Climate CEOs (formerly Entrepreneurs for Impact): Scaling Climate Tech Startups

SolaREIT provides flexible capital for solar & battery projects, enabling large-scale development while fostering long-term partnerships and mindful leadership.SolaREIT, established in 2020, specializes in providing flexible capital solutions for solar and battery energy storage real estate. By partnering with developers and landowners, SolaREIT facilitates the monetization of land assets through land purchases, lease prepayments, and land loans. Their streamlined approach and competitive pricing have enabled capital deployment for projects across 19 states, contributing to over $3.5 billion in solar and battery storage developments.Laura Pagliarulo is the Co-founder and CEO of SolaREIT, bringing over 20 years of experience in the renewable energy sector. Before founding SolaREIT in July 2020, she served as Managing Director at CleanChoice Energy, where she led initiatives to expand access to clean energy solutions. Her extensive background also includes leadership roles at SunEdison and WGL Energy, where she focused on community solar and distributed generation projects.Here are some key takeaways: How to optimize capital efficiency in solar and battery storage projects by leveraging innovative land acquisition strategies How they decide to structure their investment based on landowner and project owner perspectives Why the solar and battery storage industry demonstrates resilience and adaptability amidst legislative changes and market fluctuations When to consider long-term commitments within a company to fully understand its operations and foster personal growth How to maintain health and focus through personal habits such as outdoor exercise, mindful presence, and balanced technology use🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:SolarREIT: https://www.solareit.comLaura's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-pagliarulo-4934aa5📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📣 EFI’S NEWSLETTER:I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🤔 PODCAST HOST:Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups and executive coaching), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (clean energy investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, and super humble human being (as evidenced by this long bio).

Optera helps enterprises track & reduce Scope 3 emissions with SaaS + consulting, aligning supply chains with science-based targets and regulatory compliance.Optera provides a SaaS platform and consulting services to help enterprises manage carbon emissions, focusing on Scope 3 emissions. Their platform integrates operational and supply chain data to calculate and track emissions, helping clients to align with science-based targets, comply with regulations, and improve sustainability strategies. Optera supports auto, tech, and retail industries in decarbonizing their value chains and meeting emerging climate disclosure requirements.Tim Weiss, co-founder of Optera, has extensive experience in renewable energy and emissions management. He has led initiatives in scaling solar technology in sub-Saharan Africa and now focuses on advancing enterprise-level decarbonization solutions through innovative SaaS and consulting models.Here are six topics we covered:Scope 3 Challenges: Managing Scope 3 emissions requires collaboration with suppliers and collecting primary data to address the largest and most complex portion of a company’s carbon footprint.Optera’s SaaS Approach: Optera combines emissions tracking software with consulting expertise, offering tailored solutions for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.Benchmarking Value: Understanding performance relative to peers and industry standards is crucial for strategic decarbonization and regulatory compliance.Regulations and Standards: New climate regulations, such as CBAM and California’s disclosure laws, are driving companies to adopt science-based targets and renewable energy strategies.Climate Tech Resilience: Despite political shifts, the climate tech sector continues to grow, bolstered by mature technologies and strong market demand.Leadership and Mindfulness: Tim emphasizes the importance of calculated risks, mindfulness practices, and outdoor activities to maintain balance as a leader.🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:Optera Website: https://opteraclimate.comTim Weiss LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tim-weiss-123b5b1bBook: The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/15-Commitments-Conscious-Leadership-Sustainable-ebook/dp/B00R3MHWUEPodcast: People I Mostly Admire: https://freakonomics.com/series/people-i-mostly-admire/📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🤔 PODCAST HOST:Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, and occasional monk.

Mark1 accelerates industrial climate tech commercialization with project development support, catalytic capital, and adoption readiness frameworks for early-stage startups.Mark1 is a public benefit corporation focused on accelerating the commercialization of emerging industrial technologies and climate solutions. Being spun out of Deep Science Ventures and the Rocky Mountain Institute, Mark1 offers early-stage project development support, front-end planning, and catalytic capital for innovative companies. By bridging the gap between technology development and project development, they help startups navigate the complexities of project financing, off-take agreements, and regulatory processes. Julian Ryba-White, Co-Founder and CEO of Mark1, was previously a Principal at Nokomis Energy, Senior Director of TenK Solar, and Manager at SolarCityHere are five takeaways. Bridging the commercialization gap: Julian explains the unique challenges companies face when transitioning from technology development to project deployment and how Mark1 supports this process through expertise and resources. Adoption readiness levels: Mark1 introduces the concept of “adoption readiness levels” from the DOE to measure project viability and prepare companies for scaling. Catalytic capital: Julian details their funding approach, targeting deployment of $300,000 to $500,000 for early development costs to de-risk development with a return model tied to project milestones to align incentives. Holistic project development: Mark1’s bespoke program identifies gaps in technology, finance, and equity, providing tailored support through a co-development agreement. Career advice for emerging professionals: Julian emphasizes the importance of patience, family time, and human connection in balancing personal and professional growth. 🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:Company Website: https://www.mark1.build Julian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-ryba-white-1999628📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🤔 PODCAST HOST:Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).

Matt Eggers, Managing Director at Prelude Ventures, brings extensive expertise from top firms like Tesla and Genentech. He discusses climate tech investment strategies, emphasizing the importance of strong teams and scalable technologies. Eggers explains creative financing solutions for innovative facilities and highlights exciting carbon capture approaches, such as Graphyte. He also shares personal habits for leaders, stressing how outdoor activities and mindfulness can enhance focus and well-being in tackling climate challenges.

SparkMeter uses AI-powered solutions to help utilities worldwide manage grids efficiently, serve millions of customers, and advance climate-focused energy systems.SparkMeter offers grid-management solutions that enable utilities worldwide to run profitable, efficient, and reliable systems. Their investors include mutual friends at Clean Energy Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and Elemental Impact.Dan’s prior experience includes work at DNV GL and a PhD in engineering and public policy from Carnegie Mellon.In this episode, you’ll learn these four important takeaways.How an 8th-grade science project and a trip to Haiti laid the foundation for this companyWhy they chose to build solutions involving hardware, software, and communications instead of just one or two of those piecesHow their structured customer discovery channeled 75 utility executive interviews into the formation of their new product offeringWhy we shouldn’t wait for a crisis to start building health relationships with mindfulness and therapy tools like IFS🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:SparkMeter -https://www.sparkmeter.ioDan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-schnitzer-600934bb/Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist (book) - https://shorturl.at/EYrJpWork Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead (book) - https://shorturl.at/hlgO9The Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win (book) - https://shorturl.at/2ZVRZHigh Output Management (book) - https://shorturl.at/wvZjo 📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows, Alumni Allies, and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🤔 PODCAST HOST:Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).

Aeroshield uses MIT- and NASA-backed aerogel technology to create ultra-efficient, lightweight windows that cut energy loss and accelerate payback for buildings.Aeorshield is unlocking the next generation of energy-efficient windows. They do this by developing the world’s most transparent silica aerogel inserts for windows, reducing energy loss through windows by 50%.Elise’s prior experience includes roles at Johnson Controls, Activate, and a PhD from MIT where the research on aerogels all began.In this episode, you’ll learn these four important takeaways.How windows lead to 35% of energy loss in buildingsHow they’re using $25M in funding to expand beyond their pilot facility and scale up next yearHow to make this super-insulating material called aeroseal, aka frozen smokeWhy you should ignore criticism from people from whom you wouldn’t proactively seek advice🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:Aeroshield - https://www.aeroshield.techElise - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-strobachDare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. (book) - https://shorturl.at/BgAZBAtlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience (Book) - https://shorturl.at/tu9dVPeople’s History of the United States (book) - https://shorturl.at/wAVquNature (PBS series) - https://www.pbs.org/show/nature 📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows, Alumni Allies, and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🤔 PODCAST HOST:Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).

Skyven Technologies delivers zero CapEx industrial decarbonization with heat pumps, helping heavy industries cut emissions while scaling globally and maintaining founder sanity.Skyven is an industrial decarbonization company that designs, funds, installs, and maintains a unique steam-generating heat pump with zero downtime and no CapEx cost to customers. They have hundreds of millions of dollars of financing available.As the founder and CEO, Arun is a mission-driven PhD engineer-turned-entrepreneur with prior roles at Texas Instruments and Metronics.In this episode, you’ll learn these four important takeaways.Why they're well positioned to serve the trillion-dollar global industry process heat marketHow they price steam contracts with customers in chemicals, pulp and paper, food and beverage, ethanol, textiles, and metalsWhy building for the end goal today is a bad idea, and what you should do insteadHow screaming at the top of your lungs while cycling can help manage the roller coaster of entrepreneurship🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:Skyven - https://skyven.coArun - https://www.linkedin.com/in/arung12📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows, Alumni Allies, and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🤔 PODCAST HOST:Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).

Kita provides carbon insurance to safeguard voluntary carbon market projects, reducing financial exposure while enabling confident investment in climate solutions.Kita is a carbon insurance specialist bridging the insurance and carbon markets. Their insurance products act as a stamp of confidence and safeguard against loss. Their insurance claims can be paid in cash or in replacement carbon credits, providing flexibility for clients' individual risk appetites and carbon strategies.In this episode, you’ll learn these four important takeaways.The relationship between billion-dollar transactions and rigorous insurance productsThe difference between counterparty, political, method, and natural catastrophes risks, and when Kita choose to insure against themThe voluntary carbon market players they rely on to certify whether a carbon project has met its goals, or whether an insurance event is triggeredWhy she chose to do a year-long “maternity sabbatical” after each of her children was born, and what it did for her thoughts on work 🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:Kita - https://www.kita.earthNatalia - https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-dorfmanThe Magic of Thinking Big (book) - https://shorturl.at/UcoxnSize of carbon market in 2030 (six estimates) - https://shorturl.at/WMTV3 Matilda the Musical (movie) - https://www.netflix.com/title/80993016📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows, Alumni Allies, and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🤔 PODCAST HOST:Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).

SER Capital Partners backs North American industrial sustainability companies with mid-market private equity, emphasizing strong teams, ESG value, and mindful leadership.SER Capital Partners is a middle-market private equity investment firm dedicated to North American industrial sustainability. They manage $500M in equity, plus opportunities to harness debt for the right projects. Typical investments range from $50-$150M per company.In addition to his role at SER, Rahul is a former private equity investor at Energy Capital Partners and a Board member at Sunnova, NextLight, FirsLlight, Sungevity, and growth-stage cleantech companies. In this episode, you’ll learn these four important takeaways.How they pick the right companies to invest inTheir perspective on ESG and how it adds financial value to their portfolio companiesHow they select the right management team, and what it means to be pulled vs. to pushWhy he practice Transcendental Meditation 5x per week and tries to bring a gift to every personal encounter🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:SER Capital - https://sercapitalpartners.comRahul - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahul-advani-3a711aClean Disruption of Energy and Transportation: How Silicon Valley Will Make Oil, Nuclear, Natural Gas, Coal, Electric Utilities and Conventional Cars Obsolete by 2030 (book) - https://shorturl.at/KjlbJSapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (book) - https://shorturl.at/iihRd📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows, Alumni Allies, and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:Inspired by lessons I've learned from 300+ climate tech CEOs and investors, it's a quick read about climate tech startups, investment, wisdom, and a little humor. Join over 20,000 who get it. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🤔 PODCAST HOST:Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).

In 7 minutes, Chris shares science-backed gratitude practices to recharge, boost happiness, and sustain energy for long-term climate tech impact.In this unusual episode, I do my best to go meta, above our normal climate tech challenges and opportunities, to the science and mindset of gratitude.Does a greater appreciation for what we have mean nothing bad is happening out there?Not at all.But building climate tech solutions is not a spring. It's a marathon. Or maybe both.As such, we need all the non-work tools in our toolbelt to maintain our energy, health, and focus along the journey.In seven short minutes, I walk through five science-based benefits of gratitude and four practical ways to practice it in a few minutes each day.📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 85+ CEO Fellows, Alumni Allies, and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $50B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:Join over 20,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators who get our three-minute read about changing the world through startups, finance, humor, and wisdom. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🤔 PODCAST HOST:Dr. Chris Wedding is the founder of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).