Good Work with Barrett Brooks The Long Game: Clea Kolster's Mission to Solve Climate Change
This week, I talk with Clea Kolster, Head of Science and Partner at Lowercarbon Capital, a venture capital fund dedicated to solving climate change, or, as they put it, un-f***ing the planet. Lowercarbon is one of my favorite funds because they’re not just focused on making an impact—they’re also unafraid to make serious money along the way. Clea has a fascinating background, growing up between Persian and Danish cultures, and ultimately finding her passion in science, technology, and climate solutions. Over her career, she’s shifted from a policy-centric approach to tackling climate change to a venture capital perspective, where she now helps build the companies that will shape the future. We dive into Clea’s personal journey, the global challenges we face due to climate change, and how innovative companies are developing solutions. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Clea before, and I know you’ll enjoy our conversation. Let’s get to it!
In this episode:
- (00:00) - Intro
- (04:21) - Biking from London to Paris
- (09:17) - Physical challenges and personal growth
- (16:37) - Cultural identity and its Impact
- (25:05) - Clea's mission-driven career in climate tech
- (32:13) - From policy to capital
- (38:25) - Lowercarbon and Clea's approach to solving climate change
- (44:24) - The impact of the IRA bill
- (47:47) - Hydrogen and its challenges
- (51:53) - Evaluating investment opportunities
- (54:48) - The excitement of deep tech
- (58:33) - Leadership and building a strong team
- (01:03:54) - The future of fusion energy
- (01:11:31) - Unique carbon capture solutions
- (01:20:00) - Clea's beautiful future
- (01:22:01) - Who Clea is becoming
Get full show notes and links at https://GoodWorkShow.com.
Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@barrettabrooks.