This Week in Startups

How much money is too much? (VC Sunday School) + Climate: Andrew Beebe of Obvious Ventures | E1401

Mar 6, 2022

Andrew Beebe, Managing Director at Obvious Ventures, dives into the world of climate tech, sharing his journey from solar to sustainable investments. He discusses the importance of investing in electric mobility and carbon markets, while highlighting how contrarian bets can shape successful careers. Andrew emphasizes the significance of foundational growth for startups and how carbon disclosure will transform industries. He also recommends Kim Stanley Robinson's "The Ministry for the Future" as crucial reading for understanding the climate context.

58:24

Creator website

Episode guests

Andrew Beebe

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

3min

Navigating Startup Funding Pitfalls

7min

Investment Insights and Collaborative Innovations

3min

Navigating Fundraising Dilemmas

8min

Journey from Tech to Climate Advocacy

4min

Transforming Clean Tech: Solar's Rise

8min

Navigating Startup Financing and the Importance of Insurance

2min

Investing for a World Positive Future

19min

Navigating Climate Risks: Insurance and Investment

5min

Another Sunday double-header edition! First Jason leads a VC Sunday School session on how to react when companies try and skip steps and raise larger rounds (2:51). Plus, how Pegasus (or Alicorn) companies can end up being much better investments than traditional Unicorns. Then, for This Week in Climate Startups, Molly chats with Andrew Beebe of Obvious Ventures (18:47). You will learn:

1. Andrew's focus within climate tech (electric mobility, carbon and carbon markets)

2. How Andrew's first startup exit set him up to join the solar industry

3. How contrarian bets make careers

4. The key criteria for climate investments to be good venture bets

5. How Obvious Ventures puts its "world positive" mission into practice

6. The way carbon disclosure requirements will reshape industry

7. Why Andrew recommends reading Kim Stanley Robinson's "The Ministry for the Future"

(00:00) Jason and Molly intro today’s show: VC Sunday School, TWiCS with Andrew Beebe
(02:51) VCSS: companies raising big rounds before they’re ready
(11:20) Coda - The All-in-one doc for teams, get a $1,000 credit at https://coda.io/twist
(12:38) Pegasus (alicorn) companies: flying over rounds of funding
(18:47) This Week in Climate Startups w/ Andrew Beebe of Obvious Ventures
(23:02) Wealthfront - Get your first $5,000 managed for free, for life at https://wealthfront.com/TWIST
(24:32) The first clean tech boom in the solar industry
(33:21) Embroker - Get an extra 10% off insurance for your business at https://Embroker.com/twist
(34:44) Obvious and Andrew Beebe’s investment thesis: “World Positive”
(56:54) SaaS Syndicate, Open Scouting, Remote Demo Day, angel.university

Check out Obvious Ventures: https://obvious.com
FOLLOW Andrew: https://twitter.com/andrewbeebe

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

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