SOSV Climate Tech Podcast

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. Speakers Brandon Middaugh, Senior Director, Climate Innovation Fund, Microsoft Taehong Huh, Managing Partner, GS Futures Adity Sharma, Principal, Honda Innovations Moderator Dr. Pae Wu, CTO, IndieBio; General Partner, SOSV Credits Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-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 #energy #decarbonization Hosted 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 Europe The 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. Speakers Agnes Svensson, Chief Impact Officer, Norrsken VC Jessica Burley, Investor, Planet A Elena Stark, Impact Associate, AENU Morgan Sheil, Head of Impact, World Fund Moderator Hampus Jakobsson, General Partner, Pale Blue Dot Credits Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-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 #energy #decarbonization Hosted 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. Speakers Christina Karapataki, General Partner, Breakthrough Energy Duncan Turner, Managing Director, HAX; General Partner, SOSV Shuo Yang, General Partner, Lowercarbon Capital Moderator Tim de Chant, Senior Climate Reporter, TechCrunch Credits Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-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 #energy #decarbonization Hosted 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. Speaker Andrew Ponec, Co-founder and CEO, Antora Energy Moderator Casey Crownhart, Climate Reporter, MIT Technology Review Credits Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-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 #energy #decarbonization Hosted 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. Speakers Beth Esponnette, Chief Product Officer and Chair, unspun Gilberto Loureiro, CEO & Co-Founder, SMARTEX Onur Eren, Co-Founder, GOZEN Moderator Sabriya Stukes, PhD, Partner, SOSV; Chief Scientific Officer, IndieBio NY Credits Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-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 #energy #decarbonization Hosted 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. Speakers Bret Kugelmass, Chief Executive Officer, Last Energy Moderator Candice Ammori, Founder and CEO, Climate Vine Credits Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-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 #energy #decarbonization Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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. Speakers Mateo Jaramillo, CEO and Co-Founder, Form Energy Moderator Ben Joffe, Partner, SOSV Credits Producer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-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 #energy #decarbonization Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), the founders of Span and Quilt talk about the electrification of homes. They discuss the challenges of expanding the grid and the confusion homeowners face when transitioning to electrification. They also mention the importance of building relationships with contractors and the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides subsidies for electrification. Both speakers express their excitement about the future of electrification. This conversation is moderated by Emily Pontecorvo, Staff Writer at Heatmap. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Moderator Credits Ben JoffeElevenLabsEL Waili Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three startup founders discuss the importance of climate data and measurement. The conversation touches on the challenges and opportunities in their respective industries. It is moderated by Devin Coldewey, Writer at TechCrunch. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Moderator Credits Ben JoffeElevenLabsEL Waili Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 Moderator Ben JoffeElevenLabsEL Waili Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), we feature three speakers: Rob Leclerc, Founding Partner at AgFunder, Kate Danaher, Managing Director at S2G Ventures Ocean Fund, and Greg Smithies, Partner at Fifth Wall. They discuss the benefits and challenges of raising funds from category-specific climate tech firms. They also talk about the most exciting spaces in agriculture, buildings, and oceans, as well as the state of the climate tech funding market. The speakers emphasize the importance of specialized underwriting, pattern recognition, and the need for realistic valuations in the climate tech sector. They also highlight the opportunities presented by the Infrastructure and CHIP Acts. This conversation is moderated by Katie Fehrenbacher, Climate Tech Reporter at Axios. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Moderator Credits Ben JoffeElevenLabsEL Waili Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), two analysts and an analyst-turned-VC discuss the need for innovative solutions in sectors such as renewable power, transportation, and hard-to-abate industries. They also discuss the potential for growth in climate tech and the importance of research and funding in driving progress. They highlight emerging segments such as sustainable mining, geothermal energy, and energy storage. Overall, they emphasize the ongoing need for climate solutions and the opportunities for career growth in the field. This conversation is moderated by Sierra Peterson, Founding Partner, Voyager VC. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Moderator Credits Ben JoffeElevenLabsEL Waili Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 Moderator Credits Ben JoffeElevenLabsEL Waili Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit">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">sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Moderator Credits Ben Joffe">Ben JoffeElevenLabs">ElevenLabsEL Waili">EL Waili Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), Three founders of AgTech startups discuss their innovative solutions in the fields of climate resilient crops, bio fertilizer, and water harvesting. Brendan from Avalo explains how machine learning is used to identify desirable traits in plant genomes. Franco from Puna Bio discusses the use of extreme microbes to create bio fertilizer. Dr. Ramadan Borayek from Drip AI explains the passive technology behind their hydro panel that harvests water from the air. The founders also discuss the challenges of raising funds and the importance of investing in deep tech solutions to cope with growing food in challenging climate conditions. This conversation is moderated by Marina Schmidt, Founder and Editor in Chief, Red to Green Solutions. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Moderator Credits Ben JoffeElevenLabsEL Waili Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this interview from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), Dr. Gaurab Chakrabarti, Co-founder and CEO of Solugen, a company specializing in sustainable chemicals, is interviewed by Dr. John Cumbers, Founder and CEO of SynBioBeta. They discuss Solugen’s progress in fundraising and building infrastructure, as well as its focus on developing climate-neutral and climate-negative chemicals. They talk about the industrial uses of Solugen’s products, such as disinfecting water in agriculture and industrial water treatment. They also discuss the climate impact of its chemicals and their goal to replace 30% of US chemical demand with domestically bio-manufactured alternatives. Finally, they touch on the challenges of scaling bio manufacturing and the need for regulatory support. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Credits Ben JoffeElevenLabsEL Waili Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this panel from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three experts discuss the future of meat and the challenges faced by the cultivated meat industry. Eric from Upside Foods emphasizes the need for access to public funds and international harmonization of regulatory policies. Deniz from Prolific talks about the importance of reducing costs and increasing yields in order to compete with factory farming. Last, Philip from OSI Group mentions the role of traditional meat companies in providing sustainable options and the importance of clear and accurate labeling. They also discuss the need for transparency and independent validation of safety and nutritional data. The discussion closes with ideas on the future of meat consumption and the potential for innovation to address climate change. This conversation is moderated by Larissa Zimberoff, Journalist and Author of Technically Food: Inside Silicon Valley's Mission to Change What We Eat. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Moderator Credits Ben JoffeElevenLabsEL Waili Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this panel from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three corporate investors, from Toyota Ventures, Solvay Ventures and ADM Ventures discuss their mandates as investors in the climate space and how they prioritize investments. Toyota Ventures looks at technologies and solutions for emissions reduction, removal, and adaptation to support Toyota's efforts in achieving carbon neutrality. Solvay Ventures focuses on sustainability goals and investing in companies that leverage chemicals and materials to solve climate issues. Finally, ADM Ventures focus on investing in agriculture-related startups to achieve corporate sustainability goals. This conversation is moderated by Jonathan Shieber, Founder, Investor & Journalist. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Moderator Credits Ben JoffeElevenLabsEL Waili Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 Moderator Credits Ben JoffeElevenLabsEL Waili Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this panel from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three founders of platforms promoting careers in climate discuss the misconception that climate jobs are only for scientists and activists and emphasize that climate jobs can be found in various industries. They also highlight the need for more skilled workers in the clean economy and the importance of building a talent pipeline. They encourage individuals to take action and contribute to the climate movement in their respective fields. This conversation is moderated by Matt Myers, Founder & General Partner of Climate Tech Circle. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com. Speakers Moderator Credits Ben Joffe">Ben JoffeElevenLabs">ElevenLabsEL Waili">EL Waili Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.