EP #389 - S. Manoj Harasgama: From Working at Shell to Building a ClimateTech Startup
Apr 3, 2024
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Serial entrepreneur S. Manoj Harasgama shares his journey from working at Shell to building a ClimateTech startup. He discusses the urgent need for climate solutions, the development of technology to run gas turbines on hydrogen, and the impact of reducing CO2 emissions. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in the ClimateTech industry, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships and funding hurdles.
Manoj's transition from corporate roles to climate tech entrepreneurship highlights the value of seizing new opportunities.
Crosstown's innovative technology for gas turbines showcases impactful solutions in reducing CO2 emissions.
Deep dives
Entrepreneurship and Migration Background in Switzerland
Coming to Switzerland at a young age with no knowledge of the language, Manush discusses the challenges faced due to his migration background, highlighting the need to work harder than others to overcome language barriers. He emphasizes the importance of tenacity and hard work instilled from a young age, attributing his entrepreneurial mindset to these early challenges.
Transition from Corporate to Startup World
Manush reflects on his transition from corporate roles at notable companies like Procter & Gamble and Adidas to joining ambitious startups like Groupon, citing his attraction to the agile nature of startups and the opportunity for faster growth and innovation compared to corporate environments. He discusses the valuable insights gained from corporate experiences and the contrasting pace of innovation in startups.
Success with Exits and Entrepreneurial Mindset
Manush's success with startups like Treetwell and ServicePart1, leading to successful exits, prompts a discussion on his approach to entrepreneurship and business challenges. He credits his curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and willingness to work hard for the diverse range of successful companies he has built, demonstrating the importance of nurturing intellectual challenges and pushing boundaries.
Revolutionizing Climate Tech with Crosstown
Manush unveils his latest venture, Crosstown, a pioneering climate tech startup focused on transforming gas turbines to run on renewable fuels, significantly reducing CO2 emissions. He elaborates on the company's innovative burner technology aimed at decarbonizing a major segment of the industry, emphasizing the potential global impact and timeline for product implementation.
S. Manoj Harasgama is a serial entrepreneur and startup investor. He’s been the founder/MD at Treatwell, Unleash12, a venture capital company and JOIN.com, and is currently working on a stealth ClimateTech venture. He holds an MA in Accounting and Finance from HSG and an M.Sc. in International Management from CEMS (RSM & HSG) and has worked both at the HQ for corporates like Shell and Adidas as well as at well-known scaleups like usgang.ch and Groupon.
Nowadays he’s working on a climate venture that has yet to fully launch, which has developed a technology that is ready for market today and allows gas turbines to run on zero carbon fuels like hydrogen. Were their tech to be applied, a 100 megawatt turbine, today emitting up to 600’000 tons of CO2 every year, would eliminate emissions and emit zero CO2. This is particularly impactful considering that gas emissions make up around ⅓ of all fossil fuel emissions.
Next to being a serial entrepreneur, Manoj also invests in promising early stage startups, and is a guest lecturer on Growth and Entrepreneurship at universities like the ESADE Lull University in Barcelona, the Technical University Munich and the Rotterdam School of Management.