CleanTechies podcast

1:14:43

Artificial intelligence is evolving at an unprecedented pace—what does that mean for the future of technology, venture capital, business, and even our understanding of ourselves? Award-winning journalist and writer Anil Ananthaswamy joins us for our latest episode to discuss his latest book Why Machines Learn: The Elegant Math Behind Modern AI . Anil helps us explore the journey and many breakthroughs that have propelled machine learning from simple perceptrons to the sophisticated algorithms shaping today’s AI revolution, powering GPT and other models. The discussion aims to demystify some of the underlying mathematical concepts that power modern machine learning, to help everyone grasp this technology impacting our lives–even if your last math class was in high school. Anil walks us through the power of scaling laws, the shift from training to inference optimization, and the debate among AI’s pioneers about the road to AGI—should we be concerned, or are we still missing key pieces of the puzzle? The conversation also delves into AI’s philosophical implications—could understanding how machines learn help us better understand ourselves? And what challenges remain before AI systems can truly operate with agency? If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Sign up for our newsletter at techsurgepodcast.com for exclusive insights and updates on upcoming TechSurge Live Summits. Links: Read Why Machines Learn, Anil’s latest book on the math behind AI https://www.amazon.com/Why-Machines-Learn-Elegant-Behind/dp/0593185749 Learn more about Anil Ananthaswamy’s work and writing https://anilananthaswamy.com/ Watch Anil Ananthaswamy’s TED Talk on AI and intelligence https://www.ted.com/speakers/anil_ananthaswamy Discover the MIT Knight Science Journalism Fellowship that shaped Anil’s AI research https://ksj.mit.edu/ Understand the Perceptron, the foundation of neural networks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perceptron Read about the Perceptron Convergence Theorem and its significance https://www.nature.com/articles/323533a0…

CleanTechies

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Welcome to the CleanTechies Podcast, the #1 Podcast for Climate Tech Entrepreneurs
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235 एपिसोडस

CleanTechies

updated 7 days ago

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235 एपिसोडस

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CleanTechies

1
#236 Critical Minerals: A Master Class on How to Win w/ Nicholaus Rohleder 42:33

7 days ago42:33

42:33

We’re doing something a bit different…🤔 We’re exploring the urgent and evolving landscape of critical minerals with Nicholaus Rohleder from Climate Commodities . Nick, an investor and expert in the field, breaks down how the U.S. went from a leader in mineral production to heavy reliance on foreign sources—and why the time is now for entrepreneurs to help rebuild domestic supply chains. Key Topics Covered: The Rise and Fall of U.S. Mineral Production Why Critical Minerals Matter More Than Ever Opportunities for Entrepreneurs The Capital Market Shift U.S. Trade Policy and Tariffs The Future of Clean Minerals Mistakes Founders Make Nick teaches a class on this at UPenn, so this is serious value ($$$) — if you’re a investor, policymaker, or entrepreneur looking to understand the critical minerals space, this is for you. --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today ( cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube Links Nicholaus Rohleder | Climate Commodities Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Topics 01:23 Landscape of Critical Minerals 05:06 Historical Context of U.S. Mineral Production 09:53 Talent and Knowledge Gaps in the Industry 12:10 The Need for Domestic Production 20:30 The Key Minerals 28:51 Opportunities in the Critical Minerals Value Chain 34:32 Technological Innovations and Local Production 43:05 Cost Dynamics [Paywall Begins] 44:04 Building Successful Companies in Critical Minerals 46:52 Common Mistakes in the Critical Minerals Sector 51:52 Current Trends in Capital Investment 55:42 Investment Opportunities 56:00 Advice for Start-ups in the Sector 57:06 Government Involvement and Policy Implications Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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#235 This $100 BILLION Industry Is Hiding in Plain Sight! Big Oil's Bet on Carbon Capture 57:38

21 days ago57:38

57:38

This week, we’re joined by Todd Bush , an expert in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), with decades of experience supporting oil and gas companies in their decarbonization efforts. Todd has founded and sold multiple companies and is now leading decarbonfuse , a daily newsletter tracking deal activity in carbon capture and industrial decarbonization. This conversation covers the current state of carbon capture, where the momentum is strongest, the biggest barriers to scaling CCUS, and how policy and investment shifts are shaping the industry. If you’re curious about where the carbon capture market is headed and how it intersects with industries like ethanol, hydrogen, and steel production, this is an episode you don’t want to miss! 🔍 Topics Covered in This Episode **The first movers in carbon capture: ethanol, ammonia, and natural gas **The difference between Class 2 vs. Class 6 wells and why it matters **How carbon capture projects get financed and what returns investors expect **The role of policy (45Q tax credits, permitting hurdles, and regulatory uncertainty) **Utilization of CO2—who’s buying it and why **Why Houston and the Gulf Coast are primed to be the epicenter of CCUS **What’s needed for carbon capture to reach private equity scale --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today ( cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube Notes & Links: decarbonfuse Newsletter Energy Tech Nexus | Digital Wildcatters Abt the 45Q Tax Credit More on Class 6 vs. Class 2 Wells Participate in the CleanTechies Listener Survey: Take Survey . Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Timestamps: **0:00 Introduction to Carbon Capture **3:50 The Journey into Carbon Capture Solutions **6:55 Decarbonization Trends and Industry Perspectives **10:01 Carbon Capture Technologies and Their Applications **12:54 Regulatory Frameworks and Project Development **15:55 Community Engagement and Project Success Factors **19:41 Momentum in Carbon Capture and Community Engagement **22:57 Technological Bottlenecks and Adoption Rates **27:25 Talent Pool and Industry Transition **32:03 Regulat Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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#234 The Future of Cleaner Data Centers & Lessons from 20+ Years at Meta, LinkedIn, & Cisco w/ Yuval Bachar (EdgeCloudLink) 39:09

28 days ago39:09

39:09

Yuval Bachar, Founder and CEO of Edge CloudLink (ECL), is on a mission to revolutionize data centers with hydrogen-powered, off-grid solutions. His journey spans decades, with leadership roles at Cisco, Facebook, and LinkedIn, where he built critical infrastructure for some of the biggest names in tech. Now, he’s pioneering a new wave of sustainable data centers, delivering AI-ready capacity in just nine months—compared to the industry average of three to four years. Here’s the game-changer: ECL’s modular approach eliminates reliance on traditional power grids, slashes emissions to zero, and generates its own cooling water, making it a groundbreaking solution for the energy-hungry AI revolution. With data center demand soaring and grid power in short supply, Yuval’s vision could be the key to unlocking the next generation of computing. Get the full episode today to hear: Why traditional data centers are struggling to keep up with AI growth—and how ECL is changing the game The secret behind delivering AI data centers in 9 months instead of 3+ years How Yuval secured $18M in funding and is now raising $1.2B for large-scale deployments The surprising benefits of hydrogen for both cost and sustainability Key lessons from scaling world-class infrastructure at Facebook, LinkedIn, and Cisco 📝 Show Notes: Topics 02:46 Hydrogen-Powered Data Centers 10:40 Modular and Rapid Deployment 14:01 The Hydrogen Supply Chain 26:30 Innovation in Data Centers 28:54 Supportive Boardroom Culture 32:15 Building Trust and Transparency 34:40 Fostering a Culture of Innovation 41:13 A Journey Through a Tech Career 49:28 Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship 54:57 Vision for the Future Links Yuval Bachar | EdgeCloudLink Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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#233 The Climate Disruptors You Haven’t Heard of (Yet)—Inside Energy Tech Nexus w/ Nada & Jason 58:42

5 weeks ago58:42

58:42

In This Episode We are speaking with Nada Ahmed and Jason Ethier , two of the founding partners at Energy Tech Nexus . Energy Tech Nexus is a Houston-based hub designed to connect EnergyTech startups with the resources they need to grow. This includes access to capital, corporate partners, direct access to pilot opportunities, as well as a community of other founders doing the same thing. In this episode, we dive into **how they're building an innovation powerhouse in the heart of the U.S. energy industry, **the evolving role of oil majors in clean tech, **and how to navigate the new regulatory landscape of the Trump administration --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today ( cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube Topics: (today’s show is all public) **00:00 Intro to Nada & Jason **01:51 Building the Energy Tech Nexus Community **10:16 Funding & Supporting Clean Tech Startups in Houston **14:30 Innovating in Green Chemicals and Advanced Materials **20:57 Navigating the New Administration's Energy Policies **29:46 Flaring and Methane Emissions **32:05 How to Market Climate Tech Under Trump **36:37 T36:37 How to Jump Start Nuclear Energy **46:47 Carbon Capture and the Future Role of Oil Majors Links: ** Nada Ahmed | Jason Ethier ** Energy Tech Nexus ** Check out the Energy Tech Startups Podcast **Participate in the CleanTechies Listener Survey: Take Survey . ** Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn ** Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn ** This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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#232 The Carbon Capture Startup Google Bet Big On—And Why It’s a Cheaper | Anca Timofte (Holocene) 33:50

6 weeks ago33:50

33:50

In This Episode In today’s episode of CleanTechies, we’re joined by Anca Timofte , the CEO and Founder of Holocene , a direct air capture (DAC) company revolutionizing carbon removal through a continuous-loop liquid system. With over a decade of experience in carbon capture—including being one of the first employees at Climeworks —Anca offers unparalleled insight into the challenges and opportunities of building climate solutions. Anca walks us through: **How Holocene's low-temp carbon capture slashes energy costs with novel organic chemistry. **Solid vs. liquid DAC: Why Holocene’s approach is a game-changer for scaling carbon removal. **Holocene's milestones: Securing Google as a customer and advancing major projects. **Startup lessons: Co-founder alignment, mission-driven hiring, and thriving in Knoxville. **Why DAC matters: Tackling legacy and ongoing emissions in a decarbonized world. --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today ( cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube Topics: (time stamps are accurate for the full episode and approximate for the free preview) **00:00 Intro **02:51 Understanding Direct Air Capture **05:54 Business Model and Customer Segments **08:54 Partnerships and Market Dynamics **11:48 Scaling and Project Deployment **15:06 Founding Story and Entrepreneurial Journey **24:52 Navigating Co-Founder Dynamics **25:48 Adapting to Political Changes **27:09 Embracing Uncertainty in Entrepreneurship **28:30 Bipartisan Support for Carbon Capture —(Free Version ends here)— **30:19 Public Perception of Carbon Capture **32:15 Survival vs. Success in Carbon Capture **34:01 Building a Team in Knoxville **39:30 Engaging with the Local Community **41:07 Hiring Lessons Learned **43:20 Balancing Parenthood and Entrepreneurship **45:13 Unexpected Challenges in the Startup Journey **46:31 Valuing Team Dynamics **47:26 Resources for Climate Tech Founders **48:36 Encouragement for Carbon Capture Startups Links: ** Anca Timofte | Holocene **Read the DOE report on direct air capture technologies here . **Participate in the CleanTechies Listener Survey: Take Survey . ** Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn ** Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn ** Recommended Book: Horizon by Barry Lopez – A lyrical exploration of travel, nature, and climate. This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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#231 How to Cut Costs AND Eliminate Emissions in Homes [BY 90%+] w/ Jane Melia (Harvest Thermal) 27:05

7 weeks ago27:05

27:05

Jane Melia is the CEO and Co-Founder of Harvest Thermal, revolutionizing home heating with heat batteries. Jane’s journey began with a vision to make home electrification both cost-effective and climate-friendly. Harvest Thermal has developed a patented system that combines heat pumps with thermal storage, reducing household emissions by 90% and energy bills by 30%, all while providing unparalleled comfort. Here’s the kicker: Jane and her team have successfully navigated the challenges of hardware deployment, secured millions in grant funding, and built a business that’s not only scalable but also grid-friendly and future-proof. With heating and hot water responsible for 10% of global emissions, Harvest Thermal is tackling one of the toughest climate challenges, turning it into a win for homeowners and the planet. Get the full episode today to hear: How Harvest Thermal is cutting bills and emissions while keeping homes cozy The secrets to scaling hardware technology in a competitive market Why heat batteries are the key to making electrification affordable and sustainable How Jane balances product innovation with deployment strategy to drive impact at scale Don’t miss a moment! If you want to get the full discussion, become a paid subscriber today or redeem your trial upgrade to test it out. 📝 Show Notes: Topics 02:14 Jane Melia's Background and Journey 04:36 Understanding Thermal Storage Technology 08:22 Consumer Demand for Home Electrification 10:18 Key Ingredients for Success in Home Heating 12:41 Differentiators in Customer Experience 14:06 Geographic Expansion and Market Strategy 18:01 Installer Relationships and Deployment Strategy 20:22 Balancing Product Development and Deployment 22:17 Building a Strong Team for Growth 28:57 Fundraising Strategy and Market Positioning 36:01 The Role of Policy in Supporting Innovation 40:23 Vision for the Future of Home Electrification Links Jane Melia | Harvest Thermal Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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#230 This Founder Built a $5M Climate Tech Startup in Africa (Here’s How!) w/ Martin Freimuller (Octavia Carbon) 30:39

8 weeks ago30:39

30:39

Martin Freimüller, the CEO and Co-Founder of Octavia Carbon, a cutting-edge Direct Air Capture (DAC) company based in Kenya Martin’s journey began with a deep appreciation for Africa’s potential and the realization that Kenya, with its abundant geothermal energy and skilled talent pool, is the perfect location for DAC. In just two and a half years, Octavia Carbon has developed patented technology, grown to a team of 61 (40 of them engineers), and even built Kenya’s first DAC pilot facility. Here’s the kicker: they’ve managed to secure millions in prepaid carbon revenue to fund their projects — all before raising their $5M seed round. Octavia’s tech pulls CO2 from the air, stores it underground as minerals, and leverages Kenya’s unmatched renewable energy resources to make the process both cost-effective and scalable. Reliable and affordable carbon removal is critical to the fight against climate change, and Octavia Carbon is showing that emerging markets can lead the charge. Get the full episode today to hear: How they got customers to prepay millions for their pilot projects Why Kenya is the global sweet spot for DAC The role clean energy and carbon storage play in shaping Africa’s economy What makes Direct Air Capture the hardest engineering challenge in the world—and why Octavia is ready to solve it 📝 Show Notes: Topics 02:25 Octavia Carbon 05:35 Founding Octavia Carbon 09:07 Understanding Direct Air Carbon Capture (DAC) 13:24 Kenya: The Ideal Location for DAC 14:44 The Climate Tech Scene in Africa 21:15 Opportunities in Emerging Markets 27:45 Navigating Skepticism in DAC 30:35 Cost Advantages of Operating in Emerging Markets 35:46 Best Practices for Founders in Emerging Markets 38:31 Verifying DAC Links Martin Freimüller | Octavia Carbon Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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#229 How to Make Money on Pilot Projects w/ Martin Schichtel (KRAFTBLOCK) 34:49

9 weeks ago34:49

34:49

On today’s episode, we’re speaking with Martin Schichtel , the CEO and Founder of Kraftblock , a thermal energy storage solution for industrial clients that use high heat. Today, they’re delivering their 5th project. All of which have been paid for by their customers — yep, you read that right. They have not used equity to pay for these pilot and demonstration projects. Their tech takes excess heat or electricity and turns it into heat, stores it in these engineered rocks. When demand is needed, they deliver the power. Reliable and affordable energy storage is the key to the energy transition. Get the full episode today to hear…. **How they managed to get their customers to pay for their pilots and demonstration projects **The role consumer demand for cleanly produced products is having on the world **The importance of validating the idea WITH CUSTOMERS before you build your pilot **The energy storage landscape globally --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today ( cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube Topics (time stamps are accurate for the full episode and approximate for the free preview) **00:00 Market Education and Heat Storage Innovations **03:08 The Journey of Kraft Block and Its Technology **05:51 Transitioning from Technical to Commercial **09:12 Understanding the Customer Base and Revenue Models **11:56 Global Demand for Clean Products **15:11 The Evolution of Thermal Energy Storage **18:07 Prototyping and Development Challenges **20:57 The Current State of Energy Storage Industry **24:08 Market Conditions Driving Change **26:52 Sustainability and Waste Management in Technology **28:44 Innovative Material Development for Energy Storage **31:59 Validation Principles for Hardware Startups **35:07 Funding Strategies for Hardware Projects —(Free Version ends here)— **39:41 Building Trust in Hardware Industries **42:30 Navigating Speed to Market in Hardware **45:22 Climate Tech Trends and Political Influences **49:58 Future of Energy Storage and Startup Opportunities **53:52 Underrated Climate Founders and Resources Links ** Martin Schichtel | KRAFTBLOCK ** Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn ** Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn ** William Kamkwamba (the CleanTech OG that Martin would love to have dinner with) This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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#228 How to Invest in ClimateTech in 2025 like a Day 1 Investor w/ Joshua Posamentier (Congruent Ventures) 30:24

9 weeks ago30:24

30:24

Joshua Posamentier is the co-founder and managing partner at Congruent Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund focused exclusively on climate tech. With a background in physics and a career that began in the semiconductor industry, Josh transitioned into climate investing after holding various roles at Intel and Prelude Ventures. Widely regarded as an OG in the climate tech space, Josh has been investing in climate solutions since well before the current wave of interest, making him one of the most experienced voices in the field. His deep technical expertise, combined with over a decade of focused climate investing, has given him a unique perspective on the evolution of the sector from its early clean tech days to today’s thriving climate tech ecosystem. Josh’s experience includes navigating the highs and lows of the market, from the early 2010s downturn in clean tech investing to today’s booming climate sector, providing invaluable insight to founders. Congruent Ventures is an early-stage climate tech fund based in San Francisco that invests across a wide range of sectors, including energy transition, food and agriculture, urban mobility, and sustainable production. The firm has made over 60 investments in companies that focus on delivering measurable, impactful climate solutions while achieving top-quartile venture returns. Congruent Ventures is known for its hands-on approach, staying actively involved with portfolio companies from seed through later funding stages. 📝 Show Notes: Topics 00:00 The Journey into Climate Tech Investing 10:05 Congruent Ventures 19:50 Navigating the Climate Tech Landscape 29:47 Challenges of Measuring Impact 39:52 Hardware vs. Software & Insights from Semiconductors 30:15 Navigating NIMBYism 34:37 Investment Strategies 39:52 The Future of Energy Demand and Policy 45:59 Exciting Innovations Links Joshua Posamentier | Congruent Ventures 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. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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ClimateTech Wrapped 2024 37:34

11 weeks ago37:34

37:34

Our reflections and musings as we close out the year... Topics 01:28 2024's Top CleanTechies Episodes 07:37 Insights 12:49 Reflections on Branding and Storytelling 20:22 Milestones and Achievements in 2024 26:12 Key Lessons for Climate Tech Startups 34:59 Future Outlook Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

1
#226 What Working With Governments to Tackle Climate Change Looks Like w/ Julia Kumari Drapkin (ISeeChange) 30:35

12 weeks ago30:35

30:35

Julia Kumari Drapkin is the CEO and founder of ISeeChange, a data platform that combines resident-generated insights with AI to address climate adaptation challenges. Julia’s background as a climate science reporter, covering disasters like Hurricane Katrina, inspired her to bridge the gap between people’s lived experiences and actionable climate solutions. Her expertise in storytelling and data-driven insights shapes ISeeChange's people-first approach to building climate resilience. ISeeChange leverages ground-truth data—stories, photos, and observations—from residents and combines it with sensor, satellite, and proprietary AI models. The platform delivers actionable insights to cities, counties, and utilities , enabling them to prioritize real-time responses and long-term infrastructure design to adapt to 21st-century climate risks. By creating a feedback loop between communities and decision-makers, ISeeChange helps build trust, improve climate outcomes, and unlock the value of previously siloed data. In this episode, Julia shares insights on: Ground-Truth Data Integration combining resident observations with existing satellite and sensor data, delivering more granular and actionable insights for managing floods, heat waves, and infrastructure failures Adaptation Over Politics , evident by how they are growing fastest in Republican-led states, showing that climate impacts are bipartisan and adaptation solutions resonate when framed around local needs like infrastructure protection and economic resilience AI-Driven data processing, enabling faster prioritization of critical tasks while transforming anecdotal community feedback into validated, actionable intelligence for utilities and governments Enjoy! 📝 Show Notes: Topics 03:01 Data-Driven Solutions for Climate Adaptation 05:50 The Role of AI in Climate Data 12:08 The Importance of Ground Truth Data 15:04 Government and Climate Tech: A Complex Relationship 17:54 The Future of Climate Adaptation and Mitigation 20:48 Challenges and Opportunities in GovTech 24:13 Political Resilience in Climate Solutions 27:08 Insurance and Climate Risk 29:59 Building Community Trust in Climate Data 32:47 The Human Element 36:07 Feedback Loops and Learning from Mistakes 38:59 Sales Cycles and Market Dynamics 41:49 Finding Common Ground Links Julia Kumari Drapkin | ISeeChange 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. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

1
#225 Solving Sulfur Waste while Capturing Carbon & Producing Sulfuric Acid & Hydrogen w/ Owen Cadwalader (Travertine) 37:14

13 weeks ago37:14

37:14

Learn how this carbon capture startup also produces green chemicals AND hydrogen -- how they funded their first demo plant -- their secrets to building a resilient business model -- and what he would advise Trump's admin in order to help keep climate on track while also competing with China. Listen Time: Full Show 58:31 (no ads) | Free Preview 37:14 On today’s episode, Owen Cadwalader , the COO of Travertine , delivers one of the most value-dense episodes we’ve ever released. Hear how they are solving the massive sulfur waste problem while also capturing carbon and producing sulfuric acid and hydrogen. In a short time, they are on track to build their first plant, producing ~100 tons a year near Rochester, NY. They have also navigated the startup landscape masterfully. There is a lot to learn here. Some of the discussion topics: **How to interact with the chemical industry **How to reframe CO2 emissions as waste **How to get the Trump admin to back climate **The sulfate waste landscape --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today ( cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube Topics (time stamps are accurate for the full episode and approximate for the free preview) **00:00 Intro **02:54 Owen's Journey to Tech **06:08 Travertine’s Tech **08:53 Multiple Revenue Streams **12:06 Customer Base and Market Challenges **14:55 Environmental Impact of Sulfate Waste **17:47 Navigating the Chemical Industry Landscape **21:09 Pricing Strategies & Market Competition **29:22 Identifying Beachhead Markets in Climate Tech **30:48 Navigating Political Landscapes for Climate Tech —(Free Version ends here)— **32:13 Building Resilient Climate Tech Businesses **34:04 On-shoring **35:59 Global vs Local Impact of Resource Extraction **36:29 The Future of Carbon Dioxide Removal **37:52 Focusing on Outcomes Over Technology **40:43 Funding Strategies for Climate Tech Projects **43:05 Advocating for Continued Innovation Funding **45:22 Reframing CO2 as Industrial Waste **50:00 Lessons from Fundraising in Climate Tech Links ** Owen Cadwalader | Travertine ** Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn ** Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

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#224 How to Scale up Anode Manufacturing in the US w/ Gleb Yushin (Sila Nanotechnologies) 41:27

14 weeks ago41:27

41:27

Hear the story of how Sila Nanotechnologies has successfully developed, taken to market, and scaled up a new Anode technology for the battery industry. -- Learn the importance of Job Creation in landing funding -- Understand why CleanTech is actually bi-partisan -- and Understand where the puck is going with the battery industry. Listen Time: Full Show 1:09:26 (no ads) | Free Preview 41:27 On today’s episode, Gleb Yushin , the CTO of Sila Nanotechnologies , pours out the wisdom he has from 14 years working on and scaling up Sila Nanotechnologies to the point where their Anode tech is in millions of batteries around the world. Not many companies reach this scale and even less so among climate companies. The lessons he has for you will benefit you massively. There are incredibly potent lessons on: A successful GTM strategy for a battery chemical (Anode in this case) How to fund your small and commercial scale production facilities. Why there will likely be bi-partisan support for clean technology Key lessons on team building and talent acquisition --- 🌎 Want the full Pod? Become a paid sub today ( cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe ) --- 📺 Watch on YouTube --- Topics **00:00 Intro **02:57 The Journey of Gleb Yushin **05:49 Founding Sila Nanotechnology **09:03 The Role of Silicon in Battery Production **11:53 Scaling Up Production **15:12 Market Integration and Collaboration **18:09 Challenges in Manufacturing **20:51 Future of Battery Technology **24:03 The Importance of Job Creation **34:51 Rapid Iteration and Automation in Production —(Free Version ends here)— **38:05 Funding Strategies and Equity vs. Debt **42:08 Government Support and Job Creation in Clean Tech **45:57 Bipartisan Support for Clean Technology **51:46 Talent Acquisition and Team Building in Startups **1:02:10 Challenges and Trends in the Battery Industry **1:04:32 Startup Opportunities in Battery Recycling and Supply Chain Links ** Gleb Yushin | Sila Nanotechnologies ** Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn ** Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn ** This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

1
#223 Everything You Need to Know About ClimateTech Politics (DoE, DoD, GovTech, Partnerships, & More) w/ Nate Loewentheil (Commonweal Ventures) 34:55

15 weeks ago34:55

34:55

Nate Loewentheil is the founder and managing partner of Commonweal Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on solving America's biggest challenges through entrepreneurship. Nate’s career spans angel investing, politics, and public policy. Previously, he served in the Obama White House, advising President Obama on emerging technologies such as clean energy and broadband expansion. His background includes roles in the Yale Entrepreneurial Society, founding the Roosevelt Institution, and advising startups during his time running venture investments for a family office. Commonweal Ventures invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies tackling generational challenges such as climate change, competition with China, and an aging population. The firm focuses on startups that leverage government partnerships as a strategic advantage, tapping into resources like national labs, regulatory data, and long-term infrastructure projects. The firm's investment philosophy distinguishes itself from traditional GovTech by emphasizing the unique ability of government to unlock enterprise value rather than solving it as a "problem to fix." With a bipartisan advisory board that includes former Trump, Bush, Obama, and Clinton administration officials, Common Weal Ventures excels at navigating regulatory landscapes and creating opportunities for impactful innovation. 📝 Show Notes: Topics 05:54 The Role of Government in Innovation 12:07 Investing in Early-Stage Companies 14:55 Understanding Political Dynamics in Climate Tech 17:52 Preparing for Trump 2.0 27:19 Shifting Political Economy and Government's Role 31:05 Future of Government Involvement in Commercialization 32:56 Engaging with Government Agencies 35:19 Best Practices for Founders in Government Relations 38:08 Investing Dynamics in Climate Tech 42:49 Encouraging Generalist Investors in Climate Tech 44:15 America's Competitive Edge: Entrepreneurship 45:40 Impact of Monopolies on Startups 48:04 Political Landscape and Antitrust Dynamics 49:51 Looking Ahead: Opportunities in Climate Tech Links Nate Lowentheil | Commonweal Ventures 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. Support the show Every ClimateTech Entrepreneur needs a reliable partner for their legal needs. Why settle for less than the best? 💪🏽 Reach out to Goodwin Law today; the law firm of choice for hundreds of ClimateTech Entrepreneurs worldwide . They have you covered from funding docs to offtake contracts to IPO and M&A support. GoodwinLaw.com (and tell them CleanTechies sent you!)…

CleanTechies

1
#222 Exposing the O&G Carbon Capture Lie & How Skytree is Doing it Right w/ Rob van Straten, CEO) 41:09

16 weeks ago41:09