Jean-Simon Venne is the co-founder and CTO of BrainBox AI, a pioneering company using artificial intelligence to optimize energy use in buildings. With a background in telecom and deep expertise in building mechanics and computer engineering, Jean-Simon has led BrainBox’s efforts to bring scalable, autonomous HVAC systems to the market. In this episode, Jean-Simon discusses his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of scaling AI in the built environment, and how BrainBox AI leverages deep learning to decarbonize buildings and support grid efficiency.BrainBox AI is a Montreal-based company that uses artificial intelligence to optimize HVAC systems in commercial buildings, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Having raised $30 million in Series A funding, backed by investors like ABB Technology Ventures and Desjardins Capital, BrainBox is expanding globally with over 700 installations across 20 countries. Its AI-driven solutions address the growing demand for sustainable building management in the real estate sector.In this episode, Jean-Simon shares insights on:Using deep learning to optimize building energy consumptionPredicting room temperatures hours ahead to save energyDrawing inspiration from autonomous vehicles for scalable building efficiencyEnjoy!Topics 00:00 Harnessing AI for Building Efficiency03:13 The Journey of an Entrepreneur06:03 Innovating in Climate Tech08:54 The Vision Behind Brainbox AI12:10 Building a Scalable Solution'15:00 Navigating Team Dynamics as a CTO17:50 Balancing Innovation and Core Development21:10 Creating an Ecosystem of Innovation25:27 The Acceleration of AI Innovation29:17 Navigating the Unknown in Technology Development31:59 Understanding AI and Its Value37:31 Challenges in Selling to Property Owners41:49 The Future of Buildings and AI Integration46:03 The Challenges and Excitement of AI EvolutionLinksBrainBox AI | Jean-Simon VenneConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X This 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!)

Brian Berzin, Co-founder and CEO of Thea Energy, discusses the promising future of nuclear fusion as a clean energy source. He explains Thea's innovative stellarator design that simplifies fusion technology, aiming for commercial deployment by the 2030s. Brian highlights the 70-year research journey at Princeton Plasma Physics Lab and the growing potential of fusion energy within the climate tech landscape. He also dives into the challenges faced by climate tech founders and the significant market opportunities in the clean energy sector.

Today, we are speaking with Liz Dennett, the CEO and Founder of Endolith. Endolith recently spun out of Cemvita to form its own independent company. (Ep #200 with Moji from Cemvita)By 2050, we will need more copper than in the history of mankind due to the electrification of industry and developing countries. If we don’t solve this, it could lead to geopolitical conflicts. Their tech uses microbes to eat crushed rocks and poop out copper (I did say explain it to me like I’m 5). They add this to existing mining operations to increase output by ~10%. This helps us get closer to solving copper demand.In today’s conversation, we cover**Copper in electrification**Her journey to CEO of Endolith**Why copper could be the thing wars are fought over**The innovation behind microbial mining**The balance between generating hype and focusing on scientific advancementsEnjoy! ---🌎 Want the full PodLetter? Go to our substack to see the written content that supplements the audio interview.  ---🌴 https://linktr.ee/cleantechies📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube🗣️ Take the Listeners Survey📫 Get Written Summaries of Each Episode in Your Inbox🌐 Become a paid Subscriber to get access to the Slack CommunityTopics: **0:00 The Importance of Coppe**2:49 Liz's Journey to Endolith**6:06 Microbes and Metal Recovery**8:49 Deep Tech Startup Challenges**12:11 Spinning-Out of Endolith from Cemvita**14:53 The Impact of Copper on Society**18:04 Geopolitics and Copper**20:57 Electrification and Global Outcomes**25:40 Speaking Truth to Power**28:26 The Complexities of Clean Energy Access**30:44 Areas to Decarbonize Mining**32:36 Partnering with Mining Incumbents**35:55 Balancing Hype and ‘Doing Science’**40:39 The Role of Politics in Green Mining**45:11 Recycling & the Future of MineralsLinks:**Liz Dennett | Endolith**Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn**Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn**@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X **This 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!)

The podcast dives deep into survey results from New York Climate Week, revealing which events attendees loved and which fell flat. Engaging presentations and intimate gatherings were celebrated, while larger corporate events received constructive criticism. The discussion also focuses on key themes such as climate adaptation and funding disparities. Networking complexities are explored, highlighting the need for genuine connections. Ultimately, attendees share aspirations for a more impactful Climate Week next year, emphasizing actionable insights for sustainability.

Arjun Jairaj is an investor at noa, a London-based VC firm focused on early-stage ventures in the built environment across North America and Europe. With experience spanning private equity, startup founding, and advisory roles, Arjun has worked in India, the UK, and beyond, including founding a shared economy startup called Plonk. At noa, he focuses on real estate, construction, energy, and mobility, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and climate technology. In this episode, Arjun shares insights on:Navigating regional investment differencesThe impact of political landscapes on climate techEmerging opportunities in robotics and decentralized energy systems.📝 Show Notes:Topics 00:21 Saul Griffith as Inspiration03:19 Climate Consciousness Growing Up07:33 noa’s Investment Process12:26 Political Shifts in Climate Policy22:45 Regional Differences in Built EnvironmentPaid version starts32:37 – Contrarian Investing and VCM43:58 – Business Models vs. Deep Tech47:22 – Future OpportunitiesLinksArjun Jairaj | noaConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X This 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 joined by Panama Bartholomy, Founder and Executive Director of the Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC). We talk about Panama’s background, the journey of creating the BDC, and why heat pumps and electrification are at the heart of decarbonizing buildings. He shares insights on the challenges of transforming America’s building sector, the importance of state-level action, and the opportunities for public-private partnerships in pushing climate tech forward. We also talk about China, and Panama offers a unique perspective on the role of international collaboration in the race to decarbonize.Tune in for an in-depth discussion on:The rise of building decarbonization policies in the U.S.Why state-level action is crucial, regardless of federal shiftsThe future of heat pumps and electrification in both the U.S. and ChinaHow the BDC is driving neighborhood-scale building decarbonizationEnjoy!---🌎 Want the full PodLetter? Go to our substack to see the written content that supplements the audio interview.  ---🌴 https://linktr.ee/cleantechies📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube🗣️ Take the Listeners Survey📫 Get Written Summaries of Each Episode in Your Inbox🌐 Become a paid Subscriber to get access to the Slack CommunityTopics 00:27 Panama’s Background and Early Career09:09 Early Challenges in Building Decarbonization12:50 BDC’s Vision and Impact16:17 BDC's Three Vertical Approach: Policy, Market, and Consumer Education21:07 U.S. States Leading the Decarbonization Effort24:41 The Mid-Transition of Building DecarbonizationPaid version starts30:35 The Incentive Structure and Challenges of Heat Pump Adoption34:20 Panama's Trip to China49:24 Quick Hits: Business Ideas, Resources, and BDC's VisionLinksPanama Bartholomy | Building Decarbonization CoalitionConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X This 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!)

Bucket List: - Do a live podcast recording ✅ Thanks to Extantia, one of THE leading ClimateTech funds in Europe, we recorded our first live podcast with Co-Founder, Partner, & LinkedIn Top Voice Yair Reem. It was FOAKing awesome. And no, it wasn’t awesome just because we got to do a live podcast, but because so many of you showed up to listen!! Shoutout to all of the CleanTechies that came through; we’re sufficiently motivated to do another 🚀.No frills this time, the pizazz was in the recording, here’s the info you need:In today’s recording of our live discussion, you can hear us break-down everything regarding FOAK financing for hardware climate tech startups:Intro to Yair What the F**K is FOAK How to “Do FOAK” How offtake agreements are game-changers & the largest open-source offtake directoryFinding commercialization talent The danger of spinning out deeptech too soonHow founders and investors can break through the noiseWhile you listen, here’s some links for ya:Connect with YairFollow ExtantiaCheck out the last episode we did with ExtantiaConnect with Somil & SilasFollow us on LinkedInSubscribe on YouTubeUpgrade to PaidSee y’all at the next CleanTechies Live Podcast Recording ☕️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!)

The speakers dive into their whirlwind experiences from Climate Week, discussing favorite and least favorite events. They highlight the need for genuine networking and collaboration in the climate tech space. Frustration bubbles as they critique the tendency for echo chambers and lack of actionable advice at gatherings. Hot takes reveal the changing landscape of investment strategies, emphasizing that mere deal flow isn't enough for VCs anymore. Plans for next year include hosting more events and fostering real debate among participants.

Hey Everyone!We're excited to share two big announcements. 🚨🚨First, CleanTechies is doing its first-ever live podcast! 🎙️🎊We are partnering with Extantia, one of THE leading ClimateTech VCs in Europe, to do our first ever live podcast recording. 🎉When: Wednesday, Sep. 25th @ 4 pm Sharp (be early)Where: Register for addressRegister for 1 of 15 CleanTechies tickets here: https://lu.ma/n8gteqtmSecond, we are hosting a soccer game for CleanTechies ⚽When: Friday, Sep. 27th @ 5:30 pmWhere: Near Sunset Park in Brooklyn (final location shared if approved)Register here: https://lu.ma/duovm34kWe’re very excited to see you all there 😎!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!)

Navigate the chaos of New York Climate Week like a pro! Discover essential strategies for preparation, networking, and follow-up to maximize your experience. Learn how to set clear goals and overcome networking anxiety while making meaningful connections. The power of casual conversations and familiar faces can transform your interactions. Enhance your personal brand and find effective ways to engage with the community through content creation. Get ready to make the most out of every moment!