Conversations in Cleantech Brightsmith

Welcome to Season Seven of Conversations in Cleantech! 
 
From inspiring stories and words of wisdom, to financial foresight and investment insights: in this season, you can expect to learn all about the people and companies who are propelling us towards a greener tomorrow, with a spotlight on investing in a cleaner planet.
 
In this episode, our host Nick sits down with Martin Beaumont, CEO at Electric Green, to discuss cleantech investing and the electric vehicle industry.
 
Imagine a world where charging your EV is as simple as pulling into your driveway. Electric Green's innovative wireless charging technology aims to make that a reality.
 
In this episode, we explore how wireless charging can be the game-changer for EVs, making charging effortless and accessible for all. 
 
But the road to clean isn't always smooth. Martin dives into the real-world challenges faced by cleantech companies, like securing funding and keeping up with rapid technological advancements. He also sheds light on the current investment landscape, highlighting the importance of strong business models to attract vital funding in the green sector.
 
Discover why Martin believes wireless charging is the missing piece to unlock mass adoption of EVs and accelerate the transition to a cleaner future.
 
00:49 - Introduction to Martin
03:23 - Can you tell us more about your role at Electric Green and the company's innovative work in wireless charging?08:46 - What have been the biggest achievements of Electric Green so far?
10:32 - What challenges has Electric Green faced and had to deal with?
13:23 - What inspired you to work in the fast-paced cleantech sector?
15:00 - What valuable lessons have you learned at Electric Green that would be helpful for aspiring clean tech professionals?
16:48 - Given the current investment climate, what are your thoughts on how the investment in the sector looks at the moment?
18:52 - How do you see cleantech investment changing in the coming years?
20:50 - Given the limited funding available in the cleantech sector at the moment, what has your experience been like when seeking investment for Electric Green?
22:12 - What advice can you give to anyone listening who is currently seeking investment for themselves?
24:01 - Looking beyond investment, what are your predictions for the competitive landscape in the EV market?
27:25 - How do you see key challenges facing EV adoption evolving in the next few years, and what role will Electric Green play in navigating these challenges?
31:00 - What advice can you offer for people looking to enter the cleantech industry?

Connect with your host, Nick McCullough on LinkedIn.
Find your guest Martin Beaumont on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.
This is a Loaded Hype production.

Welcome to Season Seven of Conversations in Cleantech! 
 
From inspiring stories and words of wisdom, to financial foresight and investment insights: in this season, you can expect to learn all about the people and companies who are propelling us towards a greener tomorrow, with a spotlight on investing in a cleaner planet.
 
In this episode our host Carmen Davis chats with Roxana Bekemohammadi about navigating the exciting yet challenging world of clean technology, specifically focusing on the hydrogen industry.
 
For over 14 years, Roxana's journey has taken her from the technical trenches of fuel cell engineering to the forefront of hydrogen policy. Driven by a deep-seated desire to be an environmental steward, she has become a leading voice in this critical field.
 
This episode offers a candid exploration of both the excitement and challenges inherent to clean technology. Roxana shares her insights, balancing passionate advocacy for hydrogen's potential with a clear-eyed view of deployment hurdles. Together, they delve into the complexities of market development and the ongoing evolution of the US hydrogen landscape.
 
Beyond the technical advancements, the conversation also tackles critical issues like workforce development and the hydrogen industry's role in driving economic growth.
 
00:40 - Introduction to Roxana
01:23 - Could you please tell us a little bit more about your career journey?
05:00 - Tell us a little bit more about what being an environmental steward means to you?
07:28 - How do you navigate that balance between advocating for hydrogen technology, while still cautioning about the challenges within the deployment?
12:00 - Can you tell us a little bit more about your role?
17:17 - How have role models, particularly female leaders, influenced your career journey?
21:00 - Can you share your thoughts on the current hydrogen market landscape, especially considering the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and ongoing political factors?
28:41 - Can you elaborate on your advocacy work with Manacor Partners?
29:41 - Beyond the technical advancements, where do you see the hydrogen industry fueling job creation, economic growth, and workforce development?
39:26 - For aspiring individuals considering or already in the hydrogen industry, especially those concerned about current challenges, what advice can you offer to navigate their careers?
 
Connect with your host, Carmen Davis on LinkedIn.
Find your guest Roxana Bekemohammad on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.
This is a Loaded Hype production.

Welcome to Season Seven of Conversations in Cleantech! 
 
From inspiring stories and words of wisdom, to financial foresight and investment insights: in this season, you can expect to learn all about the people and companies who are propelling us towards a greener tomorrow, with a spotlight on investing in a cleaner planet.
 
This episode dives deep into the challenges and strategies for scaling cleantech startups, featuring Raj Patel, CFO of Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions (EVCS), alongside host Ben Sparks.
 
After success in traditional finance, Raj was drawn to the impact potential of climate solutions. His current role as CFO at EVCS, a company building essential charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, allows him to directly contribute to the clean energy transition.
The cleantech revolution is here, but scaling a startup in this exciting space comes with its own set of challenges. In this episode, Raj explores strategies for navigating these hurdles and achieving sustainable growth, as well as focusing on building a strong, communicative team and understanding the industry's unique language.
 
This episode is packed with insights – from navigating the EV charging ecosystem to aligning with investors. Tune in and supercharge your cleantech journey!
 
00:48 - Introduction to Raj
03:30 - Can you elaborate on how your current role at EVCS allows you to fulfil your purpose?
05:48 - Did you have any concerns when leaving finance and coming into the cleantech sector? 
06:55 - Is there something specific about EVCS approach that contributes significantly to a more sustainable energy future?
08:26 - What sets EVCS apart and makes a real difference in that world?
09:14 - Is focus on uptime a recent shift you've observed in the industry, or has it always been a critical factor?
10:03 - As you look back over your career, what have been some of the stretch moments where you've really made the jump?
13:15 - Thinking about your own career moves, has finding a strong team to navigate challenges been a significant factor in your decision-making process?15:03 - To give everyone a better understanding of your role, could you walk us through a typical day at EVCS?
17:19 - What are some key qualities you look for in team members who can thrive in this dynamic environment and contribute effectively when urgent situations arise?
19:00 - As more individuals transition from traditional sectors, what key areas of coaching would you recommend for a first-time CFO?21:43 - Can you elaborate on some specific strategies you used to get up to speed quickly and ensure your contributions were most valuable to the team?23:44 - Are there any specific headwinds that you believe investors are wary of when considering investment in the cleantech sector?
28:01 - What key actions can first-time cleantech founders take to stand out and become attractive investment opportunities?
28:25 - What excites you most about the future of EVCS and the EV charging market?

Connect with your host, Ben Sparks on LinkedIn.
Find your guest Raj Patel on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.
This is a Loaded Hype production.

Welcome to Season Seven of Conversations in Cleantech! 
 
From inspiring stories and words of wisdom, to financial foresight and investment insights: in this season, you can expect to learn all about the people and companies who are propelling us towards a greener tomorrow, with a spotlight on investing in a cleaner planet.
Hosted by Carmen Davis, in this episode, we hear from Linda Thrasher, who is blazing a trail in sustainable agriculture and clean tech.
Linda Thrasher's journey is as inspiring as it is unconventional: from the hallowed halls of law school to the gritty frontlines of male-dominated industries, she has shattered glass ceilings with her unwavering determination and visionary leadership.
In this episode, Linda takes us through her career journey, from her Founding Executive role at agriculture giants like Mosaic to her groundbreaking co-founding of Greenfield Nitrogen. Brace yourself as she pulls back the curtain on the challenges she faced as a woman in a man's world, and how she overcame them with grit, grace, and an unwavering belief in the power of diversity.
From the vast potential of green ammonia in agriculture, shipping, and beyond, to the details of risk tolerance, policy pieces and investor timelines, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone passionate about sustainability, entrepreneurship, and forging a greener future for us all.
00:50 - Introduction to Linda
01:27 - Can we start with a bit more about your career journey from starting out in law school on Capitol Hill, to becoming the Founding Executive at the Mosaic Company and then eventually co-founding Greenfield Nitrogen?
03:24 - How have you navigated the twists and turns of your career?
05:20 - As a female entrepreneur in the clean tech sector, what challenges have you faced and overcome throughout your career? And how have these experiences shaped your approach to business and leadership?
07:08 - Could tell us more about Greenfield Nitrogen and its mission? 
11:56 - How do you think you integrate community involvement and promoting education for girls and women into the work at Greenfield Nitrogen? 
14:40 - I'd love for you to touch upon your experience navigating Capitol Hill and the policy piece, and how that interplays with your role now?
18:53 - How is this world expanding, and what do you think the future might hold for this sector?
21:57 - What are your thoughts around investment in clean tech and what part it plays?
26:07 - Could you share some insights around the market dynamics and potential opportunities for low-carbon ammonia?
30:10 - What advice would you give to individuals aspiring to enter this sector? Or pursue entrepreneurship, especially coming from the backgrounds of law and policy?
Connect with your host, Carmen Davis on LinkedIn.
Find your guest Linda Thrasher on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.
This is a Loaded Hype production.

Welcome to Season Seven of Conversations in Cleantech! 
 
From inspiring stories and words of wisdom, to financial foresight and investment insights: in this season, you can expect to learn all about the people and companies who are propelling us towards a greener tomorrow, with a spotlight on investing in a cleaner planet.
Join your co-hosts, Hetty and Alexa, as they delve into the exciting world of green hydrogen with Marko Virkebau, the CEO of Stargate Hydrogen!
Stargate Hydrogen is at the forefront of innovation, developing cutting-edge ceramic-based alkaline electrolysers to produce green hydrogen, supporting the global transition to a zero-carbon economy.
From Stargate’s story so far and their scale-up efforts, the power of partnerships when it comes to R&D and commercial activities, to funding the future including the challenges of obtaining grants and the need to bring down production costs: this episode is a treasure trove of insights.
Marko's journey offers valuable lessons for leaders in the clean energy space too, with practical takeaways for clean energy enthusiasts and aspiring entrepreneurs alike. 
Finally, Marko shares the hurdles the hydrogen industry faces, such as a lack of offtake agreements, with how insights into how Stargate are tackling these challenges.
So, be sure to tune in and get a glimpse into the future of green hydrogen!
00:50 - Introduction by Hetty and Alexa
02:14 - Introduction to Marko and Stargate
04:47 - What was your journey to founding the business?
05:57 - Where did the name for your novel catalyst material come from? What makes it revolutionary in the green hydrogen space?
06:56 - As a business based in Estonia, how are you finding the green hydrogen market there?
08:27 - How are you finding the regulation side in the European market?
09:27 - What's the future for your geographies?
10:15 - The team at Stargate have a wealth of knowledge and quite diverse backgrounds. Can you share how you came together?
11:43 - How have you found the journey of growing the business to almost three times the size in two years?
14:00 - How have you achieved commercialisation so early in your journey?
15:17 - How have you gone through your fundraising journey to achieve these key milestones?
16:54 - Can you tell us more about your EU funding story?
17:52 - How do you see these trends emerging from an investment perspective within hydrogen?
19:10 - What's the next stage you're anticipating for Stargate hydrogen?
20:02 - How important have partnerships been for you so far?
21:30 - What attracted you to green hydrogen being the solution for the climate crisis and the net zero transition?
22:27 - For those who are in the early stages of their business, is there any specific advice that you would give?
Connect with your hosts, Hetty Lowther and Alexa Mangeant on LinkedIn.
Find your guest Marko Virkebau on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.
This is a Loaded Hype production.

Welcome to Season Seven of Conversations in Cleantech! 
From inspiring stories and words of wisdom, to financial foresight and investment insights: in this season, you can expect to learn all about the people and companies who are propelling us towards a greener tomorrow, with a spotlight on investing in a cleaner planet.
Join your host, Ben Sparks, for this episode with Juan Muldoon, Partner at Energize Capital. 
Energize is on a mission to scale sustainable innovation through climate software and in this episode, Juan, a clean energy finance pioneer, dives into this exciting world where tech is transforming how we power our planet.
Taking a leap of faith with his career to go from working on Wall Street to now fueling Energize Capital, Juan shares all about his journey, how Energize Capital works, and plenty of cleantech wisdom, particularly for those in the cleantech SaaS space.
From investment case studies like Aurora Solar and Monta who are making solar power installation a snap and EV charging a seamless experience, to first-time founder advice and investment industry insights, this episode with Juan packs in plenty of value. 
Buckle up, the future of energy is bright and brimming with software-powered innovation!
00:50 - Introduction to Juan
04:02 - How are you living your purpose, inside and outside of work?
05:15 - What inspired you to move into cleantech?
07:35 - What gives Energize Capital a competitive edge?
10:53 - Can you give us a macro view of why mobility as a service, or how SaaS platforms, are pivotal in the energy transition in the US and globally?
14:35 - Are there any niche market segments that you're super excited by at the moment?
16:37 - What are some of the “stretch” moments you’ve had in your career to date?
19:11 - If you could go back to that time and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?
19:45 - Since you’ve been at Energize, what are some of the landscape shifts in investing that you’ve seen?
22:54 - Do you have to coach people to invest in cleantech? What are the main differences between a traditional, enterprise SaaS player and clean tech SaaS startup?
26:27 - How would you be coaching a first-time founder right now?
29:58 - Any thoughts for the sector moving forward, as you look into your crystal ball?
Connect with your host, Ben Sparks on LinkedIn.
Find your guest Juan Muldoon on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.
This is a Loaded Hype production.