#154 Automated Site Selection & Environmental Due Diligence for Developers, Permitting Challenges, the Cost of Solar, & More w/ Robin Laine (Transect)
Feb 8, 2024
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Robin Lane, CEO and founder of Transect, discusses improving site selection, permitting challenges, and the cost of solar. She shares her experiences with developers, growing as a founder, and the future of infrastructure projects. The podcast also covers building trust, becoming an entrepreneur in the climate industry, and the development of Transect's geospatial data product.
Transect aids renewable energy developers in site selection, streamlining the permitting process by leveraging data analysis and GIS.
Transact's success is based on customer obsession, hiring culture-first, and constantly innovating to meet customer expectations.
Founder Robin Lane emphasizes the importance of knowing your 'why', building a positive company culture, and staying committed to the mission for overcoming challenges in the renewable energy industry.
Deep dives
Transact: A Technology Solution for Site Selection in Renewable Energy Projects
Transact is a technology platform that aids renewable energy developers in finding and assessing the right site to build on in minutes. Their platform combines consulting intelligence with public and proprietary datasets to make site selection easy. By leveraging GIS and data analysis, Transact provides 10x better solutions for the permitting process, saving developers time and money. With a focus on customer obsession and a mission to balance conservation with the needs of the built world, Transact is revolutionizing the renewable energy industry.
The Importance of Being Customer Obsessed
Transact's success is rooted in its customer obsession and commitment to building a company that people want to work for. By hiring culture-first and maintaining a strong focus on customer needs, Transact has been able to attract the right talent and deliver a product that is 10x better than existing solutions. As the industry continues to evolve, Transact remains at the forefront by constantly innovating and striving to meet customer expectations.
Navigating the Challenges of Being a Founder
Founder Robin Lane shares her experiences and insights on the challenges of being a founder. She emphasizes the importance of knowing your 'why' and staying true to your mission, even in the face of adversity. Robin also highlights the need to build a supportive and positive company culture, driven by empathy and a shared sense of purpose. By staying focused on their mission and maintaining a customer-centric approach, Transact has been able to overcome obstacles and continue to grow in the renewable energy industry.
The Future of Energy Transition and Technological Innovation
Transact envisions a future where technological innovation plays a significant role in driving the energy transition. With advancements in areas like permitting, interconnection, and community sentiment analysis, the cost of developing renewable energy projects is expected to continue to decrease. While challenges remain, such as political support for the energy transition, Transact remains optimistic and committed to leveraging technology to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and make a positive impact on the environment.
Lessons Learned and Reflections on the Founder Journey
Robin Lane shares her reflections and lessons learned throughout her journey as a founder. She emphasizes the importance of being 10x better than existing solutions, hiring the right people who align with the company's culture and mission, and staying committed to the purpose behind the business. She also highlights the value of taking time to reflect on accomplishments and celebrate success, even in the midst of the challenges of being an entrepreneur.
In this episode, Silas and Somil chat with Robin Lane, CEO and founder of Transect, a product that aids and expedites site selection for infrastructure projects.
For Silas and I, this was an exciting mix of infrastructure meeting technology. Robin has been doing this for a while, so she had a lot to tell us about her experiences with developers, rolling Transect out to market, how she grew as a founder alongside her company, and what she sees for the future.
----- Topics: **02:37 Need for Transformation in Permitting **05:58 How Transect Streamlines the process **08:47 Building Trust with Developers **11:50 Robin's Journey from Consultant to Entrepreneur **23:33 Raising Transect's Seed Round **24:38 Early Contracts and Scaling the Team **32:24 Building a Culture-First Company and Hiring for Mission Alignment **38:45 Being Customer-First **45:32 Opportunities for Software in the Renewables Industry **47:25 Future Solar Energy Costs
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