#238 ClimateTech is Mainstream, so is The Vibe Shift | Tommy Leep (Jetstream)
Mar 19, 2025
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Tommy Leep, a venture capitalist at Jetstream specializing in climate technology, discusses the mainstreaming of ClimateTech. He highlights the need for founders to frame their solutions around energy independence and resilience. The conversation explores the evolution of climate tech, emphasizing the integration of AI and broader societal issues. Leep also delves into shifting investment strategies, challenges for climate tech startups, and the increasing importance of social impact in investing, particularly regarding education and community resilience.
The mainstream acceptance of climate tech emphasizes broader societal issues, such as health and resilience, beyond just environmental impact.
The integration of AI in climate solutions is driving innovation, leading to improved operational efficiency and educational advancements.
Deep dives
Evolving Perspectives on Climate Tech
Concerns about extreme weather events have driven many individuals to engage in climate initiatives, deeply rooted in a desire to alleviate future suffering caused by climate change. As the climate tech landscape matures, key figures within the industry are redefining their language, transitioning from niche terms to broader concepts like energy independence and resilience. This shift not only reflects an increasing recognition of climate change as a mainstream issue, but also emphasizes the necessity of innovation to improve overall quality of life through technology. The discourse is evolving to focus not solely on environmental impact, but also on how technology can enhance health, wealth, and societal resilience.
The Mainstreaming of Climate Initiatives
The climate tech sphere has gained substantial traction, now regarded as a global movement powered by significant investment and innovation across various sectors. The decreasing costs of renewable technologies like solar panels and batteries illustrate the growing market viability of climate solutions, showcasing that these initiatives are not just possible but also essential. Despite some retraction of corporate commitments related to environmental sustainability, there's a palpable momentum in funding and technology that indicates a shift towards more responsible energy practices. This mainstream acceptance allows climate tech to become a more normalized topic of discussion among investors and entrepreneurs alike.
Frontiers of Investment in Climate Tech
The podcast discusses the emerging frontiers within climate tech, focusing on areas where artificial intelligence intersects with climate innovation. For instance, robotics used for automating solar panel installation illustrates how technology can enhance operational efficiency in renewable energy sectors. Additionally, this blend of AI and climate solutions opens avenues for investing in startups that address not just environmental challenges but broader societal issues, such as health and education. The conversation encourages a re-examination of existing investment strategies to align with the evolving needs of society and market demand.
Shifting Focus Towards Health, Wealth, and Resilience
A noteworthy evolution in perspective is the focus on not just climate tech but broader categories like health, wealth, and resilience, which resonate more with the aim of improving people's lives. Investments that enhance lifestyle quality, foster mental well-being, and encourage community-building are becoming increasingly relevant. The integration of AI into educational platforms, such as personalized learning apps, highlights the potential for technology to transform education and accessibility. This broader view ties back to the concept of prosperity as a guiding principle, where successful technology can lead to improved living conditions and community engagement alongside environmental goals.
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
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