CC Pod

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. Upgrade to CC+ for insider access & community or manage your subscription here.Disclaimer: For full disclosure, MoldCo is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Sundeep Ahuja is the Founder and General Partner. CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.Announcing the Next Phase of Climate Angels!Know someone seeking to unlock the knowledge and skills to help them become a successful investor? Send them the application for Climate Angels, an immersive program and community designed for aspiring angel investors: More hereDon’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!In this insightful episode, host Sundeep Ahuja welcomes Ariana Thacker, Founder and CEO of MoldCo, who shares her personal journey from experiencing severe health issues due to mold exposure to establishing a company dedicated to helping others navigate the complexities of mold toxicity. MoldCo offers a comprehensive solution that combines specialized lab testing with personalized care, aiming to empower individuals suffering from mold-related health problems.Ariana's passion for addressing mold toxicity stems from her own struggles with symptoms that included hair loss, gastrointestinal issues, and debilitating brain fog, all linked to her exposure in a Miami apartment. This personal experience fueled her desire to create MoldCo, which provides an end-to-end service for mold recovery. The company offers a starter lab panel at an accessible price, focusing on key biomarkers indicative of mold exposure. This initial testing is designed to identify the presence of mold toxins in the body, allowing patients to understand their health status better.MoldCo's approach is further enhanced by its concierge-style medical care, which connects patients with specialized providers and delivers necessary medications directly to their homes. The treatment protocol is based on over 30 years of research, including insights from leading experts in the field, and aims to simplify the recovery process for patients.Ariana emphasizes the importance of understanding the environmental factors contributing to mold exposure, including the impact of climate change and the use of antifungal chemicals in paints that may exacerbate mold growth. As MoldCo expands its services nationwide, it seeks to raise awareness about mold toxicity as a significant public health issue, potentially affecting millions of Americans.This episode not only sheds light on the innovative solutions MoldCo offers but also serves as a beacon of hope for those grappling with the often-overlooked effects of mold exposure. With a commitment to research and patient care, MoldCo is paving the way for a healthier future, one mold recovery journey at a time.To learn more about MoldCo, visit https://www.moldco.com/.🚨Portco Job Alert One of our portfolio companies, Ezra Climate, is growing its engineering team and hiring for two foundational roles: 🔹 VP of Engineering / CTO 🔹 Principal AI Engineer If you know someone who fits the profile—or can help connect to the right networks—they’d be grateful for warm intros or guidance. Reach out to hiring@ezraclimate.com for more information. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. Upgrade to CC+ for insider access & community or manage your subscription here.Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Climatize is a portfolio company at Climate Capital where Katie Durham works as a Venture Partner.CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.Announcing the Next Phase of Climate Angels!Unlock the knowledge and skills to help you become a successful investor with Climate Angels — an immersive program designed for aspiring angel investors. Learn more at climateangels.vc.Interested in joining? Fill out this form to join the next program: Apply hereBe a part of the next wave of climate investors! Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!On this episode of the CC Pod, host Katie Durham interviews Will Wiseman, the CEO and co-founder of Climatize, an innovative SEC-registered investing platform that aims to democratize access to renewable energy investments across the United States. Climatize has successfully mobilized over $8 million from more than 2,000 investors, funding 17 renewable energy projects that include solar installations, energy storage solutions, and electric vehicle charging stations.Will shares his journey from growing up in Santa Cruz, California, where his passion for the environment was ignited by witnessing the decline of marine ecosystems, to his extensive education in renewable energy engineering. His background includes hands-on experience as a solar installer and roles in project management and finance, which have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the renewable energy landscape. Alongside Alba Forns, COO and co-founder, Will has worked to build a platform that bridges the gap between everyday investors and renewable energy projects. Together, they’ve crafted a mission-driven company that enables individuals to participate directly in the clean energy transition. Will emphasizes the importance of building trust with potential investors, particularly in a space that often faces regulatory hurdles. Climatize has leveraged organic growth strategies, including partnerships with trusted podcast hosts, to attract investors who are eager to support sustainable initiatives.The platform focuses on funding cash flow-generating projects, carefully selecting opportunities based on their financial viability and the presence of incentives that can de-risk investments. This approach not only addresses the funding needs of small to medium-scale renewable energy projects but also empowers individual investors to participate in the energy transition.Will's vision for Climatize extends beyond mere investment; he aims to foster a movement that allows everyday people to become stakeholders in the energy sector, challenging the dominance of traditional energy companies. As Climatize continues to grow, Will is committed to enhancing the platform's capabilities and streamlining the investment process, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future.This episode is a compelling exploration of how innovative platforms like Climatize are reshaping the renewable energy investment landscape and empowering individuals to make a tangible impact in the fight against climate change. For those interested in learning more about Climatize and its mission, visit their website at Climatize Earth.To learn more about Climatize, visit https://www.climatize.earth/. (Risk Disclosure: When investing through Climatize, all investments carry risk including the loss of principal. In making an investment decision, investors must rely on their own examination of the issuer and the terms of the offering, including the merits and risks involved. Investments on Climatize are speculative, illiquid and involve a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment.) Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here. Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Presto is a portfolio company at Climate Capital where Katie Durham works as a Venture Partner.CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!Upgrade to CC+ for insider access & community or manage your subscription here.In the latest episode of the CC Pod, host Katie Durham sits down with Ashwin Dias, co-founder and CEO of Presto, a company on a mission to transform the electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape. Drawing from his experience at Uber, where he played a key role in accelerating EV adoption, Ashwin offers thoughtful insights into the real-world challenges faced by rideshare drivers and the broader EV community. Together with co-founder and CFO JJ Raynor, the Presto team is focused on creating practical, scalable solutions to make EV charging more accessible and efficient.Presto was born out of the realization that the fragmented charging infrastructure posed a significant barrier to EV adoption, particularly for drivers who often live in apartments or rental properties without access to home charging. The company aims to simplify the charging experience by aggregating various charging networks into a single, user-friendly platform. This platform allows users, especially those renting EVs from major companies like Hertz and Avis, to easily locate charging stations, check availability, and manage payments—all through the Presto app.The technology behind Presto includes a recommendation engine that utilizes machine learning to guide users to the most suitable charging stations based on availability, pricing, and reliability. Additionally, Presto offers white-label solutions and APIs for businesses looking to integrate charging capabilities into their own platforms, making it easier for fleets and logistics companies to manage their EV charging needs.As Presto continues to expand its reach across the U.S. and into Canada, the company is committed to enhancing the EV charging experience, ultimately aiming to eliminate the anxiety associated with charging for both new and seasoned EV users. Ashwin emphasizes the importance of collaboration and community in this journey, encouraging others passionate about the EV space to get involved.This episode not only highlights the innovative solutions Presto is bringing to the market but also sheds light on the broader implications for the future of transportation and sustainable energy. Tune in to learn more about how Presto is paving the way for a more accessible and efficient EV charging landscape. To learn more about Presto, visit https://www.prestocharging.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Sway is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our guest host, Dimitry Gershenson, is the co-founder and CEO of one of our portcos, Enduring Planet.CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!Plastics are a climate issue — and Sway is tackling it head-on. On this week’s CC Pod, host Dimitry Gershenson sits down with Julia Marsh, Co-founder & CEO of Sway, a California-based materials startup scaling seaweed-based, home-compostable packaging. Their patented tech mimics the performance of plastic, plugs into existing infrastructure, and decomposes into healthy soil. Alongside Co-founder & COO Matthew Mayes, the team has developed patented tech that matches the performance of plastic, integrates into existing infrastructure, and decomposes into healthy soil.Julia shares her journey as an "ocean kid" from the Monterey Bay area, where her love for the ocean and design converged to inspire her work at Sway. The company’s patented products aim to replicate the performance attributes of conventional plastics while being environmentally friendly. Unlike traditional plastics, Sway’s materials are derived from abundant, regenerative seaweed, which decomposes into healthy soil after use, making them a sustainable alternative.The episode delves into the significant challenges posed by plastic pollution, especially flexible plastics, which account for a vast majority of plastic waste. Julia highlights that over 5 trillion bags, wrappers, and pouches are produced annually, with less than 3% being recycled. This staggering statistic underscores the urgency of Sway's mission.Sway's innovative approach utilizes various types of responsibly farmed seaweed, allowing the company to avoid over-reliance on a single species. The seaweed is processed into pellets that can be used in existing plastic manufacturing systems, enabling a seamless transition to more sustainable materials. Julia explains the complex process of blown film extrusion, where these pellets are transformed into films for products like grocery bags and packaging materials.Throughout the conversation, Julia emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges. She recounts the arduous journey of developing a viable product, which involved numerous trials and iterations. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and community support, she notes that the climate tech sector fosters a unique spirit of camaraderie among entrepreneurs.Listeners are encouraged to support Sway by following their journey on social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. This episode not only sheds light on Sway's groundbreaking work but also serves as an inspiring reminder of the potential for innovation in the fight against climate change.To learn more about Sway, visit https://swaythefuture.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here. Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Dispatch Goods is a portfolio company at Climate Capital Climate Capital where Kirthika Padmanabhan works as a Principal.CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!For this week's CC Pod episode, Kirthika Padmanabhan chats with Lindsey Hoell, Founder and CEO of Dispatch Goods, about how they’re cutting costs and boosting brands with sustainable, returnable packaging.Lindsey's path to entrepreneurship is anything but conventional. With a background as a perfusionist—where she operated heart-lung machines during open-heart surgeries—Lindsey transitioned to the world of sustainability after witnessing firsthand the environmental challenges in Hawaii. Her involvement with the Surfrider Foundation and the launch of the Ocean Friendly Restaurants program ignited her passion for sustainability, leading her to identify a critical gap in the market: the need for effective circular packaging systems.Recognizing the limitations of traditional waste management practices, Lindsey envisioned a new infrastructure that businesses could leverage to shift from linear, wasteful practices to sustainable, circular solutions. This vision culminated in the founding of Dispatch Goods.Dispatch Goods operates in a sector where single-use packaging is rampant. In the U.S. alone, approximately one trillion single-use food service packaging units are consumed each year, with the vast majority ending up in landfills or incinerated. Lindsey highlighted the staggering statistic of 15 million gel packs being manufactured daily for meal and grocery deliveries, most of which contribute to environmental pollution.The mission of Dispatch Goods is clear: to create the circular supply chains of the future by focusing on reuse. The company has developed a three-pronged approach that includes:* Durable Packaging: Dispatch Goods engineers packaging that is both cost-effective and durable, ensuring it can withstand multiple uses.* Cleaning Facilities: The company has established cleaning facilities where used packaging is sanitized and prepared for reuse, ensuring safety and quality.* Circular Logistics: By partnering with a network of delivery services, Dispatch Goods manages the logistics of collecting used packaging and distributing clean, reusable items back to businesses.Since its inception, Dispatch Goods has made significant strides in reducing waste. The company has successfully diverted over 8 million items from landfills, with a recent milestone of achieving its first million-item quarter. This impressive growth underscores the potential for circular solutions to not only benefit the environment but also provide cost savings for businesses.Looking ahead, Dispatch Goods aims to expand its infrastructure and technology. Lindsey shared insights into the development of a custom software platform that enhances warehouse management, labor planning, and inventory tracking. The company is also exploring advancements in automation and computer vision to streamline operations further.Dispatch Goods is at the forefront of transforming how businesses approach packaging and waste management. Tune in to the full episode for more insights from Lindsey and learn how you can get involved.To learn more about Dispatch Goods, visit https://dispatchgoods.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe

Nishant Mani, a partner at Climate Capital, and Vijay Rajendran, an angel investor and former head of portfolio value at 500 Global, discuss the urgency of climate angel investing. They emphasize the Climate Angels program's mission to connect investors with green tech entrepreneurs facing capital access issues. The conversation delves into the importance of community in fostering innovation, debunking myths about angel investing, and highlights promising sectors like climate resilience and ag tech that are poised for growth in the coming decade.

In this engaging discussion, Mohamed Badawy, CEO of Scalvy and former professor, shares his journey from academia to leading a venture-backed startup focused on revolutionary energy management solutions. The conversation highlights Scalvy’s innovative software-defined modules that enhance the efficiency of electric mobility and energy storage. Badawy emphasizes the importance of flexible technology in EV production, the critical nature of software in transforming the automotive industry, and the vital role of trust in building customer relationships for emerging companies.

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here. Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Cambium is a portfolio company at Climate Capital Climate Capital where Kirthika Padmanabhan works as a Principal.CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!On today’s episode, Ben Christensen, founder of Cambium, joins CC Pod with host Kirthika to discuss Carbon Smart™ wood—transforming waste into sustainable materials at scale.Wood is ubiquitous in our lives, from the floors we walk on to the furniture we use. However, the traditional wood supply chain is fraught with inefficiencies and environmental concerns. Currently, the U.S. consumes about 60 billion board feet of lumber annually, and a staggering 58% of this could potentially be replaced with reclaimed wood. Yet, less than 1% of wood used today is recycled. This presents a massive opportunity for Cambium to step in and make a significant impact.Ben explains that the wood industry often relies on virgin timber, which can lead to deforestation and other unsustainable practices. Cambium aims to substitute this with salvaged wood—material that is currently wasted but can be repurposed. The company focuses on three main sources of reclaimed wood: unmanaged urban forests, deconstructed buildings, and biomass from forest management practices aimed at reducing fire hazards.Cambium's mission is to simplify the use of waste materials at scale. To achieve this, the company is building a robust supply chain platform that connects large buyers—such as architects, builders, and furniture manufacturers—with reclaimed wood sources. Some key technological components of Cambium's approach:* Supply Chain Management: Cambium is developing technology to streamline the logistics of sourcing, moving, and processing reclaimed wood. This includes tools for lumber and sawmill industries to manage their inventory and capture waste wood effectively.* Data Analytics: By creating a data layer that tracks material movement through the supply chain, Cambium can provide live carbon reporting. This transparency allows stakeholders to make informed decisions about sourcing and sustainability.* Local Processing: One of the critical innovations is the focus on local processing of reclaimed wood. By reducing the distance wood travels—often from thousands of miles to just 20 miles—Cambium minimizes carbon emissions associated with transportation.* Circular Economy: Cambium emphasizes full circularity in its operations. The company not only aims to reuse wood but also reinvests in new tree planting initiatives, ensuring that the cycle of sustainability continues.Cambium has achieved several significant milestones since its inception, including a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised $18,000 by selling cutting boards made from reclaimed wood. The company has also received grants to explore the potential of urban wood waste and has begun processing millions of board feet of material from waste streams.Looking ahead, Cambium plans to scale its operations nationally, focusing on expanding its supply chains and enhancing its technology platform. Ben emphasizes the importance of internal processes and effective communication as the company grows, ensuring that they can maintain high standards of sustainability and efficiency.To learn more about Cambium, visit https://cambiumcarbon.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe

Joselyn Lai, co-founder and CEO of Bedrock Energy, shares her journey in revolutionizing geothermal heating and cooling. She emphasizes the necessity of sustainable building solutions amid rising energy demands. Joselyn discusses how geothermal systems could be the game changer for HVAC tech, improving energy efficiency and accessibility. The conversation also delves into the challenges startups face in clean energy innovation and the importance of blending expertise with fresh perspectives to drive progress.

Sissi Liu, CEO and Co-founder of Metalmark Innovations, shares her compelling journey from experiencing air pollution in China to spearheading innovative climate solutions in Texas. She discusses the urgent need for better indoor air quality, especially amidst rising wildfire smoke. Sissi introduces groundbreaking tools like the Sierra Smoke Safe Filter and Tatama air cleaners, highlighting how her startup adapts to challenges and pivots in the tough tech landscape. Her experiences illuminate the crucial link between environmental health and effective entrepreneurial strategies.