CleanTechies Podcast

Why you should listen:* Discover the role of Specialist VCs in climate change solutions with SE Ventures* Learn about SE Ventures and its innovative climate and industrial tech investments* Gain insights on collaboration with large companies and startup wisdomNot already a subscriber…subscribe today and support us either financially or through sharing the post.Show Notes:In this episode Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) & Somil Aggarwal (@somil_agg) speak with Grant Allen, General Partner at SE Ventures. They are a uniquely positioned Specialist VC with a single LP, Schneider Electric. They function like a typical VC, with autonomy from Schneider Electric as a whole, but can also leverage Schneider's vast global network to add value beyond capital and help their portfolio companies to succeed.Enjoy the Episode! 🌎📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube.📫 Interested in written summaries and takeaways from the episode? Subscribe to the newsletter.Want to be part of the community and engage further? Check out the Slack Channel. https://tinyurl.com/mwkn8zk5Topics:* 1:32: Intro & Career* 5:16: Relationship w/ SE* 9:09: How SE Ventures Started* 11:43: SE Thesis: Double Bottom Line* 19:46: Why the Check Size* 23:36: Milestones to Get a Check* 26:39: How To Manage Collaboration* 33:35: Areas He's Bullish On* 37:34: Building Incentive-Free Biz Models* 42:03: Advice to Founders* 44:31: How to Scale* 47:51: How to Vet Big Incumbents* 51:44: Advice to VC Aspirants* 56:11: How to Develop a Thesis* 59:15: If He Started a Biz Today He Would…Links:* Connect with Grant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantallen/* SE Ventures: https://www.seventures.com/home.jsp* Climate Capital Summit: https://www.climatecapitalsummit.com/ * Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/* Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/* HMU on Twitter: @silasmahner, @somil_aggOther episodes you might enjoy:* Most Recent Episode: #125 Revolutionizing Heating and Cooling with Smart Radiators, Facing Rejection, and Building Hardware like Software with Marshall Cox (Kelvin)* Similar Topic: #93 Hard Truths About VC, Raising Advice, & Small Fund Limitations w/ Susan Su (Toba Capital)* Something Totally Different: #103 Revolutionizing Takeout: Tackling Plastic Waste Crisis with Reusable Containers and Gamification w/ James Wilson (reUser)CoHost.AI Write Up:Ever wondered how venture capital firms are combating climate change? Here's your chance to find out. Grant from SE Ventures guides us through a voyage into the thriving world of venture capital funds and their crucial role in climate change solutions. His journey from traditional financial models to corporate VC models is certainly a tale worth hearing. Founders and aspiring business leaders, take note! We delve deeper into how SE Ventures and Schneider Electric, its parent company, have a unique synergy that accelerates the adoption of crucial technology for climate change solutions. Learn about SE Ventures, a venture fund supported by Schneider Electric, and the crucial 'air gap' that ensures alignment with founders and speedy action. The 'double bottom line' approach and value delivery framework of SE Ventures are nothing short of revolutionary. In the final fold of our conversation, Grant shares his investment experiences in mobility companies, thoughts on government’s role in residential electrification, and the importance of self-sustaining business models. We also navigate the potential advantages of collaborating with large companies, provided you manage the relationship effectively. And for those young investors and startups out there, Grant's words of wisdom are a must-hear: humility, rapid learning, and understanding the complexity of the climate change space are key. So pull up a chair and let's get started!Thank you for listening / reading / supporting us. It means a lot to us because there is a lot of work that goes into making this happen. Please share your favorite moments and reach out if we can help in any way. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

Not already a subscriber…subscribe today and support us either financially or through sharing the post. Show Notes:In this episode, Somil Aggarwal (@somilagg) interviews Marshall Cox about his journey into being a climate tech founder, the impact of getting a Ph.D. on his journey, how he faced rejection, and how to build hardware like software.Overall, a super good episode packed full of insights. Enjoy the Episode! 🌎📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube.📫 Interested in written summaries and takeaways from the episode? Subscribe to the newsletter. Want to be part of the community and engage further? Check out the Slack Channel. https://tinyurl.com/mwkn8zk5Topics:* 1:30 Intro & Having a scientific background as a founder* 6:00 Impact of PhD on entrepreneurship* 8:32 Radiators vs. smart radiators* 12:28 market barriers* 13:59 Balancing impact vs. bottom-line* 15:30 Fundraising history* 18:27 Facing rejection* 27:06 New vision for Kelvin & hurdles for implementation* 38:56 Expanding into new hardware products* 43:13 How to make building in hardware like building in software* 44:59 Advice for founders* 49:30 Thoughts on NYC climate weekLinks: * Connect with Marshall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshallcox79/*  Kelvin: https://kel.vin*  Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/*  Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/*  HMU on Twitter: @Somil_AggYou might enjoy:*  Most Recent Episode: #123 Driving Adoption in Hard-to-Abate Sectors, Why Not an IP Play, Fundraising for an R&D Shop, Partnering w/ Large Corporates, Hiring PhDs, & More w/ Jeff Erhardt (Mattiq)*  Similar Topic: From Harvard, to D.E. Shaw, to Obama Administration, to Refrigeration w/ Manik Suri (Therma)*  Something Totally Different: Re-Engineering the World because the Future is Decarbonized w/ Matt Ward (4Ward.VC)CoHost.AI Write Up:What if you could revolutionize the way we think about heating and cooling in our homes? That's exactly what our guest, Marshall Cox, CEO of Kelvin (formerly Radiator Labs), set out to do. He shares his journey from a problem-solving tenant to an environmental technology entrepreneur, developing a game-changing hybrid electrification heating and cooling technology for legacy buildings. We'll explore how his venture promises to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and increase cost and efficiency. Marshall unravels the intricacies of radiator heat, illuminating the promising world of 'smart radiators'. With the advent of low-cost electronics and radio technology, he's made strides in bringing this innovation to the market. He also discusses the market barriers that need to be overcome and stresses the significance of understanding the bottom line of stakeholders when creating an impact-driven business. It's a fascinating exploration of how technology can help us be more eco-friendly and cost-effective.Finally, we delve into the nitty-gritty of entrepreneurship, as Marshall reflects on the complexities of fundraising, maintaining a vision, and mitigating technology risks in hardware. He shares candid insights on the challenges of communicating with different capital-giving groups, staying the course with an unconventional product, and the importance of networking with trusted advisors. But this is more than just a journey, it's a call to action. Learn how you could be part of the solution as we unpack the lessons, trials, and triumphs of Kelvin's quest to revolutionize the heating and cooling sector.Thank you for listening / reading / supporting us. It means a lot to us because there is a lot of work that goes into making this happen. Please share your favorite moments and reach out if we can help in any way. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

Today we have a pretty exciting episode with an inspiring Entrepreneur, Tee Ganbold. She has an incredible perspective to offer given her Mongolian roots, global experience, and expertise in AI, ESG, and leadership. One of the biggest themes from today’s episode is timing. You need to have the right timing to make things work. Consider the work you’re doing and if the timing is right. If you take away nothing else, take that away. Not already a subscriber…subscribe today and support us either financially or through sharing the post. Show Notes:In this episode, Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) speaks with Tee Ganbold (@tee_ganbold), the Co-Founder of OpenESG on what she's doing in the ESG tech space. They have created an incredible tool that, operates like ChatGPT but is specifically designed and trained on corporate sustainability data. Instead of spending time researching a company's ESG data and commitments, you can simply ask OpenESG and you have detailed data at your fingertips, along the precise references to the underlying data. Tee has a great story coming from Mongolia, being raised in London, starting a few companies, living around the world, and now choosing to build OpenESG in NYC. We had a really great conversation so it's exciting to share it with you here today. Enjoy the Episode! 🌎📆 Book a time w/ Silas during Climate Week in NYC (IRL): https://calendar.app.google/STXX7pMNmsWRsafd6 📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube.📫 Interested in written summaries and takeaways from the episode? Subscribe to the newsletter. Want to be part of the community and engage further? Check out the Slack Channel. https://tinyurl.com/mwkn8zk5 Topics: * 1:50 Intro & Career* 7:30 What is open ESG's* 9:24  Early Career advice - Ents on the Fence* 13:20 What is Open ESG* 24:34 Why NYC to Build?* 32:20 Examples of Open ESG* 35:17 Advice to Founders - Starting Out* 39:38 How to Focus on the Right Thing* 44:47 What Investors Care About* 47:01 Creating Great Customer Experience* 49:30 Operations for Building in Climate Links: * Connect with Tee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teeganbold/ * OpenESG: https://www.openesg.com/* Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/* Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/* HMU on Twitter: @silasmahnerOther episodes you might enjoy: * Most Recent Episode: #123 Driving Adoption in Hard-to-Abate Sectors, Why Not an IP Play, Fundraising for an R&D Shop, Partnering w/ Large Corporates, Hiring PhDs, & More w/ Jeff Erhardt (Mattiq)* Similar Topic: #47 The Current and Future State of the ESG Software Space w/ Sondra Tosky (Measurabl)* Something Totally Different: #63 Carbon Markets and How they Work, Democratizing Forestry Carbon Credits, & More w/ Matt Smith (Finite Carbon)CoHost.AI Write Up:What does it take to build a successful global business in the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) tech space? Co-founder of OpenESG, Tee Ganbold, helps us decode this complex matrix as she narrates her unique journey. Starting from her roots in Mongolia to establishing a thriving venture in London, T's story is nothing short of inspiration. We explore OpenESG's key mission - to aid businesses in navigating the fragmented ESG tech landscape and supporting them in contributing meaningfully towards climate and sustainability challenges.As the conversation unfolds, we gain insights into the transformative power of generative AI in the ESG realm. Tee stresses the role of identifying a problem and honing in on it to develop a solution. There is wisdom to glean from her experiences working with incredible people, insights that could be instrumental in shaping your own professional pathway. The discussion also spotlights the value of sustainability for corporations, the role of Chief Sustainability Officers, and how OpenESG is leveraging technology to simplify the tedious process of data reporting and tracking.Our dialogue culminates in a discussion about the critical elements of building a successful global brand. We touch upon the essence of timing, the need for the right team, and the growing importance of ESG. We also delve into the intricacies of raising capital, the significance of thorough research, product or market fit, and adopting a global outlook while identifying investors. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer understanding of the ESG tech space, and how OpenESG is striving to bridge the existing gaps in the industry. Join us for this enlightening conversation with Tee Ganbold, and discover the many facets of sustainable tech entrepreneurship.Thank you for listening / reading / supporting us. It means a lot to us because there is a lot of work that goes into making this happen. Please share your favorite moments and reach out if we can help in any way. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

You’ve heard of raising a VC Fund, you’ve heard of raising money for your startup, but have you heard of raising money to pay scientists and chemical engineers to play around in a lab…oh and it’s not for philanthropy. Today we have a pretty fascinating episode with Jeff Ernhardt from Mattiq discussing how they are identifying new materials science formulas, proving them on the bench, and then partnering with industrial producers to manufacture these at scale in order to make an impact at scale. This episode is particularly interesting for academics interested in a different set of incentives that pure academia cannot offer. If you’re building a sustainable chemicals company or thinking about it, you should also find the insights about partnering with an industrial producer of particular interest. Personally my biggest takeaways were from his comments on…* Experimenting in a linear fashion versus how they are now doing it simultaneously [~27:00]* Why they chose to partner with industrials rather than go the IP route [~39:30]* The areas he’s bullish on in the coming years [~52:30]* And my personal favorite, his comments on hiring PhDs and “Finding an Icon” that will bring their followers with them [~57:30]There is a LOT of value in today’s episode. In order to repay us for all the back breaking labor we have put into this show (literally, I have back pain from how much time I spend in my chair) please subscribe if you’ve not already. Already a subscriber? Sorry for being so forceful…👼 but… have you shared the show recently (nope, I’ll never run out of asks 🙈) - Imagine how if your friend get’s one valuable nuget out of the show that saves them months of exploration, you’ll be the goat to them. We can’t guarantee you they will invite you to their wedding, but they will at least like you more…Show Notes:In this episode, Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) & Somil Aggarwal (@somil_agg) speak with Jeff Erhardt from Mattiq.Jeff had a ton of insights and we are glad to share them with you today.Enjoy the Episode! 🌎📆 Book a time w/ Silas during Climate Week in NYC (IRL): https://calendar.app.google/STXX7pMNmsWRsafd6📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube.📫 Interested in written summaries and takeaways from the episode? Subscribe to the newsletter.Want to be part of the community and engage further? Check out the Slack Channel. https://tinyurl.com/mwkn8zk5Topics:* 2:21 Intro & Career* 6:55 What is Industrial AI* 16:08 Driving Adoption in Industrial Space* 20:11 Advice to Early Career Folks* 25:37 What Mattiq Does* 35:52 The misalignment of academia* 39:09 Their Business Model* 42:15 Fundraising for Mattiq* 45:15 Industrial Decarb Challenges* 50:10 Partnering* 53:12 Startup Ideas* 57:35 Hiring PhDs Links:* Connect w/ Jeff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefferhardt/* Follow Mattiq: https://mattiq.com/* Climate Capital Summit: https://www.climatecapitalsummit.com/* Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/* Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/* HMU on Twitter: (@)somil_agg & (@)silasmahnerOther episodes you might enjoy:* Most Recent Episode: #122 Offset Skepticism, Regulation Driving Demand, Sustainable Supply Chains, Content GTM Strategy, Climate Business Opportunities, & More w/ Saif Hameed (Altruistiq)* Similar Topic: #113 Incubating Climate Risk / Insurance Solutions as Traditional Insurers Pull Back w/ Stephen Brittain (Insurtech Gateway)* Something Totally Different: #99 Capturing Methane to Power Data Centers in Remote Areas w/ Andreas Lehner (PowerBlocks)Thank you for tuning in / reading the CleanTechies Podcast and Written content. We really genuinely appreciate all your support. ❤️ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to another episode of the CleanTechies Podcast! 🌎 So good to see you again. 🤝There are a few people who should benefit from this episode. 1: People curious to learn about the ESG SaaS market. He offers a bit of history on the origin of these companies and the current landscape, as well as where they are likely to go (hint, it’s more specific and niche). This is covered mostly between 13:00 and 23:00. 2: Founders seeking GTM advice and are open to a community & content-driven model. He has an entire section on this at around 54 min in. 3: Aspiring climate founders. Starting at about 59:00 he talks a bit about his perspective on investing an angel and then about the areas of opportunity in CT. (Sneak peek, it has to do with the specialization of products inside the E, S, & G of ESGLet us know your favorite topic when you finish listening. How can you seriously think of passing this over after we hacked ourselves, sharing with you the data you need…c’mon man! Subscribe! 👇Show Notes: In this episode, Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) & Somil Aggarwal (@somil_agg) speak with Saif Hameed, the CEO and Founder of Altruistiq, a leading Carbon Emissions accounting software. The conversation is full of insights because Saif has an incredible background, diverse career exposure, and a very good handle on the overall ESG & Sustainability space. Some of the key topics are, how ESG is an incorrect usage of terminology, how Scope 1,2,3 emissions were created as frameworks for governments, the difficulty of deploying money into non-renewables climate solutions, and a lot more. Enjoy the Episode! 🌎📆 Book a time w/ Silas during Climate Week in NYC (IRL): https://calendar.app.google/STXX7pMNmsWRsafd6 📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube.📫 Interested in written summaries and takeaways from the episode? Subscribe to the newsletter. Want to be part of the community and engage further? Check out the Slack Channel. https://tinyurl.com/mwkn8zk5 Topics: * 2:40 Intro & Career* 9:00 What is Altruistiq* 13:27 ESG SaaS Breakdown* 19:45 Scope 1, 2, & 3 Emissions* 23:12 Critique of Corporate Promises* 29:56  How CPGs Track Responsiveness* 39:13 Sustainability Product Demand Insights* 42:09 Regulation Driving Demand* 48:29 Advice to Founders* 54:27 GTM Advice* 59:03  On Angel Investing* 1:01:15 Startup IdeasLinks: * Connect w/ Saif: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saifhameed/ * Follow Altruistiq: https://altruistiq.com/* Climate Capital Summit: https://www.climatecapitalsummit.com/*  Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/* Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/* HMU on Twitter: @silasmahnerYou Thought I was Done w/ These CTAs? Ha! Given that we put a lot of work into making this show, please share it with 3 people individually that you think will like it. (There are rewards for the referring types)Other episodes you might enjoy:* Most Recent Episode: #121 Size Matters...Fund Size, Re-industrializing the World, Hardware is NOT Hard, & More w/ Matt McGraw (Anthro Ventures)* Similar Topic: #42 How ESG Effects Design, ESG Reporting for RE Owners, Real Estate and ESG, and Sustainable Real Estate w/ Fulya Kocak Gin (Nareit)* Something Totally Different: #72 Combating Fast Fashion using Sustainable Cotton with Graham Stewart from Fiber52CoHost.AI Summary:Prepare to embark on an insightful journey with Saif Hamid, the seasoned founder and CEO of London-based Carbon Accounting Platform, Altruistic. With a rich background varying from political activism and disaster relief to consulting with McKinsey and running a flower farm, Saif dishes out a wealth of knowledge on carbon accounting. He pulls back the curtain on ESG metrics, corporate sustainability, consumer demand, and the intriguing market for carbon offsets. We unpack the impacts of consumer concerns on companies, with special attention on the role of corporate response mechanisms. Saif enlightens us on the opportunities and pitfalls in the carbon offset market, particularly for businesses grappling with small residual emissions. If you're in the sustainability and climate tech sectors, you won’t want to miss Saif’s insight into the sectors with the most demand for sustainable products. Brace yourself for an insider's perspective on the highs and lows of helming a climate tech startup. From pacing to customer problems and organizational setup, Saif's expert advice is invaluable. He further explores different business opportunities in the climate space and shares his insights on scaling a GTM program for maximum returns. Saif wraps up by highlighting four areas ripe for entrepreneurs to venture into the climate space: direct air capture technical offsets, alternative materials and inputs, data and certification, and classic SaaS. This episode is bursting with practical knowledge and thought-provoking ideas that will leave you fascinated and better informed. Join us!You might consider connecting with Somil or Silas to learn more about their work at Schmidt Future and NextWave Partners, respectively. Become a paid subscriber today for more perks like messaging us, participating in extracurricular events, getting access to service providers’ discounts, and some walled content… This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

Before we get into the show, we have an ask! You may or may not be familiar with what goes into creating a podcast and doing all this, so we figured we’d tell you. Making each of these episodes, takes about 3 - 5 hours of work from setting up the interview, to prep, recording, and then post-production and promotion. Why are we educating you on podcasting? Well, we want your support. If you enjoy this work please consider becoming a Paid Subscriber of the show. It allows us to pay for the costs of the show. If you really can’t part with $5 a month, then we ask you at least become a free subscriber and then share this episode with at least 3 people. Thank you for your help - it means a lot and goes a LONG way! 🙏Show Notes:In this episode Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) & Matt McGraw (@mjm11), Co-Founder and GP of Anthro Ventures. In the episode we cover his story, their focus, why being a VC is a hard job, how ClimateTech is essentially re-industrializing the world & why that's a good thing, he offered his advice to founders, and we closed off by discussing the role of climate tech startups in the governance and ESG movement towards a more equitable future. Enjoy the Episode! 🌎📆 Book a time w/ Silas during Climate Week in NYC (IRL): https://calendar.app.google/STXX7pMNmsWRsafd6 📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube.📫 Interested in written summaries and takeaways from the episode? Subscribe to the newsletter. Want to be part of the community and engage further? Check out the Slack Channel. https://tinyurl.com/mwkn8zk5 Topics:* 2:42 Intro & Career Into VC* 12:41 Size Matters...Fund Size* 23:15 Job of a VC* 25:08 Anthro's Thesis* 39:22 Re-industrializing the World* 41:51 Advice to Founders* 48:19 Areas To Build In* 50:40 Blitz Scaling Conventional Industries* 55:34 Governance in Climate StartupsLinks: * Connect w/ Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjm11/ | matt@anthro.ventures * Follow Anthro Ventures: https://anthro.ventures/* Climate Capital Summit: https://www.climatecapitalsummit.com/* Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/* Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/* HMU on Twitter: @silasmahnerOther episodes you might enjoy:* Most Recent Episode: #120 Serial Entrepreneur Fundraising, the IRA & Home Electrification, IRA-Dependent Business Models, & More w/ Jeff Chapin (Haven Energy)* Similar Topic: #116 Consultative VC, Understanding Customers (as a VC), Developing Industry Networks for Your PortCos, & More w/ Rick Zullo (Equal Ventures)* Something Totally Different: #97 Cutting Building Heat Loss Via Windows & Building a Platform for Glass Technology Firms w/ Anas Kassas (INOVUES)CoHost.AI Write UpReady to uncover the trends and opportunities in climate tech investing? Get set to be enlightened as we sit down with Matthew McGraw, co-founder and GP of Anthropocene Ventures (Anthro Ventures). Matt takes us on his journey from Silicon Valley to venture capitalism, revealing his unique approach to deep tech and science technology in the climate tech space. He also shares the challenging path of starting a venture capital fund and the crucial role of understanding financial modeling and the historical context of potential investments.We delve deeper into the unique focus of Anthro Ventures on deep tech and engineering leveraged companies in the climate space. We unmask the benefits and misconceptions of investing in hardware, and why their focus has shifted to enabling technologies rather than consumer end point solutions. The conversation is not just about investments, but also about the potential of businesses that utilize deep science and novel engineering to create innovative solutions to combat climate change. Wrapping up our insightful discussion, we highlight the importance of business strategy, valuation in fundraising, and the power of intentional decision-making. Matthew sheds light on the key role that climate tech startups play in promoting biodiversity and responsible governance, and how they're transforming the physical economy. Whether you're an entrepreneur or an investor, you won't want to miss this deep dive into the world of climate tech investing. Join us as we explore the power of deep science and hard tech, and invite entrepreneurs to connect with their ideas.Thank you for tuning into the CleanTechies Podcast and being a Substack Subscriber! It means a lot and helps us do the work we ❤️ - Let’s Save the Planet Together 🌍 🤝- Silas & Somil This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

Show Notes:In this episode, Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) & Somil Aggarwal (@somil_agg) speak with Jeff Chapin, the Co-Founder of Haven Energy. We heard how he raised the funding for Haven with 2 pitches. He taught us how the IRA aids home electrification. His thoughts on building IRA-dependent businesses. We finish up with his advice to founders. Enjoy the Episode! 🌎📆 Book a time with Silas in NYC During Climate Week 🌱📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube.📫 Interested in written summaries and takeaways from the episode? Subscribe to the newsletter. Want to be part of the community and engage further? Check out the Slack Channel. https://tinyurl.com/mwkn8zk5 Not already a subscriber? What are you waiting for? Your ClimateTech founder’s and VC’s insights are at your fingertips…Topics: * 1:03 Intro & Journey into Climate* 5:41 Hiring an outsider* 12:18 Advice to get going as a founder-to-be* 15:09 What Haven does* 26:40 Blue Collar Workers in Climate* 30:11 The Raising Process* 35:45 The IRA and Home Electrification* 48:34 Advice to FoundersLinks: Connect with Jeff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-chapin-a4b63758/ Haven Energy: https://havenenergy.com/Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/HMU on Twitter: @silasmahnerYou know what they say, “Actions speak louder than words”… 🚀Other episodes you might enjoy:* Most Recent Episode: Partnering w/ Energy Majors in the Climate Revolution, Houston's Role in the Movement, Discovery Framework, & More w/ Eric Rubenstein (New Climate Ventures)* Similar Topic: Electrifying Homes, Home Air-Quality & Health, Merging Blue & White Collar Talent w/ DR Richardson (Elephant Energy)* Something Totally Different: From 30% to 90% Li Recovery, Founding a ClimateTech Co, & Talent Moat w/ Teague Egan (EnergyX)CoHost.AI Write UpJoin us for a fascinating exploration into the world of cleantech entrepreneurship with Jeff Chapin, the visionary founder behind Haven Energy. Our discussion traverses his unique journey, from the origins of his business to his innovative approach to securing seed funding with just two pitches. We uncover the importance of creating a product that serves customers better, moving beyond simply playing to people's goodwill. Venture with us into the realm of battery technology, where Jeff shares his insights on the shifting focus of pitch presentations. From emphasizing climate benefits to enthralling investors with a superior product that reduces electricity costs, enhances resilience and lowers carbon footprint. Jeff’s journey takes a detour as he shares his experience of taking a hiatus to renovate a 110-year-old house in rural Wyoming. This leads us back to his passion for climate resilience and the basic human needs that drive him.We round off with a deep dive into the world of home electrification, exploring its potential and the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on it. We also examine the incentives offered through the Internal Revenue Act of 2018, shedding light on how they're reducing ownership costs and accelerating the shift to home electrification. Jeff also shares his wisdom for other founders, emphasizing the importance of a robust business model and pitching an idea while it's being built. Don't miss this enlightening conversation with a trailblazer in the climate tech space. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

CleanTechies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.CoHost.AI WriteupEver wondered what the intersection of climate change and venture capital looks like? In our latest podcast episode, we have a riveting conversation with Eric Rubenstein, founding managing partner at New Climate Ventures. Eric opens up about his journey from corporate investing in ONG to climate tech VC investing, shedding light on the pivotal role of energy majors in the energy transition and the climate revolution.We don't just stop there! Together with Eric, we delve into the pressing issue of global warming, discussing viable strategies for developing a carbon tech ecosystem to help decarbonize our planet. We explore high-emission sectors like the built environment and the food and agricultural industry, and how technologies such as sustainable aviation fuels can be leveraged for decarbonization. Eric also offers invaluable insights into the fundraising process for climate tech, and the significance of attracting the right investors for early-stage growth.Things get real as we talk about the impact of the conflict in Eastern Europe on the venture capital industry and the subsequent shift in investor mindset. Eric shares his experiences from the fundraising trenches, emphasizing the critical need for energy security in these conversations. We also discuss his work with energy majors and chemical companies, and how understanding traditional industries is key to effective change. So tune in as we navigate the fascinating world of startup investments, sales trends, funding, and deliver some priceless advice for founders. You won't want to miss this!SummaryIn this episode Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) interviews Eric Rubenstein about his journey into climate tech, the importance of partnering with Energy Majors in the Climate Revolution, the role of Houston in that movement, Eric's discovery framework, and his ideal founder traits. Overall, a super good episode packed full of insights. Enjoy the Episode! 🌎* 📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube.* 📫 Interested in written summaries and takeaways from the episode? Subscribe to the newsletter. * Want to be part of the community and engage further? Check out the Slack Channel. https://tinyurl.com/mwkn8zk5 Topics: * 1:36 Intro & His Climate Journey* 9:42 DTD Challenges of Being a VC* 13:59 New Climate Ventures* 15:50 Their Verticals* 22:27 His Exp Raising the Fund* 30:41 Houston & The Climate Revolution* 39:30 Ideal Founder TraitsAdvice Section* 46:19 Discovery Mindset Framework & Tactics* 50:32 VCs Required Value Props* 55:10 Fundraising Advice* 58:56 His Role Model VCsIf you enjoy this episode, please consider sharing it with someone who might also find it interesting.Links: * Connect with Eric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric--rubenstein/ * New Climate Ventures: https://www.newclimateventures.com/* Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/* Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/* HMU on Twitter: @silasmahnerOther episodes you might enjoy:* Most Recent Episode: Carbon Negative Cement, DeepTech Development Frameworks, Hiring a Founding Team, Pointers on an IP Business, & More w/ Cody Finke (Brimstone)* Similar Topic: Consultative VC, Understanding Customers (as a VC), Developing Industry Networks for Your PortCos, & More w/ Rick Zullo (Equal Ventures)* Something Totally Different: Revolutionizing Takeout: Tackling Plastic Waste Crisis with Reusable Containers and Gamification w/ James Wilson (reUser) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

(CoHost.AI Writeup)Ever wonder how a chemist turned into a green entrepreneur tackling the enormous environmental issue of cement production? Our latest episode of the CleanTechies podcast brings you the fascinating journey of Cody Finke, the brain behind Brimstone, a unique venture that's transforming cement production with a carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative approach. From his days in graduate school to receiving the instrumental influence of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Cody takes us through his transition into a business founder, the challenges of securing initial funding, and the strategies that won over investors for his world-improving cause.CleanTechies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.We delve into the heart of Brimstone's innovation - a groundbreaking method of creating Portland cement that passively sequesters CO2. Cody opens up about their plans for scaling this climate-friendly process and the hurdles they face in retrofitting cement plants. He emphasizes the importance of advanced market commitments in scaling their process. But it's not all about the technicalities; listen in as Cody shares his personal insights on the power of persistence, risk-taking, and maintaining focus as a deep tech founder.As we round off our discussion, Cody shares his experiences recruiting chemical engineers and navigating the construction of facilities. He highlights the crucial role of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in shaping Brimstone's distinctive approach. For anyone contemplating a dive into the deep-tech domain, Cody has pearls of wisdom on the necessity of risk-taking and staying focused. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the intersection of science, entrepreneurship, and environmental conservation. Tune in for a peek behind the scenes of a climate-positive startup!If you enjoy this content, please share it with someone - do your part to help save the planet! 🌎SummaryIn this episode, Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) and Cody Finke (@cody_finke), the Co-Founder of Brimstone discuss Cody's journey into climate and how they are revolutionizing the cement space. They have created a cement product that has just been approved as certified Portland Cement - This is the main cement used in the construction of buildings. The best part, it's carbon neutral in many cases negative (depending on the energy source used). This is a truly revolutionary technology and we can't wait to see it at commercial scale in the next few years. Enjoy the Episode! 🌎📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube.📫 Interested in written summaries and takeaways from the episode? Subscribe to the newsletter. Want to be part of the community and engage further? Check out the Slack Channel. https://tinyurl.com/mwkn8zk5 Topics: * 2:30 Intro & Climate Journey* 11:04 How he became an entrepreneur* 14:09 Experience closing his skills gap as a founder* 17:16 What brimstone is / How Cement is Made* 22:09 How they got C150 Certification* 27:36 The Supply Chain Problem* 30:11 Their Biz Model* 32:40 Building the Pilot Plant* 33:52 Fundraising* 41:54 Where the Rock is Found* 44:15 Corporate Partners* 45:20 Receptivity of the Industry* 46:35 DeepTech Development Framework* 50:18 Choosing Founding Team* 51:51 Funding AdviceStart writing today. Use the button below to create your Substack and connect your publication with CleanTechiesLinks: * Connect with Cody: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-finke-ph-d-213b88ab* Brimstone Website: https://www.brimstone.com/* Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/* Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/* HMU on Twitter: @silasmahnerOther episodes you might enjoy:* Most Recent Episode: Early Stage Hiring Decisions, Heeding the Lessons from CleanTech 1.0, Energize's $300m Growth Fund Close, & More w/ Eileen Waris (Energize Capital)* Similar Topic: From Restaurants to ClimateTech: Building a Carbon Capture Concrete Company w/ Tim Sperry (Carbon Limit)* Something Totally Different: Cutting Building Heat Loss Via Windows & Building a Platform for Glass Technology Firms w/ Anas Kassas (INOVUES) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

CleanTechies is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.(CoHost.AI write-up)Ever wondered how a high school Spanish teacher can ignite a passion for sustainability that leads to a thriving career in venture capitalism? Our guest, Eileen Weiris from Energize Capital, shares this intriguing narrative and much more. We chat about the exciting growth of sustainability initiatives and the critical role that software and digital solutions play in the face of climate change. Eileen also takes us through her journey at Energize Capital, from their transition from Energize Ventures to their $300 million close of their second growth fund.The climate tech space is evolving rapidly, and with it comes a plethora of investment opportunities. Eileen provides us with a fascinating insight into Energize Capital's investment strategy, focusing on the importance of relationship building, networking, and the traits they look for in a company when investing. Also, we discuss Energize Capital's commitment to climate software and the different verticals they’re investing in, from renewable energy and electric vehicles to software solutions for carbon accounting and decarbonization.But the discussion doesn't stop there. Eileen imparts some practical advice for climate tech founders and VCs. She emphasizes the importance of clear and concise pitches to investors and shares her perspective on how resilience and adaptation are crucial in the current climate scenario. If you're an entrepreneur looking to make a mark in the climate tech space or an investor eager to invest in the sector, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in and join us in this enlightening discussion about the intersection of climate tech and venture capitalism.Thank you for reading CleanTechies. Please feel free to share. In this episode Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) and Eileen Waris (@eileen_waris) have a conversation about her experience, what they are doing at Energize Capital (FKA Energize Ventures), the state of climate tech VC, advice to founders, and a lot more. We had the pleasure to speak with them on the day they changed their name and announced the close of their second growth fund ($300m)Reach out to Eileen: ewaris@energizecap.com Enjoy the Episode! 🌎📺 👀 Prefer to watch: subscribe on YouTube.📫 Interested in written summaries and takeaways from the episode? Subscribe to the newsletter. Want to be part of the community and engage further? Check out the Slack Channel. https://tinyurl.com/mwkn8zk5 Links: * Electrifying Everything 2023: https://www.energizecap.com/news-insights/electrifying-everything-2023-edition-2 * Connect with Eileen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-waris-98632564/* Energize Capital Website: https://www.energizecap.com/* Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/* Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/* HMU on Twitter: @SilasmahnerOther episodes you might enjoy:* Most Recent Episode: Consultative VC, Understanding Customers (as a VC), Developing Industry Networks for Your PortCos, & More w/ Rick Zullo (Equal Ventures)* Similar Topic: The Future of the EU Climate VC Landscape, Transparency, & Challenges: Exploring Climate Tech Investing w/ Heidi Lindvall (Pale Blue Dot)* Something Totally Different: Sawdust to Chemicals; Building a BioChemical Startup w/ Julie Kring (Khepra) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe