Entrepreneurs for Impact

Rusheen Capital Management is a Santa Monica, CA-based private equity firm that invests in growth-stage companies in the carbon capture and utilization, low-carbon energy, and water sustainability sectors.–Prior to co-founding Rusheen, Jim started, invested in and run numerous companies. These include: US Renewables Group (Founder & Managing Partner), Stamps.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:STMP – Founder), Spoke Software, Inc. (Founder & CEO), Archive, Inc. (Founder & CEO – sold to Cyclone Commerce), NanoH2O, Inc. (Founder & Board Member – sold to LG Chemical), SolarReserve (Founder & Board Member), Fulcrum Bioenergy, Inc. (Founder & Board Member), Common Assets (Founder & Board Member – sold to NASDAQ:SCTY), SET Technology (Board Member) and OH Energy, Inc. (Founder & Board Member).–In this podcast, we talked about why investors should remain optimistic about investing in climate, how reliability trumps novelty in the energy sector every time, the need for geoengineering as today's Tylenol, how tithing and the Giving Pledge can catalyze funding from 650,000 ultra high net worth families to address climate's toughest challenges, why we need new financial structures to match the 10-20 year nature of hard tech climate solutions, and why he likes to walk in the dark in Southern California canyons to hear whispers of insights about business and life.–

Endolith is a Denver-based biotech startup revolutionizing mining by leveraging microbes to sustainably extract copper and lithium from low-grade ores. Founded in 2023, the company employs custom-engineered microbial communities, adaptive biohatcheries, and real-time cloud-based monitoring to enhance mineral recovery while minimizing environmental impact. Endolith's innovations have demonstrated significant improvements in copper extraction, attracting partnerships with industry leaders like BHP and Rio Tinto. Their approach not only boosts efficiency but also reduces reliance on harmful chemicals, aligning mining practices with clean energy goals.–Dr. Liz Dennett is a technologist and entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience in biotech and energy industries.Previously, she was the CTO of Cemvita, developing nature-inspired biosolutions for a carbon-neutral future.  Liz has held senior roles at Wood Mackenzie, AWS, Biota Technology, Hess Corporation, and the NASA Astrobiology Institute. She is also an advisory board member for the UW-Madison Dept. of Geoscience.  Liz holds a MS and PhD in geoscience and astrobiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison–We talked about reasons for her purple hair, copper demand expected to double by 2050, specially evolved microbial communities combined with cloud computing to enhance copper recovery, relying on internal validation over external approval, and bad mining puns.--

Lydian Labs is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based startup founded in 2021, dedicated to decarbonizing the aviation industry by producing sustainable fuels from carbon dioxide, water, and renewable electricity. Their proprietary technology employs fully electrified, modular reactors to convert CO₂ into carbon-neutral fuels, achieving up to 95% lower lifecycle emissions compared to traditional jet fuel.The company has successfully demonstrated a pilot system capable of producing 10,000 gallons of fuel per year, marking a significant step toward commercial-scale production planned for 2027. Lydian's approach offers flexibility by operating during periods of low-cost renewable electricity, enhancing economic viability and grid compatibility.Backed by prominent climate-focused investors such as Congruent Ventures and Galvanize Climate Solutions, Lydian is a leader in the sustainable aviation fuel sector.--Joe Rodden has spent his career building software to help the world's most sophisticated companies make complex strategic decisions in dynamic market conditions. Most recently, at Form Energy, Joe supported the commercialization of a novel iron-air battery for grid-scale energy storage.He previously worked at Affirm, which he helped prepare for IPO as an early lead on the strategy and finance team, and BlackRock, where he advised some of the firm's largest private and public clients on complex capital markets transactions.--Here are 6 highlights from the podcast:Why Aviation Needs SAF – Aviation could hit 20% of global emissions by 2050; SAF is under 1% of today's jet fuel.Lydian's Electrofuels – Made from CO₂, water, and clean power; compatible with today's infrastructure.Smart Sourcing – Ethanol CO₂ is cost-effective now; DAC offers long-term options; plants adapt to renewable energy.Scaling Up – Modular design enables 10x growth without redesign.Cost & Climate Edge – Electrofuels rival bio-SAF on price, cut emissions by up to 99%, and reduce contrails.Life Philosophy – Joe lives by ikigai and credits his organized partner for balance.--

Cyclic Materials is a Canadian cleantech company, founded in 2021, specializing in the recycling of rare earth elements (REEs) from end-of-life products such as electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, and electronic waste. Their proprietary technologies, MagCycle℠ and REEPure℠, enable the efficient recovery and purification of critical materials, contributing to a circular economy and reducing reliance on traditional mining. In 2024, the company launched its first commercial demonstration facility in Kingston, Ontario, and announced plans to invest over $20 million in a U.S. facility in Mesa, Arizona.Cyclic Materials has secured significant funding, including a $53 million Series B round with investors like BMW i Ventures and Microsoft's Climate Innovation Fund, to support its global expansion and the development of sustainable supply chains for critical materials.–Ahmad Ghahreman is a serial entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in cleantech, and one of the top hydrometallurgists in the world. He has co-invented more than 20 patents and commercialized over five technologies, focusing on transforming the rare earth elements market with sustainable, ethical solutions. In addition to his work at Cyclic, Ahmad is an early co-inventor of Jetti Resources' copper extraction technology (valued at $2.5B), and the co-designer of Li-Cycle's lithium-ion battery recycling technology (NYSE: LICY valued at over $1B). Formerly a professor at Queen's University, Ontario, Canada, he built the largest and most-funded metals extraction team in North America with over 20 graduate students. With a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering, he is a leading hydrometallurgist researcher with over 3,000 citations.--

Chuck Templeton is an ex-operator, including founding OpenTable and serving as lead investor and operating Chairman in companies such as Grubhub and Venmo (Braintree Payment Systems). He is focused on helping the S2G team, entrepreneurs, and executives take their ideas, validate them, institutionalize processes, and ultimately scale their business innovations to address today's urgent environmental and societal problems.S2G is a multi-stage investment firm with $2.5B under management and 100+ portfolio companies. They focus on venture and growth-stage businesses across food and agriculture, oceans, and energy. With a commitment to creating long-term, measurable outcomes, S2G structures flexible capital solutions that can range from venture funding through growth equity to debt and infrastructure financing.–Here are 6 topics we covered in the podcast:1. S2G's Investment PhilosophyChuck Templeton debunks the myth that impact means weak returns—S2G invests where sustainability and strong financials align. Their focus spans food, ag, energy, and oceans, which together drive 90% of global emissions.2. Why Food & Ag Is UndervaluedFood systems cause one-third of emissions but get just ~4% of climate capital. Chuck sees massive upside in climate-friendly, great-tasting, and healthier food products.3. How S2G Operates DifferentlyThey invest $20M–$50M per deal, with dedicated teams per sector and an in-house acceleration platform that supports hiring, growth, and commercialization. Their capital stack includes both equity and flexible credit options.4. What Founders MissToo many founders obsess over tech and forget commercialization. S2G backs companies with $10M+ revenue, clear product-market fit, and capital discipline.5. Flashfood & Sunday: Climate by StealthFlashfood cuts grocery waste while saving consumers money; Sunday makes lawn care safer and easier for families. In both cases, climate benefits are real—but come after convenience, cost, and safety.6. Chuck's Personal FuelInspired by fatherhood and minimalism, Chuck shifted to climate after OpenTable and Venmo. Running, stoicism, and a love for leadership learning keep him grounded—plus, he's big on “raising your hand” to lead.--

Jigar Shah served as Director of the Loan Programs Office (LPO) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) from March 2021 to January 2025, where he oversaw a $400B budget. Prior, Shah was co-founder and President at Generate Capital, where he focused on helping entrepreneurs accelerate decarbonization solutions through the use of low-cost infrastructure-as-a service financing. Generate has raised over $10 billion, investing in 50+ technology and development partnerships with more than 2,000 assets globally.Prior to Generate Capital, Shah founded SunEdison, a company that pioneered “pay as you save” solar financing (i.e., PPAs).After SunEdison, Shah served as the founding CEO of the Carbon War Room, a global non-profit founded by Sir Richard Branson to help entrepreneurs address climate change.--Here are six topics we covered in the podcast:1. Post-LPO ResetAfter managing $107B in deals at DOE's Loan Programs Office, Jigar Shah hit pause and rebranded as a “podcaster.” He's taking time to reflect before diving into the next chapter.2. Climate VC Is BrokenShah says the 100x-return VC model doesn't fit climate tech's reality. He pushes for an “East Coast” model: aim for 18% IRR, win 7 of 10 bets, and skip the moonshots.3. Evergreen Capital > 2-and-20At Generate Capital, Shah turned down big checks to build an evergreen structure that aligns with long-term climate infrastructure. It's less lucrative for managers, but way better for founders.4. FOAK Risk, ExplainedHe breaks project finance into five risks: tech, feedstock, offtake, construction, and ops. LPO, unlike most investors, can stomach execution risk, like 12 methane pyrolysis reactors, not just one.5. Think Like a DeveloperClean tech needs dev capital like real estate: risky early bets, then stable returns once built. It's not “risk-free”—just “risk-you-can-understand.”6. Deep Tech's Fatal FlawToo many founders chase giant, low-margin markets. Shah says to start with high-margin niches (like InventWood selling to data centers) and then scale.--

Climactic is an early-stage venture fund investing in the energy, AI, automation, and robotics sectors to address climate change and its effects. It is backed by folks like Chris Sacca, Reid Hoffman, Mio Partners, and StepStone.Prior to Climactic, Josh co-founded Freestyle Capital, where he sourced or invested in the unicorns: Airtable, Patreon, Betterup, and Intercom. He was a pioneer in the early days of the Internet where he co-founded Spinner, the first Internet music startup, acquired by AOL for $320M, and Crackle, a viral video startup, acquired by Sony for $65M. Josh's commitment to the environment is long-standing; he started a nonprofit app in 2014 to connect influencers (NBA, Guns N Roses, Mark Ruffalo, Al Gore, Evan Williams) to the most important climate actions from the leading nonprofits. --Here are six topics we covered in the podcast:Origins with Rock Stars and PresidentsJosh Felser co-founded ClimateX, connecting users to 100+ environmental nonprofits with partners like Al Gore, Guns N' Roses, and the NBA.Why He Left Traditional VCAfter success at Freestyle Capital, COVID and a five-month role in California's government led Josh to shift from consumer tech to climate venture, realizing business's role in systemic change.Climactic's EvolutionJosh and Raj Kapoor launched Climactic as a B2B climate tech fund, later narrowing their focus to AI and automation for enterprise sustainability and profitability.Two Portfolio BetsClimactic invested in Grit (robotics for faster, cheaper solar installs) and Copper (battery-integrated induction stoves for apartment electrification).Climate Messaging in the MAGA EraJosh advocates re-framing climate language—e.g., using “conservation” over “environmentalism”—to resonate with conservative audiences without losing authenticity.Personal WellnessJosh finds balance through humor, avoiding the 5 AM club, emotional resilience, and grounding reminders like a Buddha statue at his Stinson Beach home.--

Earth AI is discovering untapped critical metal deposits at half the cost in a fraction of the time. They combine machine learning and new modular drilling technology to move from detecting a prospect to drilling in just three to six months. They recently announced $20M in Series B funding in an oversubscribed round led by Tamarack Global and Cantos Ventures. Participating investors include Overmatch, Alpaca, Sparkwave Capital, Y Combinator, and Scrum Ventures.Roman is a YC alum, ex-PhD candidate at the University of Sydney,  and geologist with 10 years of industry and research experience in Europe, the Middle and Far East, and Australia.Here are 6 topics we covered in the podcast:1. The Problem The world faces a projected $10T demand for critical metals by 2050, yet new mineral discoveries have declined by 70% over the last decade. Current exploration methods are expensive, slow, and increasingly inefficient.2. AI-Powered Discovery Roman's team developed a machine learning model trained on 50 years of exploration data. The AI identifies geological proxies—subtle clues that indicate where valuable minerals may lie beneath the surface.3. Vertical Integration After realizing the industry wasn't ready to adopt their tech, Earth AI built its own exploration and drilling systems. This vertical integration slashed costs and sped up testing, allowing them to confirm mineral targets rapidly.4. Breakthrough Results Their AI led to the first-ever discovery of magnetic nickel on Australia's East Coast. They've since found lithium, silver, and lead deposits, securing land cheaply and unlocking high-value prospects.5. Founder Wisdom Roman emphasizes sustainable work habits and a strong internal compass. He credits storytelling as crucial to convincing investors and the broader industry of Earth AI's potential.--

Presto Charging is like Stripe for EV charging, providing a marketplace for EV fleet owners and EV charging networks via an app and API. They recently raised a $15 million seed round led by Union Square Ventures and included investments from Congruent Ventures, Jetstream, and Powerhouse Ventures.Ashwin is also a “papa to two feisty girls, weekend road bike cruiser, and photographer in hibernation.” Before Presto, he led the Vehicles and Electrification program at Uber. Here are 5 topics we covered in the podcast:1. Founding PrestoAshwin and co-founder JJ Rayner left Uber after facing the fragmented EV charging ecosystem firsthand. They created Presto to simplify access to public charging, turning a many-to-many problem into a one-to-many platform.2. Business Model & CustomersPresto serves B2B partners like Hertz, Avis, and Uber, offering a unified app and API for seamless EV charging. Their bottom-up approach won customer trust by delivering exceptional UX and fast support.3. Tech & ImpactPresto acts like "Stripe for EV charging," using data and machine learning to recommend reliable stations. Their system supports dynamic pricing and grid integration to drive long-term charging infrastructure growth.4. Founder JourneyAshwin encourages aspiring founders to “just do it,” with eyes wide open and a partner they trust. He stresses building in a sector you love, even if the leap from corporate life feels uncertain.5. Routines & ResourcesTo stay focused, Ashwin prioritizes recharge time with family and biking, emphasizing deliberate rest. He recommends books like Fall in Love with the Problem and Delivering Happiness for aspiring entrepreneurs.--

Cambium is on a mission to build better supply chains for the timber industry. Through their operating system, Traece, they make it easy to source sustainable and local Carbon Smart Wood™ from fallen trees at large scales. They've won awards, including Fast Company's “Most Innovative” and TIME's Best Invention 2024.Before Cambium, Ben worked at Sandia National Laboratories and Global Hydrologic Solutions. He is also a Forbes 30 under 30 and NOLS-certified Wilderness First Responder.--✅ Here are 6 topics we covered in the podcast:1. Founder OriginsBen traces his passion for forestry to his childhood in rural New Mexico. He combined that love with advanced studies at Yale, shaping Cambium's mission.2. Massive Market OpportunityGlobal wood demand will triple by 2050, yet half of U.S. needs could come from salvaged timber. Cambium's platform unlocks this potential through streamlined sourcing.3. How Cambium WorksBy connecting tree-care services, sawmills, and manufacturers, they reduce waste and shorten procurement cycles. Major buyers include furniture, millwork, and mass timber firms.4. Leadership and CultureBen's leadership style reflects lessons from backcountry guiding, where proactive teamwork can prevent crises. He also applies extreme ownership principles, ensuring accountability for missed goals.5. Scaling with IntentionCambium is expanding its team across forestry, tech, and sales, seeking low-ego, high-impact talent. Ben emphasizes adaptability and shared values over industry-specific experience.6. Staying GroundedBen stays focused with daily checklists, intentional routines, and physical play like soccer. He recommends The Hard Thing About Hard Things and Deep Survival for fellow builders.--

Activate helps scientists and engineers bring their transformative technologies to life. Through a two-year paid fellowship, these science entrepreneurs receive the support they need to turn their ideas into hard-tech startups. Fellows work on climate solutions, advanced manufacturing and robotics, new uses of chemistry and materials, reimagined food and agriculture, space innovations, and more. As a nonprofit organization, Activate partners with philanthropies, universities, government programs, the corporate sector, and VC investors to help fellows bridge the gap from lab to commercialization — all without taking any equity in their startups.Cyrus Wadia is the CEO of Activate. He was previously director of worldwide product sustainability at Amazon, vice president of sustainable business & innovation at Nike, and assistant director of clean energy and materials R&D in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Cyrus was also a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, a senior program officer at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the founding co-director of the Haas School of Business CleanTech to Market initiative. He holds a Ph.D. in energy and resources from UC Berkeley and an M.S. in chemical engineering from MIT.--✅ PODCAST TOPICS:Activate has supported 249 fellows, catalyzed $3.6 billion, and helped launch 197 startups. Fellows receive a salary and a $100,000 recoverable grant to develop deep-tech startups addressing societal challenges, especially in climate.Technical founders, particularly PhD scientists, face challenges shifting their mindset from research to business objectives. They must quickly learn skills like hiring, culture-building, fundraising, and balancing technical tasks with managing a business.Cyrus emphasizes stronger university collaborations to foster entrepreneurial thinking among scientists and clearer corporate guidance about market needs and significant industry challenges. This clarity would help Activate choose Fellows aligned with commercial demand.Activate currently receives around 1,000 high-quality fellowship applications each year but can only support 50 due to limited resources. Personally, Cyrus advises prioritizing mentorship early in one's career. He maintains balance through cycling and clear work-life boundaries. He also recommends Rick Rubin's book "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" to founders and innovators.--

Alsym is developing a new generation of high-performance, low-cost, non-flammable batteries to help enable a zero-carbon electrified future for all. Using readily-available materials that are inherently non-toxic, Alsym's breakthrough battery technology is an alternative to lithium-ion at less than half the cost, with the same performance and with no lithium or cobalt.Mukesh Chatter is CEO, president and co-founder of Alsym Energy. Previously, he co-founded Nexabit Networks and was CEO until its acquisition by Lucent Technologies, and co-managed NeoNet Capital LLC. He was named to Red Herring Magazine's Top 10 Entrepreneurs in 1999, and Rensselaer Entrepreneur of the Year in 2001. Mukesh received his Master's degree in Computer and Systems Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.--On the personal side:Chatter was inspired to launch Alsym Energy after his mother's passing, leading him to focus on solving problems that impact at least a billion people. His goal was to create an energy storage solution that could bring electricity access to underserved communities while also addressing global industrial decarbonization needs.In our conversation, he also stressed the importance of thinking non-linearly, embracing pivots, and prioritizing a strong team culture where leadership leads by example. He highlighted meditation and intentional pauses between tasks as key strategies for maintaining focus and resilience in high-stress environments.--

Amperon is a Houston-based technology company specializing in AI-powered electricity forecasting and analytics solutions. Founded in 2018, Amperon provides high-precision demand, renewable generation, and price forecasts to enhance grid reliability, manage financial risk, and support decarbonization efforts. Their platform serves a diverse clientele, including utilities, financial traders, and independent power producers, by leveraging advanced AI models and real-time analytics to navigate the complexities of modern energy markets. In October 2023, Amperon raised $20 million in Series B funding led by Energize Capital, underscoring their commitment to innovation in the energy sector.For almost 20 years, Sean Kelly has been at the forefront of the energy trading industry, working for Tenaska, Lehman, EDF, and E.On. While at EDF, he led the transition of two nuclear plants (Nine Mile and Ginna) into the NYISO market, then led the buildout of E.On's North American trading desk. Next, he co-founded Bridge Power Consulting and sold it to Albireo Energy in 2019. He co-founded Amperon in 2018.In this podcast, you'll learn these takeaways and much more.How to utilize AI and machine learning for accurate energy demand and price forecastingWhat is the significance of automatic weighting in analyzing diverse weather data for energy predictionsWho said this wonderful quote: “I'll build it if you can sell it”How founders should not sell themselves short or sacrifice on their long-term thesis when working with investorsWhy building strong long-term non-transactional relationships with investors and early adopter customer prospects is crucial for company growthWhy he finds value in books like The Tao of Bill Murray and The Devil in the White CityHow boxing keeps him sane and healthy on the founder journey

Blue Bear Capital is a venture and early-growth equity fund focused on digital technologies for the energy industry. On their third fund, their companies harness IoT, machine learning, and cyber security across solar, wind, and the broader energy infrastructure.Ernst Sack is a founding partner at Blue Bear. Previously, he spent nine years at Riverstone, a leading energy private equity firm that has invested over $45B since 2000, and worked on the Mergers & Acquisitions team at Citigroup. He has held board roles for over 15 energy and software companies, including Raptor Maps, Pani, Axiom Cloud, and Shoreline.In this podcast, you'll learn these takeaways and much more. What check size they write into seed and Seria A companies Why they like founders to have this one specific kind of prior experience (gotta listen to find out)  How he saw the potential for AI in his VC investing strategy back in 2016 Why he lives by this quote: “What matters is not the number of your weaknesses but the magnitude of your strenghts” How ice-cold showers and scrappy trail biking keep him sane

Bellwether is a climate prediction tool that uses AI to analyze Earth observation data and anticipate changes to the planet. It's used by the public and private sectors to help with disaster preparation and recovery. How Bellwether works: Uses simulation techniques to analyze Earth observation dataPredicts the likelihood of severe weather, like wildfires and floodsIdentifies damage to critical infrastructure after a disasterHelps deliver aid more quickly after a disasterDr. Sarah Russell is a startup founder, tech executive, and physician working at the intersection of business, planetary health, and machine learning. In addition to her role as CEO of Bellwether, she is a Managing Director at X, the Moonshot Factory at Alphabet. Previously, she held leadership roles at Venrock, the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, and Google, applying her expertise in healthcare, technology, and regulatory strategy. In addition to her entrepreneurial and executive pursuits, she serves as an Assistant Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, where she remains dedicated to mentoring and advancing innovation in medicine and sustainability.Here are some topics we covered:How to navigate personal growth and identity shifts after selling a businessWhat is the significance of absolute risk scores in disaster preparedness and how they differ from relative risk scoresWhy AI models are advantageous over traditional physics-based models in climate and weather event predictionsWhen to consider expanding a business model to offer comprehensive solutions, including vertical integration and AI-enabled servicesHow to maintain focus and remember that just because you can doesn't mean you shouldWhy you should surround yourself with people way smarter than you and do the ego work to deal with that reality

SolaREIT, established in 2020, specializes in providing flexible capital solutions for solar and battery energy storage real estate. By partnering with developers and landowners, SolaREIT facilitates the monetization of land assets through land purchases, lease prepayments, and land loans. Their streamlined approach and competitive pricing have enabled capital deployment for projects across 19 states, contributing to over $3.5 billion in solar and battery storage developments.Laura Pagliarulo is the Co-founder and CEO of SolaREIT, bringing over 15 years of experience in the renewable energy sector. Before founding SolaREIT in July 2020, she served as Senior Vice President of Community Solar and Energy Innovation at CleanChoice Energy, where she led initiatives to expand access to clean energy solutions. Her extensive background also includes leadership roles at SunEdison and WGL Energy, where she focused on community solar and distributed generation projects.Here are some key takeaways: How to optimize capital efficiency in solar and battery storage projects by leveraging innovative land acquisition strategies How they decide to structure their investment based on landowner and project owner perspectives Why the solar and battery storage industry demonstrates resilience and adaptability amidst legislative changes and market fluctuations When to consider long-term commitments within a company to fully understand its operations and foster personal growth How to maintain health and focus through personal habits such as outdoor exercise, mindful presence, and balanced technology use

Optera provides a SaaS platform and consulting services to help enterprises manage carbon emissions, focusing on Scope 3 emissions. Their platform integrates operational and supply chain data to calculate and track emissions, helping clients to align with science-based targets, comply with regulations, and improve sustainability strategies. Optera supports auto, tech, and retail industries in decarbonizing their value chains and meeting emerging climate disclosure requirements.Tim Weiss, co-founder of Optera, has extensive experience in renewable energy and emissions management. He has led initiatives in scaling solar technology in sub-Saharan Africa and now focuses on advancing enterprise-level decarbonization solutions through innovative SaaS and consulting models.Here are six topics we covered:Scope 3 Challenges: Managing Scope 3 emissions requires collaboration with suppliers and collecting primary data to address the largest and most complex portion of a company's carbon footprint.Optera's SaaS Approach: Optera combines emissions tracking software with consulting expertise, offering tailored solutions for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.Benchmarking Value: Understanding performance relative to peers and industry standards is crucial for strategic decarbonization and regulatory compliance.Regulations and Standards: New climate regulations, such as CBAM and California's disclosure laws, are driving companies to adopt science-based targets and renewable energy strategies.Climate Tech Resilience: Despite political shifts, the climate tech sector continues to grow, bolstered by mature technologies and strong market demand.Leadership and Mindfulness: Tim emphasizes the importance of calculated risks, mindfulness practices, and outdoor activities to maintain balance as a leader.

Mark1 is a public benefit corporation focused on accelerating the commercialization of emerging industrial technologies and climate solutions. Spun out of Deep Science Ventures and the Rocky Mountain Institute, Mark1 offers early-stage project development support, front-end planning, and catalytic capital for innovative companies. By bridging the gap between technology development and project deployment, they help startups navigate the complexities of project financing, off-take agreements, and regulatory processes. Julian Ryba-White, Co-Founder and CEO of Mark1, was previously a Principal at Nokomis Energy, Senior Director at TenK Solar, and Manager at SolarCity. Here are five takeaways. Bridging the commercialization gap: Julian explains the unique challenges companies face when transitioning from technology development to project deployment and how Mark One supports this process through expertise and resources. Adoption readiness levels: Mark One introduces the concept of "adoption readiness levels" from the DOE to measure project viability and prepare companies for scaling. Catalytic capital: Julian details their funding approach, offering $300,000 to $500,000 tied to project milestones to de-risk development and align incentives. Holistic project development: Mark One's bespoke program identifies gaps in technology, finance, and equity, providing tailored support through a co-development agreement. Career advice for emerging professionals: Julian emphasizes the importance of patience, family time, and human connection in balancing personal and professional growth.

Prelude Ventures is a climate tech investment firm focusing on early-stage startups. They invest primarily in seed and Series A rounds, supporting founders with innovative technologies addressing climate challenges. They began in 2009 and have about $2 billion under management. Matt Eggers, Managing Director at Prelude Ventures, has a wealth of experience in climate tech investing and manufacturing. Plus, he serves on one of our boards at Duke University, the EDGE Center at our Fuqua School of Business, so you know he can pick great teams! Prior roles include Partner at Breakthrough Energy Ventures and operational roles at Sunrun, Tesla, Genentech, and Bloom Energy.  Here are four topics we covered: Climate Tech Investment Strategy: Prelude focuses on strong teams, scalable technologies, and significant markets for venture-backed growth. A great team can overcome deficiencies in technology or business models and drive a startup's success. Creative Financing Solutions: Examples of combining venture capital, grants, and equipment financing for first-of-a-kind manufacturing facilities like Lux Wall. Biogenic Carbon Capture: Insights into innovative approaches like Graphite and Vaulted Deep, which address both carbon removal and waste management. Personal Habits for Leaders: Matt highlights outdoor activities, meditation, and self-reflection as critical practices for mental well-being and leadership focus.

SparkMeter offers grid-management solutions that enable utilities worldwide to run profitable, efficient, and reliable systems. Their investors include mutual friends at Clean Energy Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and Elemental Impact. Dan's prior experience includes work at DNV GL and a PhD in engineering and public policy from Carnegie Mellon. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways. How an 8th-grade science project and a trip to Haiti laid the foundation for this company Why they chose to build solutions involving hardware, software, and communications instead of just one or two of those pieces How their structured customer discovery channeled 75 utility executive interviews into the formation of their new product offering Why we shouldn't wait for a crisis to start building health relationships with mindfulness and therapy tools like IFS

Aeorshield is unlocking the next generation of energy-efficient windows. They do this by developing the world's most transparent silica aerogel inserts for windows, reducing energy loss through windows by 50%. Elise's prior experience includes roles at Johnson Controls, Activate, and a PhD from MIT where the research on aerogels all began. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways. How windows lead to 35% of energy loss in buildings How they're using $25M in funding to expand beyond their pilot facility and scale up next year How to make this super-insulating material called aeroseal, aka frozen smoke Why you should ignore criticism from people from whom you wouldn't proactively seek advice

Skyven is an industrial decarbonization company that designs, funds, installs, and maintains a unique steam-generating heat pump with zero downtime and no CapEx cost to customers. They have hundreds of millions of dollars of financing available. As the founder and CEO, Arun is a mission-driven PhD engineer-turned-entrepreneur with prior roles at Texas Instruments and Metronics. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways. Why they're well positioned to serve the trillion-dollar global industry process heat market How they price steam contracts with customers in chemicals, pulp and paper, food and beverage, ethanol, textiles, and metals Why building for the end goal today is a bad idea, and what you should do instead How screaming at the top of your lungs while cycling can help manage the roller coaster of entrepreneurship

Kita is a carbon insurance specialist bridging the insurance and carbon markets. Their insurance products act as a stamp of confidence and safeguard against loss. Their insurance claims can be paid in cash or in replacement carbon credits, providing flexibility for clients' individual risk appetites and carbon strategies. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways. The relationship between billion-dollar transactions and rigorous insurance products The difference between counterparty, political, method, and natural catastrophes risks, and when Kita choose to insure against them The voluntary carbon market players they rely on to certify whether a carbon project has met its goals, or whether an insurance event is triggered Why she chose to do a year-long “maternity sabbatical” after each of her children was born, and what it did for her thoughts on work

SER Capital Partners is a middle-market private equity investment firm dedicated to North American industrial sustainability. They manage $500M in equity, plus opportunities to harness debt for the right projects. Typical investments range from $50-$150M per company. In addition to his role at SER, Rahul is a former private equity investor at Energy Capital Partners and a Board member at Sunnova, NextLight, FirsLlight, Sungevity, and growth-stage cleantech companies.  In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways. How they pick the right companies to invest in Their perspective on ESG and how it adds financial value to their portfolio companies How they select the right management team, and what it means to be pulled vs. to push Why he practice Transcendental Meditation 5x per week and tries to bring a gift to every personal encounter

In this unusual episode, I do my best to go meta, above our normal climate tech challenges and opportunities, to the science and mindset of gratitude. Does a greater appreciation for what we have mean nothing bad is happening out there? Not at all. But building climate tech solutions is not a spring. It's a marathon. Or maybe both. As such, we need all the non-work tools in our toolbelt to maintain our energy, health, and focus along the journey. In seven short minutes, I walk through five science-based benefits of gratitude and four practical ways to practice it in a few minutes each day.

e-Zinc produces zinc-based long-duration energy storage technology with discharge durations between 10 and 100 hours. They have raised over $100M in funding and are building their first three commercial pilots. In addition to his role at e-Zinc, James is a Board Director of the Long Duration Energy Storage Council (LDESC) and Energy Storage Canada (ESC), as well as a former Manager at Bain and MaRS. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways. How the long-duration energy storage sector is poised to become a $4T market by 2040 Why he's going to market with a “resilience as a service” business model Why it's essential to convert sustainability technology from cost centers into revenue centers What Vipassana meditation is, and why he starts his morning with it

Coreshell can reduce the cost of batteries by roughly 25% and improve drive range by about 40% by producing metallurgical silicon anodes to replace graphite. Their collaborators include some of the biggest names in the automotive industry and the largest merchant producer of silicon metal in the Western world. Jonathan is a UC Berkeley graduate in chemical engineering with 12 years of prior experience at New Logic Research as well as Membrane Technolgy and Research. He's also a Climate CEO Fellow with us at EFI. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways. How they raised 10% of the capital of peers to reach the same milestones Why their metallurgical silicon anode can be 20x more cost-efficient than today's current lithium-ion battery technology How he reduces stress by facing mortality in safe but adventurous rock climbing Why we should focus on process vs. outcomes, and how this relates to the difference between pain vs. suffering

Spring Lane Capital is a private equity firm specializing in providing hybrid project capital for sustainable infrastructure and energy projects. DevEngine Partners partners with project developers by providing development capital and hands-on development support to de-risk sustainable infrastructure projects. CREO is a "secret club for billionaires" that connects ultra-high-net-worth individuals and family offices to investment opportunities in sustainability and clean energy. In addition to co-leading these two organizations, Jason has extensive experience in sustainable finance, including roles at Renewable Resource Group, Acumen Fund, Generation Investment Management, and Encourage Capital. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways. Why he likes to invest in both corporate and project finance at the same company What “venture infrastructure” means as a climate finance niche The importance of relationships vs. transactions How he learns to balance in life by surfing in the ocean

Javelin Capital is an investment and merchant banking firm focused on mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising in the renewable energy, energy storage, and green chemistry sectors. Jason brings 15 years of experience in cleantech finance and entrepreneurship, plus prior executive roles at Goldman Sachs and Citi. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways. How they serve green electron and green molecule companies with financial transactions ranging from $30M to $750M What merchant banking means and why they provide it The importance of not being all things to all people The difference between designing a life and building a career

HData provides software solutions that streamline regulatory reporting and data management for the energy industry, focusing on utilities and regulatory bodies. They are a Techstars startup with two rounds of VC funding. Before HData, Hudson served as an attorney and advisor at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), advocating for data transparency in financial and regulatory disclosures. He also founded the Data Coalition, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing data transparency in government. He is widely recognized for promoting open data standards and leveraging technology to improve regulatory compliance and efficiency. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways. How they turn unstructured energy regulatory data into business intelligence The benefits of SAFE vs. convertible notes for founders Why most crises are not existential threats His recovery from alcoholism and what it means for his company culture

Plentify is a smart energy company that makes affordable, reliable, and clean electricity a reality for all. Their current focus is on the demand-side management of water heaters to create virtual power plants. Jon is the former head of clean energy for Google across Africa and a strategy consultant with McKinsey & Company and South Pole Carbon Asset Management. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. How smarter water heaters can reduce energy storage costs by 75% Why their capital raise was hardest in the easiest market (a few years back) and easiest in the toughest market (today) What “presencing” is and how to use it to grow your business Why he loves this quote: “Opportunities Multiply as They Are Seized”

Atmos is a climate fintech company offering savings and checking accounts to help fund the clean energy transition. Ravi is a 25-year veteran of the clean energy industry, material science engineer, and serial entrepreneur. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. Why the $6 trillion mandate means that every lender should be a climate lender How they've crafted financial products to move tens of millions of dollars into clean energy installations How he almost got diabetes from working too much on his business What he means by "experience is what you get when you don't get what you want"

G2 is a growth stage VC investor with $1B in assets under management and 30 portfolio companies. They invest $15-50M into companies at inflection points generating at least $10M in revenue. Their focus is the nexus of sustainable technology and traditional industries. Brook has over two decades of experience as an entrepreneur, executive, and investor. Before G2, he spent ten years at Kleiner Perkins where he co-managed the $1B Green Growth Fund as a Senior Partner. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. What his top two picks are for gaps in the climate venture funding lifecycle How they build long-term relationships before investing Why companies often die of indigestion not starvation What L-theanine can do for sleep and dreams

Avalanche is developing the world's first fusion microreactor, and it has $45M of investor backing from our friends at Congruent Ventures, Grantham, and Climate Capital. Brian has one of the more entertaining bios in climate tech. Here are snippets and a link: https://avalanchefusion.com/about/team/brian-riordan. He's an engineer hardwired to be “all-in”; he no dimmer switch and always chooses the red pill; wine-making, leather & wood workin', campin', bee keepin', farmin', salt-water lovin' father to four awesome kids who think he's an invulnerable jungle gym. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. How they are reducing cost and regulatory hurdles often associated with conventional nuclear fission power The scale-up risks they avoid by building small The difference in transactional vs. authentic relationships Why you must get destroyed in the gym for mental health

EnergyX is a direct lithium extraction company with $100M of investment, including about $50M from retail investors. Its 100 team members are advancing its new membrane, solvent, and adsorbents to boost the efficiency of extracting lithium from underground salt water. Teague is a serial entrepreneur whose first success was launching a record label at age 20 and taking an artist to #1 in the iTunes hip hop charts. (That's a first for a guest on the EFI podcast!) In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. The severe limitations of conventional lithium mining, such as 35% extraction efficiency and an 18-month wait time Why they are building two lithium extraction plants at the same time  How he acquired the company's foundational technology for $10,000  Why he believes humans will live to be 140 years old in the near future

WATTMORE is an energy storage software company providing battery sizing, economic outcome forecasts, battery charging and discharging, and more. JW is a serial founder and clean power executive (Because Solar, Main Street Power, Clean Energy Collective, SunShare), Vice Chair (Western Caucus) of the Democratic National Committee, Board member of Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association, and Board member of SELF (Solar Electric Light Fund). In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. What it means to be a “deal whisperer” How his experience developing hundreds of solar projects helps his software company grow His five-year vision and recurring revenue contracts of 10 years or more What he learned from his mother, who was ordained in the Soto Zen Buddhism tradition

CleanChoice is a retail power provider and solar project developer and owner. Combined into one, they aim to be a 100% renewable gentailer. Zoe has experience developing and selling hundreds of megawatts of solar as the former CEO of Pine Gate Renewables and General Counsel at FLS Energy. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. How they plan to build 1 GW of solar to meet their customers' demands What hedging efficacy means in deregulated power markets Where concentration risk shows up and how they manage it Why reading fiction at 5:00 am helps her start the day right Plus, you'll feel extra cool listening to this one because of his French accent!

Today's podcast is a rebroadcast of one of our most popular episodes ever. Jaqueline van Ende is the CEO of Carbon Equity. They also have some big news... They've raised another €60 million in 4 months for their third climate tech fund. The goal is to raise €125 million in all which will be invested through private equity and venture capital funds in the EU and the US and eventually into at least 150 climate tech companies. Since its founding in 2021, Carbon Equity has raised over €250 million from more than 900 investors. To date, the company has invested in 120+ companies through 18 funds, which together, despite being early-stage innovations, already generate more than €1.7 billion in revenue.

Montauk Climate is a venture studio that launches and grows startups in the mobility, adaptation, energy, decarbonization, and sustainability sectors. Evan is a serial founder, power trader, board member, and investor with 20 years in the energy sector, including roles as Head of Venture Investing at Riverstone, a $40B energy investment and infrastructure firm. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. How a venture studio works How he incentivizes experienced corporate executives to help build and lead the startups they launch Why compute is the current of the future, and how AI could be using 10% of global power in the years to come Why adaptive insurance using IFTT parametric functions is needed in a future disrupted by climate change

WeWard is an app that rewards users for walking more each day. To date, they have 20 million users walking an extra 24% than before having the app. They provide rewards from corporate partners for hitting certain walking goals, and they've generated eight figures in revenue while doing so. Yves has over 10 years of experience in creating and scaling innovative solutions for physical retail, as well as a background in machine learning, big data, web and mobile development, applied mathematics, and cognitive science, with degrees in entrepreneurship and Silicon Valley innovation from Ecole Polytechnique and UC Berkeley. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. How he taught himself behavioral psychology to apply it to his ventures What he learned from Pokemon Go to build WeWard How they earn revenue from three sources and which is the biggest Why they've given $1M to charity as a startup themselves Plus, you'll feel extra cool listening to this one because of his French accent!

Liminal uses ultrasound and machine learning to create a new way to inspect battery manufacturing, elevate cell quality, and improve cost and safety. They've raised over $35M from investors such as our friends at ArcTern Ventures, EIF, and Northvolt, as well as the federal government, including ARPA-E and NSF. Andrew brings a PhD and post-doc work at Princeton University to the creation of this venture. He's also an Active Fellow and Board member, as well as a skilled photographer. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. How they sell to customers (it's not what you think) How they generate revenue from three sources of value How a random Youtube video about bouncing batteries led to the creation of this technology How he reads the late-night scribbles on the notepad by his bed each morning

SolarKal is a curated marketplace and trusted advisor that makes solar installations easy for commercial real estate owners. Their clients represent 100 million square feet of real estate, and their 200 vetted solar installers have generated $1.6 billion in project bids to date. And over 80% of positive ROI solar projects get built. Yaniv is a mechanical engineer, 2x founder, and MBA from Columbia with over a decade of experience in the solar industry. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. How they get paid (it might not be what you think) How he bootstrapped the business for years until recently taking private equity investment  How they built their software and their roadmap going forward The origin of their name and how that relates to the reason that clients choose them

Avnos provides a Hybrid Direct Air Capture (HDAC) solution that inverts the water paradigm in DAC, producing water (5 tons per ton of carbon captured), eliminating heat consumption, and reducing costs by 50% compared to other forms of DAC. Will is a serial founder, investor, and board member in climate tech. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. How they accessed $100M in capital to grow this company How their technology does what seems impossible in the DAC sector How they accessed strategic investors and deployment partners on three continents Why walking his dog and disengaging the brain produces some of his best business ideas

My guest today is Astrid Atkinson, Co-founder and CEO of Camus Energy. Camus Energy is a VC-backed software company serving power utilities with analytics and forecasting, real-time monitoring, and advanced control for local resources to help decarbonize the grid. Astrid was a technical writer who worked her way up to become an executive in engineering at Google. She's also a board member at the Gridwise Alliance and an Aussie who occasionally unveils her delightful accent. In her free time, she likes to find the connections between crocheting, dog training, and growing a world-changing company. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. How she shortened the sales cycle of selling into power utilities What factors have helped her raise $26M in investor capital How the Myth of Sisyphys relates to her company name and the climate change fight What she learned from being a Google executive aat a time when the company experienced a one-million-fold load growth

My guest today is Nigel Bloomhall, Co-founder and CEO of Invisible Urban Charging. Invisible Urban Charging provides electric vehicles as a service, which means they design, install, own, and maintain chargers for investors, fleet managers, and corporates eager to electrify transportation while avoiding the capital expense and uncertainty associated with being a novice in the sector. They've signed partnerships with giants like CBRE to install over 1 million chargers. Nigel brings three decades of experience in power utilities, energy, and banking across multiple continents. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. Why he flew from New Zealand to the US for a 15-minute meeting and how it catapulted his company to faster growth Why he focuses on level 2 chargers, not fast chargers What he learned from pitching 283 investors How aiming for bigger goals is easier than more humble ambitions

My guest today is Evgeny Klochikhin, Founder and CEO of Sheeva.ai. Sheeva.ai is a software and fintech company that enables payments within vehicles, making it easy to “charge and walk.” They are backed by strategic investors in the US, India, Germany, and Japan. Prior to Sheeva, Evgeny earned a PhD in innovation policy and technology and was a senior data scientist at the American Institutes for Research, a public relations specialist for the European Jewish Congress, and a journalist in Russia. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. How a personal pain point was the origin of Sheeva's creation Why they had to pivot and make big changes to their business model How they found motivated strategic investors in four countries Two traits that make founders unstoppable and how he found them

Aether is a molecular assembler platform that can extract lithium from previously inaccessible reserves. It uses robots and machine learning to search among trillions of enzymes for the right fit. Pavle is a first-time founder and almost college dropout (there's a story to that!) who's spent almost seven years building Aether and raising $49M along the way. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. How he hopes to make the US the lithium capital of the world Which revenue models he's pursuing with mining partners How he'll use nondilutive funding to scale tech deployment Why “I don't know” is a powerful phrase to build trust

LiquiDonate is a VC-backed software platform that matches and moves reclaimable items (such as online returns and unsold inventory) into the hands of nonprofits who need them, thereby saving retailers millions of dollars and keeping tons of waste out of landfills. Disney is a social impact innovator who started as employee number 15 at PostMates. She helped grow the company's customer service and Civic Labs divisions and won awards from TIME Magazine and FAST company. She's also a feminist, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and an animal rights activist working to be a better-practicing ally for marginalized communities. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. How online returns and excess inventory cost retailers $800B per year in losses Why you should create a Google Doc that tracks your hundreds of small and big wins in career and life What it's like being a queer women CEO raising VC investment capital How they designed their product matching algorithm and logistics systems to optimize donations, tax credits, and low operating costs

Ample is a new energy delivery solution for electric vehicles. It uses Modular Battery Swapping to deliver 100% charge to any EV in a few minutes. They're supported with $270M of investment from Shell, Moore Strategic Ventures, and strategic partners in Singapore and Thailand. John is a serial founder and executive in health, tech, and energy with multiple exits to Fortune 500 companies. In this episode, you'll learn these four important takeaways and much more. How to get to “yes” with customers by converting a harder capital expense to an easier operating expense Why their EV battery solution can be deployed in a whole city within a few weeks at far lower costs than EV fast chargers The benefits of saying yes more than no to grow from uncomfortable experiences Which two books keep him grounded and mindful as a leader

⭐ My guest today is Mark Bruinooge, CIO of 2040 Fund. 2040 Fund manages philanthropic capital for the 2040 Foundation and its founder, Jay Faison. Investments include private and publicly listed securities focused on climate adaptation and resilience. The 2040 Fund The Fund focuses on water systems and technology, the future of food, and energy transition. They plan to spend down all of its assets by the year 2040 maximizing impact in the near term. Mark is also a board member at PosiGen, investment committe member at Upwell Water, and former SVP at Bank of America. --