Invested In Climate

Every once in a while I come across an investment firm with a really different edge and perspective. Overture VC is one such firm. Their specialty is policy – not just understanding the unique opportunities climate tech companies have with government incentives and helping them navigate that tricky terrain, but also actually lobbying for policies that’ll benefit their portfolio companies. In the words of Overture Founder and Managing Partner Shomik Dutta, there’s a $1.2 trillion dollar wall of government money coming downhill for climate companies. So Overture’s edge is meaningful and can make a big difference for a wide range of companies. Shomik and I discussed his background, how he moved into investing from politics, the opportunities recent climate policy has created for startups, examples of Overture’s portfolio companies and how the firm has helped them, and much more, including what’s at stake in the upcoming election.Speaking of the election – it’s next week. If you don’t yet have a plan for how to get your ballot in or haven’t called your friends and family to make sure they’re voting, now’s the time. Shomik mentions a mobile app called Reach – a great tool to help you contact people you know in swing states. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:01] Shomik Dota's Background and Transition to Investing[06:05] Overture VC's Unique Approach and Government Incentives [09:12] The Role of Government in Climate Tech and Overture's Strategy[12:44] Overture's Portfolio and Specific Investments[16:56] Examples of Overture's Work and Impact[20:45] Overture's Fund and Investment Focus[23:05] Election Impact on Climate Policy[25:41] Future Policy Needs and Final ThoughtsResources MentionedOverture VCReachConnect with Shomik DuttaConnect with Shomik on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

The apparel industry has a massive impact on the environment. The industry is the second-highest consumer of water and it drives almost 10% of global carbon emissions. Despite thousands of smart people working to make this industry cleaner and all sorts of investments by brands, emissions are still increasing. To learn about this problem and get an inside look at the efforts to address it, I caught up with two old friends, Jason Kibbey and Evan Wiener. Jason was the founder of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and more recently a technology company called Worldly that helps businesses track their supply chains. Evan is a sustainability expert at McKinsey & Company who previously worked at Nike and H&M. These guys know the fashion industry inside and out. We talked about the state of sustainability in the apparel industry, the challenges of competitive and pricing pressures, the role of legislation, the opportunity for startups, the questionable authenticity of corporate sustainability aspirations, what needs to change, and much more. This is an industry that simply needs to change dramatically, and I learned a lot about how we might get there. Let’s go. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:07] Backgrounds of Jason Kibbe and Evan Wiener[08:19] Environmental and Societal Impact of the Apparel Industry[11:11] Progress and Challenges in Sustainability Efforts[16:16] Role of Regulation and Industry Response[25:31] Opportunities for Startups and Innovation[37:33] Consumer and Investor Roles in Sustainability[42:50] Reconciling Optimism with Industry Challenges[44:51] Conclusion and Final ThoughtsResources MentionedCascale (formerly Sustainable Apparel Coalition)WorldlyMcKinsey & Company Connect with Jason Kibbey and Evan WienerConnect with Jason on LinkedInConnect with Evan on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitter

If you’re an avid listener, you might know I’m always interested in learning about ways we might improve financial markets for climate ventures. Improving the flow of capital can, of course, be incredibly impactful in helping more climate solutions scale successfully. So I was really excited when I learned about Open Road and the important role they’re playing by offering bridge loans to promising companies. Ok, maybe bridge loans don't sound that sexy to you? Think of it this way: if you’re an entrepreneur, what could be worse than running out of money? How about running out of money when you already have significant funding lined up just not yet in-hand. The sad truth is that this happens all the time – companies go under because they simply can’t keep paying salaries or buying supplies while they wait for financing to arrive. That’s the financing gap that Open Road has been addressing for over 10 years. In this conversation with Open Road CEO Caroline Bressan we talked about her background in impact investing, Open Road’s history, how their loans have unlocked 10 times the amount of capital, their climate portfolio, and more. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:08] Caroline’s background & role before Open Road[04:09] Learning from Calvert that shaped Caroline[05:13] Open Road, how did it start & the problem it's aiming to address[06:46] Financing gaps related to climate: The valley of death & the missing middle[08:37] Investment reach & focus in Sub-Saharan Africa[10:31] Finding & selecting portfolio companies[12:21] The type of impact Open Road has had[13:24] The need for bridge funding beyond what is provided[15:23] Open Road’s repayment rate[17:39] How much of lending has gone to energy, ag & other climate-related companies[21:01] Types of businesses Open Road has supported[26:30] What’s next for Open RoadResources MentionedOpen RoadConnect with Caroline BressanConnect with Caroline on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

After a summer of record heat waves, I’m sure we’re all grateful for air conditioning. And we know, it’s not just about comfort or productivity, but with extreme heat, being able to cool buildings keeps people safe. Yet, it comes at a cost: air conditioning today is responsible for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions and demand is set to triple by 2050.Maybe you’re thinking that heat pumps are the answer and will come to the rescue? They’re certainly an important part of the solution, but until electric heat pumps are plugged into a grid that is fully powered by clean energy, efficiency matters a great deal. Enter Mojave HVAC. Their liquid desiccant technology can cut the energy needed for cooling commercial spaces by 30-50%. For today’s conversation, I’m joined by Mojave Founder & CEO Phil Farese. We spoke about Phil’s past and how he learned about the economics of energy efficiency, Mojave’s business model, technology, and its potential role in keeping us cool without overheating the planet. Here we go. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:01] Phil’s background & what led him to founding Mojave HVAC[05:07] Mojave & the problem that they’re solving[07:24] The limitations of heat pumps [10:36] Focusing on efficiency & using less energy for our HVAC needs[13:53] How Mojave’s technology was developed & where the business is at [16:04] Mohave’s target market & how sales are progressing [17:21] Other insights on Mohave’s product [18:21] The overall opportunity for business & impact[19:42] Emissions savings through technology adoption[20:25] Drivers of demand for Mohave’s product[22:26] The pros & cons of the liquid desiccants debate[25:37] Mohave’s next milestone & the biggest challenges[26:41] Blind spots in addressing climate change & buildings[29:27] Today’s climate innovation ecosystem & how it needs to improveResources MentionedMojave HVACConnect with Phil FareseConnect with Phil on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

As the 2024 election approaches, a significant number of environmentalists remain non-voters, despite climate issues being their top priority. The Environmental Voter Project seeks to bridge this gap, aiming to mobilize just a small percentage to influence key outcomes. The discussion reveals the difference between voter preferences and actual voting behavior, the crucial role of local elections in shaping environmental policy, and innovative strategies to engage this demographic in the electoral process.

If you believe the climate transition is creating trillions of dollars of opportunity, then backing public companies whose business models are centered on that transition and whose growth will be driven by it seems an almost obvious approach. That’s exactly what Heather Beatty and ScopeFour Capital are doing, and I was excited to hear what they’re learning and the opportunities they see.In this conversation, we talk about Heather’s background and how she came to found ScopeFour after decades in institutional investing. We talk about their approach, their portfolio, and the opportunities they’re excited about. We talk about the election, how it's influencing their investing in the short term, and the potential long-term implications. We talk about green hushing the resilience of corporate climate action, and much more. Lots to think about in this one. Here we go. In today’s episode, we cover:[2:45] Heather’s background & what got her interested in climate [5:50] The founding of ScopeFour[7:54] Why aren’t we investing by following science & research[9:48] ScopeFour & what they’re aiming to do[11:32] What’s unique about ScopeFour[13:49] What to say to naysayers of climate investing[15:22] Specific examples of investments ScopeFour has made[17:06] Exciting spaces and opportunities right now for climate investing[18:45] What can be done to encourage faster adoption of climate tech[21:08] Tying emissions reductions to the size of an opportunity[23:24] Climate risk as a factor in investment decisions[24:58] The short-term & long-term impacts of the upcoming election[29:35] What we know about Kamala Harris’ interest in climateResources MentionedScopeFour CapitalProject DrawdownInvested in Climate: Every job is a climate job with Project Drawdown, Ep #37EnphaseABBNexansConnect with Heather BeattyConnect with Heather on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

I’m always excited to talk to climate investors who have been around for a bit, those who were investing during the Cleantech 1.0 phase, saw the ups and the downs, and have stuck through to our current climate tech boom. Some of the challenges that the earlier era of cleantech investing saw – like high capex and long payback periods – are still relevant today, and experienced investors offer nuanced insights into current opportunities and what the future might hold.I was thrilled to talk to Greg Wasserman. Greg started investing in clean energy almost 20 years ago at Goldman Sachs. I’ll let you hear the twists and turns of his background directly from him, but suffice to say he fits the bill of someone who’s worn multiple prestigious hats to finance climate solutions. Greg recently closed a new $385 million climate fund at Wellington Management, one of the world’s largest independent investment management firms with over $1 trillion AUM.We talk about Greg’s journey, how climate investing has changed, what he’s currently excited about, opportunities for the future, and much more.In today’s episode, we cover:[3:03] Greg’s background & what got him interested in climate investing[5:30] Greg’s experience at Goldman Sachs[6:54] Greg’s experience at the Clinton Foundation[9:47] Greg’s experience at Generation Four Investment Management[13:53] Wellington & what it’s known for[15:19] Wellington’s Climate Fund[17:42] Leveraging resources & resources for Wellington’s fund[20:20] The state of climate investing[22:32] Interesting innovations & where the fund is focused[24:40] The influence of blockchain technology in climate solutions[26:28] Measuring impact of the fund[29:14] Wellington’s investment in Orennia[31:54] Wellington’s investment in SPAN[34:56] What’s coming in the next 5-10 years for climate investingResources MentionedWellington ManagementOrenniaSPANConnect with Greg WassermanConnect with Greg on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

Justina Nixon-Saintil is IBM's Chief Impact Officer, championing sustainability initiatives. In this conversation, she shares insights on IBM's impressive reduction of CO2 emissions by nearly 70% since 2010. Justina discusses the challenges of integrating AI while maintaining ambitions for sustainability. They explore the importance of partnerships in enhancing corporate social responsibility, how AI advancements are pivotal for driving decision-making, and a bold initiative aiming to empower 30 million learners by 2030.

Hedge funds aren’t exactly known for contributing to climate progress or other ESG goals for that matter. So I was surprised to learn about Corbin Capital, a firm that aims to leverage the activist strategies of hedge funds not just to generate market-exceeding returns for their clients, but to advance environmental and social objectives.There are trillions of dollars invested in hedge funds that can make a difference in this all-hands-on-deck moment. So why not think about how hedge fund tools can help accelerate decarbonization and other environmental priorities? To learn more about this opportunity and how Corbin Capital is pursuing it, I sat down with their Director of Sustainability Courtney Birnbaum. I learned a lot about hedge fund tactics, and the opportunity to invest in transition commodities, carbon markets and more. Lots to learn through this one – enjoy!In today’s episode, we cover:[2:47] Courtney’s path to working on climate & sustainability[4:37] Corbin Capital & Courtney’s role there[7:59] What is a hedge fund & how is it different than other investment vehicles[9:23] The history of hedge funds & factors that have made them successful[11:27] Why today is a good moment for hedge fund investing[13:18] Uncertainty creating opportunities for hedge fund investing[15:31] Influencing transformational change through hedge funds[17:52] Examples of success stories[20:29] Thinking about criticisms around lack of transparency[22:13] What makes Corbin unique[23:19] Climate opportunities for Corbin investors & the impact they’re aiming to have[25:59] Litigation finance[27:23] How hedge funds can play a role in decarbonization[28:16] How hedge funds can play a role in the carbon markets & carbon credits[30:28] Short selling as a strategy for improving corporate sustainability[33:57] How do finance needs to change to better tackle today's climate crisisResources MentionedCorbin CapitalConnect with Courtney BirnbaumConnect with Courtney on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

We know we need to be investing trillions of dollars annually into the climate transition. Venture capital is just a small slice of the pie, but there’s simply no time to slow down its contribution to advancing climate solutions. In 2023, however, climate tech venture funding dropped 30% to $32 billion. Whether this was a temporary slowdown caused by high interest rates and the macro environment, or the new normal, will make a big difference.Recently, I’ve been thrilled to start hearing about funds that are closing new and significantly bigger rounds. One such firm is Clean Energy Ventures. They just raised their second fund, which is three times the size of their first, and I was pleased to get to hear the details from Clean Energy Ventures’ Co-Founder and Managing Partner Temple Fennel. Temple’s been investing in climate tech since 2017 and has held fast to focusing on companies that can reduce emissions by multiple gigatons. In today’s conversation, we hear how Temple got started in climate tech investing and what he seeks in an investment. We hear about some of his portfolio companies, the changes he’s seeing in climate investing and much more. Lots to learn in this one – enjoy. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:02] Temple’s path & how he decided to focus on climate investing[7:54] Clean Energy Ventures’  investment thesis & what makes them unique[11:38] Expectations, assumptions & surprises from the first fund[14:25] Rebound Technologies, their business potential & climate mitigation opportunity[17:40] Aqua Membranes & why Clean Energy Ventures invested[19:51] Other examples of what Clean Energy Ventures is interested in[23:03] The second fund & the focus this time around[25:52] The Simple Emission Reduction Calculator: Emissions reduction & the causality for financial return[27:33] The process of raising capital today [30:42] The current state of the capital market for climate[32:36] Change in SBTI rules around offsetting & talk on decarbonization mandates[34:49] What needs to happen to get company leadership onboard for making near-term commitments to technologies that will drive their decarbonization[36:11] How investors are acting differently & outlook[37:45] Other interesting investment areas with opportunityResources MentionedClean Energy VenturesRebound TechnologiesAqua MembranesOXCCUNoon EnergyClean Energy Ventures’ Simple Emissions Reduction CalculatorS2G Report: The Missing Middle: Capital Balances in the Energy TransitionConnect with Temple FennellConnect with Temple on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!