Special Episode: Announcing the Launch of Climate First with Nadav Steinmetz
Yesss welcome back my peoples!! A special episode today - with returning guest Nadav. Since last time, Nadav has created a very excited accelerator programme in Israel called Climate First - where I am a mentor. Its a really cool programme so I though I'd get him on to discuss it and launch the programme here. There's a tonne to learn about the sectors he's working on, why he picked Israel, and how he's going to help founders in his portfolio scale. Hope you enjoy! Harry In this podcast episode, we had the opportunity to chat with Nadav, the founder of Climate First, a venture capital accelerator that invests in early-stage companies focused on developing solutions to address climate change. Nadav shared with us his passion for investing in sustainable technologies and businesses, not just for their potential financial returns but also for their positive impact on the environment and society. During the conversation, Nadav talked about Climate First's investment philosophy, which is centered on the belief that climate solutions require more than just technological innovation; they must also include social and economic solutions that are equitable and inclusive. He also shared some of the exciting companies they have invested in across various sectors, including renewable energy, transportation, and agriculture. We discussed the urgency of addressing climate change and the significant economic opportunities that exist in sustainable investments. Nadav emphasized that investing in sustainable businesses is not just a moral imperative but also makes financial sense. He also shared his vision for the future, where sustainable investments are the norm, and businesses are held accountable for their environmental impact. Overall, this episode offers an insightful conversation on the importance of sustainable investments and the role that venture capital can play in addressing climate change. If you're interested in learning more about Climate First and their approach to investing in sustainable technologies and businesses, this podcast episode is a must-listen. What is an accelerator? A startup accelerator, also known as a startup incubator, is a program designed to help early-stage startups grow and succeed. Accelerators typically provide resources, mentorship, and funding to startups over a set period of time, usually between three and six months. The program is designed to provide a structured environment that allows startups to develop their ideas, build a prototype, test their product, and acquire customers. Startups usually work in a collaborative space alongside other startups in the accelerator, and they receive guidance and support from mentors and industry experts. In exchange for their support, accelerators typically take an equity stake in the startup, which ranges from 5% to 10% of the company. This provides the accelerator with a financial incentive to help the startup succeed. Startup accelerators are often run by experienced entrepreneurs or venture capitalists who have a successful track record of launching and scaling startups. The goal of the accelerator is to help startups accelerate their growth and increase their chances of success in the marketplace. The goal of climate technology is to develop and implement innovative technologies that help mitigate the impacts of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency, and promoting the use of renewable energy sources. Climate technology encompasses a wide range of solutions across various sectors, such as transportation, agriculture, energy, buildings, and industry. These technologies include renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro power, energy-efficient buildings and appliances, electric vehicles, carbon capture and storage, and sustainable agriculture practices, among others.