Y Combinator Startup Podcast

#157 - Diego Saez Gil

Jan 28, 2020

Diego Saez Gil, co-founder of Pachama, discusses his journey in building a marketplace linking companies to carbon offset projects. He dives into how technology, like remote sensing, revolutionizes carbon tracking and boosts trust in offsets. The conversation also covers the vast potential of reforestation and the challenges of funding in the carbon market. Diego emphasizes corporate responsibility in achieving sustainability and shares insights on attracting investors interested in climate solutions.

46:47

Creator website

Episode guests

Diego Saez Gil

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

From Startup Struggles to Environmental Solutions

5min

Revolutionizing Carbon Offsets

14min

Sustainable Forest Management and Carbon Capture

9min

Carbon Offsets: Growth and Corporate Responsibility

4min

Fundraising for Climate Innovations

13min

Diego Saez Gil is the founder of Pachama. Pachama is building a marketplace where companies can support carbon offset projects.

The YC podcast is hosted by Craig Cannon.

Y Combinator invests a small amount of money ($150k) in a large number of startups (recently 200), twice a year.

Learn more about YC and apply for funding here: https://www.ycombinator.com/apply/

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Topics

00:00 - Welcome Gustaf and Diego
01:19 - Diego's background
06:50 - What is Pachama?
09:25 - Using remote sensing to track carbon
11:37 - Connecting disparate groups
13:04 - How much carbon does a typical company offset?
15:28 - How big is the reforesting opportunity?
17:09 - What are the incentives to offset carbon?
18:40 - Why don't people trust carbon offsets?
20:33 - What are the different forest conservation methods?
25:20 - How does Pachama use technology?
29:00 - Growth challenges
30:20 - Who are the customers?
32:12 - The future of the carbon market
32:48 - Fundraising for a climate startup
37:50 - Advice for people that want to start working in the climate change space.
41:38 - Climate policy
43:23 - What are the most important things happening in the space?
45:10 - The benefits of agroforestry and permaculture

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