - $167 ** #167 Urban Charging, Electrifying Cities, Pilots & Partnerships, & More w/ Tiya Gordon (It's Electric) ** Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn ** Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn to fill your feeds with educational content ** This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#247 Could EVs + Demand Response Solve Grid Flexibility? | Joseph Vellone (ChargeScape) 40:37

12 weeks ago40:37

40:37

What’s up, everyone! Today we’re sharing an episode with Joseph Vellone, the CEO of ChargeScape — a Joint Venture between Ford, Honda, BMW, and Nissan. ----- Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts ----- As the grid continues to buckle under the pressure of ever-increasing demand, it’s more important than ever to find ways to manage the existing load. However, it’s not all bad. One of the main demand drivers might be the core solution to these demand problems—namely, EVs, when paired with smart charging software. You see, all these EVs are essentially backup batteries. Currently, not all are equipped with bi-directional charging, but most new vehicles hitting the roads are. So, not only can a smart charging software, managed by utilities, alleviate demand on the grid, it can also pull energy from the vehicles when the time is right (again, when the hardware capabilities are present). ----- Support our Work with a Paid Subscription ----- This fundamentally shifts our perspective on vehicles. Instead of a cost center, it could earn you money by purchasing cheap energy, or charging on solar for free, and selling back to the grid at peak demand times. This is the type of utopian future we work towards — and the best part, it’s becoming reality in front of us. Topics **01:35 Revolutionizing EV Charging **05:21 Joseph Vellone's Journey in Renewable Energy **07:47 The Unique Opportunity at ChargeScape **12:00 Transforming the EV Charging Experience **13:30 Make Money w/ Smart Charging **18:04 The Future of EVs + Renewable Energy **20:03 Building a High-Performance Team **23:10 Managing Startup Intensity Without Burnout **25:58 How to Successfully Sell to Utilities **28:50 The Benefits of Having Automakers as Strategic Investors **31:17 The Role of AI in ChargeScape's Strategy **33:44 Understanding EV Industry Backlash **37:59 Resilience of EV Charging Amid Political Pushback Links ** Joseph Vellone | ChargeScape ** Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#246 Sophie Purdom on Closing a $55M Fund I, the Future of Planeteer, & The 4 Types of Climate Founders 47:47

13 weeks ago47:47

47:47

Today, we’re speaking with Sophie Purdom , Managing Partner of Planeteer Capital . After co-creating CTVC with Kim Zou , the climate deals and deep-dives newsletter that has become canon in climate, with 75k+ readers, Sophie announced Planeteer Capital. (We discussed on the pod) They are going full speed with their investing thesis, investing in companies at the incorporation stage. Something they have been able to do well, given the history and network that Sophie has. Aside from teasing the future of Planeteer and discussing their unique advantage, Sophie gave us some insights on where the market is now. One thing that surprised us is how, despite all the negative news, more deals are being done year over year than in years past. Sophie shares the 4 types of climate tech founders, what they look for picking the right team, and core things to get right when navigating the climate capital stack. This interview is one we’ve been chasing down for some time, so we’re glad to finally make it. We hope you enjoy the show! F ill out our listener survey . If you want to support our work, upgrade to paid today! Topics **2:08 The Current State of Climate Tech **5:31 Long-Term Impact of the Climate Boom **8:44 [Check out ErthTech Talent for your Hiring Needs] **9:28 Identifying Long-Term & Durable Trends **13:04 Tracking High-Potential Niche Markets **17:57 How Her View of Venture Investing Has Changed **20:20 Where Planeteer Investments **23:15 The Value Planeteer Adds **24:30 The Role CTVC Played In Her Ability To Run Planeteer Well **28:00 Investing at Incorporation **32:15 How They Support Founders & Incentive Alignment **35:05 What to Know When Partnering with Incumbents **39:29 Will Climate Disruptors Scale? **43:10 The Future Vision of Planeteer Capital Links ** Sophie Purdom | Planeteer Capital ** Discussing the Planeteer Fund Announcement ** Somil on LinkedIn | Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#245 The Future of Electrification & the Opportunity of Europe | Felix Krause (Vireo Ventures) 36:35

15 weeks ago36:35

36:35

Today’s episode features Felix Krause , founding partner of Vireo Ventures , one of Europe’s leading early-stage energy tech investors. Felix is based in Berlin and brings decades of experience across solar project development, corporate VC, and now independent fund management. We dig deep into why electrification is the real unlock for climate, and why Felix and his team believe the software that manages energy flows—not new forms of generation—is where VC dollars can make the biggest impact. Felix also talks candidly about: How Vireo built a reputation as a hands-on, brutally honest investor Why “doing good and making money” aren’t mutually exclusive How to spot founders with true grit and fire in their eyes Why Europe is at a critical inflection point for tech sovereignty We also cover how AI and increasing data availability are quietly enabling new software business models in energy—from optimizing legacy boilers in multifamily buildings to managing distributed assets securely. If you're wondering how to build (or back) meaningful energy tech in today’s shifting market, this episode is packed with pragmatic insights—and just the right amount of optimism. Topics Short Version 04:36 Founding Vireo Ventures: The Transition to Investment 09:20 Building Relationships with Founders 14:20 The Importance of Honesty in Investment 17:52 Navigating the Future of Energy 22:44 Data and Cybersecurity in Clean Tech 25:12 Navigating the Go-To-Market Strategy 25:57 Investing in Early-Stage Software Companies 27:27 The Role of Data Extraction in Electrification 29:55 Understanding Business Models in Climate Tech 31:11 Evaluating Software Sales Strategies 34:13 AI's Impact on Electrification and Business Models Links Felix Krause | Vireo Ventures 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#244 $1bn Pipeline for Solid State Transformers | Haroon Inam & Michael Wood III (DG Matrix) 35:55

16 weeks ago35:55

35:55

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts In This Episode: * What is a Solid State Transformer * How Solid State Transformers are Reshaping the Energy Industry* How They Built a $1bn Pipeline Sponsors: Goodwin: The Law Firm of Choice for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs ErthTech Talent: Affordable CleanTech Search Firm What’s up, everyone! Today, we have a great episode with Haroon Inam & Michael Wood III from DG Matrix. We’re talking about a simple technology that can fundamentally reshape the energy industry by transforming electricity more efficiently and with way less physical space than what’s been done traditionally. Take an EV charger, for example. You need to get the exact electricity flow right. Usually, that would take a few parking spaces’ worth of transformers. With DG Matrix, you can do it with a simple power stand smaller than your refrigerator. This is still the case even if you’ve got solar, batteries, or other distributed resources all mixed in together. They can handle all the streams of electricity in and out. It’s clear the industry is loving this too. They have over $1bn of pipeline to date. We got Haroon and Michael, so it’s a great episode. _____ Want to access all our content? Upgrade to paid today. Act fast! Annual subscriptions increase to $100 on May 1st (currently $80). _____ Topics Free Version: **03:21 The Journey to DG Matrix **05:51 Understanding Solid State Transformers **09:11 Market Position and Economic Impact **10:00 Goodwin AD **12:06 Solid State Transformer Advantages **13:26 Company AD **17:14 Building a Strong Advisory Network **18:51 Call to Action **21:10 Overcoming Challenges in Clean Tech **24:54 The Future of DG Matrix and Market Fit **26:29 Building from the Ground Up **27:51 Transforming Energy Markets **30:55 Streamlining Manufacturing and Supply Chain Links * Haroon Inam , Michael Wood III | DG Matrix * Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn * Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn This podcast is NOT investment advice. Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#243 Battery Storage Supply Chains & Future in US-China Trade War | Danny Lu | Powin 41:05

17 weeks ago41:05

41:05

Follow on YouTube | Listeners Survey Check Out Our Sponsors! * Goodwin: The Law Firm of Choice for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs * ErthTech Talent: Affordable CleanTech Search Firm What’s up, everyone! Today, we have a great episode with Danny Lu from Powin . Powin is a leading provider of BESS, w/ 8 GWh of systems built and 9 in the pipeline. As the Trump admin pushes for more drilling and a seemingly anti-clean energy policy (despite that not being the definition of abundance) we are seeing the value of battery storage. Prior to tariffs, building a speaker plant would be more expensive and take longer than building energy storage systems to manage grid flexibility issues. (It’s tbd what the situation will be with huge Chinese tariffs). Powin has years of experience working in this space to solve supply chain issues and is always improving its business to adapt to whatever battery chemistry is most feasible and affordable for its clients. Given all this, it was great to speak with someone who can help us understand where the market is going and what the key challenges and opportunities are that lie ahead. Want to access all our content? Upgrade to paid today. Act fast! Annual subscriptions increase to $100 on May 1st (currently $80). 🗣️ Join the Slack Channel Topics Free Preview : * 00:00 Cold Open & Intro to Our Guest * 04:00 Origins & Evolutions of Powin * 08:10 What They Do * 10:00 Creating the Market and Finding Their First Customers * 13:00 Stepping Into a Leadership Role Out of University * 18:10 From Permit to Commissioning in Months * 19:10 What an IPP/Utility Wants — Single Point of Blame * 23:00 The Evolution of Battery Chemistry for BESS vs EV * 25:30 Powin’s Current Scale * 26:50 Storage Project Market Projections Considering Tariffs * 31:30 AI & Data Centers | BESS vs Peaker Plants * 39:00 Manufacturing in the US? (teaser clip & paywall) Links * Danny Lu | Powin * Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn * Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#242 The 3 Most Common Mistakes Climate Founders Make | David Brekke, Goodwin 58:07

18 weeks ago58:07

58:07

In This Episode: The story of him co-launching the Goodwin climate practice What’s happening in climate tech right now? (Market update) The 3 Biggest Mistakes Climate Founders Make Check Out Our Sponsors! Goodwin: The Law Firm of Choice for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs ErthTech Talent: Affordable CleanTech Search Firm What’s up, everyone! Today’s episode is special since we’re speaking with David Brekke from Goodwin . In case you somehow missed it, Goodwin is the sponsor of our podcast, so yes, this is sponsored content. (tbh, even if it were not, we’d still have David on — but don’t tell him that) With everything going on in the world of climate tech right now, it’s hard to know which end is up. But David has a great perspective. You see, he’s always interacting with tons of founders and investors in climate. He sees the good, the bad, and the ugly. For this reason, he’s one of the best people to get a read on the market from. In addition to a market update, we get to hear the story of him going to Goodwin to start the climate practice. Then he walks us through the greatest hits of what to do and what not to do. He’s been around the block, and in addition to his experience, they have an entire team with even more grey hair that knows how to guide founders. This episode is value-packed — enjoy! Want to access all our content? Upgrade to paid today. Act fast! Annual subscriptions increase to $100 on May 1st (currently $80). 📺 Watch on YouTube Topics 03:11 Building a Climate Practice at Goodwin 06:08 Law x Climate Innovation 09:12 Personal Motivations in Climate Tech 12:04 Navigating the Climate VC Landscape 15:10 Challenges and Opportunities for Climate Founders 17:56 The Role of Legal Advisors in Startups 21:00 Current Climate Market Dynamics 24:03 The Future of Climate Investments 27:13 Rebranding in the Climate Sector 30:02 Reorienting Climate Tech Pitches 33:19 The Evolution of Climate VC Participation 36:42 Navigating Fundraising Challenges 37:11 Common Mistakes in Climate Tech Startups 48:01 Investor Relations and Stakeholder Management Links David Brekke | Goodwin Book: Venture Deals Conne Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#241 The Biz Model Making eFuels Pencil Out | Joe Rodden (Lydian) 37:54

19 weeks ago37:54

37:54

Follow us on YouTube --------- Today, we have a great episode with Joe Rodden from Lydian . And we are talking all things eFuels and their story. Lydian uses Co2, Water, and abundant Green Energy to create eFuels/SAF. And because of their flexible run method, they can do it profitably, consistently. In the recent past there has been a huge demand for SAF that has been hard for major airlines to procure. In part because the technology was not there, but mostly because there were no plants up and operating. SAF plants are assumed to look like chemical production facilities… ie: always on. This way the cost of the investment is paid back soon. Lydian made sure they used inexpensive materials to create their system. And they made it to start and stop whenever there is excess electricity being produced. It’s a game changer. On top of this, Joe has a great story. A story that I’m sure you’ll enjoy on today’s episode. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment and giving us 5 stars on your favorite podcast app. Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#240 Bulldozing in a New Era of Climate Tech Investing & Tech-Enabled Investing | Andrew Chan from Atas VC 39:18

20 weeks ago39:18

39:18

Today, we have a great episode with Andrew Chan from Atas Ventures. Surprise surprise…we’re continuing the conversation about the climate tech vibe shift, climate tech 3.0, climate risk…whatever you want to call it. However, our conversation with Andrew Chan of Atas Ventures is a little bit different. Andrew has, from the very beginning, thought about climate investing from first principles, placing profitability and tangible impact at the core of his strategy. He refers to this next wave as "Climate 3.0," an evolution beyond traditional impact investing towards applied technologies like robotics, IoT, and advanced energy solutions. Our conversation today focuses on these themes, including how venture capital can meaningfully intersect with antiquated industries such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing to drive both profits and genuine environmental outcomes. Andrew also shares why the venture capital playbook may need to evolve, emphasizing smarter portfolio construction, disciplined investing, and leveraging real-world experience to build lasting companies. Overall, it's an amazing episode and we're really excited to share this with you. Sidenote, we recorded this remotely while Andrew was traveling—he joined us from Bangor, Maine. If you'd like to watch, check it out on YouTube. (Also, be sure to give us a follow on YouTube to help us grow the channel!) Follow us on YouTube If you're enjoying the content, consider upgrading to become paid subscriber today. Act fast! Because our annual subscription is going from $80 up to $100 as of May 1st. To upgrade, click the “upgrade” button on the top right of your screen here. 📝 Show Notes: Topics 06:10 Understanding Climate 3.0 11:53 Journey to VC 17:56 Investment Strategies for Antiquated Industries 23:45 Portfolio Construction 26:33 Future of Fund Management 30:02 Emerging Managers 32:49 Taking Risks in VC 36:46 Essential Skills 40:19 Trends in Deep Tech and Robotics 47:55 Learning and Growth Links Andrew Chan 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#239 Climate Risk, a New Era for Climate Tech | Grace & Adam from Equal Ventures 33:34

21 weeks ago33:34

33:34

📺 Watch on YouTube What’s up, everyone! Today we have a great episode with Grace Penders and Adam Chadroff from Equal Ventures . If you're not familiar with Equal , I recommend checking out episode 116 where we had on Rick Zullo , the Founder of Equal. Today, we're continuing the conversation about the climate tech vibe shift. However, our conversation with Equal is a little bit different. Equal has, from the very beginning, had a thesis broader than just climate. One of those other areas is insurance. This is an area that is increasingly intersecting with climate. This is becoming especially acute given the rise in natural disasters and the catastrophic financial impacts that follow. Our conversation today focuses on these themes as well as what the insurance industry’s role is in helping solve the climate investing challenge. There are plenty of ways. This is playing into how governments engage. Overall, it's an amazing episode and we're really excited to share this with you. Sidenote, we recorded this in person in the equal offices during my recent visit to New York. So if you'd like to watch, check it out on YouTube. (Also, be sure to give us a follow on YouTube to help us grow the channel) Topics 00:00 Cold Open & Intro 03:00 The Climate Tech Vibe Shift 05:58 The Intersection of Climate and Insurance 09:01 Investment Trends in Climate Risk 12:05 Quantifying and Mitigating Climate Risks 15:03 Innovations in Climate Risk Management 17:55 Preventative Measures and Market Impacts 26:05 Understanding Market Compression and Its Impacts 29:50 The Role of Insurance in Value Creation 32:54 Government Involvement in Climate Risk 35:00 Navigating Innovation in Insurance and Utilities 40:18 Exit Opportunities in the Insurance Sector 44:10 The Climate Capital Summit and Future Trends Links Grace Penders | Adam Chadroff | Equal Ventures 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 anythi Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#238 ClimateTech is Mainstream, so is The Vibe Shift | Tommy Leep (Jetstream) 37:01

22 weeks ago37:01

37:01

📺 Watch on YouTube Hey everyone! Today we’ve got a great episode with Tommy Leep from VC, Jetstream . Some of his PortCos include David Energy , Pachama , Rhizome , and past pod guests Pathways & Glacier . He’s been on the show in the past with some great advice on fundraising. Check it out — episode 85. #85 How to Raise Money for your ClimateTech Startup w/ Tommy Leep, founder of Jetstream VC Recently there have been a bunch of people shifting their focus or branding to be more inclusive and not always sound ‘pure climate tech’ — Tommy is one of those people. He recently claimed “ClimateTech is Mainstream now.” Because of it, he’s broadening his fund thesis. This is the first of at least two conversations on this exact topic (stay tuned for next week’s episode with Grace and Adam from Equal Ventures). Topics 00:00 The Shift in Climate Tech Perspectives 10:06 Mainstreaming Climate Tech 20:03 Investing in Health, Wealth, and Resilience 30:08 The Future of Education and Community Building Links Tommy Leep | Jetstream 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#237 Using Robotics to Transform Recycling & Building Data Moats with Hardware w/ Rebecca Hu Thrams (Glacier) 29:37

23 weeks ago29:37

29:37

Rebecca Hu Thrams , co-founder of Glacier , is on a mission to transform recycling using AI-powered robotics and proprietary physical data to fix one of the biggest inefficiencies in waste management. Glacier isn’t just another AI company—it’s tackling the physical world problem of waste sorting, giving recyclers and major brands unprecedented visibility into where materials actually go. By deploying intelligent sorting robots, Glacier is not only increasing efficiency but also building a defensible data moat, positioning itself as the source of truth for the circular economy. With growing consumer demand for sustainability and new regulations like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on the horizon, companies are scrambling for solutions. Glacier’s technology is bridging the gap between recyclers and producers—helping brands measure, track, and improve their sustainability efforts with real, actionable data. Get the full episode today to hear: ✅ How AI and robotics are unlocking new efficiencies in recycling ✅ Why proprietary physical data is the key to an enduring AI-powered business ✅ How Glacier is helping major brands and recyclers prepare for new regulations ✅ Rebecca’s journey from reluctant founder to leading a climate-tech startup ✅ What the future of circular supply chains could look like with AI-driven insights Don’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. Subscribe now 📺 Watch on YouTube | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🎧 Spotify | 🗣️ Join the Slack Channel 📝 Show Notes: Topics 02:04 Founding Glacier 05:54 Understanding Glacier's Role in Recycling 14:12 Identifying Opportunities for Disruption in Recycling 18:07 The Future of Recycling Efficiency 22:08 Challenges in the Recycling Industry 23:07 Navigating Risk Aversion in Robotics Investment 24:43 Finding Early Adopters in the MRF Industry 29:07 Advancements in AI and Robotics 35:07 The Future of Connectivity in Recycling 37:30 Collaborating with Industry Giants 42:44 Scaling Glacier Links Rebecca Hu Thrams | Glacier Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#236 Critical Minerals: A Master Class on How to Win w/ Nicholaus Rohleder 42:33

25 weeks ago42:33

42:33

We’re doing something a bit different…🤔 We’re exploring the urgent and evolving landscape of critical minerals with Nicholaus Rohleder from Climate Commodities . Nick, an investor and expert in the field, breaks down how the U.S. went from a leader in mineral production to heavy reliance on foreign sources—and why the time is now for entrepreneurs to help rebuild domestic supply chains. Key Topics Covered: The Rise and Fall of U.S. Mineral Production Why Critical Minerals Matter More Than Ever Opportunities for Entrepreneurs The Capital Market Shift U.S. Trade Policy and Tariffs The Future of Clean Minerals Mistakes Founders Make Nick teaches a class on this at UPenn, so this is serious value ($$$) — if you’re a investor, policymaker, or entrepreneur looking to understand the critical minerals space, this is for you. --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today ( cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube Links Nicholaus Rohleder | Climate Commodities 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. Topics 01:23 Landscape of Critical Minerals 05:06 Historical Context of U.S. Mineral Production 09:53 Talent and Knowledge Gaps in the Industry 12:10 The Need for Domestic Production 20:30 The Key Minerals 28:51 Opportunities in the Critical Minerals Value Chain 34:32 Technological Innovations and Local Production 43:05 Cost Dynamics [Paywall Begins] 44:04 Building Successful Companies in Critical Minerals 46:52 Common Mistakes in the Critical Minerals Sector 51:52 Current Trends in Capital Investment 55:42 Investment Opportunities 56:00 Advice for Start-ups in the Sector 57:06 Government Involvement and Policy Implications Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#235 This $100 BILLION Industry Is Hiding in Plain Sight! Big Oil's Bet on Carbon Capture 57:38

27 weeks ago57:38

57:38

This week, we’re joined by Todd Bush , an expert in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), with decades of experience supporting oil and gas companies in their decarbonization efforts. Todd has founded and sold multiple companies and is now leading decarbonfuse , a daily newsletter tracking deal activity in carbon capture and industrial decarbonization. This conversation covers the current state of carbon capture, where the momentum is strongest, the biggest barriers to scaling CCUS, and how policy and investment shifts are shaping the industry. If you’re curious about where the carbon capture market is headed and how it intersects with industries like ethanol, hydrogen, and steel production, this is an episode you don’t want to miss! 🔍 Topics Covered in This Episode **The first movers in carbon capture: ethanol, ammonia, and natural gas **The difference between Class 2 vs. Class 6 wells and why it matters **How carbon capture projects get financed and what returns investors expect **The role of policy (45Q tax credits, permitting hurdles, and regulatory uncertainty) **Utilization of CO2—who’s buying it and why **Why Houston and the Gulf Coast are primed to be the epicenter of CCUS **What’s needed for carbon capture to reach private equity scale --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today ( cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube Notes & Links: decarbonfuse Newsletter Energy Tech Nexus | Digital Wildcatters Abt the 45Q Tax Credit More on Class 6 vs. Class 2 Wells Participate in the CleanTechies Listener Survey: Take Survey . 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. Timestamps: **0:00 Introduction to Carbon Capture Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#234 The Future of Cleaner Data Centers & Lessons from 20+ Years at Meta, LinkedIn, & Cisco w/ Yuval Bachar (EdgeCloudLink) 39:09

28 weeks ago39:09

39:09

Yuval Bachar, Founder and CEO of Edge CloudLink (ECL), is on a mission to revolutionize data centers with hydrogen-powered, off-grid solutions. His journey spans decades, with leadership roles at Cisco, Facebook, and LinkedIn, where he built critical infrastructure for some of the biggest names in tech. Now, he’s pioneering a new wave of sustainable data centers, delivering AI-ready capacity in just nine months—compared to the industry average of three to four years. Here’s the game-changer: ECL’s modular approach eliminates reliance on traditional power grids, slashes emissions to zero, and generates its own cooling water, making it a groundbreaking solution for the energy-hungry AI revolution. With data center demand soaring and grid power in short supply, Yuval’s vision could be the key to unlocking the next generation of computing. Get the full episode today to hear: Why traditional data centers are struggling to keep up with AI growth—and how ECL is changing the game The secret behind delivering AI data centers in 9 months instead of 3+ years How Yuval secured $18M in funding and is now raising $1.2B for large-scale deployments The surprising benefits of hydrogen for both cost and sustainability Key lessons from scaling world-class infrastructure at Facebook, LinkedIn, and Cisco 📝 Show Notes: Topics 02:46 Hydrogen-Powered Data Centers 10:40 Modular and Rapid Deployment 14:01 The Hydrogen Supply Chain 26:30 Innovation in Data Centers 28:54 Supportive Boardroom Culture 32:15 Building Trust and Transparency 34:40 Fostering a Culture of Innovation 41:13 A Journey Through a Tech Career 49:28 Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship 54:57 Vision for the Future Links Yuval Bachar | EdgeCloudLink 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#233 The Climate Disruptors You Haven’t Heard of (Yet)—Inside Energy Tech Nexus w/ Nada & Jason 58:42

29 weeks ago58:42

58:42

In This Episode We are speaking with Nada Ahmed and Jason Ethier , two of the founding partners at Energy Tech Nexus . Energy Tech Nexus is a Houston-based hub designed to connect EnergyTech startups with the resources they need to grow. This includes access to capital, corporate partners, direct access to pilot opportunities, as well as a community of other founders doing the same thing. In this episode, we dive into **how they're building an innovation powerhouse in the heart of the U.S. energy industry, **the evolving role of oil majors in clean tech, **and how to navigate the new regulatory landscape of the Trump administration --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today ( cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube Topics: (today’s show is all public) **00:00 Intro to Nada & Jason **01:51 Building the Energy Tech Nexus Community **10:16 Funding & Supporting Clean Tech Startups in Houston **14:30 Innovating in Green Chemicals and Advanced Materials **20:57 Navigating the New Administration's Energy Policies **29:46 Flaring and Methane Emissions **32:05 How to Market Climate Tech Under Trump **36:37 T36:37 How to Jump Start Nuclear Energy **46:47 Carbon Capture and the Future Role of Oil Majors Links: ** Nada Ahmed | Jason Ethier ** Energy Tech Nexus ** Check out the Energy Tech Startups Podcast **Participate in the CleanTechies Listener Survey: Take Survey . ** 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. This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#232 The Carbon Capture Startup Google Bet Big On—And Why It’s a Cheaper | Anca Timofte (Holocene) 33:50

30 weeks ago33:50

33:50

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. --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today ( cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube 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 Startups Links: ** 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 | Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#231 How to Cut Costs AND Eliminate Emissions in Homes [BY 90%+] w/ Jane Melia (Harvest Thermal) 27:05

30 weeks ago27:05

27:05

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 cozy The secrets to scaling hardware technology in a competitive market Why heat batteries are the key to making electrification affordable and sustainable How Jane balances product innovation with deployment strategy to drive impact at scale Don’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 Journey 04:36 Understanding Thermal Storage Technology 08:22 Consumer Demand for Home Electrification 10:18 Key Ingredients for Success in Home Heating 12:41 Differentiators in Customer Experience 14:06 Geographic Expansion and Market Strategy 18:01 Installer Relationships and Deployment Strategy 20:22 Balancing Product Development and Deployment 22:17 Building a Strong Team for Growth 28:57 Fundraising Strategy and Market Positioning 36:01 The Role of Policy in Supporting Innovation 40:23 Vision for the Future of Home Electrification Links Jane Melia | Harvest Thermal 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#230 This Founder Built a $5M Climate Tech Startup in Africa (Here’s How!) w/ Martin Freimuller (Octavia Carbon) 30:39

31 weeks ago30:39

30:39

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 projects Why Kenya is the global sweet spot for DAC The role clean energy and carbon storage play in shaping Africa’s economy What 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 Carbon 05:35 Founding Octavia Carbon 09:07 Understanding Direct Air Carbon Capture (DAC) 13:24 Kenya: The Ideal Location for DAC 14:44 The Climate Tech Scene in Africa 21:15 Opportunities in Emerging Markets 27:45 Navigating Skepticism in DAC 30:35 Cost Advantages of Operating in Emerging Markets 35:46 Best Practices for Founders in Emerging Markets 38:31 Verifying DAC Links Martin Freimüller | Octavia Carbon 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#229 How to Make Money on Pilot Projects w/ Martin Schichtel (KRAFTBLOCK) 34:49

32 weeks ago34:49

34:49

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 --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today ( cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube 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 Resources Links ** Martin Schichtel | KRAFTBLOCK ** Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Sila Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#228 How to Invest in ClimateTech in 2025 like a Day 1 Investor w/ Joshua Posamentier (Congruent Ventures) 30:24

33 weeks ago30:24

30:24

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 Investing 10:05 Congruent Ventures 19:50 Navigating the Climate Tech Landscape 29:47 Challenges of Measuring Impact 39:52 Hardware vs. Software & Insights from Semiconductors 30:15 Navigating NIMBYism 34:37 Investment Strategies 39:52 The Future of Energy Demand and Policy 45:59 Exciting Innovations Links Joshua Posamentier | Congruent Ventures 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
ClimateTech Wrapped 2024 37:34

34 weeks ago37:34

37:34

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 Outlook Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#226 What Working With Governments to Tackle Climate Change Looks Like w/ Julia Kumari Drapkin (ISeeChange) 30:35

35 weeks ago30:35

30:35

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 failures Adaptation 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 resilience AI-Driven data processing, enabling faster prioritization of critical tasks while transforming anecdotal community feedback into validated, actionable intelligence for utilities and governments Enjoy! 📝 Show Notes: Topics 03:01 Data-Driven Solutions for Climate Adaptation 05:50 The Role of AI in Climate Data 12:08 The Importance of Ground Truth Data 15:04 Government and Climate Tech: A Complex Relationship 17:54 The Future of Climate Adaptation and Mitigation 20:48 Challenges and Opportunities in GovTech 24:13 Political Resilience in Climate Solutions 27:08 Insurance and Climate Risk 29:59 Building Community Trust in Climate Data 32:47 The Human Element 36:07 Feedback Loops and Learning from Mistakes 38:59 Sales Cycles and Market Dynamics 41:49 Finding Common Ground Links Julia Kumari Drapkin | ISeeChange Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#225 Solving Sulfur Waste while Capturing Carbon & Producing Sulfuric Acid & Hydrogen w/ Owen Cadwalader (Travertine) 37:14

36 weeks ago37:14

37:14

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 --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today ( cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube 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 ** Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#224 How to Scale up Anode Manufacturing in the US w/ Gleb Yushin (Sila Nanotechnologies) 41:27

37 weeks ago41:27

41:27

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 ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube --- 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 yo Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#223 Everything You Need to Know About ClimateTech Politics (DoE, DoD, GovTech, Partnerships, & More) w/ Nate Loewentheil (Commonweal Ventures) 34:55

39 weeks ago34:55

34:55

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 Innovation 12:07 Investing in Early-Stage Companies 14:55 Understanding Political Dynamics in Climate Tech 17:52 Preparing for Trump 2.0 27:19 Shifting Political Economy and Government's Role 31:05 Future of Government Involvement in Commercialization 32:56 Engaging with Government Agencies 35:19 Best Practices for Founders in Government Relations 38:08 Investing Dynamics in Climate Tech 42:49 Encouraging Generalist Investors in Climate Tech 44:15 America's Competitive Edge: Entrepreneurship 45:40 Impact of Monopolies on Startups 48:04 Political Landscape and Antitrust Dynamics 49:51 Looking Ahead: Opportunities in Climate Tech Links Nate Lowentheil | Commonweal Ventures 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 Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#222 Exposing the O&G Carbon Capture Lie & How Skytree is Doing it Right w/ Rob van Straten, CEO) 41:09

39 weeks ago41:09

41:09

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. --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today ( cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube --- 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 Landscape Links ** 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 a Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#221 Blended Finance is Going to Save ClimateTech (& Why We Need More of It) w/ Amy Duffuor (Azolla Ventures) 30:13

40 weeks ago30:13

30:13

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 investments The unique challenges and misconceptions in hardware-focused climate startups Embedding equity and justice in climate tech ventures Enjoy! 📝 Show Notes: Topics 05:50 The Role of Blended Finance 11:51 The Unique Landscape of Hardware Companies 15:04 Building Trust with Entrepreneurs 17:49 The Importance of Environmental Justice 21:01 The Future of Climate Tech Investing 28:54 The Art of Simplifying Complex Technologies 31:52 Investing Ahead of the Curve 39:59 Integrating Equity and Justice 44:08 Future Aspirations Links Amy Duffuor | Azolla Ventures Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn @Silas & Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#220 How This Top Investor Believes ClimateTech Startups Can Still Exit 31:19

40 weeks ago31:19

31:19

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 founders In 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 Takeaways Links: ** 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#219 How to Win in ClimateTech Under Trump 42:27

41 weeks ago42:27

42:27

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 CVCs Build in Climate-Friendly States Help the US Compete with China Recognize Climate is not Everyone’s #1 Issue We 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! --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today ( cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube Topics 00:00 Brief Reactions 02:53 Key Implications (What’s at Risk & Upsides?) 06:11 Rural vs Urban Perspectives on Climate Issues 09:00 Navigating Climate Conversations in a Conservative Context 11:51 Opportunities and Risks for Climate Tech Under Trump 15:13 Changing how you Market Your Climate Tech Startup 21:52 Strategies for Climate Tech Founders Moving Forward Links Cipher: With Donald Trump victory, here are his energy and climate positions Nature: Big State and Local Wins for Climate and Conservation in the United States The Hill: 18 House Republicans ask Johnson not to target IRA clean energy tax credits Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn @Silas & Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#218 Building THE Global Climate Collaboration Community & Lessons from the 00's Tech Boom | Duncan Logan (9Zero) 49:07

42 weeks ago49:07

49:07

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! --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today (cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe) --- 🌴 https://linktr.ee/cleantechies 📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube 🗣️ Take the Listeners Survey 📫 Get Written Summaries of Each Episode in Your Inbox 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 Matters Links ** Duncan Logan | 9Zero ** 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#217 How BrainBox AI has Mastered the Use of AI in Building Decarbonization | Jean-Simon Venne (BrainBox AI) 33:16

43 weeks ago33:16

33:16

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 consumption Predicting room temperatures hours ahead to save energy Drawing inspiration from autonomous vehicles for scalable building efficiency Enjoy! Topics 00:00 Harnessing AI for Building Efficiency 03:13 The Journey of an Entrepreneur 06:03 Innovating in Climate Tech 08:54 The Vision Behind Brainbox AI 12:10 Building a Scalable Solution' 15:00 Navigating Team Dynamics as a CTO 17:50 Balancing Innovation and Core Development 21:10 Creating an Ecosystem of Innovation 25:27 The Acceleration of AI Innovation 29:17 Navigating the Unknown in Technology Development 31:59 Understanding AI and Its Value 37:31 Challenges in Selling to Property Owners 41:49 The Future of Buildings and AI Integration 46:03 The Challenges and Excitement of AI Evolution Links BrainBox AI | Jean-Simon Venne 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#216 This is How Nuclear Fusion Becomes a Reality w/ Brian Berzin (Thea Energy) 31:59

43 weeks ago31:59

31:59

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! --- 🌎 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: 02:10 The Journey of Thea Energy 12:47 Brian's Path to Fusion 20:53 The Right Time for Fusion 24:42 Understanding Nuclear Fusion 25:10 Understanding Fusion vs. Fission 30:58 The Future of Fusion Energy 41:29 Government's Role in Nuclear Energy 48:01 Reflections on Climate Week Links: Brian Berzin | Thea Energy Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn @Silas & @Somil_Agg on X Thi Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#215 Decarbonizing Mining, Microbes x Metals, National Security x Climate, & the Microbe Mafia | Liz Dennett (Endolith) 44:22

44 weeks ago44:22

44:22

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 Minerals Links: ** Liz Dennett | Endolith ** Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn * Support the show If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#214 THIS is What People ACTUALLY Think about NY ClimateWeek 27:51

44 weeks ago27:51

27:51

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 year What everyone’s goal was, and did they achieve it? What people will do differently next year And takeaways from your favorite CleanTechies hosts We enjoyed making this, and we think you’ll enjoy listening. Let us know how we did! Topics 0:00 Introduction to the NY Climate Week Survey Results 1:03 Highlights of Favorite Events 2:31 Factors Contributing to Event Success 3:53 Least Favorite Events 8:08 Key Topics Discussed 11:51 Goals of Attendees 20:30 Broader Feedback and Suggestions for Improvement 23:19 Takeaways Links 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 If you're gonna change the world, you're gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It's really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it's the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com…

CleanTechies

1
#213 UK's New Climate Focus, Data Science in VC, Investing in DeepTech, & More w/ Arjun Jairaj (noa) 31:51

45 weeks ago31:51