CleanTechies

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!

We’re back with another episode featuring Jonathan, a founder shaking up the battery tech industry!Jonathan, a UC Berkeley Chemical Engineering grad, spent years in wastewater treatment before realizing the key driver of adoption was economics. In 2017, he and his co-founders, frustrated with their jobs, started their own company after working in thin film membrane industries. (Psst! This is a free version of the episode. To get the whole enchilada, become a paid subscriber on our substack) Today they are building Coreshell, a company helping replace the use of Graphite in batteries while also making us less reliant on China, the main global supplier of Graphite. In this episode, we cover:The lack of true innovation in battery tech over the last 20 years.How luxury EVs focus on range, while China slashes prices.How Coreshell’s tech could reduce reliance on China’s graphite monopoly.The EU’s take on battery recycling vs. US policy.Join us for more insights!🌴 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 CommunityJonathan Tan | CoreshellConnect 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!)

In this episode, we are joined by Till Stenzel, Partner at SET Ventures, a European venture capital firm that has been in operation in 2007 which makes them one of the first climate VCs out there. They invest $2-$5M in rounds that range from $3-10M at the Series A/A+ stage. SET Ventures focuses on innovative business models and typically like to lead or co-lead rounds. Their investments range over 6 focus areas: distributed energy systems, digital utilities, AI & enabling technologies, built environment, industrial energy management, and mobility & transport.On a personal note, Till takes us on a fascinating ride through his career, from his early inspiration drawn from Amory Lovins and the Rocky Mountain Institute, to his venture into renewable energy projects across Northern Africa during the early solar boom, and his pivotal role at E.ON, where he navigated their corporate energy strategy towards renewables. In the age old debate of investing in the “now” of tech — tech we already have commercializable vs. investing in the future (i.e. more expensive breakthroughs), Till believes in the now, saying I quote “we don’t really need major science and energy breakthroughs to turn our energy system carbon free.” Mind blowing — listen to the ep to find out why.He talks about:How Europe's regulatory environment is shaping the energy transitionThe challenges of scaling EV and grid technologiesWhy the future of freight electrification might be closer than we thinkEnjoy!---🌎 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 00:00 Introduction01:28 Innovative Business Models 24:45 The Impact of Europe's Regulatory Environment26:39 Challenges Faced by Utilities32:15 The Power of Storytelling and EducationPaid Version Starts35:27 Exit Modeling and Fund Strategy48:57 Looking Forward for SET Ventures50:21 Helpful Resources in Climate TechLinksTill Stenzel | SET VenturesConnect 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 thisSupport 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 is a masterclass on investing in the future 🌍💰.Today, we're sitting down with Peter Sofer, Investment Partner at Clean Energy Ventures (CEV). Based in Austin, Texas, Peter tackles investing in the toughest-to-decarbonize sectors. CEV is known for backing companies that could be the only game in town for the long haul, with potential to achieve multi-gigaton greenhouse gas reductions.Peter’s journey is packed with insights, from his time at the Environmental Defense Fund to leading Clean Energy Ventures' second fund, targeting $305 million in Seed and Series A investments.This episode dives into an issue not often discussed in detail — the future of climate tech amid political and economic uncertainty. Peter breaks down how the evolving political landscape and macroeconomic factors will influence the availability of non-dilutive funding, and why a company's storytelling is critical for fundraising success. In this conversation, we explore:How Clean Energy Ventures chooses companies that are addressing the most challenging sectorsThe potential impact of a new administration on climate tech, especially around the IRA His thoughts on geopolitical tensions, China’s dominance in renewables, and the future of onshoring production ---🌎 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 Clean Energy Ventures' Investment Philosophy Challenges of Hard-to-Decarbonize Sectors Navigating Political and Economic Uncertainty Paid Version Starts HereOnshoring vs. Global Competition Evaluating Startup SuccessExit Landscape for Climate Tech Startups Empowering the Next Generation of Climate Entrepreneurs LinksPeter Sopher | Clean Energy VenturesConnect 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 thisSupport 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’s episode is special to me! When I first learned about ClimateTech, I dreamed of building a Venture Studio in the space. Although I didn’t even know what a Venture Studio was back then, I quickly realized that founder-market fit is crucial for success. While I’m not there yet, I started my own recruitment firm to gain the freedom and impact I wanted in a field with a huge need for affordable services.Maybe one day, I’ll follow in Ben’s footsteps. But for now, this conversation with Benjamin, who co-founded Ouishare in France and has been building companies ever since, was incredibly fulfilling. We dive deep into his latest venture, Marble, discussing what they do, how their business model works, and how they’re funded. We also explore how to find the right co-founder and the role of policy in advancing ClimateTech.There’s so much more to uncover, and I’m excited to have him back on one day. Enjoy the show!---🌎 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 Intro Ben's BackgroundWhat They DoFundraising for MarbleChallenges of Building in ClimateFinding a Co-Founder—(end of free preview)—Policy and Regulation in Climate TechKey Opportunity Areas in Climate TechLinksBenjamin Tincq | MarbleConnect 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!)

Karl Burkart, Co-Founder and Deputy Director of One Earth, dives into the world of biodiversity investing and nature tech. With a background in sustainable architecture, Karl shares how biodiversity is becoming an essential, investable sector. He discusses the challenges of measuring and valuing biodiversity and how major corporations are getting involved. The conversation also highlights the importance of clarity in communicating complex climate issues and the urgent need to address the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.