CleanTechies Podcast

Why does the mushroom always get invited to parties?Because they are such a fungi!BTW - today, we have a new, shorter episode format for you. If you like it, please let us know in the comments below! 👇🏽 Okay, let’s do this… 🚀🌎 Welcome back to CleanTechies, Founder edition. We are The #1 Podcast For ClimateTech entrepreneurs. Each week, we publish 2x hour-long conversations with leading Founders, Investors, Operators, and Thinkers in ClimateTech to share their insights and tips for you. On top of that, we publish other written content like our Companies to Watch series, where we highlight early stage startups operating in the spaces of our guests. That way, if you find yourself bullish on a space after an episode, you might find a deal you can chase! Whether you’re an active ClimateTech entrepreneur, an aspiring one, an investor, a service provider…anything that touches supporting early stage climate tech, this is the place for you. Subscribe today.Today, we are talking to Ilya Gindin from COMU Labs.Mycelium is an emerging decarbonized building material due to its sustainability, biodegradability, and strength. It is cultivated by growing fungal networks, also known as mushrooms. Mycelium-based products can be used for insulation, bricks, and packaging. Today, we have a ClimateTech Entrepreneur making waves with Mycelium. Ilya is CEO & Co-Founder of COMU Labs, bridging the gap between sustainability and affordability in furniture materials. They utilize fungi to transform agricultural waste into robust, machinable and fire-retardant material that looks and behaves like plywood.Some of what we chatted about:* How Mycelium can be pressed into high-density boards * Why their material is substrate agnostic (and what the heck that means 🤔)* Challenges that still exist with market acceptance* Building a sustainable and healthy company culture & more. 🍄📺 Watch on YouTube | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🎧 Spotify | 🗣️ Join the Slack Channel🚨Attention! 🚨 We interrupt your regular programming for an important message.ClimateTech founders are taking on a huge challenge. Building a climate startup is highly complex but also SO NECESSARY if we are going to save the climate. Founders not only need to understand how to build a startup, but you also need to understand how to deal with hardware, have a strong handle on climate policy, know how to fundraise from diverse investor types, etc. etc. etc…It’s a lot.That’s why we make CleanTechies, the #1 Podcast for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs.In addition to our jobs, we devote all of our spare time to producing this podcast for you. This way, you can learn from others’ mistakes, successes, and gain insights on navigating the complex ClimateTech world.If this mission resonates with you, we are asking for your support. It takes a lot of effort, and it’s not free. Your support helps us keep this going.If you’re already a subscriber and want to contribute financially, click “Upgrade to Paid” at the top right of your screen.If not, follow the steps once you click “Subscribe Now” below to help us out. Thanks for helping us help all the climate entrepreneurs like you. 🙏 🌎The Guest: Ilya Gindin* Ilya Gindin is the CEO & Co-Founder of COMU Labs* Before starting COMU Labs, Ilya spent over a decade in the startup world, primarily in software, where he held roles as a product lead and startup founder* His transition into the world of sustainable materials began after experiencing burnout and developing a passion for crafting and learning about furniture and materials* Ilya's co-founder, Ilia Litvak, initially sparked his interest in mycelium by exploring the potential of growing edible mushrooms using restaurant waste* This exploration led to the innovative idea of creating high-density pressed boards from mycelium, which aligned with Ilya's values of reducing deforestationThe Company: COMU LabsOne Liner: Sustainable, waste-based mycelium lumber alternatives for eco-friendly furniture and construction materialsCOMU Labs bridges the gap between sustainability and affordability in furniture materials by addressing a growing demand in a multibillion dollar market where 80% of products contribute to deforestation and 40% of consumers are having to pay more for sustainable alternatives. They utilize fungi to transform agricultural waste into robust, machinable and fire-retardant material that looks and behaves like plywood. It’s sustainable because it’s local, toxin-free and compostable and. It’s affordable as it’s produced from the local waste.Do you have suggestions on future guests or topics? Leave a comment!Unable to support financially but still want to help? Share this post w/ 3 ClimateTech (or aspiring) entrepreneurs. Sharing is super helpful to us, and it costs you nothing.📝 Show Notes:Topics* 01:31 Intro* 02:49 Discovering Mycelium* 09:09 Advantages of Mycelium as a Building Material* 11:43 Common Misconceptions about Mycelium* 20:31 Scouting New Talent* 24:58 Challenges Ahead for Comu LabsLinks* Ilya Gindin | COMU Labs* 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.Asks 👋👉 Listeners Survey* We would love to hear how we can improve the show and what you like most.👉 Fundraising for Founders* If founders are looking for funding in the ClimateTech space, reach out & schedule a chat here!👉 Early-Stage Founders Hiring* Silas just started his own recruitment consultancy tailor-made for early-stage ClimateTech startups. He does this by offering heavily discounted headhunting services for companies at Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A companies. If you need a hand finding the best talent on the market, and you don’t want to sell your kidney to pay for it, let’s chat. (booking here)👉 Meet Top Founders* Interested in getting in front of hundreds of ClimateTech VCs and Founders each month, reach out to info@cleantechiespod.com to learn more about becoming a sponsor.If you couldn’t already tell, we care a lot about ClimateTech founders 😂🙏🏽 Thanks for tuning in, and see y’all next episode! 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

Are you ready to blow off some steam? (how’s that?) 🌎 Welcome back to CleanTechies, founder edition. We are The #1 Podcast For ClimateTech entrepreneurs. Each week, we publish 2x hour-long conversations with leading Founders, Investors, Operators, and Thinkers in ClimateTech to share their insights and tips for you. On top of that, we publish other written content like our Companies to Watch series, where we highlight early stage startups operating in the spaces of our guests. That way, if you find yourself bullish on a space after an episode, you might find a deal you can chase! Whether you’re an active ClimateTech entrepreneur, an aspiring one, an investor, a service provider…anything that touches supporting early stage climate tech, this is the place for you. Subscribe today.Today, we are talking to Ashwin Salvi from AtmosZeroToday we get the chance to tackle a discussion around one of the biggest trouble makers in industrial production: Steam. As you’ll find out, steam is a huge part of most industrial production today. We need to decarbonize all of it, so Ashwin discusses with us * How their tech is doing that * Why they chose to build in stealth initially * How they validated the idea * And he finishes us off with some business ideasIt’s truly an inspiring conversation because it shows how, with a lot of forethought and diligence, you can avoid many big mistakes—something every climate entrepreneur wants to hear. 📺 Watch on YouTube | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🎧 Spotify | 🗣️ Join the Slack Channel🚨Attention! 🚨 We interrupt your regular programming for an important message.ClimateTech founders are taking on a huge challenge. Building a climate startup is highly complex but also SO NECESSARY if we are going to save the climate. Founders not only need to understand how to build a startup, but you also need to understand how to deal with hardware, have a strong handle on climate policy, know how to fundraise from diverse investor types, etc. etc. etc…It’s a lot.That’s why we make CleanTechies, the #1 Podcast for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs.In addition to our jobs, we devote all of our spare time to producing this podcast for you. This way, you can learn from others’ mistakes, successes, and gain insights on navigating the complex ClimateTech world.If this mission resonates with you, we are asking for your support. It takes a lot of effort, and it’s not free. Your support helps us keep this going.If you’re already a subscriber and want to contribute financially, click “Upgrade to Paid” at the top right of your screen.If not, follow the steps once you click “Subscribe Now” below to help us out. Thanks for helping us help all the climate entrepreneurs like you. 🙏 🌎The Guest: Ashwin Salvi* After graduating from the University of Michigan with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Ashwin ended up at ARPA-E, a place all of us energy nerds are somewhat familiar with. * After a couple years of that he ended up at Achates Power where he was innovating on the internal combustion engine to make it much more sustainable. * Eventualy, he and some former colleagues realized how big of a problem steam was, and they put all of their PhDs together to solve it. * After some validation, they went all in and founded AtmosZero. The Company: AtmosZeroOne Liner: Decarbonizing steam boilers with a cost effective drop in solution. Industry is responsible for around 37% of global emissions. Producing steam is a huge part of that because steam touches so many things. Food and Beverage, Pharma, Chemicals, Textiels, Pulp and Paper, Metals and Mining, Automotive, Rubber and Plastics, Construction Materials, Cosmetics, etc. Yet most of us don’t even know about it. They knew that solving this problem was critical to the decarbonization of industry. So they took a look at existing decarbonization methods. The two major options are either too expensive to operate, or too expensive to install. So, they decided to make a commercial scale unit that can be set on-site, or nearby, and piped into existing infrastructure. This drops the install cost substantially. As for the operating costs? They’ve managed, with a little secret sauce of their own, to get their boilers highly efficient. Today they are working on their inital pilot project with New Belgium Brewery with many other demonstrations lined up after. Do you have suggestions on future guests or topics? Leave a comment!Unable to support financially but still want to help? Share this post w/ 3 ClimateTech (or aspiring) entrepreneurs. Sharing is super helpful to us, and it costs you nothing.📝 Show Notes:Topics* 1:58 Introduction and Background* 10:03 Creating a Standardized Solution for Decarbonization* 24:03 Return on Investment and Future Plans* 25:42 De-risking and Mass Manufacturing* 29:23 Challenges and Objections* 39:32 First Commercial Deployment* 48:48 Opportunities in Electrical Availability and Funding* 51: 38 TakeawaysLinks* Ashwin Salvi | AtmosZero* Connect with Somil | Connect with Silas* This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Asks 👋👉 Listeners Survey* We would love to hear how we can improve the show and what you like most.👉 Fundraising for Founders* If founders are looking for funding in the ClimateTech space, reach out & schedule a chat here!👉 Early-Stage Founders Hiring* Silas just started his own recruitment consultancy tailor-made for early-stage ClimateTech startups. He does this by offering heavily discounted headhunting services for companies at Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A companies. If you need a hand finding the best talent on the market, and you don’t want to sell your kidney to pay for it, let’s chat. (booking here)👉 Meet Top Founders* Interested in getting in front of hundreds of ClimateTech VCs and Founders each month, reach out to info@cleantechiespod.com to learn more about becoming a sponsor.If you couldn’t already tell, we care a lot about ClimateTech founders 😂🙏🏽 Thanks for tuning in, and see y’all next episode! 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

Why did the electrician become a great stock trader?Because he knew how to "switch" and "current" trends!🌎 Welcome back to CleanTechies, founder edition. We are The #1 Podcast For ClimateTech entrepreneurs. Each week, we publish 2x hour-long conversations with leading Founders, Investors, Operators, and Thinkers in ClimateTech to share their insights and tips for you. On top of that, we publish other written content like our Companies to Watch series, where we highlight early stage startups operating in the spaces of our guests. That way, if you find yourself bullish on a space after an episode, you might find a deal you can chase! If you are a current or aspiring ClimateTech Entrepreneur, this is the place for you. Subscribe today. Today, we are talking to Toby Ferenczi from Granular Energy.In this electrifying (ha!) episode, we finally tracked down the elusive Toby Ferenczi, a man who juggles startups like they're hot potatoes. ⚡️Toby educates us about the world of electricity transparency and trading. Did you know you can trade electricity like stocks? Neither did we! And it doesn’t exactly work like that…but it got your interest, didn’t it?? 🤔From his days at Cambridge to co-founding Granular Energy, Toby has journeyed in solar starting with solar panel materials with this PhDs, working at GE, and later through startup exits. He even founded a nonprofit for timestamped energy certificates—because, why not? If you've ever wondered where your electricity comes from or how to make a clean energy choice, this episode is a shocker in the best way possible. 💥📺 Watch on YouTube | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🎧 Spotify | 🗣️ Join the Slack Channel🚨Attention! 🚨 We interrupt your regular programming for an important message.ClimateTech founders are taking on a huge challenge. Building a climate startup is highly complex but also SO NECESSARY if we are going to save the climate. Founders not only you need to understand how to build a startup, but you also need to understand how to deal with hardware, have a strong handle on climate policy, know how to fundraise from diverse investors types, etc. etc. etc…It’s a lot.That’s why we make CleanTechies, the #1 Podcast for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs.In addition to our jobs, we devote all of our spare time to producing this podcast for you. This way, you can learn from others’ mistakes, successes, and gain insights on navigating the complex ClimateTech world.If this mission resonates with you, we are asking for your support. It takes a lot of effort, and it’s not free. Your support helps us keep this going.If you’re already a subscriber and want to contribute financially, click “Upgrade to Paid” at the top right of your screen.If not, follow the steps once you click “Subscribe Now” below to help us out. Thanks for helping us help all the climate entrepreneurs like you. 🙏 🌎The Guest: Toby Ferenczi* Toby physics at Cambridge University and completed a PhD in solar energy on new materials for solar cells.* He then for General Electric in global research, gaining experience in the renewables industry during the early growth of solar energy deployment in Germany* He co-founded multiple startups, including one of the first rooftop solar financing businesses in the UK, which was sold to a Chinese solar panel manufacturer in 2013* Now, he’s the co-founder of Granular Energy, a climate tech startup enabling transparency in energy sourcing to utility companies in 10 countries* If that wasn’t enough, he’s also founded Energy Tag, a nonprofit organization developing international standards for timestamped energy certificates which has been supported by major tech companies and the United NationsThe Company: Granular EnergyOne Liner: Next generation clean energy trading and managementGranular Energy provides software for utility companies to track and manage energy sources for greater transparency. Their technology enables real-time matching of energy supply with demand. They serve clients in 10 countries, helping utilities offer precise energy source information to customers.Do you have suggestions on future guests or topics? Leave a comment!Unable to support financially but still want to help? Share this post w/ 3 ClimateTech (or aspiring) entrepreneurs. Sharing is super helpful to us, and it costs you nothing.📝 Show Notes:Topics* 02:42 Introduction* 05:00 Enabling Customers to Choose Clean Energy* 08:20 The Role of Electricity Markets* 10:43 Journey as an Entrepreneur * 14:46 Transparency in the Energy Industry* 20:50 Understanding the Utility Business Model * 25:28 Opportunities to Bypass Utilities* 30:49 Fundraising* 33:50 The Future of the Solar Industry* 43:24 Opportunities in the MarketLinks* Toby Ferenczi | Granular Energy* Connect with Somil | Connect with Silas* This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Asks 👋👉 Listeners Survey* We would love to hear how we can improve the show and what you like most.👉 Fundraising for Founders* If founders are looking for funding in the ClimateTech space, reach out & schedule a chat here!👉 Early-Stage Founders Hiring* Silas just started his own recruitment consultancy tailor-made for early-stage ClimateTech startups. He does this by offering heavily discounted headhunting services for companies at Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A companies. If you need a hand finding the best talent on the market, and you don’t want to sell your kidney to pay for it, let’s chat. (booking here)👉 Meet Top Founders* Interested in getting in front of hundreds of ClimateTech VCs and Founders each month, reach out to info@cleantechiespod.com to learn more about becoming a sponsor.If you couldn’t already tell, we care a lot about ClimateTech founders 😂🙏🏽 Thanks for tuning in, and see y’all next episode! 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

Why don't electric aircraft ever get lost? They always follow the current! ⚡️🌎 Welcome back to CleanTechies! This is a Founder edition. If you’re new (or forgot), we are The #1 Podcast For ClimateTech entrepreneurs. Each week, we publish 2 (usually) ~1 hour-long conversations with leading Founders, Investors, Operators, and Thinkers in ClimateTech to share their insights and tips for others building in the space. On top of that, we publish other written content like our Companies to Watch series we’ve been putting out recently. So—if you’re a ClimateTech Entrepreneur (or at least an aspiring one), this is the place for you. Subscribe today. Today, we are talking to Kevin Noertker from AmpaireLast episode, we chatted about decarbonizing industrial production through the use of green hydrogen. Today, we are taking a trip up to the clouds to discuss how we can decarbonize the skies today. Kevin started his career at NASA and ended up at Northrop Grumman, where he worked on Space and Aircraft technologies before he ended up founding Ampaire. At Ampaire, they are decarbonizing air travel today. They are jetting for a solution that bridges the gap between fully electric and traditional travel and it saves about 50% fuel usage. Today, Kevin takes us through his story and we explore a few topics: * Aerospace Engineer to Ampaire: His story of co-founding Ampaire. * Addressing Existing Stock: Electric aircraft is the future, but their solution helps address the existing stock of aircraft. * Bridging the Infrastructure Gap: How fully electric air travel will require massive infrastructure upgrades, so they are building a solution that will work in between. I know we say this a lot, but it genuinely was inspiring to speak with Kevin, learn from him, and, all the while, see how humble he is despite doing truly incredible things. See you in the cloud(s) ☁️📺 Watch on YouTube | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🎧 Spotify | 🗣️ Join the Slack Channel🚨Attention! 🚨 We interrupt your regular programming for an important message.ClimateTech founders are taking on a huge challenge. Building a climate startup is highly complex but also SO NECESSARY if we are going to save the climate. Founders not only you need to understand how to build a startup, but you also need to understand how to deal with hardware, have a strong handle on climate policy, know how to fundraise from diverse investors types, etc. etc. etc…It’s a lot.That’s why we make CleanTechies. The #1 Podcast for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs.In addition to our jobs, we devote ~20 hours a week to producing this podcast for you. This way, you can learn from others who have walked the path you’re on now, learn from their mistakes, and gain insights on navigating this complex world.If this mission resonates with you, we ask for your financial support of this project. It takes a lot of effort, and it’s not free. Your willingness to contribute on a monthly or yearly basis helps us keep this going.If you’re already a subscriber and want to contribute financially, click “Upgrade to Paid” at the top right of your screen.If not, follow the steps once you click “Subscribe Now” below to help us out. Thanks for helping us help all the climate entrepreneurs like you. 🙏 🌎The Guest: Kevin Noertker * Kevin originally grew up in Utah surrounded by nature. * After his university experience he landed a role with NASA. * From there he worked on Space and Aircraft at Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems. * After 7 years of that he Co-Founded Ampaire. Once he got a feel for building new technologies at scale, he had the confidence to start his own company. The Company: AmpaireOne Liner: Designing, Engineering, and Producing Hybrid Aviation Propulsion Systems to Decarbonize Air Travel Today.Founded out of the expeirence Kevin and his co-founders had in aerospace, with the desire to revolutionize air travel. They originally started with the goal of building fully electric aircraft, they eventually shifted to hybrid propulsion systems. This allows them to make an impact on decarbonizing the aviation industry today. Today, they have proved out their tech and are approaching commercial deployment at scale. Do you have suggestions on future guests or topics? Leave a comment!Unable to support financially but still want to help? Share this post w/ 3 ClimateTech entrepreneurs (or aspiring entrepreneurs). Sharing is super helpful to us, and it costs you nothing.📝 Show Notes:Topics* 1:53 Intro and Background* 7:01 The Impact of NASA Experience* 14:20 The Third Revolution in Aviation* 17:09 Economic and Environmental Benefits* 28:19 Commercialization Process and Milestones* 38:39 Design Considerations for Hybrid Systems* 42:21 Infrastructure and Charging* 42:58 Recharging Electric Aircraft in the Air* 43:18 Adapting Infrastructure for Electric Aviation* 44:54 TakeawaysLinks* Kevin Noertker | Ampaire* Connect with Somil | Connect with Silas* This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Asks 👋👉 Listeners Survey* We would love to hear how we can improve the show and what you like most.👉 Fundraising for Founders* If founders are looking for funding in the ClimateTech space, reach out & schedule a chat here!👉 Early-Stage Founders Hiring* Silas just started his own recruitment consultancy tailor-made for early-stage ClimateTech startups. He does this by offering heavily discounted headhunting services for companies at Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A companies. If you need a hand finding the best talent on the market, and you don’t want to sell your kidney to pay for it, let’s chat. (booking here)👉 Meet Top Founders* Interested in getting in front of hundreds of ClimateTech VCs and Founders each month, reach out to info@cleantechiespod.com to learn more about becoming a sponsor.If you couldn’t already tell, we care a lot about ClimateTech founders 😂🙏🏽 Thanks for tuning in, and see y’all next episode! 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

Why did the hydrogen molecule apply for a job in manufacturing? Because it heard they were really into bonding! — Ba dum shhh! 🥁🌎 Welcome back to CleanTechies! This is a Founder edition. If you’re new (or forgot), we are The #1 Podcast For ClimateTech entrepreneurs. Each week, we publish 2 (usually) ~1 hour-long conversations with leading Founders, Investors, Operators, and Thinkers in ClimateTech to share their insights and tips for others building in the space. On top of that, we publish other written content like our Companies to Watch series we’ve been putting out recently. So—if you’re a ClimateTech Entrepreneur (or at least an aspiring one), this is the place for you. Subscribe today. Today, we are talking to Chad Mason from Advanced IonicsLast episode, we talked about decarbonizing the supply chain of manufacturing; today, we are speaking about decarbonizing the energy side of manufacturing with Hydrogen Electrolyzers. If you’re unfamiliar, energy is usually one of the three biggest operating expenses. So, manufacturers always take a special interest in reducing it. Many believe the answer to that will be efficient hydrogen power. If done properly, that can be done by using green hydrogen, making the energy renewable and further reducing pollution. Today, Chad tells us his story and we dive into some key topics. * From farm kid to founder: How his first exposure to electrolysis at age 5 on his family farm in North Dakota was the catalyst that eventually led him to start Advanced Ionics.* Low-Cost Centers: Why they ended up building the company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the surprising advantages. * Flexible Financing: Be opportunistic when it comes to fundraising. The timing may not feel perfect, but if the investors are ready to chomp at the bit, consider moving forward. It was electrifying! ⚡️📺 Watch on YouTube | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🎧 Spotify | 🗣️ Join the Slack Channel🚨Attention! 🚨 We interrupt your regular programming for an important message.ClimateTech founders are taking on a huge challenge. Building a climate startup is highly complex but also SO NECESSARY if we are going to save the climate. Founders not only you need to understand how to build a startup, but you also need to understand how to deal with hardware, have a strong handle on climate policy, know how to fundraise from diverse investors types, etc. etc. etc…It’s a lot.That’s why we make CleanTechies. The #1 Podcast for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs.In addition to our jobs, we devote ~20 hours a week to producing this podcast for you. This way, you can learn from others who have walked the path you’re on now, learn from their mistakes, and gain insights on navigating this complex world.If this mission resonates with you, we ask for your financial support of this project. It takes a lot of effort, and it’s not free. Your willingness to contribute on a monthly or yearly basis helps us keep this going.If you’re already a subscriber and want to contribute financially, click “Upgrade to Paid” at the top right of your screen.If not, follow the steps once you click “Subscribe Now” below to help us out. Thanks for helping us help all the climate entrepreneurs like you. 🙏 🌎The Guest: Chad Mason* Originally a farm kid from North Dakota, early on, Chad took an interest in engineering and building things. It’s a common experience growing up on a farm to tinker and test things. * He’d go on to study Electrical Engineering at North Dakota State University. From there he eventually landed a job in Singapore as a Research Engineer studying different types of battery technology - specifically Sodium-ion, Lithium, and Zinc. * When he returned to the US, he worked with GM on Fuel-Cell development. But after attending a conference and realizing there was a big gap in the space of Green Hydrogen production, he started scheming. * It wasn’t long before he decided to take the leap and start Advanced Ionics. The Company: Advanced IonicsOne Liner: Producing highly efficient Electrolyzers for industrial users.Born out of Chad’s deep interest in electrolosys, Advanced Ionics came to be a reality after he left GM. Supported initally by the folks at Workbench in Milwaukee, they were able to get off the ground. This is where they patched together their first ‘stack’ (V1 of their product) to prove the concept. Today they partner with major energy players like BP, Shell, Repsol, and ENGIE to continue developing their technology. As they continue de-risking the technology, they inch closer and closer every day to revolutionizing the electrolyzer space and the way industrials produce energy for their needs. With their tech, they can use up to 50% less energy per kilogram of hydrogen. This will be a game changer.They do not yet know if they will just license out their tech, or aim to be the manufacters — they’ve preserved that optionality. Do you have suggestions on future guests or topics? Leave a comment!Unable to support financially but still want to help? Share this post w/ 3 ClimateTech entrepreneurs (or aspiring entrepreneurs). Sharing is super helpful to us, and it costs you nothing.📝 Show Notes:Topics* 2:00 Intro and Background* 5:13 Utilizing Exothermic Heat for Efficiency* 6:20 Chad's Entrepreneurial Journey* 12:44 Early Inspirations and Career Path* 15:25 Understanding Electrolysis Technology* 18:18 Components and Operation of the Stack* 26:30 Landing Customers* 27:47 The Power of Partnerships and Investments* 31:26 Lessons Learned: Opportunistic with Capital Raising* 40:58 Headwinds and Tailwinds of Hydrogen Industry* 45;36 The Importance of Reliability and Maintainability* 49:10 Talent Acquisition in Wisconsin* 53:16 TakeawaysLinks* Chad Mason | Advanced Ionics* Connect with Somil | Connect with Silas* This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Asks 👋👉 Listeners Survey* We would love to hear how we can improve the show and what you like most.👉 Fundraising for Founders* If founders are looking for funding in the ClimateTech space, reach out & schedule a chat here!👉 Early-Stage Founders Hiring* Silas just started his own recruitment consultancy tailor-made for early-stage ClimateTech startups. He does this by offering heavily discounted headhunting services for companies at Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A companies. If you need a hand finding the best talent on the market, and you don’t want to sell your kidney to pay for it, let’s chat. (booking here)👉 Meet Top Founders* Interested in getting in front of hundreds of ClimateTech VCs and Founders each month, reach out to info@cleantechiespod.com to learn more about becoming a sponsor.If you couldn’t already tell, we care a lot about ClimateTech founders 😂🙏🏽 Thanks for tuning in, and see y’all next episode! 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

🎵 Don’t Worry — Be Hemp-y 🎵 🌎 Welcome back to CleanTechies! This is a Founder edition. If you’re new (or forgot), we are The #1 Podcast For ClimateTech entrepreneurs. Each week, we publish 2 (usually) ~1 hour-long conversations with leading Founders, Investors, Operators, and Thinkers in ClimateTech to share their insights and tips for others building in the space. On top of that, we publish other written content like our Companies to Watch series we’ve been putting out recently. So—if you’re a ClimateTech Entrepreneur (or at least an aspiring one), this is the place for you. Subscribe today. Today, we are talking to Jesse Henry from Heartland Industries Manufacturers everywhere are trying to decarbonize their supply chains. Some want to get a higher ESG score and some want to get access to IRA incentives. This includes goods made of plastic. Heartland Industries helps those manufacturers. But they do more than just make their products more sustainable. They also help them improve strength, reduce weight, and save costs. It’s a quadruple whammy. Today, Jesse told us his story, how they started, and he unpacked…* How they utilized wood pellet mills to produce their goods without building a facility while also adding revenue to the bottom line of those mills* The importance of choosing the right Corporate Venture Capital partner (and how to know who is a good partner) * How several years of entrepreneurship is far more valuable than working for someone elseIt’s a great show — enjoy! 🍿📺 Watch on YouTube | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🎧 Spotify | 🗣️ Join the Slack Channel🚨Attention! 🚨 We interrupt your regular programming for an important message.ClimateTech founders are taking on a huge challenge. Building a climate startup is highly complex but also SO NECESSARY if we are going to save the climate. Founders not only you need to understand how to build a startup, but you also need to understand how to deal with hardware, have a strong handle on climate policy, know how to fundraise from diverse investors types, etc. etc. etc…It’s a lot.That’s why we make CleanTechies. The #1 Podcast for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs.In addition to our jobs, we devote ~20 hours a week to producing this podcast for you. This way, you can learn from others who have walked the path you’re on now, learn from their mistakes, and gain insights on navigating this complex world.If this mission resonates with you, we ask for your financial support of this project. It takes a lot of effort, and it’s not free. Your willingness to contribute on a monthly or yearly basis helps us keep this going.If you’re already a subscriber and want to contribute financially, click “Upgrade to Paid” at the top right of your screen.If not, follow the steps once you click “Subscribe Now” below to help us out. Thanks for helping us help all the climate entrepreneurs like you. 🙏 🌎The Guest: Jesse Henry* As a kid, Jesse was entrepreneurial, but he doubted he had what it took. Eventually, through university, he decided to take the leap and build Heartland Industries. * This journey wasn’t without mistakes, though. Through trial and error, he and his co-founder learned the importance of fitting into existing manufacturing processes. * After a big pivot, they found the right way to approach it. * Today, it’s fitting that Jesse is working in the fibers industry. His dad and grandpa have been in the fibers industry in different capacities. The Company: Heartland Industries One Liner: Making hemp-fiber pellets to improve the carbon footprint of plastic products, as well as make them stronger, lighter, and save the manufacters money.Taking Hemp Fiber, a huge carbon sink, they originally tested out producing powder that would be sold to plastic goods manufacteres. After realizing this would require a huge change in the handling and processing of plastics, they decided to make pellets instead. Through their partnership with Toyota, they were pointed in the direction of utilizing existing mills to produce their pellets. Producing their hemp-fiber pellets during down time allows them to fill up deadspace, pad the bottom line, and it helps Heartland produce goods without ever needing to build a factory. Doing all this allows them to deliver large quantities to their customers. With the recent investment from BASF, they are well positioned for the future. Do you have suggestions on future guests or topics? Leave a comment!Unable to support financially but still want to help? Share this post w/ 3 ClimateTech entrepreneurs (or aspiring entrepreneurs). Sharing is super helpful to us, and it costs you nothing.📝 Show Notes:Topics* 2:15 Intro* 2:55 Jesse's Background & Heartland's Mission* 10:06 The Challenge of Developing Reliable Supply Chains* 13:33 From Powder to Pellets* 16:47 What it Means to be a ClimateTech Entrepreneur Today* 22:03 Partnering with Wood Pellet Mills for Scale and Cost Reduction* 28:34 Run Jesse's Playbook* 31:16 The Finance of Materials Companies* 34:00 The Power of CVCs* 41:10 Opportunities in B2B Marketplaces* 43:27 How to Pick the Right CVCs* 47:02 Next Steps for Heartland  * 54:58 Process Technologies and Software Solutions* 56:11 Focusing Beyond Carbon* 57:46 Takeaway* 54:51 Using Infrastructure to Skip Building* 56:16 Reducing Risk with Each Fundraising RoundLinks* Jesse Henry | Heartland Industries * Connect with Somil | Connect with Silas* This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Asks 👋👉 Listeners Survey* We would love to hear how we can improve the show and what you like most.👉 Fundraising for Founders* If founders are looking for funding in the ClimateTech space, reach out & schedule a chat here!👉 Early-Stage Founders Hiring* Silas just started his own recruitment consultancy tailor-made for early-stage ClimateTech startups. He does this by offering heavily discounted headhunting services for companies at Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A companies. If you need a hand finding the best talent on the market, and you don’t want to sell your kidney to pay for it, let’s chat. (booking here)👉 Meet Top Founders* Interested in getting in front of hundreds of ClimateTech VCs and Founders each month, reach out to info@cleantechiespod.com to learn more about becoming a sponsor.If you couldn’t already tell, we care a lot about ClimateTech founders 😂🙏🏽 Thanks for tuning in, and see y’all next episode! 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

Why did the skyscraper feel lonely? It couldn't find anyone on its level!🌎 Welcome back to the CleanTechies PodLetter, Investor edition.Today, we are talking to Rahul Parekh of 2150.Rahul broke down the nitty-gritty of how 2150 built (no pun intended) a leading ClimateTech VC fund focused on decarbonizing the built environment. We talked investing, fund modeling, learning from general VC, FinTech in ClimateTech, & more. This was a VC-fundamental extraordinaire, and super informative for anyone looking to learn more about venture capital. AND let’s not forget, Rahul spent his holiday with us to do this. Cheers to him. Enjoy 🥳👏.📺 Watch on YouTube | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🎧 Spotify | 🗣️ Join the Slack Channel🚨Attention! 🚨 We interrupt your regular programming for an important message.ClimateTech founders are taking on a huge challenge. Building a climate startup is highly complex but also SO NECESSARY if we are going to save the climate. Founders not only you need to understand how to build a startup, but you also need to understand how to deal with hardware, have a strong handle on climate policy, know how to fundraise from diverse investors types, etc. etc. etc…It’s a lot.That’s why we make CleanTechies. The #1 Podcast for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs.In addition to our jobs, we devote ~20 hours a week to producing this podcast for you. This way, you can learn from others who have walked the path you’re on now, learn from their mistakes, and gain insights on navigating this complex world.If this mission resonates with you, we ask for your financial support of this project. It takes a lot of effort, and it’s not free. Your willingness to contribute on a monthly or yearly basis helps us keep this going.If you’re already a subscriber and want to contribute financially, click “Upgrade to Paid” at the top right of your screen.If not, follow the steps once you click “Subscribe Now” below to help us out. Thanks for helping us help all the climate entrepreneurs like you. 🙏 🌎The Guest: Rahul Parekh* Rahul is a former investment banker and derivatives trader from Goldman Sachs (GS)* After GS, he spent a year as Managing Partner of the venture firm, Rocket Internet SE* He then spent 4 years building and then exiting his FoodTech company called EatFirst* Now, at 2150, he invests in ClimateTech companies decarbonizing the urban environment, specializing in climate fintechThe Company: 2150One Liner: global VC fund investing in sustainable urban tech to decarbonize and enhance city resilienceThey back tech entrepreneurs with “Constructive Capital”, so they can reimagine and reshape the Urban Stack, for good.They support companies that leverage structural shifts, kill inefficiencies, remove pain points and enhance environmental upside and create billions in commercial value and lower gigatons of emissions.2150 is a part of Urban Partners, a platform of vision-aligned, differentiated, investment strategies shaped around urban problem solving.Do you have suggestions on future guests or topics? Leave a comment!Unable to support financially but still want to help? Share this post w/ 3 ClimateTech entrepreneurs (or aspiring entrepreneurs). Sharing is super helpful to us, and it costs you nothing.📝 Show Notes:Topics* 03:025 Introduction* 05:01 Home Decarbonization* 08:19 Government Incentives and Policies* 24:37 The Breakdown of Investments in 2150* 33:29 Intentional Modeling and Entry Prices* 42:05 Finance x Climate* 45:20 The Urban Stack and City Resilience* 47:29 Adding Value Beyond CapitalLinks* Rahul Parekh | 2150* Connect with Somil | Connect with Silas* This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Asks 👋👉 Listeners Survey* We would love to hear how we can improve the show and what you like most.👉 Fundraising for Founders* If founders are looking for funding in the ClimateTech space, reach out & schedule a chat here!👉 Early-Stage Founders Hiring* Silas just started his own recruitment consultancy tailor-made for early-stage ClimateTech startups. He does this by offering heavily discounted headhunting services for companies at Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A companies. If you need a hand finding the best talent on the market, and you don’t want to sell your kidney to pay for it, let’s chat. (booking here)👉 Meet Top Founders* Interested in getting in front of hundreds of ClimateTech VCs and Founders each month, reach out to info@cleantechiespod.com to learn more about becoming a sponsor.If you couldn’t already tell, we care a lot about ClimateTech founders 😂🙏🏽 Thanks for tuning in, and see y’all next episode! 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

Why don't CDR experts ever get lost?Because they always know how to sequester! (which apparently means to find one’s way AND capturing and storing carbon) 🤯🌎 Welcome back to the CleanTechies PodLetter, Founder edition.Today, we are talking to Marian Krueger of remove. Marian Krueger comes to us with his experience investing in 120+ early stage CDR startups, and broke down what we should look for and what’s worth watching in the years ahead.He’s a leading expert in CDR having invested in Europe, which is the leading CDR ecosystem in the world. Sitting down with him as a blast, and for our US listeners, this episode is VERY timely with the Biden Administration’s first release on voluntary carbon markets, Enjoy 🥳👏.📺 Watch on YouTube | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🎧 Spotify | 🗣️ Join the Slack Channel🚨Attention! 🚨 We interrupt your regular programming for an important message.ClimateTech founders are taking on a huge challenge. Building a climate startup is highly complex but also SO NECESSARY if we are going to save the climate. Founders not only you need to understand how to build a startup, but you also need to understand how to deal with hardware, have a strong handle on climate policy, know how to fundraise from diverse investors types, etc. etc. etc…It’s a lot.That’s why we make CleanTechies. The #1 Podcast for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs.In addition to our jobs, we devote ~20 hours a week to producing this podcast for you. This way, you can learn from others who have walked the path you’re on now, learn from their mistakes, and gain insights on navigating this complex world.If this mission resonates with you, we ask for your financial support of this project. It takes a lot of effort, and it’s not free. Your willingness to contribute on a monthly or yearly basis helps us keep this going.If you’re already a subscriber and want to contribute financially, click “Upgrade to Paid” at the top right of your screen.If not, follow the steps once you click “Subscribe Now” below to help us out. Thanks for helping us help all the climate entrepreneurs like you. 🙏 🌎The Guest: Marian Krueger* Marian Krueger is the Co-Founder & Managing Director of remove, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting carbon removal entrepreneurs in Europe and beyond. * Based in Zurich, Marian has a rich background in climate and energy sectors. His journey began as a founder of a startup in the solar PV space, which used drones and AI to optimize large solar parks across Europe. * After his startup was acquired, he joined ETH Zurich's Sustainability and Business Lab, where he led decarbonization projects for hard-to-abate sectors like maritime shipping and cement. * This role inspired the creation of remove to address the (still) nascent carbon removal market by supporting startups and fostering an ecosystem for their growth. The Company: removeOne Liner: accelerating CDR startups with ecosystem-building initiatives, policy & grants, and founder supportremove is a nonprofit accelerator co-founded and led by Marian Krüger, based in Zurich. The organization focuses on supporting CDR entrepreneurs in Europe and beyond. remove operates by providing grants instead of taking equity, allowing startups to extend their runway and focus on survival in the nascent carbon removal market. The organization emphasizes a systemic approach, identifying and addressing gaps in the carbon removal industry, and supports a diverse range of carbon removal methods, from technological solutions like direct air capture to nature-based methods like afforestation. remove also plays a crucial role in shaping policy and advocating for early-stage financing and regulatory support, ensuring the sector's growth and sustainability.Do you have suggestions on future guests or topics? Leave a comment!Unable to support financially but still want to help? Share this post w/ 3 ClimateTech entrepreneurs (or aspiring entrepreneurs). Sharing is super helpful to us, and it costs you nothing.📝 Show Notes:Topics* 02:41 Introduction* 05:08 Challenges of the Voluntary Carbon Market* 16:30 CDR Startups* 17:53 Impact-Driven Motivation of CDR Founders* 26:32 Gaps in the CDR Space* 32:27 Role of Policy in Carbon Removal* 39:03 Prioritization, Universities, and A-Teams* 42:10 Collaboration and Partnerships* 42:51 TakeawaysLinks* Marian Krueger | remove* Connect with Somil | Connect with Silas* This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Asks 👋👉 Listeners Survey* We would love to hear how we can improve the show and what you like most.👉 Fundraising for Founders* If founders are looking for funding in the ClimateTech space, reach out & schedule a chat here!👉 Early-Stage Founders Hiring* Silas just started his own recruitment consultancy tailor-made for early-stage ClimateTech startups. He does this by offering heavily discounted headhunting services for companies at Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A companies. If you need a hand finding the best talent on the market, and you don’t want to sell your kidney to pay for it, let’s chat. (booking here)👉 Meet Top Founders* Interested in getting in front of hundreds of ClimateTech VCs and Founders each month, reach out to info@cleantechiespod.com to learn more about becoming a sponsor.If you couldn’t already tell, we care a lot about ClimateTech founders 😂🙏🏽 Thanks for tuning in, and see y’all next episode! 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 the CleanTechies PodLetter, Founder edition.We tried to devise a better joke, but Hot Rocks was the best cold open we could come up with.Today, we are talking to Arvin Ganesan of Fourth PowerYou may have heard of Fourth Power before but have you heard Arvin’s story of going from the EPA, to Apple, to Fourth Power, and what he thinks are the keys to their success? I don’t think so. There is a great episode with Volts that covers Fourth Power’s technology in depth. If you have not heard it, I’d highly recommend it (if you like science, that is).In today’s conversation, we had a chance to unpack…* How their thermal battery works (high level) * How insanely efficient their tech is * How they maintain the company culture as they grow * Why their model is desirable to utilities * His mentors and the importance of mentorship broadly 📺 Watch on YouTube | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🎧 Spotify | 🗣️ Join the Slack Channel🚨Attention! 🚨 We interrupt your regular programming for an important message.ClimateTech founders are taking on a huge challenge. Building a climate startup is highly complex but also SO NECESSARY if we are going to save the climate. Founders not only you need to understand how to build a startup, but you also need to understand how to deal with hardware, have a strong handle on climate policy, know how to fundraise from diverse investors types, etc. etc. etc…It’s a lot.That’s why we make CleanTechies. The #1 Podcast for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs.In addition to our jobs, we devote ~20 hours a week to producing this podcast for you. This way, you can learn from others who have walked the path you’re on now, learn from their mistakes, and gain insights on navigating this complex world.If this mission resonates with you, we ask for your financial support of this project. It takes a lot of effort, and it’s not free. Your willingness to contribute on a monthly or yearly basis helps us keep this going.If you’re already a subscriber and want to contribute financially, click “Upgrade to Paid” at the top right of your screen.If not, follow the steps once you click “Subscribe Now” below to help us out. Thanks for helping us help all the climate entrepreneurs like you. 🙏 🌎The Guest: Arvin Ganesan* After graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Arvin spent a few years at Calvert Research before pursuing his master's at George Washington University. * He’d then land in the EPA during the Obama administration, where they worked on groundbreaking projects, including efforts to cap carbon emissions. It was during this time he really got to know the landscape of of policy and where he was mentored by Lisa Jackson. * Eventually, he’d end up following Lisa to Apple, where he led global energy procurement policy for them (among other things). * This combination of finance, policy, and corporate sustainability initiatives prepared him well for the role he’d eventually be offered with Fourth Power. * When approached, he was initially skeptical about making such a drastic change, but after seeing what the technology could do and learning that Founder Asegun Henry was a family man, he was ready to make the leap. * Today, he’s the CEO of Fourth Power. The Company: Fourth PowerOne Liner: Making Renewables + Storage Energy cheaper than gas power.Founded by Dr. Asegun Henry through his work at MIT, Fourth Power is now making total dependence on renewable energy a reality, without it raising energy prices. They are piloting their bench-scale technology that allows them to store energy generated by renewables, until needed later…much later. They don’t do this with batteries but rather with Thermal Energy…aka Hot Rocks. Electricity heats a special metal until it’s so hot that the heat transfers (following the laws of thermo-dynamics) to the rocks. When they need the energy they can distribute the enery at a moment’s notice (which BTW, is faster than the current conventional solution of gas peeker plants). The best part of all this is, their model fits perfectly with the way utilities make money. Being regulated, a utility can only make money on the CapEx spend and not the OpEx. For thos unfamiliar, Capital Expenditure is the money used to build the plant, and Operating Expenditure is the cost of operating. Utilities make a fixed amount above their CapEx. So, for them, all the margin is in the build out of hardware / energy generation. A gas plant has decently high CapEx, but it also has a lot of operating expense—making it an undesireable product for the utilities to invest in. Fourth Power’s systems are high CapEx, but have ultra-low OpEx. It’s a perfect fit. In the coming years, with the proliferation of Fourth Power’s technology, we will see massive transformation of the grid to renewables. It’s no wonder funds like Bill Gates’ backed Breakthrough Energy Ventures have invested in their $19m Series A funding round. Do you have suggestions on future guests or topics? Leave a comment!Unable to support financially but still want to help? Share this post w/ 3 ClimateTech entrepreneurs (or aspiring entrepreneurs). Sharing is super helpful to us, and it costs you nothing.📝 Show Notes:Topics* 2:37 Why Cheap and Accessible Energy Storage Matters* 17:30 Fourth Power's Utility-Scale Thermal Battery* 21:58 Fast and Efficient Energy Storage and Discharge* 27:10 Building Fourth Power* 32:04 The Power of People* 37:24 Maintaining Culture with Growth* 42:21 Opportunities in the Utility Market* 47:04 Startup Opportunities in Agriculture Decarbonization* 49:01 The Importance of Mentorship* 52:19 TakeawaysLinks* Arvin Ganesan | Fourth Power* Connect with Somil | Connect with Silas* This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Asks 👋👉 Listeners Survey* We would love to hear how we can improve the show and what you like most.👉 Fundraising for Founders* If founders are looking for funding in the ClimateTech space, reach out & schedule a chat here!👉 Early-Stage Founders Hiring* Silas just started his own recruitment consultancy tailor-made for early-stage ClimateTech startups. He does this by offering heavily discounted headhunting services for companies at Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A companies. If you need a hand finding the best talent on the market, and you don’t want to sell your kidney to pay for it, let’s chat. (booking here)👉 Meet Top Founders* Interested in getting in front of hundreds of ClimateTech VCs and Founders each month, reach out to info@cleantechiespod.com to learn more about becoming a sponsor.If you couldn’t already tell, we care a lot about ClimateTech founders 😂🙏🏽 Thanks for tuning in, and see y’all next episode! 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 the CleanTechies PodLetter, investor edition.Today, we are talking to Michael Kearney from Engine Ventures.Michael Kearney started off this podcast defending the political durability of the IRA…and he had us convinced. If that doesn’t have you hooked, I don’t know what will! Building for deeptech founders is HARD…like folding a fitted sheet hard.And that’s why we need someone like Mike to do it. Mike himself did his undergrad and Ph.D. at MIT, so he’s knows the MIT innovation ecosystem like the back of his hand (The Engine is an MIT spin-out). In between, he spent his time drawing power from the Sun…well not literally…he worked on grid-scale renewable energy at Ambri in corporate development. Now, he’s focused solely on supporting “Tough Tech” founders (side note, that’s definitely a favorite term of this podcast now). Mike clearly loves doing really easy things…right?Some core topics discussed today include…* How the IRA is creating critical market opportunities, making it politically durable* The three things that matter for deeptech startups — space, equipment, and community support* Why Fluid labor markets are crucial for scaling tough tech companies* Why techno-economic modeling is leading to breakthroughs in commercializing climate tech* What will happen now that demand for clean energy has surpassed supplyAnd more… 📺 Watch on YouTube | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🎧 Spotify | 🗣️ Join the Slack Channel🚨Attention! 🚨 We interrupt your regular programming for an important message.ClimateTech founders are taking on a huge challenge. Building a climate startup is highly complex but also SO NECESSARY if we are going to save the climate. Founders not only you need to understand how to build a startup, but you also need to understand how to deal with hardware, have a strong handle on climate policy, know how to fundraise from diverse investors types, etc. etc. etc…It’s a lot.That’s why we make CleanTechies. The #1 Podcast for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs.In addition to our jobs, we devote ~20 hours a week to producing this podcast for you. This way, you can learn from others who have walked the path you’re on now, learn from their mistakes, and gain insights on navigating this complex world.If this mission resonates with you, we ask for your financial support of this project. It takes a lot of effort, and it’s not free. Your willingness to contribute on a monthly or yearly basis helps us keep this going.If you’re already a subscriber and want to contribute financially, click “Upgrade to Paid” at the top right of your screen.If not, follow the steps once you click “Subscribe” below to help us out. Thanks for helping us help all the climate entrepreneurs like you. 🙏 🌎The Guest: Michael KearneyMichael Kearney is the General Partner at Engine Ventures. Before Engine Ventures, Mike was at The Engine, which is the overall ecosystem and accelerator, focused on commercializing deeptech. Mike completed his Ph.D. at MIT’s Sloan School of Management before joining The Engine ecosystem. Before that, he spent 4 years at Amber, working on grid-scale solar technology in CleanTech 1.0. Mike started his career completing his Bachelors from MIT in Technology and Policy. The Investor: Engine VenturesOne Liner: Investing in the next generation of Tough Tech founders — providing capital, operational expertise, and a powerful academic, commercial, and governmental network to build and scale companiesThey invest in Tough Tech founders, helping bridge the gap from discovery to commercialization. The companies we invest in have a clearly articulated scientific or engineering solution to a global problem. They convene the investment, government, academic, regulatory, and corporate communities to help accelerate the progress of those working to grow and build Tough Tech companies. Industry and government have a chance to learn from Engine Venture’s portfolio companies and collaborate on how to augment or build upon existing solutions. Together, their network helps remove obstacles and clear a path to commercialization and success for our portfolio.Do you have suggestions on future guests or topics? Leave a comment!Unable to support financially but still want to help? Share this post w/ 3 ClimateTech entrepreneurs (or aspiring entrepreneurs). Sharing is super helpful to us, and it costs you nothing.📝 Show Notes:Topics* 02:29 Introduction* 03:50 Political Durability of the IRA* 07:46 Supporting Tough Tech Startups* 16:06 Scaling from Early-Stage Innovation to Large-Scale Deployment* 26:30 Building in the Field* 28:35 The Investment Model of Engine Ventures* 30:41 Commercializing Technology * 36:46 The Changing Nature of Competition in Clean Energy * 45:20 Room for Innovation* 51:36 TakeawaysLinks* Engine Ventures | Michael Kearney* Connect with Somil | Connect with Silas* This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Asks 👋👉 Listeners Survey* We would love to hear how we can improve the show and what you like most.👉 Fundraising for Founders* If founders are looking for funding in the ClimateTech space, reach out & schedule a chat here!👉 Early-Stage Founders Hiring* Silas just started his own recruitment consultancy tailor-made for early-stage ClimateTech startups. He does this by offering heavily discounted headhunting services for companies at Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A companies. If you need a hand finding the best talent on the market, and you don’t want to sell your kidney to pay for it, let’s chat. (booking here)👉 Meet Top Founders* Interested in getting in front of hundreds of ClimateTech VCs and Founders each month, reach out to info@cleantechiespod.com to learn more about becoming a sponsor.If you couldn’t already tell, we care a lot about ClimateTech founders 😂🙏🏽 Thanks for tuning in, and see y’all next episode! 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