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SOSV: Deep Tech Before It Was CoolSOSV wasn't always a billion-dollar fund—it began as a scrappy experiment. Ten years ago, the team was writing $50K checks. Today, it's a global operation with $1.5B under management, backing 60+ new startups annually and running two specialized programs:HAX for hard tech (robotics, industrial, mobility)IndieBio for biotech, food, health, and sustainabilityTheir formula? Hands-on acceleration + deep labs + strategic follow-on capital.“We're not just investors—we're builders. We have scientists and engineers on staff to help startups go from prototype to product faster.”The Global Deep Tech PlaybookBen's career spans Asia (Japan, Korea, China), Silicon Valley, and Europe. While SOSV is a US-based fund, its hard tech accelerator HAX was originally launched in Shenzhen and has since relocated to Newark, NJ. Its biotech program IndieBio began in San Francisco and later expanded to New York City. Today, ~50% of SOSV's portfolio is US-based, with the rest spread across Europe, Asia (notably Singapore), and LATAM.The Vertical Thesis: Climate, Health & IndustrialSOSV focuses on:Climate Tech: From Neptune Robotics cleaning ship hulls to AI-powered food formulationHealth Tech: With over 100 investments, including 20+ in women's healthBiomanufacturing: Startups using biology to produce materials, pharma, food, and solvents sustainablyMatchmaking at Scale: Building Events That Actually WorkFrustrated with event inefficiencies, Ben built his own internal toolset—combining spreadsheets, Python scripts, and LLMs—to run high-efficiency online matchmaking events. These have drawn thousands of VCs and startups, focusing on niche verticals like:BiomanufacturingWomen's HealthClimate Tech (with over 1500 participants and 800 investors)“If it takes me more than an hour to do a repetitive task, I'll just build a tool to automate it.”And yes—SOSV has invested in eight startups discovered through these very matchmaking events.Investing Beyond the ObviousSOSV is known for spotting winners in categories others overlook. Their portfolio spans everything from plant-based AI-designed food (NotCo) to microbe-based mining. As Ben puts it:“We're not afraid to invest in the things that don't have a category yet.”Why Founders Should Get on StageBen spoke at over 300 events—but not for ego. As a self-described "trained shy person," it was a way to build visibility without cold outreach. For founders, the lesson is the same:“It takes three signals to make a tiger. If people hear about you on stage, in media, and from someone they trust—they believe.”In other words, visibility builds credibility.Learn MoreSOSV – Early-stage investor in deep tech and biotechHello Tomorrow – Global Summit for science and deep tech innovation Be sure to follow Sesamers on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X for more cool stories from the people we catch during the best Tech events!
(0:00) Intro(1:26) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel(2:13) Start of interview(2:45) Joe's origin story(4:07) His early career starting in London, with law firm Linklaters. (6:43) His move to Friendster in Silicon Valley.(8:00) His time at Videoegg.(9:24) His time at the International Trade Administration in the Obama Administration.(11:30) His return to private practice with Gannett and Facebook's emerging products.(13:10) His operating role at SOSV, a global venture capital firm (2019-present)(15:10) How he got started with his board service. First board experience: a UK public company called GoCompare.(16:50) Difference between a "good" and a "great" director. (18:34) Distinguishing the concept of overboarding between public and private VC-backed companies. Reference to VCBA (5/14/25)(21:06) Some differences between U.S. and U.K. governance practices.(24:57) On the increasing politicization of corporate governance, including ESG and DEI (plus boardroom diversity). "Let's bend it, not end it."(27:47) The origin story of the bio books that he compiles.(31:07) On the impact of AI in the boardroom. Boards need to 1) move faster on AI, and 2) focus on the transformation, not only the tech.(35:50) On navigating in VUCA times (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity). "Act proactively, not reactively"(38:18) Challenges for boards in next 5-10 years: 1) time management and 2) increasing focus on director skill sets.(35:50) On navigating the regulatory landscape in VUCA times (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity).(41:27) On board evaluations.(46:00) Will governance regulations harmonize internationally? Example: climate change disclosures.(49:15) The UK's approach for boards to engage with employees: workers' council, board representation, or DNEDs.(46:00) Will governance regulations harmonize internationally? Example: climate change disclosures.(51:50) Books that have greatly influenced his life:How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie (1936)Range, by David Epstein (2019)(52:38) His mentors: Barry Williams (E153)(54:13) Quotes that he thinks of often or lives his life by. "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle" and "I never lose, I either win or learn."(56:27) An unusual habit or an absurd thing that he loves. (57:10) The living person he most admires.Joe Hurd is a purpose-driven public company board director and strategic advisor who focuses on digital transformation, international expansion and stakeholder engagement. You can follow Evan on social media at:X: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__To support this podcast you can join as a subscriber of the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at https://evanepstein.substack.com/__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License
Planetary health and women's well-being will be top of the agenda when entrepreneurs and investors gather to innovate, speculate and accumulate at DeeptechFest Ireland, which returns to Republic of Work at the end of this month. The co-working space, which was recently listed in the top 50 of Europe's best startup hubs by The Financial Times, will host the event for the third time and showcase the latest in groundbreaking research and breakthrough technologies, examining their potential to profoundly reshape industries, economies and societies. DeeptechFest 2025 kicks off on March 26th with a pre-event workshop, networking and startup pitches, followed by a full-day conference on March 27th. The event will feature two keynote speakers and three key panels exploring how deeptech can shape a healthier planet and improve human well-being. The event also aims to uncover and develop opportunities for deeptech investment in Ireland and across Europe, and a number of sessions will take place to outline the funding opportunities available, with presentations from Health Innovation Hub Ireland and EU funding experts FundtoInnovate. Programme manager at Republic of Work, Eshna Gogia, is organising the event. She said: "As the scale of global challenges continues to mount, the importance of Deeptech grows. However, it also opens up a whole world of opportunity to improve how we live our lives and better navigate into the future. Through a series of networking opportunities, fireside chats, keynote and panel discussions, and a pitch battle, attendees can look forward to a glimpse into the future and the possibilities it offers." Republic of Work member and deeptech investor SOSV is sponsoring the event. The company's General Partner and Chief Financial Officer, Stephen McCann said: "SOSV has had a team based in Cork for almost 20 years, and we were delighted to see DeeptechFest begin here in Cork, with a focus on early-stage deeptech investment. SOSV's deeptech portfolio is the largest of any VC, and there's a reason for that. We prioritise human and planetary health; not only is this a worthwhile mission, it is also a lucrative one. We are looking to deploy $65m in deeptech companies in Ireland in the coming years, as well as continuing to invest into Irish startups. Advances in deeptech have the potential to be game changers in the challenges facing humanity, and that's certainly worth investing in." DeeptechFest takes place in Cork on 26th & 27th March - for more information and to register, go to republicofwork.com
Mixed reality (MR) gaming startup MixRift has revealed significant growth milestones as the mixed reality gaming market approaches an inflection point. With IDC forecasting global XR headset shipments to surge 44.2% to 9.7 million units in 2024, MixRift's strategy to focus on accessible, casual gaming has put them ahead of the curve. In 2024, the company secured $1.6M in pre-seed funding in just seven weeks from leading investors including Outsized Ventures, Underline Ventures, and SOSV. Their rapid fundraise demonstrated growing investor confidence in MixRift's vision to lead the 'casual revolution' in MR gaming. MixRift's strategy of prioritising game mechanics and rapid prototyping over big-title launches has delivered strong results. Hell Horde, its free-to-play survival game, has achieved a 4.5-star rating in the past 30 days and already has over 150,000 installs on Meta Quest, increasing daily. The company has also launched successful games, Fractured, a mixed reality 3D puzzle game available on both Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest, and their latest launch, Crit Attack, a family-friendly arcade shooter designed for social play on Meta Quest. "While others chase buzzwords like AI, we're focusing on what matters - creating games people actually want to play," says Bobby Voicu, MixRift's CEO. "The surge in casual, social gaming experiences shows that mixed reality is moving beyond early adopters. With Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro driving mainstream adoption, we're seeing unprecedented demand for accessible mixed reality games." Key Market Drivers: The mixed reality gaming landscape is experiencing a fundamental shift, with IDC projecting the global XR market to surpass $100 billion by 2026. The competitive dynamics between Meta and Apple are reshaping mixed reality adoption, with Meta Quest 3's accessibility and Vision Pro's premium positioning creating distinct market segments. This diversification, coupled with IDC's forecast signals a maturing ecosystem where manufacturers are pushing each other to innovate. Meta's focus on gaming and social experiences, alongside Apple's emphasis on productivity and premium entertainment, is expanding the overall market while driving rapid advancement in both hardware capabilities and content quality. Perhaps most significantly, family and social gaming are emerging as key growth drivers. With 29.2% CAGR expected in VR headset adoption through 2028, the industry is seeing a clear shift from solitary gaming experiences to more social, family-oriented content that brings people together in mixed reality environments. Since launching in 2024, MixRift has grown to an eight-person team, bringing on specialist developers and designers to deliver more advanced experiences. "Our strategic growth has significantly improved product quality," notes Voicu. "The tremendous response from our growing community guides our development, ensuring we create games that truly resonate with players." The company's focus on casual, accessible gaming aligns with emerging market trends. There's increasing demand for co-op and social gaming experiences, both in physical and virtual spaces. This shift, coupled with mainstream MR adoption driven by tech giants like Meta and Apple, creates significant opportunity for MixRift's approach to game development. With an ambitious roadmap for H1 2025, including three new game launches, MixRift is positioned to capitalise on the growing momentum in mixed reality gaming. "What the market needs is high-quality MR games, and our flexibility lets us dive into unique game mechanics built specifically for MR, improving the prototyping process, and learning from user feedback." A recent Irish Tech News podcast with Booby Voicu can be heard here.
From growing up in poverty in upstate New York to coining the term "cloud computing" and revolutionising venture capital, Sean O'Sullivan's story is nothing short of remarkable. As Founder and Managing Partner of SOSV, Sean has backed over 1,000 startups through world-renowned programs like IndieBio and HAX, driving breakthroughs in synthetic biology, climate tech, and more. In this episode, Simon Leich dives into Sean's journey, exploring his passion for empowering entrepreneurs, tackling humanity's toughest challenges, and scaling innovations in human and planetary health. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or changemaker, this conversation will inspire and equip you with actionable insights for meaningful impact.--- Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. Tune in on…YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726…to listen to the latest episodes!00:00 – A Studio Model at Scale: SOSV's Unique Approach01:37 – Humble Beginnings: Sean's Journey from Poverty to Innovation08:12 – The Creator of Cloud Computing and Ride-Sharing10:34 – Biology Meets Innovation: Why IndieBio Leads the Future15:13 – Inside IndieBio: Building Community to Drive Change20:37 – Global Entrepreneurs: Innovation Without Borders31:06 – Sustainable Production for a Growing Planet.37:54 – Navigating the Boom-and-Bust Cycles of Venture Capital43:12 – The Future of Innovation: Sean's Vision for SOSV and BeyondUseful links: SOSV's website: https://sosv.com/ SOSV's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sosv/ Sean O'Sullivan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-sosv/ Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/Simon Leich's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/
In this episode of ACM ByteCast, Rashmi Mohan hosts Alvin Wang Graylin, Global VP of Corporate Development at HTC. Alvin is also Chairman of the Virtual World Society, Vice-Chair of the Industry of VR Alliance, and President of the Virtual Reality Venture Capital Alliance. Alvin is a leader in the virtual and augmented reality industries. As a serial entrepreneur, he founded four venture-backed startups across sectors including AI-driven conversational search, mobile social networks, ad tech, and big data AI analytics, spanning both China and the U.S. As an active investor, he funded more than 100 startups and played a pivotal role in the establishment of HTC's ViveX Global VR accelerator and SOSV's mobile internet investment incubator. A frequent keynote speaker at leading international conferences, Alvin is regularly featured in major media outlets, where he provides thought leadership on immersive computing (AR/VR/MR), AI, entrepreneurship, venture investing, and the Chinese market. His latest book, Our Next Reality, examines how AI and XR convergence will reshape society. He holds an M.S. in CS specializing in AI from MIT, an M.S. in Business from MIT's Sloan School of Management, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington, focusing on VR, AI, and CPU architecture. Alvin describes his early introduction to technology and computers after immigrating to the U.S. from China and later working at the first VR-focused research lab outside the military at the University of Washington. He highlights some of his pioneering contributions to the consumer PC, mobile, and internet industries in China, including helping establish Intel's China office. Alvin explains how his background in NLP and AI helped him navigate and address the complexities of Chinese as a language for mobile search and shares some milestones from his work in China, at companies he founded and later at HTC. He touches on the early challenges and limitations of VR, progress made, and its exciting future promise. He also discusses some major advancements in XR technology, its transformative potential for education, and explains the synergy between AI and XR and the need for positive adoption at this pivotal moment in technological history.
Eliot Brooks is the CEO and co-founder of Cocoon. Cocoon is driving the industrial circular economy, starting with a process that helps the steel industry continue supplying a critical feedstock for cement production. This feedstock is increasingly at risk as steelmaking transitions from coal-based blast furnaces to lower-emission electric arc furnaces. Cocoon was founded on the realization that as industries decarbonize, certain process changes disrupt circular supply chains. The connection between the slag byproduct of steelmaking and the demands of cement production is their starting focus. Earlier this year, Cocoon announced a $5.4 million pre-seed round led by Wireframe, Gigascale, SOSV, and Celsius Industries.In this episode, we cover: [1:33] Introduction to Cocoon[3:13] The challenge steel decarbonization poses for the cement industry[9:56] Cocoon's process for transforming steel slag into a cementitious material[10:51] Eliot's background and journey to working on this technology[15:46] Cocoon's business model and go-to-market strategy[19:43] Decarbonization pathways for steel and the role of electric arc furnaces[21:10] Cocoon's current technology readiness and near-term deployment plans[22:05] Building industrial expertise at Cocoon[25:07] Comparing the US and Europe as initial target markets[27:57] Cocoon's recent $5.4 million pre-seed funding round[30:00] Eliot's perspective on bringing expertise from other industries to address challenges in steelmakingEpisode recorded on Nov 20, 2024 (Published on Jan 16, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant
Aly Madhavji is the Managing Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund which invests in and venture builds top-tier startups. He is a Limited Partner at Loyal VC and Draper Goren Holm. Aly consults organizations on emerging technologies such as INSEAD and the UN on solutions to help alleviate poverty. He served as Senior Blockchain Fellow at INSEAD and was recognized as a “Blockchain 100” Global Leader. He is an internationally acclaimed author, publishing three books, and a columnist for leading Web3 publications. Aly served as a board member of Soluna Holdings (NASDAQ: SLNH) and on various advisory boards including the University of Toronto's Governing Council, which manages a $2.5B budget. He is a mentor with Orbit Startups, an elite accelerator program operated by the venture fund SOSV with $1.5B+ AUM and the Mobile Only Accelerator (MOX). Aly holds a Master of Global Affairs as a Schwarzman Scholar from Tsinghua University (清华大学), a Master of Business Administration from INSEAD (Singapore and France), and a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction from the University of Toronto. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlockchainFoundersFund/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blockchainfoundersfund/?originalSubdomain=sg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alymadhavji/?hl=en Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVCRgXA7LaTDxsQ_b3J85bA Twitter: https://x.com/blockchainff?lang=en Website: https://blockchainff.com/
Aly Madhavji is the Managing Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund which invests in and venture builds top-tier startups. He is a Limited Partner at Loyal VC and Draper Goren Holm. Aly consults organizations on emerging technologies such as INSEAD and the UN on solutions to help alleviate poverty. He served as Senior Blockchain Fellow at INSEAD and was recognized as a “Blockchain 100” Global Leader. He is an internationally acclaimed author, publishing three books, and a columnist for leading Web3 publications. Aly served as a board member of Soluna Holdings (NASDAQ: SLNH) and on various advisory boards including the University of Toronto's Governing Council, which manages a $2.5B budget. He is a mentor with Orbit Startups, an elite accelerator program operated by the venture fund SOSV with $1.5B+ AUM and the Mobile Only Accelerator (MOX). Aly holds a Master of Global Affairs as a Schwarzman Scholar from Tsinghua University (清华大学), a Master of Business Administration from INSEAD (Singapore and France), and a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction from the University of Toronto. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlockchainFoundersFund/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blockchainfoundersfund/?originalSubdomain=sg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alymadhavji/?hl=en Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVCRgXA7LaTDxsQ_b3J85bA Twitter: https://x.com/blockchainff?lang=en Website: https://blockchainff.com/
Zimri T. Hinshaw, Founder and CEO of Rheom Materials, Inc., is a graduate of Temple University's Economics program and SOSV's IndieBio Program. Zimri started the company from his Temple University dorm room with initial ambitions to design leather jackets and pivoted to creating the materials themselves after realizing a gap in the market. Rheom Materials is pioneering the use of biopolymers derived from plant-based matter for new applications across the fashion, home goods, electronic, and automotive sectors. Their collaborative approach and advanced melt extrusion techniques allow them to develop new materials effectively and sustainably while transforming the plastics industry to create a cleaner, greener, future. They currently have a bio-based resin designed to replace petrochemical plastics and an eco-friendly plant leather. In this episode, we discuss: ● Lessons in creating a start-up ● What makes Rheom Materials suited for explosive growth ● The librarian as a secret ally Key Takeaways: ● University as a Prime Launchpad for Entrepreneurship: Universities can be the perfect testing ground for entrepreneurial ideas. When Zimri founded Rheom Materials, Inc. at Temple University, he leveraged the rich ecosystem a university provides—tapping into students across various disciplines for collaboration, leaning on the university Librarian for market research support, and taking advantage of programs like the Blackstone LaunchPad. Universities, you might say, are the original incubators, offering access to resources, mentorship, and a network of motivated peers. It's a unique environment where big ideas can be nurtured and refined if you have the vision and drive to create something new. ● Building a Sustainable Future with Alternative Materials: We're witnessing a boom in the development of alternative materials, and it's paving the way for a more sustainable future. Companies like Rheom Materials are creating innovative solutions that could replace plastics, leather, and other harmful or environmentally costly materials. Continued innovations in materials science will be key to transforming industries and shifting toward a future where sustainability is the norm. ● The Power of Self-Awareness in Business: When Zimri started Rheom Materials, he had a clear understanding of his strengths and weaknesses. As a young entrepreneur, his strengths were boundless energy, optimism, and a huge vision for what's possible. But he also recognized there was a lot he didn't know—like what could potentially sink his company. Instead of pretending to know it all, he hired experienced professionals with decades of industry expertise to complement his vision. This level of self-awareness is crucial in business. It's not about trying to be good at everything; it's about leaning into your strengths and surrounding yourself with people who fill in the gaps. The mix of complementary strengths around the table is what paves the best path forward for long-term success. References: Connect with Zimri on LinkedIn Rheom Materials Blackstone LaunchPad Temple University|Fox School of Business Innovative Idea Competition SOSV IndieBio Biofabricate Connect & Share: If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading them! If this episode resonated with you, I ask you to send it to a friend. Help bring even more visibility to these leaders that are using business as a force for good! Subscribe to the Purpose and Profit newsletter to make sure you don't miss future episodes. This podcast is for you, the listener. I'd love to hear what resonated with you, or if you have a suggestion on who would be a great guest for this show. Please send me a note at info@KathyVarol.com.
We all know chocolate is sweet. The way that it's made—not so much. From deforestation and climate change to child labor and heavy metal contamination, cocoa farming leaves a lot to be desired. But what if we could make cocoa powder without having to chop down the rainforest and engage in so many other unsavory practices? That's what California Cultured is working on now. The Davis, California-based startup has raised $16 million to grow cocoa cells inside of bioreactors and has already produced some pretty tasty chocolate from this process, as I can personally attest. This isn't their CEO Alan Perlstein's first shot at growing food inside of bioreactors. As you'll hear in this episode, Alan was part of the team that a quarter century ago grew the world's first-ever cultivated meat (goldfish cells funded by NASA). He went on to found Miraculex—now Oobli—which grows sweet proteins inside of bioreactors. After running the company for six years, he's now embarked on a journey to divorce cocoa production from farming the rainforest, and he shares that story here. Can they compete on cost with farmed cocoa? How long before their cocoa makes its way onto the market? Most importantly, does it taste as good as the chocolate we eat today? These are all questions we bite into—and more—in this conversation! Discussed in this episode Our past episodes with the RAND Corporation and Oobli. Our World in Data greenhouse gas emission chart showing chocolate similar to beef. Alan endorses starting your company through SOSV. California Cultured signs agreement with Japanese chocolate giant. Cocoa consumption's effect on muscle synthesis. More about Alan Perlstein Alan Perlstein is a visionary entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the food technology industry. From his early career in one of the first cell-cultured meat labs to founding California Cultured, Alan has consistently pursued sustainable innovations to solve global food production issues. His passion lies in addressing the environmental and ethical challenges of traditional agriculture by using cutting-edge plant cell culture technology to create real chocolate and coffee without the harmful impacts of deforestation, child labor, and toxic chemicals.
GSD Presents Navigating the Startup Landscape in Web3 with Aly Madhavji August 16 About Guest: Aly Madhavji, Managing Partner, Blockchain Founders Fund https://www.linkedin.com/in/alymadhavji/ Aly Madhavji is the Managing Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund which invests in and venture builds top-tier startups. He is a Limited Partner at Loyal VC and Draper Goren Holm. Aly consults organizations on emerging technologies such as INSEAD and the UN on solutions to help alleviate poverty. He served as Senior Blockchain Fellow at INSEAD and was recognized as a “Blockchain 100” Global Leader. He is an internationally acclaimed author, publishing three books, and a columnist for leading Web3 publications. Aly served as a board member of Soluna Holdings (NASDAQ: SLNH) and on various advisory boards including the University of Toronto's Governing Council, which manages a $2.5B budget. He is a mentor with Orbit Startups, an elite accelerator program operated by the venture fund SOSV with $1.5B+ AUM and the Mobile Only Accelerator (MOX). Aly holds a Master of Global Affairs as a Schwarzman Scholar from Tsinghua University (清华大学), a Master of Business Administration from INSEAD (Singapore and France), and a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction from the University of Toronto. #GSDPresents #Web3Startups #AlyMadhavji #StartupSuccess #TechInnovation #Blockchain #Web3Technology #Entrepreneurship #FutureOfBusines
Arturo Elizondo, a founder with a remarkable story, has built a transformative company that addresses a critical global issue. Growing up on the Texas-Mexico border, he witnessed stark income disparities and developed a deep awareness of the broader world. His venture, The EVERY Company, has attracted funding from top-tier investors like Temasek, Wheatsheaf Group, SOSV, and TO Ventures.
In this discussion from SOSV's 2024 EarthDay+ sessions (Apr 22-26, 2024), the CEO and co-founder of Form Energy, Mateo Jaramillo, talks about:Form Energy's advancements in energy storage, with their unique iron-air battery technology designed for multi-day energy storage, which is more cost-effective and durable than traditional lithium-ion batteries.How this technology supports the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid, enhancing reliability and reducing costs.How Form Energy, which has raised close to a billion dollars, is shifting from R&D to manufacturing and preparing for large-scale production and deployment, with plans to expand into European markets by 2026.The broader impact of the Inflation Reduction Act and the potential of such technologies to significantly contribute to global energy transitions.The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.SpeakersMateo Jaramillo, CEO and Co-Founder, Form EnergyModeratorBen Joffe, Partner, SOSVCreditsProducer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-turbo, edited by Ben JoffeIntro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL WailiKeywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech #energy #decarbonizationHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this discussion from SOSV's 2024 EarthDay+ sessions (Apr 22-26, 2024), Bret Kugelmass, the CEO and co-founder of the nuclear fission startup Last Energy, which focuses on developing small nuclear reactors, talks about:The potential of nuclear power to provide abundant, inexpensive energy with minimal environmental impact.Kugelmass emphasizes nuclear energy's efficiency and reduced environmental cost compared to traditional energy sources. He addresses common criticisms of nuclear energy, particularly focusing on the exaggerated concerns about radiation and the real challenges of cost and time to delivery.The conversation also touches on regulatory hurdles and the need for innovation in nuclear technology deployment.Kugelmass advocates for a future where nuclear energy significantly contributes to solving global energy demands sustainably, in a future where humanity will need 10 times the amount of today's energy to afford everyone the lifestyle of today's most developed countries.The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.SpeakersBret Kugelmass, Chief Executive Officer, Last EnergyModeratorCandice Ammori, Founder and CEO, Climate VineCreditsProducer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-turbo, edited by Ben JoffeIntro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL WailiKeywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech #energy #decarbonizationHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this panel discussion from SOSV's 2024 EarthDay+ sessions (Apr 22-26, 2024) moderated by Dr. Sabriya Stukes, Chief Scientific Officer at SOSV's IndieBio New York program, founders Beth Esponnette of unspun, Gilberto Loureiro of SMARTEX, and Onur Eren of GOZEN discussed innovative approaches to sustainable fashion.The conversation focused on leveraging technology to reduce waste and emissions in the fashion industry.Beth highlighted unspun's on-demand manufacturing model that minimizes fabric waste and promotes efficient production.Gilberto discussed SMARTEX's use of advanced technology to enhance quality control and reduce defects in textile manufacturing.Onur emphasized GOZEN's development of new materials that offer sustainable alternatives to traditional textiles.The panel also touched on the challenges of scaling sustainable practices and the role of government regulation in promoting industry-wide sustainability.The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.SpeakersBeth Esponnette, Chief Product Officer and Chair, unspunGilberto Loureiro, CEO & Co-Founder, SMARTEXOnur Eren, Co-Founder, GOZENModeratorSabriya Stukes, PhD, Partner, SOSV; Chief Scientific Officer, IndieBio NYCreditsProducer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-turbo, edited by Ben JoffeIntro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL WailiKeywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech #energy #decarbonizationHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this discussion from SOSV's 2024 EarthDay+ sessions (Apr 22-26, 2024), Andrew Ponec, Co-founder and CEO of Antora Energy, discusses with Casey Crownhart, Climate Reporter at MIT Technology Review, the challenges and innovations in industrial heating.Antora Energy is electrifying heavy industry with thermal energy storage and raised over 200 million dollars in funding.Ponec explains that industrial heat accounts for a significant portion of global emissions, primarily from fossil fuels.Antora Energy initially explored various energy storage solutions before developing thermal batteries, leveraging cheap and abundant renewable energy sources.These batteries efficiently store and provide heat, aiming to replace fossil fuel dependency in industries.The conversation also covers the economic and safety aspects of thermal batteries, their integration into industrial applications, and the potential expansion into high-temperature processes like cement and steel production.The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.SpeakerAndrew Ponec, Co-founder and CEO, Antora EnergyModeratorCasey Crownhart, Climate Reporter, MIT Technology ReviewCreditsProducer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-turbo, edited by Ben JoffeIntro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL WailiKeywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech #energy #decarbonizationHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this panel discussion from SOSV's 2024 EarthDay+ sessions (Apr 22-26, 2024) moderated by Tim De Chant, Senior Climate Reporter at TechCrunch, panelists Christina Karapataki from Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Shuo Yang from Lowercarbon Capital, and Duncan Turner from HAX and SOSV discussed the current state and future of climate tech venture capital.The challenges and opportunities in the sector, noting a decrease in deal counts but robust fundraising, with venture capital and private equity firms holding significant "dry powder."The scrutiny in Series B and C funding rounds, the faster pace of seed and pre-seed investments, and the impact of recent economic uncertainties on investor behavior.The importance of building large, profitable companies to combat climate change.The role of technology in bridging the commercialization gap.The need for new investment structures to support CapEx-heavy projects.The global scope of climate tech, emphasizing the need for local partnerships in emerging markets and the potential influence of U.S. elections on the investment climate.The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.SpeakersChristina Karapataki, General Partner, Breakthrough EnergyDuncan Turner, Managing Director, HAX; General Partner, SOSVShuo Yang, General Partner, Lowercarbon CapitalModeratorTim de Chant, Senior Climate Reporter, TechCrunchCreditsProducer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-turbo, edited by Ben JoffeIntro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL WailiKeywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech #energy #decarbonizationHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this panel discussion from SOSV's 2024 EarthDay+ sessions (Apr 22-26, 2024) focused on measuring and attributing climate impact and moderated by Hampus Jakobsson of Pale Blue Dot, investors from various climate tech-focused funds discussed the importance of impact measurement in startups and investment decisions.The challenges and methodologies of impact assessment.The role of legislation in EuropeThe correlation between high impact and high returns.Perspectives on setting impact KPIs.The influence of investors on startups.The complexities of attributing impact across the value chain.The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.SpeakersAgnes Svensson, Chief Impact Officer, Norrsken VCJessica Burley, Investor, Planet AElena Stark, Impact Associate, AENUMorgan Sheil, Head of Impact, World FundModeratorHampus Jakobsson, General Partner, Pale Blue DotCreditsProducer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-turbo, edited by Ben JoffeIntro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL WailiKeywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech #energy #decarbonizationHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this panel discussion from SOSV's 2024 EarthDay+ sessions (Apr 22-26, 2024) moderated by Dr. Pae Wu of IndieBio and SOSV, corporate venture capitalists Brandon Middaugh from Microsoft's Climate Innovation Fund, Taehong Huh from GS Futures, and Aditya Sharma from Honda Innovations discussed their strategies for investing in climate tech startups.They emphasize the importance of early engagement with startups, strategic alignment with corporate goals, and the necessity for startups to understand their market and competition.They highlight the challenges of scaling up technology in the climate sector, particularly the capital intensity and longer timelines associated with hardware innovations.They advise startups on navigating corporate structures and leveraging intellectual property effectively.The conversation underscored the evolving role of corporate venture capital in fostering innovative climate technologies and the collaborative approach required to drive significant advancements in decarbonizing industries.The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.SpeakersBrandon Middaugh, Senior Director, Climate Innovation Fund, MicrosoftTaehong Huh, Managing Partner, GS FuturesAdity Sharma, Principal, Honda InnovationsModeratorDr. Pae Wu, CTO, IndieBio; General Partner, SOSVCreditsProducer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-turbo, edited by Ben JoffeIntro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL WailiKeywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech #energy #decarbonizationHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
⭐ My guest today is Bill Liao, General Partner at SOSV and Chairman at Ki Tua Fund. Bill is a rare kind of guy, in the best way. He's a thoughtful and prolific investor, recognized as one of the Top 100 minority ethnic leaders in technology by the Financial Times, as well as the kind of person who refused to fly in an airplane until his nonprofit, WeForest, planted 100 million trees. SOSV is a venture capital firm that provides pre-seed, seed, venture, and growth stage funding to 1,000s of startups in the technology sector, with a focus on deep tech for human and planetary health. Ki Tua Fund is a growth-stage corporate VC firm focused on food and medicine. Hope you enjoy it! ---
Mohan Iyer is a General Partner at SOSV and a Partner at IndieBio. Mohan carries deep operational experience with more than 25 years as an entrepreneur and leader at several life science startups where he enjoyed developing strategy, building successful teams, executing against complex operational goals, fundraising in good times and bad, and forging creative sell-side strategic partnering and M&A deals. Having walked in these shoes, he is passionate about serving genius entrepreneurs to realize their mission of a better world by creating, scaling, and exiting meaningful new companies.
On this episode of My Climate Journey, we have two guests: Susan Schofer and Po Bronson.Susan is partner at SOSV and Chief Science Officer at Hax, which is SOSV's initiative around hard tech. She has a PhD in chemistry from Caltech, and most recently spent eight years at Modern Meadow, a growth stage startup in the bio leather space.Po is general partner at SOSV, and managing director of IndieBio, which is SOSV's initiative around biotech. Po has written seven New York Times bestsellers, and has won nine national awards for science journalism.Cody and our guests cover Susan and Po's backgrounds, the challenges in evaluating material science startups, their journeys from academia and the food industry, and early-stage deep tech investment models. They also discuss business economics in material science startups, scaling challenges, sustainable sourcing, and the potential and limitations of synthetic biology in the context of material science startups.In this episode, we cover: [02:01]: Susan and Po's roles at SOSV[03:08]: The complexity of evaluating material science startups[04:49]: Susan's journey from chemistry academia to industry[07:13]: Po's transition from the food industry and writing to IndieBio[09:12]: Comparing Hax's and IndieBio's methodologies within SOSV[11:54]: SOSV's early-stage deep tech investment model[14:46]: Business economics in material science startups[17:11]: Unmet needs and sustainable sourcing in materials[19:48]: The critical role of performance in bio-based materials[22:22]: Scaling challenges in sustainable startups[24:08]: “Pure” vs. blended materials[30:54]: Scaling issues faced by bioleather companies[34:35]: Trends in the plastics space and circularity[37:15]: Challenges in the cosmetics and skincare industry[41:47]: Defining terms “biomanufacturing,” “bioeconomy,” and “synthetic biology”[45:07]: Challenges in biology vs. chemistry[51:35]: Susan and Po's advice for foundersEpisode recorded on Jan 16, 2024 (Published on Feb 20, 2024) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.
Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Today, Dylan is joined by Andrew Gollach, Principal at HAX, a pre-seed and hands-on venture capital company for Hard Tech startups focused on climate change, sustainability, industrial automation, and human health. Join them as they discuss the challenges of hardware innovation, the importance of mining industry innovation, and the need for renewable energy scaling. They also touch on other innovation areas and investors' role in supporting climate tech. Listen in for an insightful conversation on solving climate change through hardware innovation and investing.
Susan Schofer, Partner at SOSV and Chief Science Officer at HAX provides a fascinating look at how scientists transition into entrepreneurs, identifying key traits that contribute to the success of scientific founders in the startup world. We dive into the concept of "Industrial Independence" and its global impact, alongside insights into the US-China trade war's effect on tech startups. Susan discusses the unique challenges of a Chief Science Officer in driving hard tech innovations and the journey from scientific discovery to entrepreneurship. The conversation also highlights the transformative potential of synthetic biology and the obstacles in scaling new materials. Susan offers her perspective on the evolving climate technology landscape, emphasizing the significance of localized production and innovation. Whether you're a professional in the tech industry, a budding entrepreneur, or simply a curious mind passionate about sustainability, this episode is packed with thought-provoking discussions and insights. About VSC Ventures: For 20 years, our award-winning PR agency VSC has worked with innovative startups on positioning, messaging, and awareness and we are bringing that same expertise to help climate startups with storytelling and narrative building. Last year, general partners Vijay Chattha and Jay Kapoor raised a $21M fund to co-invest in the most promising startups alongside leading climate funds. Through the conversations on our show CLIMB by VSC, we're excited to share what we're doing at VSC and VSC Ventures on climate innovation with companies like Ample, Actual, Sesame Solar, Synop, Vibrant Planet, and Zume among many others.
Whether we like it or not, the leather industry significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and global waste generation.
In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), we feature Iceland's Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, and David Helgason, co-founder and former CEO of software unicorn Unity, and the founder of a climate-focused venture capital firm called Transition and an initiative called Transition Labs. They discuss Iceland's potential as a hub for carbon removal technologies and climate tech. They highlight Iceland's commitment to renewable energy sources and its strong government support for global climate solutions. They also discuss the advantages of Iceland's agile innovation ecosystem and its willingness to pilot and deploy climate technologies quickly. The speakers emphasize the importance of collaboration and experimentation in scaling climate solutions. This conversation is moderated by Ben Joffe, Partner at SOSV. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Iceland Government David Helgason, Transition Labs, Climate Investor Moderator Ben Joffe, SOSV, Partner Credits Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL Waili Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech
In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three scientists working at notable venture funds: Clea Kolster, Partner and Head of Science at Lowercarbon, Ken Caldeira, Senior Scientist at Breakthrough Energy and Susan Schofer, Partner and Chief Science Officer at SOSV's HAX program, discuss the importance of having Phd scientists on venture capital teams and how they play a role in translating technical research into marketable solutions. They also touch on the relationship between science and investment in their respective firms, the need for diverse expertise, and the transition from academia to investing. Overall, they emphasize the importance of combining technical knowledge with market understanding to make informed investment decisions in the field of climate tech. This conversation is moderated by Tim DeChant, Senior Climate Reporter at TechCrunch+. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Ken Caldeira, Senior Scientist, Breakthrough Energy Clea Kolster, Partner and Head of Science, Lowercarbon Capital Susan Schofer, HAX, Partner & Chief Science Officer Moderator Tim DeChant, TechCrunch+, Senior Climate Reporter Credits Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL Waili Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech
In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), four investors discuss the importance of early stage funding and the need for startups to show traction and progress. They also highlight the potential of untapped sectors such as cement and agriculture in driving climate tech innovation. The conversation touches on the role of government regulation and incentives in supporting the growth of the climate tech industry. This conversation is moderated by Alex Wilhelm, Editor in Chief at TechCrunch. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Laurie Menoud, Founding Partner, AtOne Stephanie Dorsey, Founding Partner, E2JDJ Corinna Chen, Partner, Material Impact Dr. Pae Wu, SOSV General Partner, IndieBio CTO Moderator Alex Wilhelm, TechCrunch, Editor in Chief Credits Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL Waili Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech
In this panel from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), four investors based in emerging markets discuss the importance of the global south in addressing climate change and the opportunities for climate tech in their respective regions. Marie from Wavemaker emphasizes the need for startups to drive adoption and change behavior, while James from Africa Climate Ventures highlights Africa's potential for leapfrogging to non-emitting technologies and carbon removal. Anjali from Avaana Capital discusses India's young population and high rate of technology adoption as key factors in driving climate tech solutions. Last, Matias from GridX focuses on the need to change means of production and the potential for breakthrough solutions in agriculture and health. This conversation is moderated by Ben Joffe, Partner at SOSV. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Marie Cheong, Founding Partner, Wavemaker James Mwangi, Founder and CEO, Africa Climate Ventures Anjali Bansal, Founding Partner, Avaana Capital Matias Peire, Founder and CEO, GridX Moderator Ben Joffe, Partner, SOSV Credits Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL Waili Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech
In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three startup founders discuss the importance of critical minerals in the energy transition and how their companies are working to secure access to these minerals. One focuses on lithium extraction from brine, another on refining copper ore with electricity, and the last one on extracting minerals from the ocean floor. They also discuss the challenges of the current supply chain and the need for innovative and sustainable solutions. This conversation is moderated by Andy Gollach, Principal at HAX, SOSV's startup program focused on hard tech. The video of this episode and more can be found online at www.sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Dave Snydacker, CEO and Founder, Lilac Solutions Renee Grogan, Co-Founder and Director, Impossible Metals Jon Vardner, CEO, co-Founder, Still Bright Moderator Andy Gollach, Principal, SOSV -- Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL Waili Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech
In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), Dr. Uma Valeti, founder of UPSIDE Foods, a pioneer in cultivated meat is in conversation with Po Bronson. Dr. Valeti trained as a cardiologist before turning his attention to sustainable meat production. Po Bronson is a general partner at SOSV and managing director of Indie Bio, who wrote the first investment check in Upside Foods back in 2015. They discuss the recent FDA approval of Upside Foods and their expansion into Illinois. They talk about the significance of Chicago as the birthplace of meat production and the preservation of humanity's love for meat. They also discuss the products they will be making at the facility, such as chicken sandwiches, burritos, and salads. They highlight the importance of supply chains and lowering costs through scalable technologies. Last, they mention the transformative nature of cultivated meat and the challenges this emerging industry faces in scaling up.. The video of this episode and more can be found online at www.sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Dr. Uma Valeti, CEO and Founder, UPSIDE Foods Po Bronson, SOSV General Partner and IndieBio SF Managing Director -- Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL Waili Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech
In this panel from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three founders of carbon removal startups discuss the importance of carbon removal in achieving sustainable goals and the challenges of scaling up carbon removal technologies. They also touch on the need for community engagement, permitting, and the creation of a market for carbon removal. The panelists emphasize the need for innovation, cost reduction, and long-term commitments to drive the growth of the carbon removal industry. Finally, they highlight the potential of advanced market commitments and the importance of workforce development in this field. The conversation is moderated by Candice Ammori, Founder of The Climate Vine. The video of this episode and more can be found online at SOSV climatetech.com Speakers Peter Reinhardt, CEO and Co-Founder, Charm Industrial Shashank Samala, CEO and Co-Founder, Heirloom Brian Baynes, CEO, Verdox Moderator Candice Ammori, Founder, The Climate Vine Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL Waili Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech
In this panel from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three experts discuss the topic of funding first-of-a-kind projects and the challenges and risks associated with it. They emphasize the importance of defining such projects and the need for different types of capital, such as government funding, venture capital, and philanthropic funding. They also highlight the significance of selecting the right partners and considering equity issues and community engagement for impactful climate solutions. This conversation is moderated by Kim Zou, Co-Founder of the climate tech media and research company CTVC. The video of this episode and more can be found online at SOSV climatetech.com Speakers Doug Schultz, COO, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations Scott Jacobs, CEO and Co-Founder, Generate Dr. Lara Pierpont, Director, Early Climate Infrastructure, Prime Coalition Moderator Kim Zou, Co-Founder, CTVC Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL Waili Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech
In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), Vinod Khosla, Founder of Khosla Ventures and Sean O'Sullivan, Managing General Partner and Founder of SOSV discuss the time it takes for climate tech investments to mature and the potential for exponential growth in the future. Vinod Khosla emphasizes the importance of focusing on major areas of carbon reduction and advises founders and investors to tackle large problems in the climate space and be patient. They also discuss various technologies and approaches, including fusion, geothermal, and AI, and express optimism about the potential for impact. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Vinod Khosla, Founder, Khosla Ventures Sean O'Sullivan, Managing General Partner and Founder, SOSV -- Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL Waili Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech
Today we have Sean O'Sullivan with us. Sean is a Managing General Partner at SOSV, a global, multi-stage venture capital firm that operates early stage startup development programs, notably HAX, IndieBio, and Orbit Startups. They are the first check in deep tech, starting at pre-seed.SOSV have a $1.5 Billion in AUM and an established portfolio of 1000+ companies including Upside Foods, Perfect Day, Opentrons, and Formlabs. Sean is on the board of Khan Academy, the Tyndall Institute, the Autism Impact Alliance, the Brain Foundation, and a number of private companies.From serving as a janitor to embracing his passions as a musician, filmmaker, and even running a humanitarian organization in Iraq, Sean O'Sullivan's multifaceted nature reveals a remarkable tapestry of life experiences. Among the intriguing anecdotes is his encounter with a rare viral infection that affected his eye, providing a testament to resilience and adaptability. His ventures extended to the world of television, where he enjoyed a stint as a TV star in Ireland, further exemplifying his versatility.In conclusion, Sean O'Sullivan's venture journey offers a tapestry of experiences, showcasing the significance of perseverance, long-term commitment, and a diverse entrepreneurial mindset. These insights have molded his investment philosophy, guiding SOSV's strategic approach to support startups in their earliest stages and nurture their growth through series B and series C, while emphasizing the immeasurable value of riding the wave with successful companies for the long haul.
William Bao Bean is Managing Director of Orbit Startups the first and longest-running startup program in Asia and General Partner of SOSV the #2 most active venture capital investor in the world and #5 Asia/ROW with US$1.5bn in assets under management. William joined Orbit and SOSV from SingTel Innov8 Ventures where he was a founding Managing Director. Prior to that, William was a Partner at Softbank China & India Holdings, a VC backed by Softbank and Cisco, leading investments in China and South East Asia. William started his career in equity research most recently with Deutsche Bank where he was a top-ranked analyst for Asia Internet and China Tech.On this episode, we discuss Asia's continued growth, investing wide as a portfolio strategy and how SOSV's Orbit Startups program operates. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williambaobean/Twitter: https://twitter.com/williambaobean?s=20Orbit Startups: https://orbitstartups.com/Beemunity: https://www.beemmunity.co/Insuro: https://insurotechnologies.com/Hosted by Arshad Chowdhury, Managing Partner at Betatron: Betatron.coTwitter: @arshadgcLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arshadgc/
Quantum computing has been surrounded by hype from the beginning. While these machines may exceed our most ambitious imaginings in the future, investing in them today brings some challenges to venture capitalists. How do VCs vet companies in the field, and how does the so-called Quantum Winter affect all this? Join Host Konstantinos Karagiannis for a chat with Bill Liao of SOSV about investing in quantum and other emerging technologies.For more on SOSV, visit https://sosv.com/.Visit Protiviti at www.protiviti.com/postquantum to learn more about how Protiviti is helping organizations get post-quantum ready. Follow host Konstantinos Karagiannis on Twitter and Instagram: @KonstantHacker and follow Protiviti Technology on LinkedIn and Twitter: @ProtivitiTech. Contact Konstantinos at konstantinos.karagiannis@protiviti.com. Questions and comments are welcome! Theme song by David Schwartz. Copyright 2021. The views expressed by the participants of this program are their own and do not represent the views of, nor are they endorsed by, Protiviti Inc., The Post-Quantum World, or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, shareholders, or subsidiaries. None of the content should be considered investment advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as an endorsement of any company, security, fund, or other securities or non-securities offering. Thanks for listening to this podcast. Protiviti Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, including minorities, females, people with disabilities, and veterans.
The Startup Tank Climate Investor Pitch Show and Climate Techies Sustainability Series
Ever wanted a chance to pitch your climate tech company or get in front of VCs and angel investors? Now is your time to shine. https://thestartuptank.com/apply Presenting Companies: - RPD Energy: Simple & flexible renewable energy purchasing for corporates - Move It Together: The all-in-one used furniture marketplace - Zero Circle: Circular economy reporting and traceability platform - In Good Company: Chef-crafted, frozen meals from your fav influencers - Back Pedal: Think AAA for stolen e-bikes and more The Startup Tank is brought to you by 4WARD.VC's "Partner in Crime" Climate Accelerator program and Climate Investor Syndicate 4WARD.VC's “Partner in Crime” Climate Accelerator is disrupting the outdated venture industry with the world's most hands-on, sales & traction-focused accelerator for elite early stage climate companies led by CRAZY ASS, world class climate founders tackling MASSIVE problems in areas including Food & Agriculture, Construction & Manufacturing, Commerce & Circularity, Recycling & Waste Reduction, Energy & Renewables, Transportation & Mobility for more info and to apply, please visit: http://4ward.vc/accelerator 4WARD.VC's Climate Investor Syndicate also allow accredited investors to participate in the post-program investments in our portfolio companies. For more information on 4WARD.VC's accelerator and accredited investor syndicate, please visit: https://4WARD.VC -- BONUS: Free 900+ Climate VC & Accelerator Database 4WARD.VC made a searchable index of 900 climate, sustainability and impact investors, LPs, incubators, accelerator programs and angel investor groups worldwide. Filter climate tech VCs by stage, sector, geography & check size to find your ideal investor and/or co investors! https://4ward.vc/VCdatabase -- Want to join our Climate Techies Network & Database? - Whatsapp Group: https://4ward.vc/WAgroup - Slack Group: https://4ward.vc/startupslack - Database Application: https://4ward.vc/form - Climate Member Database: https://4ward.vc/DB -- About The Startup Tank Climate Investor Pitch Show Welcome to The Startup Tank Climate Investor Pitch Show presented by 4WARD.VC, the ultimate startup investor pitch contest where top climate tech founders pitch to a panel of VCs looking to fund world-positive #cleantech & #sustainability startups looking to move the world forward. If you're combating climate change by building the next sustainable development (SDG) superstar or circular economy unicorn and looking to fundraise from top tier VCs and angel investors, you've come to the right place Founders apply: http://thestartuptank.com Investors apply: http://4WARD.VC
Meat, be in hotdogs, hamburgers or bacon in BLT sandwiches, has long functioned as the centrepiece of the American diet. In recent years, due to the growing awareness of health and environmental impacts of meat, consumers are starting to seek out alternatives for meat. Alternative meat is a broad category, plant-based meat will be one of the brilliant options that encourage consumers to reduce their meat intake. By delivering the same flavour and texture of real meat to mimic the experience of eating meat as closely as possible. Lypid, founded by two Cornell Taiwanese scientists, has use its proprietary formula and processing method to develop vegan fats that accurately mimic the texture, mouthfeel, transfer of flavour, and cooking behaviour of animal fats. In 2021, Lypid has been selected into SOSV's indieBio and raised 4 millions funding. A year later, they announced a partnership with Louisa Coffee, one of the largest coffee brands in Taiwan with 500+ stores, to serve their plant-based burgers. In this episode of Startup Island Taiwan Podcast, you will find out: ☛ Foodtech can be really important and critical for climate change? ☛ Michelle and JenYu first start the idea when they were neighbour in Cornell ☛ Fat is the key to make vegan meat taste like real meat ☛ Plant-based meat is actually healthy ☛ The goal for Lypid is not replacing the animal meat but provide a new option for consumer to choose Host: Asianometry, Deep tech channel with 447k followers, still growing Guest: Michelle Lee, Co-founders of Lypid & Jen Yu Huang, Co-founders of Lypid Powered by Startup Island TAIWAN Directed by National Development Council
Today's guest is Dr. David Kirtley, Founder and CEO at Helion, which is building the world's first fusion generator and enabling a future of unlimited clean electricity. Nuclear fusion has the potential to revolutionize the way we produce energy. As the driving force behind every star in our galaxy, fusion has long been hailed as the "holy grail" of clean energy, offering a limitless and fossil-free source of power. But the idea of harnessing fusion on Earth has seemed like a dream that's perpetually 30 years away. However, with a recent influx of venture capital and the emergence of fusion startups, unlimited clean energy may finally be within reach. This episode was initially recorded as a fireside chat at the SOSV Climate Tech Summit on October 25-26, 2022 (video here). Jason and David talk about Helion, the company's origin story, approach, and progress. They also cover some of the barriers holding them back, and what it will take to get to true commercial adoption. The discussion also touches on fusion in general, why the joke has been that fusion is 30 years away and always will be, and how close we are to the exciting promise of fusion technology.In this episode, we cover: [2:20] An overview of Helion [2:50] How David came to work on fusion and its possibilities [5:04] Status of nuclear fusion[7:25] David's thoughts on the fusion landscape, including different players and types [10:23] Company origin story [12:26] How Helion pieced together their solution set [14:20] Funding milestones to date [15:17] Early stages and current risks [17:54] Helion's plans for commercialization and the company's business model [18:53] The pitch for initial customers [20:18] Supply chain concerns [21:04] Who David wants to hear from and open positions at HelionGet connected: Jason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedInDavid Kirtley / HelionMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 25, 2022.
This episode is our Year In Review: 2022 Greatest Hits Part 1! We've put together some of our favourite clips and moments for you to enjoy over the holidays, and look forward to seeing you again in 2023 for some of our best guests to date! The 2022 guests featured in this episode are:#1 Patrick Deloy, E146 & E147, September 7th & 14th, 2022Our first feature comes from episodes 146 and 147 on September 7th and 14th with Patrick Deloy, Managing Director at Merkle, an award-winning e-commerce solutions provider which supports medium to large B2C and B2B companies with the planning, development, localization and long-term support of multi-country e-commerce website deployments in the APAC region. I had asked Patrick ‘what is the omni-channel retail ecosystem and environment today in the APAC region?#2Liam Mather, E134, March 15, 2022Our second clip features Liam Mather, Head of Public Affairs and Communications at WPIC Marketing + Technologies. Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, Liam helps guide WPIC's public and government affairs, strategic communications, media engagement, corporate branding, and sales enablement. Liam previously worked in BCW's Corporate and Public Affairs practice in Beijing, where he helped clients manage reputations, respond to crises, and navigate policy issues. This was from episode 134 released on March 15th, and for those who didn't get to hear the full episode, it's quite unique as we had the opportunity to talk to Liam about his time covering the Winter Olympics from within the Olympic bubble. Specifically, Liam was able to cover the hockey event, so we asked him about the state of hockey in China, specifically women's hockey, and here's what he had to say.#3William Bao Bean, E152 & E153, October 19th & 26th, 2022Up next is a clip from episode 152 on October 19th, the first of two episodes with an old friend of mine and an old friend of the podcast, William Bao Bean. William is a General Partner at SOSV and Managing Director of Orbit Startups. Orbit Startups helps companies scale breakthrough technologies across emerging and frontier markets to the regions with the most aggressive growth. William is a senior advisor at SOSV who has been a pioneer in the tech and telecommunications space in Asia. During his time with SoftBank China & India Holdings, he led investments in companies such as Yodo1, DemystData, Lekan, and Massive Impact. He was also an equity research analyst at Deutsche Bank covering the Internet and Telecom Equipment sector in Asia for 11 years before joining Innov8 Ventures as Managing Director where he is focused on supporting China investments. He is definitely one of the foremost experts on early-stage startups and investing in Asia Pacific, and in this particular clip I asked him ‘what are the strengths and differences of the teams you invest in and work with within Asia versus outside Asia?'#4Zarina Kanji, E133, March 7th, 2022On March 7th we released episode 133 with Zarina Kanji. Based in London, Zarina is the Head of Business Development for Health & Wellness and Food & Beverage Brands at Alibaba. She previously served as VP of Global Fashion Brand Partnerships at Lazada in Singapore. Zarina spoke with us about Tmall's upcoming International Women's Day—a key event tied to the company's Super Brand Day—on March 8, 2022. It has proven in previous years to be the third-largest shopping festival in the nation, behind 11.11 and 6.18, and is a unique opportunity for brands to engage with women across China. So, for this clip, we chose her response to my question ‘Can you tell us a little bit about what the Gen Z female consumers really care about in China right now, and how does that differ from their elder counterparts?'#5Alvin Wang Graylin, E125, January 12th, 2022On January 12th we were blessed to be able to interview Alvin Wang Graylin, China President at HTC. For anyone unfamiliar, HTC is an award-winning developer of smart mobile, connected technology, and virtual reality products. Alvin is also the Vice President of the Industry of Virtual Reality Alliance (IVRA) and the President of the Virtual Reality Venture Capital Alliance. He has almost three decades of business management experience in the tech industry, including 20 years in Greater China beginning with a Senior Management position at Intel in 1993. Prior to HTC, Alvin was a serial entrepreneur, having founded four venture-backed startups in the mobile and internet spaces, covering mobile social, "ad tech", search, AI, big data and digital media. I asked Alvin to tell us about some of the coolest & most innovative examples of VR that are heading our way in 2022 and beyond.#6Charles Lavoie, E154 & E156, November 2nd & 16th, 2022Our last clip for Part 1 of our Year in Review is from our conversation with Charles Lavoie on November 16th, episode number 156. Charles is the VP of Creative & Head of Creative Labs at WPIC Marketing & Technologies. A creative strategy & data analytics leader, Charles has incredibly strong cross-cultural backgrounds in international growth, go-to-market strategy, growth marketing, data analytics, creative planning, storytelling, sales, e-commerce, design and retail in the APAC region with projects focused in China, Hong Kong, Japan & Singapore. I asked Charles a very nuanced question at one point, probably one of the most granular questions I've asked anyone about brand entry into the APAC region, specifically “if a brand wants to take a multi-market strategy, how do you advise them, especially if they are also trying to stay ahead of an aggressive market competitor who might be going after the same regions for expansion themselves and may not have time to take a step by step approach?'
In der Rubrik “Investments & Exits” begrüßen wir heute Daniel Höpfner, Founding Partner & Managing Director von B10 . Daniel hat heute ein neues Investmentvehikel und drei Finanzierungsrunden mitgebracht.Der VC Picus Capital hat angekündigt mit "Picus.xyz" ein neues Investmentvehikel auf den Markt zu bringen. Picus.xyz soll sich speziell auf Krypto- und Web3 - Unternehmen spezialisieren. Es gibt keine Angaben zur Finanzierung, so dass man davon ausgehen kann, dass Picus.xyz direkt aus der Bilanz von Picus investieren wird. Robin Godenrath, Gründungsgesellschafter und Geschäftsführer von Picus Capital, kommentierte den Start mit den Worten: "Wir bei Picus sind zunehmend davon überzeugt, dass web3 den nächsten Paradigmenwechsel in der Art und Weise, wie wir leben, arbeiten und interagieren, ermöglichen wird. Picus.xyz ist ein Höhepunkt dieser Überzeugung und unseres Wunsches, mit den kategoriedefinierenden Führern der Open-Web-Ära zusammenzuarbeiten."Schweden: Einride, ein Unternehmen für autonome und elektrische Lastwagen, sammelt 500 Millionen Dollar in einer Finanzierungsrunde ein. Diese umfasst sowohl eine Series-C-Eigenkapitalerhöhung von 200 Millionen Dollar als auch eine Kreditlinie in Höhe von 300 Millionen Dollar. Kurz zu Einride: Das Unternehmen strebt zwar den Einsatz fahrerloser Nutzfahrzeuge an und hat auch schon ein entsprechendes Konzeptfahrzeug namens Pod entwickelt. Derzeit ist eines der Kernprodukte des Unternehmens aber die Software-Plattform Saga, die als intelligentes Betriebssystem für die elektrischen (und künftig autonomen) Fahrzeugflotten sowie die Lade- und Konnektivitätsnetzwerke fungiert. Damit sollen Unternehmen ihre Waren umweltfreundlicher und günstiger von A nach B bringen können. First Mode ein in Seattle, WA, ansässiges Unternehmen, das sich auf die Schwerindustrie spezialisiert hat, hat von dem globalen Bergbauunternehmen Anglo American eine Kapitalfinanzierung in Höhe von 200 Mio. USD erhalten. Zuvor hatte First Mode in einem Pilotprojekt erfolgreich einen Grubenwagen, der in Mogalakwena Platinum Mine von Anglo American in Südafrika gefahren ist, voll elektrifiziert mittels eines wasserstoffbetriebene Elektromotors.Die MIT Ausgründung Gaia AI erhält 3 Millionen Dollar in einer Finanzierungsrunde die von E14 geleitet wurde, mit Beteiligung von Ubiquity Ventures, Space Capital und HAX von SOSV. Das Unternehmen spezialisiert sich auf Forstbeobachtung und arbeitet daran, Förstern die Werkzeuge an die Hand zu geben, die sie benötigen, um datengestützte Entscheidungen zu treffen und so ihr Geschäftsergebnis zu optimieren.
In recent years, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with countries such as China, India and Japan leading the way. They have been developing businesses quickly by deploying new technologies and building massive startup ecosystems. As a result, VCs in this region is witnessing huge opportunities for growing companies. The number of startups in APAC is increasing rapidly, presenting massive opportunities for consumers, businesses, and capital allocators. This episode of The Negotiation is part 2 of our conversation with William Bao Bean. William is a General Partner at SOSV and Managing Director of Orbit Startups. Orbit Startups helps companies scale breakthrough technologies across emerging and frontier markets- the regions with the strongest growth potential. William is a senior advisor at SOSV and has been a pioneer in the tech and telecommunications space in Asia. During his time with SoftBank China & India Holdings, he led investments in companies such as Yodo1, DemystData, Lekan, and Massive Impact. In this insightful episode, William shares his insights on what is happening in the APAC region. He talks about the current, turbulent waters in the private, crypto and public markets, and discusses why it is essential to identify a startup's unfair advantage in today's landscape. He also discusses his view of M&A activity in Asia over the coming years and explains why there is a flood of capital coming to the region. Enjoy! Topics Discussed and Key Points: Turbulent waters in the APAC region for the private, crypto, and public markets as we head into 2022 Identifying a startup's unfair advantage and why it matters M&A activity in Asia over the next few years Why is there a flood of capital coming to Southeast Asia? Maintaining a "startup attitude" is important when entering new markets. How technology has been used in the USA, specifically artificial intelligence, to bring about major changes How there are fewer barriers to starting a business in China thanks to technology Demographic changes in China and Southeast Asia and the opportunity for start-ups in the region.
Over the past decade, businesses have witnessed an incredible evolution in how people communicate. Along with this shift came innovations and technologies that changed the way we interact with one another, not least in business. Where communication was once centered around traditional means such as face-to-face meetings or phone calls, it is now increasingly driven by technology such as email, text messages and video conferencing. This has given rise to new social practices, enabling us to carry out some tasks much quicker than before. In fact, many businesses would struggle without the use of modern technology for core functions such as recruiting new staff and managing customer enquiries.This episode of The Negotiation is a return to the show for William Bao. William is a General Partner at SOSV and Managing Director of Orbit Startups. Orbit Startups helps companies scale breakthrough technologies across emerging and frontier markets to the regions with the most aggressive growth. William is a senior advisor at SOSV who has been a pioneer in the tech and telecommunications space in Asia. During his time with SoftBank China & India Holdings, he led investments in companies such as Yodo1, DemystData, Lekan, and Massive Impact. He was also an equity research analyst at Deutsche Bank covering the Internet and Telecom Equipment sector in Asia for 11 years before joining Innov8 Ventures as Managing Director this year where he is focused on supporting China investments.William discusses his work as a venture investor, what he did during the pandemic (and how COVID impacted his activities), and what defines successful startups in Asia. He also unravels some of the brilliance during accelerator programs, describes why founder characteristics may predict success, and what distinguishes teams he works with from those outside Asia in their approach to building a startup or portfolio company. Enjoy! Topics Discussed and Key Points: A brief description of Orbit startups' activities. Consumer internet became widely used during the COVID period. The discipline of designing and running experiments How to drive engagement and value over a screen or through the power of voice. William's startup activities and how COVID must have affected them. Some of the brilliance that happens during accelerator programs. What you need to do a startup revolution in the USA. Communication is important for international startups The culture of experimenting in Asia is pretty strong. Japan as a market is generally focused on Japan. Potentially predictive factors for startup success in Asia.
Benjamin Joffe is a Partner at SOSV, a global deep tech fund with 1000 portfolio companies and $1.3B AUM. They focus on early-stage planetary and human health. They invest the very first checks at pre-seed via the startup programs HAX (hard tech), IndieBio (biology), Orbit (frontier markets), and dlab (blockchain). Benjamin started in an investing role in the HAX program in Shenzhen (invested in Opentrons, now a unicorn), and later chose to work in a non-investing role across the portfolio.He's been an active angel investor, super speaker, and moderator in hundreds of events globally, and he's now the curator at SOSV Climate Tech Summit which happens virtually every year, generally in October.Listen and LearnDescribe SOSV, ticket size, geography, and history (2:18)Who backs SOSV today? (4:03)How is SOSV structured today? (5:00)Why did you decide to invest in climate? (6:35)SOSV Climate Tech summit (8:07)Do you see a better balance between the US, EU, and China in Climate Tech going forward? (10:30)Have you seen more climate funds start outside of the US this year? (12:58)What is the interaction between the EU and China in ClimateTech? (14:13)Has the climate conversation matured in Asia? (16:06)What is your role and how do you structure your investment scope? (18:40)Is building a personal brand a must as a fund? (20:22)Would you advise new funds to be more visible? (21:59)Is building a personal brand the best way to access the best deals? (25:01)What drives maximum return: software or hardware? (26:37)What is the key to differentiation? (28:13)Rapid fire round (30:08)Where would you advise people to look for jobs within climate? (35:01)Show LinksBenjamin Joffe LinkedIn profileSOSV HAX - Hard Tech Venture CapitalIndieBioOrbit StartupsdlabSOSV Climate Tech SummitVoyagers community eventClimate Tech VCWork on climate Land Your Dream Job in Climate Tech by Yoann Berno
In this episode you will learn:Why did Aly start a VC fund focussed on Web3 and other emerging techsWhat are some of the differences and similarities of investing in Web3 companies when compared to SAAS companies?What are the risks of tokenisation?“If you have a good social media presence or an audience, Web3 startups would want your money.” How true is this statement?What are some of the transparency issues in web3 startups?Can venture capital move away from the current partnership model to a DAO model in the future?Is Jack Dorsey right when he says VCs control Web3?AboutAly Madhavji 穆亚霖 is the Managing Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund which invests in and venture builds top-tier startups. He is a Limited Partner on Loyal VC and Draper Goren Holm. Aly consults organizations on emerging technologies such as INSEAD and the UN on solutions to help alleviate poverty. He is a Senior Blockchain Fellow at INSEAD and was recognized as a “Blockchain 100” Global Leader by Lattice80.He is an internationally acclaimed author, publishing three books and a monthly columnist for the leading blockchain magazine. Aly serves as a board member of CryptoStar Corp. (TSXV: CSTR), Soluna Holdings (NASDAQ: SLNH) and has served on various advisory boards including the University of Toronto's Governing Council, which manages a $2.5B budget. He is a mentor with Chinaccelerator, an elite accelerator program operated by the venture fund SOSV with $1.1B+ AUM and the Mobile Only Accelerator (MOX).Aly holds a Master of Global Affairs as a Schwarzman Scholar from Tsinghua University (清华大学), a Master of Business Administration from INSEAD (Singapore and France), and a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction from the University of Toronto.
News - Meteor Tutors has Created a Safe and Innovative Solution for Music and Language Online Tutoring - Read more ---> Check out the Causeartist Partners here.---> Subscribe to the Causeartist Newsletter here.In this episode of the Disruptors for Good podcast I speak with Sophia Wang, Co-Founder of MycoWorks, on disrupting the fashion industry by creating a biomaterials company that has developed natural alternatives to leather and plastics using mushroom mycelium technology.In 2013, with artist and inventor Phil Ross, Sophia co-founded MycoWorks, a biomaterials company that has developed natural alternatives to engineered wood, leather and plastics using mushroom mycelium technology.Her creative practice includes choreography, performance, writing, curation and producing original dance and multimedia works. Sophia has danced for Xavier Le Roy, Tino Sehgal, Jerome Bel, Amara Tabor-Smith and Xandra Ibarra, and co-founder of the Brontez Purnell Dance Company. Since 2015, she has co-produced Heavy Breathing, a discussion and movement workshop series that has featured over 45 presenting artists working at the intersection of performance, visual arts and pedagogy.Sophia also holds a PhD in English specializing in 20th and 21st century experimental American poetry, and a BA in English and Visual Arts.MycoWorks create materials at the intersection of art, nature and biotechnology using mycelium, one of the earth's most regenerative resources. The company's mission is to create a platform for the highest quality materials using Fine Mycelium™. Their first product, Reishi™ offers partners in the fashion industry an option for leather that is neither animal nor plastic, yet uncompromising in quality and aesthetic expression.The company announced last year the closing of a $45 million Series B financing to scale up and meet demand for Reishi™, the leading natural, non-animal leather material. WTT Investment Ltd. (Taipei, Taiwan) and DCVC Bio co-led the round, with major participation from new investors Valor Equity Partners, Humboldt Fund, Gruss & Co., and others, and existing investors Novo Holdings, 8VC, SOSV, AgFunder, Wireframe Ventures, Tony Fadell, and others.About Mushroom MyceliumA breakthrough in materials science and biotechnology, Fine Mycelium is an advanced manufacturing platform for high performance materials in fashion and footwear. The company's proprietary technology has enabled a new class of premium, non-animal materials that are the next evolution in mycelium.Mycelium is one of the earth's most powerful agents of regeneration and carbon sequestration. These fine, root-like threads are grown on the byproducts of agriculture and lumber, transforming plant matter into their own biomass.Unlike “mushroom leather,” which is compressed mycelium, MycloWorks patented Fine Mycelium technology engineers mycelium during growth to create the proprietary, interlocking cellular structures that give our material its superior strength and durability.Exclusive to MycoWorks, the Fine Mycelium process offers the unique advantage of total control over quality and customization.Fine Mycelium materials are custom-grown to our brand partners' specifications for performance, aesthetic features and more. This gives brands creative control to design from the material on up, while minimizing waste and ensuring consistent quality. Actionable traceability of the Fine Mycelium process allows our experts to capture and apply data at defining moments during production, fully optimizing our products from initial growth to harvest.Today, the team is growing in order to scale and deliver Reishi to an even broader range of partners in fashion, footwear and beyond. Together, they're working towards a world where mycelium enables resilient, creative solutions for any industry dependent on animal and petroleum-derived products.News - Meteor Tutors has Created a Safe and Innovative Solution for Music and Language Online Tutoring - Read more---> Check out the Causeartist Partners here.---> Subscribe to the Causeartist Newsletter here.Listen to more Causeartist podcast shows hereFollow Grant on Twitter and LinkedInFollow Causeartist on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram
In this episode, I'm once again trying a new format, something less formal. A solo recording where I talk through a few recent news stories in climate tech finance. Let me know if you like it. https://twitter.com/DrChrisWedding https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding/ In this show, I cover two topics: (1) Highlights from my newsletter
Today's guest is Sean O'Sullivan, Managing Partner & Founder of SOSV.SOSV is a venture capital firm with more than $1.2B in assets under management. SOSV pioneers & runs world-leading startup development programs. Sean O'Sullivan is Managing Partner & Founder of SOSV, a venture capital firm with over $1 Billion in assets under management. SOSV specializes in programs for very early stage, deep-tech startups and is one of the most active venture investors in the world, with more than 1,000 companies in its portfolio. O'Sullivan's first company, MapInfo, popularized street mapping on computers. Credited with co-creating the term "cloud computing," Sean's first internet company, NetCentric, developed many concepts in internet computing. In addition, he founded JumpStart International, a leading humanitarian organization in conflict zones. Sean received his Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Masters of Fine Arts in Film Production from University of Southern California. He is on the board of Khan Academy, Sun Genomics, the Tyndall Institute, the Autism Impact Fund, the Brain Foundation, and several private companies.I was looking forward to this discussion with Sean and taking a deeper dive into SOSV. Sean explains the company's founding story, his transition from cloud and internet technology to deep tech, bio, and hardware, and what makes a meaningful climate investment to SOSV. We also discuss the commonalities across the development programs, why SOSV doesn't have a specific climate pillar, and advice Sean has for investors interested in focusing on climate. Sean is a seasoned investor and a fantastic guest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 15th, 2022
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