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 Follow on YouTube | Listeners SurveyCheck Out Our Sponsors! * Goodwin: The Law Firm of Choice for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs * ErthTech Talent: Affordable CleanTech Search FirmWhat’s up, everyone! Today, we have a great episode with Danny Lu from Powin. Powin is a leading provider of BESS, w/ 8 GWh of systems built and 9 in the pipeline. As the Trump admin pushes for more drilling and a seemingly anti-clean energy policy (despite that not being the definition of abundance) we are seeing the value of battery storage. Prior to tariffs, building a speaker plant would be more expensive and take longer than building energy storage systems to manage grid flexibility issues. (It’s tbd what the situation will be with huge Chinese tariffs). Powin has years of experience working in this space to solve supply chain issues and is always improving its business to adapt to whatever battery chemistry is most feasible and affordable for its clients. Given all this, it was great to speak with someone who can help us understand where the market is going and what the key challenges and opportunities are that lie ahead. Want to access all our content? Upgrade to paid today. Act fast! Annual subscriptions increase to $100 on May 1st (currently $80). 🗣️ Join the Slack ChannelTopics Free Preview: * 00:00 Cold Open & Intro to Our Guest * 04:00 Origins & Evolutions of Powin* 08:10 What They Do * 10:00 Creating the Market and Finding Their First Customers* 13:00 Stepping Into a Leadership Role Out of University * 18:10 From Permit to Commissioning in Months* 19:10 What an IPP/Utility Wants — Single Point of Blame* 23:00 The Evolution of Battery Chemistry for BESS vs EV * 25:30 Powin’s Current Scale* 26:50 Storage Project Market Projections Considering Tariffs* 31:30 AI & Data Centers | BESS vs Peaker Plants* 39:00 Manufacturing in the US? (teaser clip & paywall) Links* Danny Lu | Powin* Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn* Follow CleanTechies on LinkedInThis podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the showEvery ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)

In This Episode:The story of him co-launching the Goodwin climate practiceWhat’s happening in climate tech right now? (Market update)The 3 Biggest Mistakes Climate Founders MakeCheck Out Our Sponsors!Goodwin: The Law Firm of Choice for ClimateTech EntrepreneursErthTech Talent: Affordable CleanTech Search FirmWhat’s up, everyone! Today’s episode is special since we’re speaking with David Brekke from Goodwin. In case you somehow missed it, Goodwin is the sponsor of our podcast, so yes, this is sponsored content. (tbh, even if it were not, we’d still have David on — but don’t tell him that)With everything going on in the world of climate tech right now, it’s hard to know which end is up. But David has a great perspective. You see, he’s always interacting with tons of founders and investors in climate. He sees the good, the bad, and the ugly. For this reason, he’s one of the best people to get a read on the market from. In addition to a market update, we get to hear the story of him going to Goodwin to start the climate practice. Then he walks us through the greatest hits of what to do and what not to do. He’s been around the block, and in addition to his experience, they have an entire team with even more grey hair that knows how to guide founders. This episode is value-packed — enjoy! Want to access all our content? Upgrade to paid today. Act fast! Annual subscriptions increase to $100 on May 1st (currently $80). 📺 Watch on YouTubeTopics 03:11 Building a Climate Practice at Goodwin06:08 Law x Climate Innovation09:12 Personal Motivations in Climate Tech12:04 Navigating the Climate VC Landscape15:10 Challenges and Opportunities for Climate Founders17:56 The Role of Legal Advisors in Startups21:00 Current Climate Market Dynamics24:03 The Future of Climate Investments27:13 Rebranding in the Climate Sector30:02 Reorienting Climate Tech Pitches33:19 The Evolution of Climate VC Participation36:42 Navigating Fundraising Challenges37:11 Common Mistakes in Climate Tech Startups48:01 Investor Relations and Stakeholder ManagementLinksDavid Brekke | GoodwinBook: Venture DealsConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedInThis podcast is NOT investment or legal advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the showEvery ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)

Follow us on YouTube---------Today, we have a great episode with Joe Rodden from Lydian. And we are talking all things eFuels and their story. Lydian uses Co2, Water, and abundant Green Energy to create eFuels/SAF. And because of their flexible run method, they can do it profitably, consistently. In the recent past there has been a huge demand for SAF that has been hard for major airlines to procure. In part because the technology was not there, but mostly because there were no plants up and operating. SAF plants are assumed to look like chemical production facilities… ie: always on. This way the cost of the investment is paid back soon. Lydian made sure they used inexpensive materials to create their system. And they made it to start and stop whenever there is excess electricity being produced. It’s a game changer. On top of this, Joe has a great story. A story that I’m sure you’ll enjoy on today’s episode. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment and giving us 5 stars on your favorite podcast app. Support the showEvery ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)

Today, we have a great episode with Andrew Chan from Atas Ventures.Surprise surprise…we’re continuing the conversation about the climate tech vibe shift, climate tech 3.0, climate risk…whatever you want to call it. However, our conversation with Andrew Chan of Atas Ventures is a little bit different. Andrew has, from the very beginning, thought about climate investing from first principles, placing profitability and tangible impact at the core of his strategy. He refers to this next wave as "Climate 3.0," an evolution beyond traditional impact investing towards applied technologies like robotics, IoT, and advanced energy solutions.Our conversation today focuses on these themes, including how venture capital can meaningfully intersect with antiquated industries such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing to drive both profits and genuine environmental outcomes. Andrew also shares why the venture capital playbook may need to evolve, emphasizing smarter portfolio construction, disciplined investing, and leveraging real-world experience to build lasting companies.Overall, it's an amazing episode and we're really excited to share this with you.Sidenote, we recorded this remotely while Andrew was traveling—he joined us from Bangor, Maine. If you'd like to watch, check it out on YouTube. (Also, be sure to give us a follow on YouTube to help us grow the channel!)Follow us on YouTubeIf you're enjoying the content, consider upgrading to become paid subscriber today. Act fast! Because our annual subscription is going from $80 up to $100 as of May 1st. To upgrade, click the “upgrade” button on the top right of your screen here.📝 Show Notes:Topics 06:10 Understanding Climate 3.011:53 Journey to VC17:56 Investment Strategies for Antiquated Industries23:45 Portfolio Construction26:33 Future of Fund Management30:02 Emerging Managers32:49 Taking Risks in VC36:46 Essential Skills40:19 Trends in Deep Tech and Robotics47:55 Learning and GrowthLinksAndrew ChanConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedInThis podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the showEvery ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)

 📺 Watch on YouTubeWhat’s up, everyone! Today we have a great episode with Grace Penders and Adam Chadroff from Equal Ventures. If you're not familiar with Equal, I recommend checking out episode 116 where we had on Rick Zullo, the Founder of Equal.Today, we're continuing the conversation about the climate tech vibe shift. However, our conversation with Equal is a little bit different. Equal has, from the very beginning, had a thesis broader than just climate. One of those other areas is insurance. This is an area that is increasingly intersecting with climate. This is becoming especially acute given the rise in natural disasters and the catastrophic financial impacts that follow.Our conversation today focuses on these themes as well as what the insurance industry’s role is in helping solve the climate investing challenge. There are plenty of ways. This is playing into how governments engage.Overall, it's an amazing episode and we're really excited to share this with you.Sidenote, we recorded this in person in the equal offices during my recent visit to New York. So if you'd like to watch, check it out on YouTube. (Also, be sure to give us a follow on YouTube to help us grow the channel)Topics 00:00 Cold Open & Intro03:00 The Climate Tech Vibe Shift05:58 The Intersection of Climate and Insurance09:01 Investment Trends in Climate Risk12:05 Quantifying and Mitigating Climate Risks15:03 Innovations in Climate Risk Management17:55 Preventative Measures and Market Impacts26:05 Understanding Market Compression and Its Impacts29:50 The Role of Insurance in Value Creation32:54 Government Involvement in Climate Risk35:00 Navigating Innovation in Insurance and Utilities40:18 Exit Opportunities in the Insurance Sector44:10 The Climate Capital Summit and Future TrendsLinksGrace Penders | Adam Chadroff | Equal VenturesConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedInThis podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the showEvery ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)

Tommy Leep, a venture capitalist at Jetstream specializing in climate technology, discusses the mainstreaming of ClimateTech. He highlights the need for founders to frame their solutions around energy independence and resilience. The conversation explores the evolution of climate tech, emphasizing the integration of AI and broader societal issues. Leep also delves into shifting investment strategies, challenges for climate tech startups, and the increasing importance of social impact in investing, particularly regarding education and community resilience.

Rebecca Hu Thrams, co-founder of Glacier, is on a mission to transform recycling using AI-powered robotics and proprietary physical data to fix one of the biggest inefficiencies in waste management.Glacier isn’t just another AI company—it’s tackling the physical world problem of waste sorting, giving recyclers and major brands unprecedented visibility into where materials actually go. By deploying intelligent sorting robots, Glacier is not only increasing efficiency but also building a defensible data moat, positioning itself as the source of truth for the circular economy.With growing consumer demand for sustainability and new regulations like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on the horizon, companies are scrambling for solutions. Glacier’s technology is bridging the gap between recyclers and producers—helping brands measure, track, and improve their sustainability efforts with real, actionable data.Get the full episode today to hear:✅ How AI and robotics are unlocking new efficiencies in recycling✅ Why proprietary physical data is the key to an enduring AI-powered business✅ How Glacier is helping major brands and recyclers prepare for new regulations✅ Rebecca’s journey from reluctant founder to leading a climate-tech startup✅ What the future of circular supply chains could look like with AI-driven insightsDon’t miss a moment! If you want to get the full discussion, become a paid subscriber today or redeem your trial upgrade to test it out. Subscribe now📺 Watch on YouTube | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🎧 Spotify | 🗣️ Join the Slack Channel📝 Show Notes:Topics 02:04 Founding Glacier05:54 Understanding Glacier's Role in Recycling14:12 Identifying Opportunities for Disruption in Recycling18:07 The Future of Recycling Efficiency22:08 Challenges in the Recycling Industry23:07 Navigating Risk Aversion in Robotics Investment24:43 Finding Early Adopters in the MRF Industry29:07 Advancements in AI and Robotics35:07 The Future of Connectivity in Recycling37:30 Collaborating with Industry Giants42:44 Scaling GlacierLinksRebecca Hu Thrams | GlacierConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedInThis podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the showEvery ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)

We’re doing something a bit different…🤔We’re exploring the urgent and evolving landscape of critical minerals with Nicholaus Rohleder from Climate Commodities. Nick, an investor and expert in the field, breaks down how the U.S. went from a leader in mineral production to heavy reliance on foreign sources—and why the time is now for entrepreneurs to help rebuild domestic supply chains.Key Topics Covered:The Rise and Fall of U.S. Mineral ProductionWhy Critical Minerals Matter More Than EverOpportunities for EntrepreneursThe Capital Market ShiftU.S. Trade Policy and TariffsThe Future of Clean MineralsMistakes Founders MakeNick teaches a class on this at UPenn, so this is serious value ($$$) — if you’re a investor, policymaker, or entrepreneur looking to understand the critical minerals space, this is for you. ---🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today (cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe)--- 📺 Watch on YouTubeLinksNicholaus Rohleder | Climate CommoditiesConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedInThis podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Topics 01:23 Landscape of Critical Minerals05:06 Historical Context of U.S. Mineral Production09:53 Talent and Knowledge Gaps in the Industry12:10 The Need for Domestic Production20:30 The Key Minerals28:51 Opportunities in the Critical Minerals Value Chain34:32 Technological Innovations and Local Production43:05 Cost Dynamics[Paywall Begins]44:04 Building Successful Companies in Critical Minerals46:52 Common Mistakes in the Critical Minerals Sector51:52 Current Trends in Capital Investment55:42 Investment Opportunities56:00 Advice for Start-ups in the Sector57:06 Government Involvement and Policy ImplicationsSupport the showEvery ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)

This week, we’re joined by Todd Bush, an expert in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), with decades of experience supporting oil and gas companies in their decarbonization efforts. Todd has founded and sold multiple companies and is now leading decarbonfuse, a daily newsletter tracking deal activity in carbon capture and industrial decarbonization.This conversation covers the current state of carbon capture, where the momentum is strongest, the biggest barriers to scaling CCUS, and how policy and investment shifts are shaping the industry. If you’re curious about where the carbon capture market is headed and how it intersects with industries like ethanol, hydrogen, and steel production, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!🔍 Topics Covered in This Episode**The first movers in carbon capture: ethanol, ammonia, and natural gas**The difference between Class 2 vs. Class 6 wells and why it matters**How carbon capture projects get financed and what returns investors expect**The role of policy (45Q tax credits, permitting hurdles, and regulatory uncertainty)**Utilization of CO2—who’s buying it and why**Why Houston and the Gulf Coast are primed to be the epicenter of CCUS**What’s needed for carbon capture to reach private equity scale ---🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today (cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe)--- 📺 Watch on YouTubeNotes & Links:decarbonfuse NewsletterEnergy Tech Nexus | Digital WildcattersAbt the 45Q Tax CreditMore on Class 6 vs. Class 2 WellsParticipate in the CleanTechies Listener Survey: Take Survey.Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedInThis podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Timestamps:**0:00 Introduction to Carbon Capture **3:50 The Journey into Carbon Capture Solutions**6:55 Decarbonization Trends and Industry Perspectives**10:01 Carbon Capture Technologies and Their Applications**12:54 Regulatory Frameworks and Project Development**15:55 Community Engagement and Project Success Factors**19:41 Momentum in Carbon Capture and Community Engagement**22:57 Technological Bottlenecks and Adoption Rates**27:25 Talent Pool and Industry Transition**32:03 RegulatSupport the showEvery ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)

Yuval Bachar, Founder and CEO of Edge CloudLink (ECL), is on a mission to revolutionize data centers with hydrogen-powered, off-grid solutions.His journey spans decades, with leadership roles at Cisco, Facebook, and LinkedIn, where he built critical infrastructure for some of the biggest names in tech. Now, he’s pioneering a new wave of sustainable data centers, delivering AI-ready capacity in just nine months—compared to the industry average of three to four years.Here’s the game-changer: ECL’s modular approach eliminates reliance on traditional power grids, slashes emissions to zero, and generates its own cooling water, making it a groundbreaking solution for the energy-hungry AI revolution.With data center demand soaring and grid power in short supply, Yuval’s vision could be the key to unlocking the next generation of computing.Get the full episode today to hear:Why traditional data centers are struggling to keep up with AI growth—and how ECL is changing the gameThe secret behind delivering AI data centers in 9 months instead of 3+ yearsHow Yuval secured $18M in funding and is now raising $1.2B for large-scale deploymentsThe surprising benefits of hydrogen for both cost and sustainabilityKey lessons from scaling world-class infrastructure at Facebook, LinkedIn, and Cisco📝 Show Notes:Topics 02:46 Hydrogen-Powered Data Centers10:40 Modular and Rapid Deployment14:01 The Hydrogen Supply Chain26:30 Innovation in Data Centers28:54 Supportive Boardroom Culture32:15 Building Trust and Transparency34:40 Fostering a Culture of Innovation41:13 A Journey Through a Tech Career49:28 Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship54:57 Vision for the FutureLinksYuval Bachar | EdgeCloudLinkConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedInThis podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Support the showEvery ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide. They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)