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

CleanTechies

57:50

Alex (@alex_kamenca) and Carley (@carleymitus) are both members of our Action Academy Community that purchased TWO small businesses last thursday! Want To Quit Your Job In The Next 6-18 Months Through Buying Commercial Real Estate & Small Businesses? 👔🏝️ Schedule A Free 15 Minute Coaching Call With Our Team Here To Get "Unstuck" Want to know which investment strategy is best for you? Take our Free Asset-Selection Quiz Check Out Our Bestselling Book : From Passive To Passionate : How To Quit Your Job - Grow Your Wealth - And Turn Your Passions Into Profits Want A Free $100k+ Side Hustle Guide ? Follow Me As I Travel & Build: IG @brianluebben ActionAcademy.com…

about a year ago 39:18

MP3•Episode home

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!)

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

Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽
Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)

243 episodes

CleanTechies

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

CleanTechies

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

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.

Overall, it's an amazing episode and we're really excited to share this with you.

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

243 episodes

All episodes

CleanTechies

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

3 days 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. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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

10 days 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 * Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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

17 days 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 Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn This podcast is NOT investment or legal advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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

24 days 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 Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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

4 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 Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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

5 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 anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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

6 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 Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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

7 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 Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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

9 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 Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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

11 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 **3:50 The Journey into Carbon Capture Solutions **6:55 Decarbonization Trends and Industry Perspectives **10:01 Carbon Capture Technologies and Their Applications **12:54 Regulatory Frameworks and Project Development **15:55 Community Engagement and Project Success Factors **19:41 Momentum in Carbon Capture and Community Engagement **22:57 Technological Bottlenecks and Adoption Rates **27:25 Talent Pool and Industry Transition **32:03 Regulat Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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

12 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 Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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

13 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 Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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

14 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 | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn ** Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn ** Recommended Book: Horizon by Barry Lopez – A lyrical exploration of travel, nature, and climate. This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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

14 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 Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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

15 weeks ago30:39