The Keep Cool Podcast

Tune is as Nick is joined by Johanna Wolfson, co-founder and General Partner of Azolla Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in breakthroughs that have the potential to avert catastrophic climate change. Together, Nick and Johanna explore Azolla Ventures’ unique approach to combining catalytic capital—philanthropic and risk-tolerant funding designed to prioritize impact over returns—with traditional venture capital to fill critical early-stage gaps left by traditional investors and accelerate innovation in and adoption of climate tech solutions. Johanna also explores how this approach enables her and her team to support “big swings” in climate solutions—including in under-discussed and under-supported areas of technological innovation—by bridging high-risk deployments from ideation and spin-out stages through commercialization, particularly for technologies often considered too risky.Further, they discuss: Urgency and opportunity in methane emissions mitigation: Nick and Johanna reflect on a common appreciation and excitement for opportunities to slow global warming by supporting methane mitigation technologies and approaches, which other investors across climate tech and energy often overlook. Further, Johanna offers a portfolio company example to ground this discussion in tangible terms.Long-termism and adaptability in climate investing: Nick and Johanna iterate on and advocate for a longer-term approach to climate investing, emphasizing planning horizons of 2050 and beyond to foster greater durability across policy shifts and macroeconomic trends. They also emphasize the need for adaptability in response to rapid technological and market changes. Other underserved technological and policy-focused opportunities: Johanna encourages entrepreneurs and funders to review and adjust their theories of change continually and to look globally for “where the action is”—including emerging opportunities in international regulations, such as new global carbon taxes for shipping, stratospheric aerosol injection, and the importance of government research funding in advancing early-stage solutions.Timestamps:00:01:28 – Introductions and Azolla Ventures' investment strategy00:05:39 - Portfolio companies: Sublime Systems and lower-carbon cement production00:10:15 - Role of catalytic capital in climate tech startups formation and scaling00:11:19 – Portfolio companies: Zanskar Geothermal & Minerals00:14:25 – The primacy of long-term climate tech investment perspectives00:16:58 - Current climate tech investment environment across geographies00:22:36 - Balancing short-term realities with long-term goals00:25:23 - Methane moonshots and a focus on Biolumic00:27:24 – Massive opportunities in methane and nitrous oxide mitigation00:29:02 - Stratospheric aerosol injection and other emerging climate interventions00:30:30 - Final thoughts and calls to actionLearn more about Johanna’s work and Azolla Ventures by following both on LinkedIn and exploring Azolla Ventures’ website and portfolio here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannawolfson/ + https://www.linkedin.com/company/azolla-ventures/ + https://azollaventures.com/If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave mea 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcoolPlus, you can stay up to date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/Thank you so much.

John Tough, Managing Partner of Energize Capital, leads discussions on innovative approaches to climate tech investment. He shares insights on the evolving landscape, emphasizing the shift from cleantech 1.0 to climate tech 2.0. Topics include the rapid adoption of electric vehicles, the impact of V2G technologies in Europe, and the role of specialized venture capital. John highlights transformative portfolio companies improving efficiency and sustainability, while also exploring diverse emission reduction strategies, underscoring the importance of adapting to new market dynamics.

Listen in as Nick is joined by Darren Clifford, the Founder of Adapt [us] Capital, a new venture capital fund and venture builder focused on investing and building companies at the intersection of climate adaptation and scalable, profitable businesses. In this episode, Nick and Darren discuss how the climate change, climate investment, and climate mitigation “moment” in 2025 requires new conversations, narratives, and solutions, including more focus on and concerted capital allocation to promoting adaptation-focused efforts alongside other mitigation strategies and innovation. Nick and Darren also explore: Demand Adaptation vs. Resilience Adaptation: Drawing distinctions between "demand adaptation" (businesses and technologies that profitably fulfill emerging needs in a warming world, like air conditioning, cold supply chains, and climate-resilient vacation options) and "resilience adaptation" (efforts to avert loss, price risk, and enhance society’s coping mechanisms).Getting creative on narrative reframes: Darren and Nick reframe prevailing climate narratives, such as "net zero," advocating instead for optimizing humanity’s overall quality of life and letting go of concepts and targets that no longer serve. They also discuss the need to balance environmental priorities with social connectivity, economic opportunity, resilient infrastructure, and many other components that ladder up to well-being, recognizing that trade-offs between maximum sustainability and human quality of life are often unavoidable, if not necessary.Venture capital’s role in scaling adaptation: Nick prompts Darren to answer the “why venture” question, particularly with respect to how venture capital can support a more focused approach to, resource allocation for, and successful scaling of adaptation-focused businesses. This conversation also explores business model innovation, anticipated market sizes for climate adaptation solutions, and the evolving nature of deal flow in the digital and AI-powered world.… and much more.Timestamps:00:01:37 - Introductions00:05:41 – Distinguishing between demand adaptation and resilience adaptation00:09:25 – Reframing outdated climate narratives like net zero00:15:02 - Sustainability and human quality of life: intersections and trade offs00:26:03 - Fund launch and investment strategy00:28:12 - Market opportunities in demand-driven adaptation00:36:05 - The future of demand-driven adaptationLearn more about Darren’s work and keep up to date with Adapt [us] Capital on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adapt-us-capital/+ https://www.linkedin.com/in/djclif/If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcoolThank you so much.Plus, you can stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://subscribe.keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/

Mohamed Badawy, Co-founder and CEO of Scalvy, shares his journey from tenured professor to startup leader in electric mobility. He discusses innovative software-defined modules revolutionizing energy management for EVs, emphasizing cost-saving benefits. The conversation explores the importance of building trust with early customers and the challenges of integrating modular powertrains. Badawy also contrasts the U.S. and China in EV advancements, shedding light on the need for adaptability and collaboration in driving the future of clean mobility.

Description: Stephan Herrmann, Co-founder & CEO of Reverion, and Sebastian Heitmann, Co-Founder and Partner at Extantia Capital—an investor in deep decarbonization technologies—joined Nick for a live discussion in New York City to explore breakthroughs in Reverion’s biogas energy technologies and discuss the state of energy and climate tech in general across the world. Reverion is redefining biogas, enabling up to 5x revenue additions for biogas plant operators by converting excess renewable energy into green gas, all while enhancing grid stability.In this episode, the trio discusses the following:Biogas Tech Evolution: Biogas has evolved beyond traditional combustion engines, with Reverion integrating fuel cells and electrolysis to maximize efficiencies. Reverion’s tech enables biogas plants to operate when renewable power is scarce and then flip on a dime to produce green methane when there’s an excess of renewable power, transforming downtime into additional revenue and benefits for other stakeholders from the plant to the grid.The Role of Biogas in a Decentralized Grid: As power grids shift to include more intermittent sources like wind and solar, biogas offers dispatchable energy that can balance grid demands. Stephan and Sebastian explain the unique benefits of Reverion’s solution and how it can help meet the needs of modern, dynamic energy systems.Market Fit and Commercialization: Stephan shares his journey from PhD research to piloting the first plants and securing customer interest across Europe and beyond. Reverion is now poised to expand across markets, including the U.S., where biogas remains an underutilized resource.Diverse Climate Impact and Benefits: Reverion’s systems offer not just power but pure CO₂ streams for carbon capture and utilization. This positions it as part of the bioenergy ecosystem alongside solutions like biogas carbon capture and storage (BECCS). Versatility is a crucial strategy for business building or climate outcomes, like reducing carbon dioxide and methane emissions and producing dispatchable clean energy for a resilient power grid.Broader Climate Tech Landscape: Nick and the guests wrap up with a discussion on geothermal, carbon capture, geological hydrogen, and much more, including the macroeconomic environment and the outlook for energy and climate tech solutions.Listen in for insights on balancing innovation, energy demands, a changing world, and expanding climate solutions globally.Timestamps:00:02:07 - Live Podcast from Climate Week NYC00:03:07 - Guest Introductions00:04:14 - Stephan's Journey to Reverian00:07:35 - Extantia Capital00:10:12 - Technical Overview of Fuel Cells00:13:41 - Market Applications of Fuel Cells00:16:59 - Summary of Energy Grid Transition00:20:10 - Introduction to Biogas00:24:20 - Importance of Methane Emissions00:25:50 - Reversion’s Commercialization Journey00:28:00 - Technical Components of Reverian's System00:33:35 - Hydrogen and Methane Production00:36:39 - Series A Fundraising00:39:44 - Audience Q&A: Logistics and Transportation00:45:08 - Audience Q&A: Ideal Customer Locations00:46:26 - Audience Q&A: Efficiency Comparison00:48:18 - Audience Q&A: Green Ammonia ProductionLearn more about Reverion here: https://reverion.com/…and Extantia Capital here: https://extantia.com/If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcoolThank you so much.Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter (X): https://x.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/

Tim Hill, General Manager of Sustainability Solutions at Nucor Corporation, discusses how Nucor, as North America's largest steel producer, leads in green steel production. He reveals how the company achieves a significant reduction in CO2 emissions through innovative recycling methods and electric arc furnace technology. Tim challenges misconceptions about steel being ‘hard to abate’ and highlights Nucor's goals for further decarbonization. The conversation also delves into global leadership opportunities in sustainable steel manufacturing and the importance of clean energy innovations.

Nick is joined by Arpita Bhattacharyya, Chief Climate Officer at the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office, where she helps understand common barriers that slow down deployment in the Loan Programs Office's $200+ billion portfolio of deals. Her work also entails understanding the community engagement, equity, and communication considerations necessary to develop and fund new programs and projects, like the LPO's Tribal Energy Financing Program. Specifically, Nick and Arpita discussed:Tribal Energy Finance Program: Arpita shares insights into the Tribal Energy Finance Program, highlighting how the LPO provides specific technical assistance for tribes across the country to develop new clean energy projects like solar and storage microgrids to enhance energy resilience and sovereignty. Nick and Arpita also discuss the success of the Viejas microgrid project as a template for future tribal energy initiatives.Industrial Decarbonization: Nick and Arpita delve into the challenges and opportunities inherent to industrial decarbonization, focusing on sectors like low-carbon cement and steel. Arpita emphasizes the need for patient capital and innovative solutions. We also discuss how the federal government's investments in industrial decarbonization projects signal a shift towards a more holistic energy transition and a broader lens of sustainability.Community Engagement and Communication: Arpita highlights the foundational importance of effective community engagement for the entirety of the energy transition.Timestamps:00:03:23 - Arpita's Background in Climate Work00:05:12 - Role at the Loan Programs Office00:06:31 - Disambiguation of Government Offices and the Department of Energy's Mandate00:10:03 - Work at the Loan Programs Office in 202400:12:08 - Tribal Energy Finance Program Stewardship00:17:39 - Viejas Microgrid Project Overview00:22:10 - Templatizing Solar and Storage Projects00:25:07 - Addressing Program Challenges00:30:03 - Speeding Up the Loan Programs Office Process00:36:02 - Communicating Energy Transition Benefits00:40:05 - Challenges in Industrial DecarbonizationDon't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the DOE's Loan Programs Office in said transition. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform.Learn more about the Loan Programs Office and projects like the Viejas Tribe microgrid on their website: https://www.energy.gov/lpo/loan-programs-office + https://www.energy.gov/lpo/articles/lpo-announces-conditional-commitment-viejas-microgrid-build-renewable-utility-scaleIf you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcoolThank you so much.Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://x.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/

Nick is joined by Tom Ferguson, Founder and Managing Partner at Burnt Island Ventures, one of the first venture capital firms focused on investing in startups driving innovation in water-focused applications and industries. Despite touching nearly everything on Earth, water is an under-discussed, under-invested in, and under-resourced category. As a result, innovation in the space often lags other areas that get more attention, whether fintech, crypto, or AI. At the same time, water is one of several categories that could see the most disruption due to climate change. Hence, Tom & team are on a mission to not just invest well in water but to grow the category as a whole. As part of their conversation, Nick & Tom also discussed:Scope & Definition: Nick & Tom spend time breaking down and decomposing what is even meant by ‘water’ when we try to understand it as an industry. Portfolio Companies: Tom runs through seminal examples of several portfolio companies that underscore the types of companies Burnt Island Ventures invests in and the impact they’re targetingStorytelling and Intangibles: Nick & Tom stress the need for better storytelling in the water sector to attract more investment and public interest.Timestamps:00:01:23 - Tom's Journey into Water Investment00:03:23 - Breaking Down the Water Investment Landscape00:06:09 - Challenges in Water Sector Investment & Reframing the Industry00:13:07 - Burnt Island Ventures' Mission00:15:51 - Highlighting Portfolio Companies00:22:03 - FundOne Portfolio Overview00:27:00 - The Overlooked Importance of Water in Various Sectors00:34:17 - The Importance of Storytelling + The Role of Investors in Water Sector00:37:00 - Cross-Cutting Issues in Climate and Energy00:39:53 - The Role of Water in Climate AdaptationDon't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and  investing in water and what the ‘water’ category as a whole even entails and represents. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform.Learn more about Burnt Island Ventures on their website and LinkedIn: https://www.burntislandventures.com/If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcoolThank you so much.Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/

Description: Nick is joined by Rob Hanson, the CEO of Monolith, a company building methane pyrolysis plants to turn methane into hydrogen and carbon black, both of which are critical products for global industries and which are predominantly produced with significant emissions footprints today. Monolith’s process aims to decarbonize hydrogen and carbon black production while commercializing to scales of clean production not seen almost anywhere else in the world. Nick and Rob also discuss the duality of methane’s inherent economic value and its staggering cost to the environment, especially as a major global warming driver, as well as:Technical ins and outs: Among other things, one of the pieces of technologies Monolith has built is one of the world’s largest plasma torches. Not sure what that means? Listen for more.What it’s like working with the DOE’s Loan Programs Office: While the Loan Programs Office's risk appetite doesn’t suit itself to every type of project, Rob breaks down under what circumstances working with the LPO can be a powerful partnership to scale critical clean technologies.Sustained will for the energy transition: Why ‘sustainability’ is about a lot more than just greenhouse gas emissions and other ‘green’ metrics.Timestamps:00:03:08 - Methane's role across environmental and economic impact00:04:11 - Rob's background and journey to Monolith00:06:10 - The Role of DOE's Loan Programs Office 00:09:03 - Deep dive into Monolith's technology and development00:19:08 - Carbon Black production and usage00:26:33 - Challenges and rigor required to work with the LPO00:30:08 - Monolith's future production capacity and impact00:33:32 - The importance of economic viability without green premiums00:36:07 - Sustained will and what the energy transition holistically requires00:38:33 - Perception of the energy transition in the Midwest00:41:47 - Calls to action Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the role of hydrogen in decarbonizing industry. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform.Learn more about Monolith on their website and LinkedIn: https://monolith-corp.com/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/monolith-corp/If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcoolThank you so much.Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/

Jigar Shah, Director of the DOE’s Loan Programs Office, and Ian Dickinson, CEO of LongPath Technologies, dive into the innovative world of methane monitoring. They discuss how cutting-edge technologies are changing the oil and gas landscape, emphasizing economic incentives and safety improvements. The conversation highlights the critical role of financing in creating momentum for climate solutions. Shah and Dickinson also explore the impact of new regulations and the need for collaboration in tackling methane emissions effectively.