Conversations in Cleantech

Brightsmith

Conversations in Cleantech offers insight into the opportunities, challenges and rewards of working in the cleantech space from the investors, leaders, entrepreneurs, accelerators & technologists within it. We talk all things cleantech, sustainability, renewables, agritech, solar, wind, e-mobilty, hydrogen & energy storage. The time for cleantech is now – join the revolution and live your purpose.
 Conversations in Cleantech is bought to you by Brightsmith, the cleantech search specialists.

  1. 3 FEB

    Phillip Sandino, SVP of Utility Development at Tract: on Master Planning, Hyperscale Demand & Delivering Power Infrastructure for the Long Game | Season Ten, Episode One

    Welcome to Season Ten of Conversations in Cleantech!   This season, we’re deconstructing digital infrastructure - one of the fastest-growing and most influential parts of the energy transition. From hyperscalers and AI demand to talent, capital, software and sustainability, we’ll explore how data infrastructure gets built, powered, financed, staffed and scaled.   In this inaugural episode, our hosts Jenny Gladman and Chloe England are joined by Phillip Sandino, Senior Vice President of Utility Development at Tract - a company building powered land platforms that bring large-scale data centre sites online faster and more responsibly.   With a career spanning field engineering, power systems, utilities, and data centre operations, Phillip brings a rare end-to-end perspective to today’s conversation. He’s been on both sides of the grid - delivering power and demanding it - and now plays a critical role in aligning stakeholders, infrastructure and capital to deliver gigawatt-scale developments. Together, Jenny, Chloe and Phillip unpack how grid planning must evolve to meet hyperscale demand, why credibility is critical for project viability, and what power procurement really looks like behind the scenes. They explore what it means to build with foresight, how Tract works to de-risk and accelerate utility timelines, and why gigawatt-scale development requires new models of partnership. It’s a conversation grounded in practical experience - and a timely look at what it truly takes to scale digital infrastructure responsibly, in a market that’s evolving faster than ever. 01:20 - Introduction to Phillip 02:49 - What first drew you to the power and digital infrastructure space? 06:45 - What did your time in utilities teach you that developers and operators still underestimate today? 09:27 - When did you realise data centres weren’t a short-term trend, but a permanent shift? 12:00 - What does Tract do, and what does “powered land” mean in practice? 15:15 - What are the advantages of a lean, tightly aligned team in such a fast-moving market? 17:20 - Why is it so hard right now for utilities and regulators to assess whether a project is real, and why does that matter so much? 20:09 - What does a gigawatt really mean from a utility perspective in terms of capital risk and system impact? 22:34 - In such a noisy market, what signals that a developer or project sponsor is truly credible? 25:00 - As AI-driven demand accelerates, what do you wish more people understood about what it really takes to scale responsibly? 26:45 - Looking ahead a few years, what needs to change first for the US power system to keep up with demand?   Connect with your hosts, Jenny Gladman and Chloe England, on LinkedIn. Find your guest, Phillip Sandino, on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith. This is a Loaded Hype production.

    30 min

  2. 09/12/2025

    Abby Hopper, President & CEO of Solar Energy Industries Association, on Policy, People & the Leadership Required for a Resilient Solar Future | Season Nine, Episode Ten

    Welcome to Season Nine of Conversations in Cleantech!   This season, we’re going behind the scenes of transition infrastructure - speaking with the investors shaping how, where and why climate capital flows. From decarbonisation and energy security to technology maturity and policy gaps, we’re unpacking what it really takes to fund the systems that underpin a net-zero future.   And we’re closing out the season - and the year - with a guest who has truly shaped the story of clean energy in the US.   In this episode, our host Jenny Gladman is joined by co-host Chloe England to speak with Abby Hopper, President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) - a trailblazer at the forefront of American solar policy, advocacy and industry transformation.   Since stepping into the role in 2017, Abby has led SEIA through a period of unprecedented growth and volatility - from navigating shifting political winds and trade policy challenges to cementing solar as a mainstream, multi-gigawatt player in the US energy mix.   This conversation is more than a look at policy or project pipelines. It’s a deeply human exploration of what it takes to lead through change - from building trust across opposing interests to showing up with empathy, urgency and resilience in the face of climate and societal challenges.   Abby also reflects on the unique role of solar in the American energy transition, why long-term impact requires more than short-term wins, and how equity and inclusion must sit at the heart of the clean energy future.   Expect a powerful, honest and inspiring end to the season, and a reminder that leadership in cleantech is as much about people as it is about power.   01:06 - Introduction to Abby 02:54 - How did your early experiences in law and government shape your path to leading one of the country’s largest clean energy associations? 06:00 - What turning points and lessons have most shaped you as a leader? 07:43 - When you stepped into the CEO role, what surprised you most - about the organisation or the solar sector at the time? 10:10 - How did you find yourself interviewing for this role - was it through an introduction or a direct application? 12:58 - When you look back, which achievements stand out as the most meaningful and impactful to you? 14:55 - You’ve shaped SEIA’s internal culture and external voice — how has inclusion influenced that, and what kind of culture were you aiming to build? Do you feel you’ve reached it? 20:17 - What were the biggest headwinds you had to navigate, and how did SEIA adapt? 27:44 - How has the industry matured over your eight-year tenure? 29:35 - You’re stepping down from SEIA in January 2026 - what went into that decision, and why does now feel like the right moment? 34:15 - What do you hope for SEIA’s future - and what would you like your successor to continue prioritising? 35:26 - What mindsets and skills will be most essential for the next generation of clean energy leaders? 36:53 - If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self starting out in your career, what would it be?   Connect with your hosts, Jenny Gladman and Chloe England, on LinkedIn. Find your guest, Abby Hopper, on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith. This is a Loaded Hype production.

    40 min

  3. 25/11/2025

    Ishan Jaithwa, Vice President of Data Centre and Utility at Cypress Creek Renewables on AI-Driven Demand, Grid Readiness & Building Energy Infrastructure at Speed | Season Nine, Episode Nine

    Welcome to Season Nine of Conversations in Cleantech!   This season, we’re going behind the scenes of transition infrastructure - speaking with the investors shaping how, where and why climate capital flows. From decarbonisation and energy security to technology maturity and policy gaps, we’re unpacking what it really takes to fund the systems that underpin a net-zero future. In this episode, our host Jenny Gladman is joined by co-host Chloe England to speak with Ishan Jaithwa, Vice President of Data Centre and Utility at Cypress Creek Renewables - a leader at the crossroads of clean energy, AI and infrastructure innovation.   From building gigawatt-scale capacity at Amazon Web Services to now bridging the gap between AI growth and grid readiness at Cypress Creek (backed by EQT), Ishan offers a rare inside view of how digital demand is reshaping the energy landscape.   In this conversation, they explore what it takes to deliver real capacity at real speed - from firming strategies and flexible partnerships with utilities, to the rise of private equity-backed developers as key enablers of the digital transition. They also discuss how technology mix, timing, and transparency are redefining what’s possible in power markets.   Expect a fast-paced, future-focused discussion about urgency, ownership and innovation, and why the next frontier of the energy transition may well be powered by data as much as by electrons.   01:16 - Introduction to Ishan 02:27 - Can you share your journey into energy and digital infrastructure and how it led you to Cypress Creek? 07:10 - What are the pivotal moments that have shaped the career you have today? 10:36 - During your time at Amazon, you were tasked with delivering gigawatts of capacity almost overnight - what was that experience like, and how did it shape your perspective on AI power strategy and execution speed? 15:16 - Where does a PE-backed developer add the most value in bridging AI growth and utility readiness? 20:23 - How are you approaching firm capacity across renewables, storage, and emerging technologies, and what factors are driving those decisions? 25:45 - What’s the one thing AI customers most often underestimate about transmission and market structure? 30:04 - What's your advice for somebody looking to make that leap into data centres? 33:10 - What’s next on the horizon for you? 37:00 - What advice would you give your 2023 self?   Connect with your hosts, Jenny Gladman and Chloe England, on LinkedIn. Find your guest, Ishan Jaithwa, on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith. This is a Loaded Hype production.

    42 min

  4. 11/11/2025

    Anmay Dittman, Managing Director and Head of the Climate Finance Partnership at BlackRock: on Blended Finance, Emerging Markets & Redefining Risk in Climate Infrastructure | Season Nine, Episode Eight

    Welcome to Season Nine of Conversations in Cleantech!   This season, we’re going behind the scenes of transition infrastructure - speaking with the investors shaping how, where and why climate capital flows. From decarbonisation and energy security to technology maturity and policy gaps, we’re unpacking what it really takes to fund the systems that underpin a net-zero future.   In this episode, our host Jenny Gladman is joined by co-host Isabella Rova to speak with Anmay Dittman, Managing Director and Head of the Climate Finance Partnership at Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), part of BlackRock - a leader redefining what’s possible in blended climate finance.   At the helm of one of the fastest fundraises in BlackRock’s history, Anmay has mobilised over $700 million to accelerate renewable infrastructure in emerging markets - from Kenya’s landmark Lake Turkana wind farm to a growing pipeline of solar and storage investments across Africa and beyond.   In this conversation, they explore what it really takes to deploy climate capital where it matters most: how blended finance can de-risk high-impact projects, why local engagement is the key to lasting success, and where the next frontier of opportunity lies - from energy access to data centres powering the digital future.   Expect a candid deep-dive into innovation, inclusion and ambition, and how reimagining risk can unlock not just investment returns, but real-world resilience.   01:09 - Introduction to Anmay 03:08 - Can you tell us a bit about your story so far? 05:20 - What drew you into climate finance? 06:29 - Raising hundreds of millions in under a year during COVID is incredible - what made that possible, and who were the investors behind it? 09:50 - The Lake Turkana project stands out as one of Africa’s largest wind farms - what lessons did it teach you about managing risk and delivering community impact? 12:00 - Have you been there yourself? 13:00 - Emerging market investing comes with challenges like currency volatility - how do you approach FX risk in places where hedging isn’t affordable? 15:55 - Your pipeline shows a shift from wind toward solar - what’s driving that, and is storage becoming investable at scale? 17:55 - How do you identify the biggest opportunities in Africa’s mining decarbonization space, from both an impact and investment perspective? 19:29 - Can you share a personal moment or story that shows why this mission matters to you? 21:40 - If you could change one market condition tomorrow to accelerate private capital into emerging markets, what would it be? 23:50 - Looking five years ahead, what do you think will be the most exciting development in climate infrastructure across emerging markets? 25:20 - Who inspires you, whether peers or key figures, to keep pushing forward and doing what you do? Connect with your hosts, Jenny Gladman and Isabella Rova, on LinkedIn. Find your guest, Anmay Dittman, on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith. This is a Loaded Hype production.

    28 min

  5. 28/10/2025

    David Bird, Managing Director and Head of the Climate Finance Partnership at ORIT, on Reframing Renewables, Resilient Infrastructure & Real-World Investment Strategies | Season Nine, Episode Seven

    Welcome to Season Nine of Conversations in Cleantech!   This season, we’re going behind the scenes of transition infrastructure - speaking with the investors shaping how, where and why climate capital flows. From decarbonisation and energy security to technology maturity and policy gaps, we’re unpacking what it really takes to fund the systems that underpin a net-zero future.   In this episode, our host Jenny Gladman is joined by a new co-host, Isabella Rova - Brightsmith’s new Director of Sustainable Finance - to speak with David Bird, Managing Director and Head of the Climate Finance Partnership at Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust (ORIT).   With over 15 years in clean energy and a decade of experience at Octopus Energy Generation, David brings deep insight into what it takes to fund, develop and scale real-world renewable infrastructure. From repositioning ORIT’s strategy in the face of rising interest rates, to backing development-stage projects across Europe, David outlines how Octopus is reframing renewables as a growth opportunity - not just a bond alternative.   Together, they dive into the evolution of investor appetite, the growing role of specialist fund managers, and why resilience, inflation linkage and capital growth are proving renewables to be one of the most compelling asset classes of our time. This is a conversation about long-term thinking, market adaptation and why clean energy is no longer just a climate imperative - but an economic one, too. 01:41 - Introduction to David 02:44 - Can you share your journey into renewables, who Octopus are, and your role there? 05:14 - Can you explain how Octopus Energy Generation’s funds are structured and where ORIT fits in? 07:05 - With government bonds near 5% and renewables no longer a bond proxy, how are you repositioning ORIT and your other funds? 11:37 - How are you working to increase investor appetite for renewables and get that message to market? 16:30 - How do you navigate shifting political narratives - like clean energy vs. energy security - both internally and in conversations with investors? 20:10 - Can you share real-life examples, and what they show us about progress and confidence on the road to 2026 FID? 25:50 - Why are specialist managers like yourself so critical in today’s market compared to generalist investors, especially in co-investments with pension funds? 28:50 - What motivates you to do what you do? 33:07 - What advice would you give your younger self?   Connect with your hosts, Jenny Gladman and Isabella Rova, on LinkedIn. Find your guest, David Bird, on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith. This is a Loaded Hype production.

    38 min

  6. 14/10/2025

    Laurie Menoud, Founding Partner & Helen Lin, Partner At One Ventures: Scaling Science, Grounding Impact & Rewiring Climate Tech Investing | Season Nine, Episode Six

    Welcome to Season Nine of Conversations in Cleantech!   This season, we’re going behind the scenes of transition infrastructure - speaking with the investors shaping how, where and why climate capital flows. From decarbonisation and energy security to technology maturity and policy gaps, we’re unpacking what it really takes to fund the systems that underpin a net-zero future.   In this episode, our host Jenny Gladman is joined by Laurie Menoud, Founding Partner, and Helen Lin, Partner at At One Ventures - a firm reshaping climate investing through the lens of deep tech, scientific rigour and radically better unit economics.   With backgrounds spanning biotech, physics, finance and microfinance, Laurie and Helen are part of a founding team built on diverse experience and shared conviction. Together, they’re investing in breakthrough technologies that aren’t just greener - they’re fundamentally better, more scalable and economically inevitable.   The conversation explores how At One Ventures uses a “physics fundamentals” framework to de-risk investments, why climate tech must work with, not against, economic logic, and how to navigate the time-cost tradeoffs of scaling hard tech. From bridge rounds to manufacturing missteps, this is a rare look into what actually makes or breaks impact at scale.   It’s also a conversation about trust, humility and the human side of venture. Laurie and Helen share why founder relationships are core to their strategy, and how radical candour, curiosity and alignment can turn investors into true long-term partners. 01:03 - Introduction to Laurie and Helen 03:53 - Since Tom Chi isn’t with us today, can you share a bit of his background? 06:30 - On the economics of climate projects, how do you approach the challenge of ensuring solutions are truly viable? 10:04 - Where have you seen policy act as a major enabler for scaling impact? 11:35 - What key learnings have you seen from founders successfully taking climate tech from early-stage idea to scaled impact? 15:27 - What do you think prevents founders from bringing in the right people at the right time? 18:43 - How important are close working relationships with portfolio companies in providing guidance and support? 23:35 - How has your investment thesis evolved with the market, and where do you see the biggest opportunities over the next 5–10 years? 25:15 - For founders navigating bridge rounds, how do you decide when to support them, and what advice would you give to those approaching investors in that situation? 28:35 - What have you learned from each other? 32:55 - What advice would you give your younger self?   Connect with your host, Jenny Gladman, on LinkedIn. Find your guests, Laurie Menoud & Helen Lin, on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith. This is a Loaded Hype production.

    37 min

  7. 30/09/2025

    Marieke Beeuwkes Spence, Executive Director at Impact Capital Managers, on Mobilising Private Capital for Long-Term Impact | Season Nine, Episode Five

    Welcome to Season Nine of Conversations in Cleantech!   This season, we’re going behind the scenes of transition infrastructure - speaking with the investors shaping how, where and why climate capital flows. From decarbonisation and energy security to technology maturity and policy gaps, we’re unpacking what it really takes to fund the systems that underpin a net-zero future.   In this episode, Jenny Gladman and Chloe England are joined by Marieke Beeuwkes Spence, Executive Director at Impact Capital Managers (ICM), a leading network of private capital fund managers that deploys over $80 billion across climate and social impact.   Marieke shares her journey into impact investing, from philanthropy consulting to founding Impact Capital Managers, and offers a grounded yet optimistic look at how private capital can be mobilised for meaningful, long-term change.   Together, they explore what’s driving investor appetite across climate and clean tech, the intersection of AI, energy and biodiversity, and how Impact Capital Managers supports its members through research, collaboration and shared learning. From secondaries and credit to the business case for DEI, Marieke offers rare insight into how market fundamentals are evolving, and where true resilience lies.   This is a conversation about integrity, innovation, and the growing movement of investors proving that strong returns and strong values don’t have to be at odds.   01:14 - Introduction to Marieke 02:45 - How are you, and how was your Labour Day weekend? 03:20 - What led you into impact investing, and how did that path bring you to ICM? 06:40 - Can you tell us about ICM - what it does and how the platform came about? 09:10 - You hosted 50 events last year - were they all in the US, or did some take place globally? 10:15 - What’s driving ICM growth, and what does it say about the current moment for impact investing? 13:18 - How have you seen the ICM members adapting their strategies in this environment? 15:20 - How are innovations like AI, battery optimisation, and biodiversity intersecting with investor appetite? 17:40 - How do your members collaborate to embed ESG practices in their strategies while staying agile and innovation-focused? 20:02 - What’s the business case for DEI in private markets, and how do you see talent strategy evolving? 24:15 - Your members raise capital from major institutions like Citi and EQT - what are those investors prioritising and how has the climate and impact conversation evolved in recent years? 26:10 - What gives you the most hope when it comes to the intersection of capital and climate? 27:40 - If you could go back, what one piece of advice would you give your younger self early in your career?   Connect with your hosts, Jenny Gladman and Chloe England, on LinkedIn. Find your guest, Marieke Beeuwkes Spence, on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith. This is a Loaded Hype production.

    31 min

  8. 16/09/2025

    Mona Dajani, Global Co-Chair at Baker Botts, on De-Risking Climate Deals, Policy Certainty & the Energy Demands of AI | Season Nine, Episode Four

    Welcome to Season Nine of Conversations in Cleantech!   This season, we’re going behind the scenes of transition infrastructure - speaking with the investors shaping how, where and why climate capital flows. From decarbonisation and energy security to technology maturity and policy gaps, we’re unpacking what it really takes to fund the systems that underpin a net-zero future.   In this episode, Jenny Gladman and Chloe England are joined by Mona Dajani, Global Co-Chair of Energy, Infrastructure and Hydrogen at Baker Botts, to explore the legal, structural and human dimensions of getting clean energy deals over the line.   From engineering and economics to law and fine dining, Mona’s career path is anything but conventional. But it’s this blend of deep technical insight and practical creativity that makes her one of the most sought-after voices in climate finance today. She’s built a reputation for combining sharp legal execution with relationship-building that goes far beyond the boardroom - a rare combination in a space where trust and agility are everything.   This conversation covers the shifting sands of clean energy investment - from the rise of AI and hyperscalers to the myth of energy abundance. Mona shares why policy volatility demands layered risk management, how new financing models are emerging around data centre demand, and what developers must do to build investor confidence in an uncertain landscape.   It’s also a conversation about leadership - the power of transparency, the importance of track record, and why sometimes the smartest move is knowing when to pivot.   01:19 - Introduction to Mona 02:10 - How have you been preparing for RE+ next week? 03:20 - What are your industry predictions for this year’s RE+? 04:30 - How did you get into the energy sector? 08:22 - What early moment showed you how engineering, business, and law fit together to get energy deals done? 10:16 - What does a day in the life of a climate lawyer look like? 13:24 - Where are you seeing the biggest challenges across the sector right now? 17:19 - Given your point about certainty, how do you think it will shape where and how capital is invested in clean energy over the next year? 20:16 - With AI and data centres driving soaring power demand, what’s the biggest myth about future energy needs that we should retire? 22:20 - How can developers safeguard projects and protect deals when policies or incentives change midstream? 25:00 - What are the strategies that are helping to bring down the overall cost of capital? 26:45 - What do the best leadership teams do differently to keep deals moving and partners aligned, especially when things change? 31:49  - If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of career advice, what would it be? Connect with your hosts, Jenny Gladman and Chloe England, on LinkedIn. Find your guest, Mona Dajani, on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith. This is a Loaded Hype production.

    35 min
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About

Conversations in Cleantech offers insight into the opportunities, challenges and rewards of working in the cleantech space from the investors, leaders, entrepreneurs, accelerators & technologists within it. We talk all things cleantech, sustainability, renewables, agritech, solar, wind, e-mobilty, hydrogen & energy storage. The time for cleantech is now – join the revolution and live your purpose.
 Conversations in Cleantech is bought to you by Brightsmith, the cleantech search specialists.

Information

  • Creator
    Brightsmith
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 7b431bcda68d44bfc16aadb8071f8b001446d690
  • Show Website
    Conversations in Cleantech