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, Lightship is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our guest host, Rama Myers, is a Co-founder & COO of Aerofuse, which is one of our portcos.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!Catch the latest CC Pod with host, Rama Myers, and guest, Ben Parker, Co-founder and CPO of Lightship.  Ben is driving change with Lightship's fully electric, aerodynamic travel trailer, making RVing greener than ever. The idea for Lightship took root during Ben's tenure at Tesla, where he noticed the potential for electrifying RVs. Alongside his co-founder, Toby, Ben embarked on a soul-searching journey across the U.S. in a motorhome during the summer of COVID-19. This trip wasn't just an adventure; it was a critical period of customer discovery and market validation. Inspired by their experiences and conversations with fellow RV enthusiasts, Ben and Toby decided to dive headfirst into the electrification of RVs.Starting with just a pitch deck and a vision, Ben and Toby raised initial funding and began assembling a talented team to tackle the complex challenge of creating an electric, self-propelling, solar-enabled trailer. They focused on user experience, design, and the practicalities of towing range and charging infrastructure. The result was the Lightship L1, a next-generation RV that promises to revolutionize the industry.The journey hasn't been without its hurdles. From the initial concept to prototype development and road testing, Ben and his team have faced numerous technical and logistical challenges. Yet, their passion and dedication have propelled them forward. The recent launch at South by Southwest (SXSW) marked a significant milestone, showcasing Lightship's innovative approach to a wider audience.As Lightship gears up for production, Ben and Toby are excited about the future. They anticipate the first camping trip in a fully productized Lightship towards the end of this year. Despite the ongoing challenges, their commitment to creating a seamless, sustainable RV experience remains unwavering. For more information, visit http://lightshiprv.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, Avalo is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our guest host, Dimitry, 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!Today on the CC Pod, Dimitry Gershenson talks with Mariano Alvarez, Co-founder & CSO of Avalo! Discover how Avalo's computational plant breeding platform is revolutionizing agriculture, reducing carbon impact, and enhancing sustainability.Avalo is a pioneering biotechnology company that stands out in the landscape of agricultural innovation. Focused on plant breeding, Avalo aims to enhance climate resilience and reduce agricultural inputs, addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change. Mariano explains that Avalo takes a computational approach to plant breeding, using advanced machine learning models to predict and enhance desirable traits in plants.Mariano moved to Durham, North Carolina, for a postdoctoral position at Duke University, where he met his co-founder, Brendan, at a local brewery. With both having strong backgrounds in biology, their casual conversations over beers soon evolved into brainstorming sessions about the real-world applications of their research. This ultimately led to the decision to spin the technology out of Duke and start Avalo.Transitioning from academia to the startup world posed several challenges, but also opportunities. Mariano recalls how they began as a purely computational company but quickly realized the need to demonstrate their technology's practical effectiveness. This pivot was catalyzed by their participation in Indie Bio, where they learned to move fast and adapt to the startup environment.Mariano shares that one of the toughest hurdles was aligning their agricultural timelines with the fast-paced demands of building a startup. This required a strategic decision to avoid reinventing the wheel and instead leverage existing solutions wherever possible. This approach, supported by results-oriented investors, allowed them to focus on achieving tangible outcomes quickly.A significant part of Avalo's success is attributed to its strong company culture and mission. Mariano emphasizes that the culture and values instilled by the founders play a crucial role in shaping the company’s development. The mission-driven approach not only aligns the team but also accelerates progress by fostering a sense of purpose and shared goals.Mariano’s insights offer a valuable look into the complexities and rewards of building a mission-driven biotech company. Avalo's journey from a casual conversation to a promising startup underscores the power of innovation, strategic decision-making, and a strong organizational culture. As Avalo continues to make strides in agricultural technology, its impact on climate resilience and sustainability holds great promise.For those interested in learning more about Avalo or getting involved with Climate Capital's initiatives, visit their website at climatecapital.co.For more information, visit https://www.avalo.ai! 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, Cache Energy is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Joris works as a 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!Catch the latest episode of CC Pod! Host Joris van Mens interviews Arpit Dwivedi, founder of Cache Energy, about their groundbreaking long-duration energy storage technology.Cache Energy is pioneering a novel approach to energy storage that leverages excess solar and wind electricity to heat a proprietary material. This process triggers a chemical reaction, storing the energy in a stable form. When energy is needed, the material undergoes a reverse chemical reaction to release the stored heat. This technology allows for indefinite energy storage without significant loss, providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional battery systems.The importance of long-duration energy storage cannot be overstated. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are intermittent by nature, producing energy only when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing. Cache Energy's solution addresses this intermittency, ensuring that renewable energy can be stored and used whenever needed, whether it's during the night, winter months, or periods of low wind.Cache Energy’s technology is particularly beneficial for electric utilities and industries requiring consistent heat, such as manufacturing and food processing. By storing excess renewable energy and making it available on demand, Cache Energy helps utilities ensure a stable energy supply and enables industries to decarbonize their operations.The company has already developed a pilot system and is in the process of deploying it at customer sites. These pilot projects will provide crucial feedback, allowing Cache Energy to refine its technology before scaling up to commercial-scale systems. Arpit invites potential customers interested in decarbonizing their heat processes or seeking long-duration energy storage solutions to participate in these pilot programs.Cache Energy's innovative approach to long-duration energy storage has the potential to revolutionize the renewable energy landscape. By providing a cost-effective, operationally simple solution, Cache Energy is paving the way for a sustainable energy future. For more information, visit http://cacheenergy.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, Fram Energy is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our guest host, Rama Myers, is a Co-founder & COO of Aerofuse, which is one of our portcos.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!In this week’s CC Pod episode, let’s join Rama Myers and guest Charlotte Meerstadt, CEO and Founder of Fram Energy, as they discuss how Fram Energy is solving the solar adoption challenge in rental properties, splitting savings between tenants and landlords. Charlotte’s journey to founding Fram Energy is both inspiring and rooted in personal experience. With a background as an R&D engineer at one of the Netherlands' national labs and an MBA from Stanford, Charlotte had a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen. Her entrepreneurial journey began when she encountered the inefficiencies and challenges landlords face in managing energy consumption and sustainability within their properties. This led her to identify a significant gap in the market for solutions that could bridge the interests of landlords and tenants while promoting energy efficiency.Fram Energy is tackling the decarbonization challenge head-on with a software system designed to split solar savings between tenants and landlords. This approach not only incentivizes property owners to invest in solar energy but also allows tenants to benefit from reduced energy costs. The company's mission is to make the adoption of renewable energy as seamless and beneficial as possible for all parties involved.Charlotte shared that the journey of developing Fram Energy's solutions was not without its hurdles. As a solo founder, she faced the daunting task of building a company from the ground up. However, her determination and the support from mentors and industry experts helped her navigate these challenges. One key to her success has been fostering a motivated and mission-driven team, which has been pivotal in driving the company's growth.One of the significant regulatory challenges Fram Energy faces is the highly regulated field of residential energy. Charlotte discussed how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has impacted their business model, providing both opportunities and hurdles. The company has had to adapt its strategies to align with regulatory requirements while ensuring that their solutions remain effective and attractive to their clients.Finding the first customers is often the most challenging phase for any startup, and Fram Energy was no exception. Charlotte leveraged a combination of networks, including investors, Stanford connections, and local events, to introduce Fram Energy to potential clients. This grassroots approach has proven effective, allowing the company to build a solid customer base and gain valuable insights from early adopters.User feedback has played a crucial role in the development of Fram Energy's products. Charlotte recounted how initial feedback from test tenants led to significant improvements in their software system. By simplifying their messaging and focusing on what truly mattered to tenants, Fram Energy was able to create a more user-friendly and effective solution. This iterative process underscored the importance of getting products in front of real users as soon as possible to validate assumptions and make necessary adjustments.As Fram Energy continues to grow, it faces both challenges and exciting opportunities. The real estate industry, traditionally slow to adopt new technologies, is beginning to recognize the importance of sustainability and energy efficiency. This shift, driven by external pressures and a growing awareness of climate issues, bodes well for Fram Energy's future.For those interested in learning more about Fram Energy and staying updated on their journey, Charlotte encourages following the company on LinkedIn and visiting their website, framenergy.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, Mycocycle is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our guest host, Dimitry, 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!On this week's CC Pod, Dimitry Gershenson welcomes Joanne Rodriguez, Founder and CEO of Mycocycle! Mycocycle is shifting the paradigm of waste management by using fungi to transform waste into reusable resources. Mycocycle's innovative solution hinges on the remarkable capabilities of fungi, particularly their mycelium - the root-like structures that absorb nutrients. Fungi can break down complex organic materials, but could they do it with waste? This was the question that drove Joanne to establish Mycocycle.Mycocycle's technology is a unique blend of applied mycology and biotechnology. The process begins with treating waste materials with specific fungi species, which then break down the waste and detoxify it. The result is a bio-based material that can be used as an input for other products. This is a three-step process: blending, inoculating, and finally, material development.Mycocycle's solution is not just theoretical, but practical, and scalable. The company has developed mobile bioprocessors to decentralize the process, making it possible to implement their solution all over the country and even overseas.But why is this so important? The waste problem that Mycocycle is tackling is twice the size of plastic pollution. By leveraging the potential of fungi, Mycocycle is not only reducing the volume of waste but also transforming it into a resource, thereby addressing two critical environmental challenges simultaneously.The journey of Mycocycle is a testament to the power of innovative thinking and the potential of biotechnology. The company's work shows how we can harness the power of nature to address some of our most pressing environmental issues. As we face a future where waste management and resource scarcity are becoming increasingly crucial, solutions like Mycocycle's could play a pivotal role.Visit mycocycle.com to learn more! 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, Posh is a portfolio company at Climate Capital.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!Thrilled to share our latest CC Pod episode! Our guest host, Zeina Fayyaz Kim chats with Wesley Zheng, Co-founder and CEO of Posh, a game-changer in energy storage & recycling. Posh's plug-and-play solutions are lighting up C&I spaces, proving resilience & savings are a charge away.Wesley Zheng's journey started in Singapore as a chemical engineering student. His interest in renewable energy led him to Stanford for his Ph.D., where he charged (pun intended) into the world of batteries. After a stint as a founder of a sustainable UAV company, he returned to his roots in battery technology and co-founded Posh.Posh started as a solution to a massive recall of battery packs by a prominent automotive company in the US. Seeing the potential in repurposing the batteries for solar and renewable storage, Wesley and his team started building machines to refurbish batteries. This has since grown into designing and manufacturing large battery storage systems, propelled by the increasing demand for such solutions in commercial and industrial sectors.The Posh systems are particularly beneficial for businesses that consume a lot of electricity and face hefty penalties for peak power consumption, known as demand charges. By using battery energy storage systems, these businesses can offset their peak consumption and avoid these extra costs. This leads to a compelling return on investment, making the adoption of such technologies a no-brainer for many businesses.Furthermore, Posh offers a turnkey solution, providing everything from installation to decommissioning, including operation and maintenance. This comprehensive service allows businesses to have a seamless, worry-free experience as they transition towards more sustainable energy practices.However, Posh's work extends beyond providing energy storage solutions. Wesley emphasized the importance of everyone checking their electricity bills and considering solar and battery solutions. He believes that this will not only save costs but will also reduce the strain put on the grid by commercial and industrial facilities, leading to downstream benefits throughout the energy transition. Visit poshenergy.com to learn more! 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, Modern Synthesis is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Michael works as a 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.Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!Join us on the latest episode of CC Pod hosted by Michael Luciani, featuring Jen Keane, Co-founder & CEO of Modern Synthesis!  Discover how Modern Synthesis is revolutionizing sustainable fashion with biotech, crafting circular and customizable natural textiles.Modern Synthesis is at the forefront of creating sustainable and innovative solutions for fashion and beyond. The company is leveraging the power of biotechnology to develop new materials that could replace harmful synthetic ones currently dominating the industry. Their unique approach involves using microbes to produce a high-performing material called nanocellulose, which holds the promise of transforming the materials industry.The company's journey began with Keane's curiosity about microbe-produced materials. Armed with a background in fashion and material development from her time at Adidas, she saw an opportunity in microbes' ability to create sustainable and performance-driven materials. This led her to experiment in her own kitchen, where she leveraged a bacterial fermentation process to create a new organism-driven approach to material design.One of Modern Synthesis' most significant early milestones is the development of a shoe prototype, which not only demonstrated the potential of their technology but also caught the attention of both consumers and industry players. The successful prototype prompted the team to think about scalability and how to retrofit their process within existing manufacturing systems.Modern Synthesis’ technology is not without controversy. The use of GMOs in speculative applications of the process has raised questions about safety and containment. However, the team is committed to transparency and open dialogue about these issues, ensuring their processes are safe and ethical.The company's mission extends beyond fashion. They envision their process and materials finding applications in diverse industries such as automotive, electronics, and performance materials. Their ultimate goal is to create materials that can either be recycled or naturally degrade, aligning with nature's way of producing materials.In the podcast, Keane emphasized the importance of collaborations to bring these new materials to market and make a meaningful impact on the industry. She encouraged industry professionals to engage with Modern Synthesis, indicating that the industry's future relies heavily on these kinds of partnerships.Modern Synthesis is undoubtedly making significant strides in creating sustainable materials for the fashion industry. Their work might just be the key to solving one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time - plastic pollution. The company is a testament to how innovative biotechnology can lead the way towards a more sustainable future.Visit modernsynthesis.com to learn more! 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, Guidewheel is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Vijay works as a Syndicate Investor and Advisor.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!Excited for the latest episode of the CC podcast with host Vijay Rajendran and guest speaker Lauren Dunford, Co-founder and CEO of Guidewheel! Discover how Guidewheel's AI-powered factory operations platform revolutionizes productivity and net-zero goals in manufacturing.Guidewheel's innovative technology is designed to unlock productivity and promote sustainability at-scale across factory operations. Using AI and machine learning, Guidewheel's platform enables manufacturers to clip on sensors to their machinery, which can improve productivity by 20% and energy efficiency by 10-15% within a few months.The platform works like a smartwatch for any machine, using a clip-on sensor that monitors the electrical heartbeat of the equipment, turning this data into valuable insights. This technology can track every moment of downtime and predict potential problems with machinery by analyzing the equipment's electrical signature.The platform's AI capabilities can even identify what product is being made from the electrical signature, allowing manufacturers to enhance productivity and achieve net-zero operations.In a world where only about 10% of manufacturing assets are connected to the cloud in real-time, Guidewheel's solution aims to become a game-changer. It offers a scalable approach to digitizing manufacturing operations, regardless of the age, make, or model of the equipment. Every machine uses power, and Guidewheel's sensor can clip onto any machine, bringing it into the cloud and unlocking its potential.The results can be staggering. One factory reported doubling their production (with the same team and machines) within a month of using the Guidewheel system. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Guidewheel rapidly adapted its operations to meet the changing needs of its customers. This included developing a remotely installed system and enhancing its website to provide more information to customers.Guidewheel's innovative technology is not just about improving business operations; it's about making a positive impact on the planet, the economy, and the people who work in manufacturing every day. With their unique AI-powered platform, Guidewheel is well on its way to revolutionizing the manufacturingVisit guidewheel.com to learn more! 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, Cambrium is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Michael works as a 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.Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!Join host Michael Luciani in our latest podcast episode featuring Mitchell Duffy, Co-Founder and CEO at Cambrium. Discover how they're leveraging molecular design technology to engineer proteins and revolutionize material creation.Cambrium has a simple yet profound goal: to make materials that matter. Recognizing that materials contribute to 23% of global greenhouse gas emissions and cause innumerable environmental issues, Duffy and his team are committed to creating sustainable solutions. Their approach involves designing proteins, or as Duffy explains, downloading programs into cells, such as yeast, to change the way biology executes these programs.The process begins by identifying a customer's needs and the current industry standards they wish to improve upon. Cambrium initially focused on the cosmetics industry due to the industry's openness to innovation and sustainability.The team then designs a protein that meets the specified needs using computational tools. This designed protein is then produced in yeast, akin to brewing beer. The yeast acts as a factory, manufacturing the proteins that can then be used to create materials with the desired properties.This innovative approach allows for the creation of materials in a way that is not just sustainable but also highly customizable. It provides a potential solution to the current limitations of hydrocarbon feedstocks used by the majority of the materials industry. Traditional hydrocarbon feedstocks limit the variety of chemicals that can be produced, stifling innovation. Cambrium's method, on the other hand, taps into nature's vast array of possibilities, offering a much broader spectrum of potential materials.This technology could revolutionize not just the materials industry but also industries that rely on animal by-products. As Duffy explained, by targeting materials made from animal by-products, such as collagen or leather, Cambrium could disrupt these industries and contribute to a more sustainable future.Looking ahead, Duffy envisions a world where Cambrium’s technology enables biomaterials to deliver on their promise. His goal is to create a specialty chemicals company that consumers can trust for both performance and sustainability. This commitment to both sustainability and product quality sets Cambrium apart in the materials industry.Cambrium is leveraging the power of synthetic biology to revolutionize the materials industry. By designing proteins to create sustainable and high-performing materials, they are addressing the environmental toll of materials production and paving the way for a more sustainable future.Visit cambium.bio to learn more! Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe

Guest Amanda Li from Banyan Infrastructure discusses streamlining sustainable infrastructure financing. Banyan's purpose-built software eases project financing. Topics include creating standards in sustainability finance, navigating fundraising challenges, balancing parenthood and entrepreneurship, and emphasizing collaboration in green project finance.