Entrepreneurs for Impact

Dr. Chris Wedding
Entrepreneurs for Impact

Interviews with climate tech CEOs and investors: Business strategy, capital raising, investment criteria, lessons learned, book recommendations, productivity habits, and career advice. Hosted by Dr. Chris Wedding: serial founder, investor, professor, and occasional monk. www.entrepreneursforimpact.com (Nothing herein is investment advice.)

  1. #218: Sean Kelly, CEO of Amperon – $35M for Machine Learning in Energy Demand and Price Forecasting. 20 Years in Energy. Boxing for Sanity. Long-term Relationship Building.

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    #218: Sean Kelly, CEO of Amperon – $35M for Machine Learning in Energy Demand and Price Forecasting. 20 Years in Energy. Boxing for Sanity. Long-term Relationship Building.

    Amperon is a Houston-based technology company specializing in AI-powered electricity forecasting and analytics solutions. Founded in 2018, Amperon provides high-precision demand, renewable generation, and price forecasts to enhance grid reliability, manage financial risk, and support decarbonization efforts. Their platform serves a diverse clientele, including utilities, financial traders, and independent power producers, by leveraging advanced AI models and real-time analytics to navigate the complexities of modern energy markets. In October 2023, Amperon raised $20 million in Series B funding led by Energize Capital, underscoring their commitment to innovation in the energy sector. For almost 20 years, Sean Kelly has been at the forefront of the energy trading industry, working for Tenaska, Lehman, EDF, and E.On. While at EDF, he led the transition of two nuclear plants (Nine Mile and Ginna) into the NYISO market, then led the buildout of E.On’s North American trading desk. Next, he co-founded Bridge Power Consulting and sold it to Albireo Energy in 2019. He co-founded Amperon in 2018. In this podcast, you’ll learn these takeaways and much more. How to utilize AI and machine learning for accurate energy demand and price forecastingWhat is the significance of automatic weighting in analyzing diverse weather data for energy predictionsWho said this wonderful quote: “I’ll build it if you can sell it”How founders should not sell themselves short or sacrifice on their long-term thesis when working with investorsWhy building strong long-term non-transactional relationships with investors and early adopter customer prospects is crucial for company growthWhy he finds value in books like The Tao of Bill Murray and The Devil in the White CityHow boxing keeps him sane and healthy on the founder journey🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS: Sean - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-kelly-0792626 Amperon - https://www.amperon.co 📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP: Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📣 GET MY NEWSLETTER: I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW: To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🤔 PODCAST HOST: Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups and executive coaching), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (clean energy investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, and a super humble human being (as evidenced by this long bio).

    45 phút
  2. #217: Ernst Sack, Partner at Blue Bear Capital – Over $350M for AI + Energy Investing Since 2016. How VC Investors Pick Great Founders. Ignore Your Many Weaknesses. Icy Showers.

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    #217: Ernst Sack, Partner at Blue Bear Capital – Over $350M for AI + Energy Investing Since 2016. How VC Investors Pick Great Founders. Ignore Your Many Weaknesses. Icy Showers.

    Blue Bear Capital is a venture and early-growth equity fund focused on digital technologies for the energy industry. On their third fund, their companies harness IoT, machine learning, and cyber security across solar, wind, and the broader energy infrastructure. Ernst Sack is a founding partner at Blue Bear. Previously, he spent nine years at Riverstone, a leading energy private equity firm that has invested over $45B since 2000, and worked on the Mergers & Acquisitions team at Citigroup. He has held board roles for over 15 energy and software companies, including Raptor Maps, Pani, Axiom Cloud, and Shoreline. In this podcast, you’ll learn these takeaways and much more. What check size they write into seed and Seria A companies Why they like founders to have this one specific kind of prior experience (gotta listen to find out)  How he saw the potential for AI in his VC investing strategy back in 2016 Why he lives by this quote: “What matters is not the number of your weaknesses but the magnitude of your strenghts” How ice-cold showers and scrappy trail biking keep him sane🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS: Ernst - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernst-theodor-sack-056a5211a Blue Bear Capital - https://bluebearcap.com 📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP: Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📣 GET MY NEWSLETTER: I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW: To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🤔 PODCAST HOST: Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups and executive coaching), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (clean energy investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, and a super humble human being (as evidenced by this long bio).

    44 phút
  3. #216: Dr. Sarah Russell, CEO of Bellwether, MD at Alphabet's Moonshot Factory – TIME Magazine's "2024 Best Invention in Artificial Intelligence." The First Prediction Engine for the Earth.

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    #216: Dr. Sarah Russell, CEO of Bellwether, MD at Alphabet's Moonshot Factory – TIME Magazine's "2024 Best Invention in Artificial Intelligence." The First Prediction Engine for the Earth.

    Bellwether is a climate prediction tool that uses AI to analyze Earth observation data and anticipate changes to the planet. It's used by the public and private sectors to help with disaster preparation and recovery.  How Bellwether works:  Uses simulation techniques to analyze Earth observation dataPredicts the likelihood of severe weather, like wildfires and floodsIdentifies damage to critical infrastructure after a disasterHelps deliver aid more quickly after a disasterDr. Sarah Russell is a startup founder, tech executive, and physician working at the intersection of business, planetary health, and machine learning. In addition to her role as CEO of Bellwether, she is a Managing Director at X, the Moonshot Factory at Alphabet. Previously, she held leadership roles at Venrock, the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, and Google, applying her expertise in healthcare, technology, and regulatory strategy. In addition to her entrepreneurial and executive pursuits, she serves as an Assistant Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, where she remains dedicated to mentoring and advancing innovation in medicine and sustainability. Here are some topics we covered: How to navigate personal growth and identity shifts after selling a businessWhat is the significance of absolute risk scores in disaster preparedness and how they differ from relative risk scoresWhy AI models are advantageous over traditional physics-based models in climate and weather event predictionsWhen to consider expanding a business model to offer comprehensive solutions, including vertical integration and AI-enabled servicesHow to maintain focus and remember that just because you can doesn’t mean you shouldWhy you should surround yourself with people way smarter than you and do the ego work to deal with that reality🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS: Sarah - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahrussellmd Bellwether - https://x.company/projects/bellwether 📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP: Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📣 EFI’S NEWSLETTER: I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW: To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🤔 PODCAST HOST: Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups and executive coaching), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (clean energy investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, and super humble human being (as evidenced by this long bio).

    48 phút
  4. #215: Laura Pagliarulo, Co-Founder & CEO at SolaREIT – $3.5B in Solar and Storage Projects Supported. Land Investment in 19 States. Long-Term Commitments v. Constant Hopping. Mindful Leadership.

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    #215: Laura Pagliarulo, Co-Founder & CEO at SolaREIT – $3.5B in Solar and Storage Projects Supported. Land Investment in 19 States. Long-Term Commitments v. Constant Hopping. Mindful Leadership.

    SolaREIT, established in 2020, specializes in providing flexible capital solutions for solar and battery energy storage real estate. By partnering with developers and landowners, SolaREIT facilitates the monetization of land assets through land purchases, lease prepayments, and land loans. Their streamlined approach and competitive pricing have enabled capital deployment for projects across 19 states, contributing to over $3.5 billion in solar and battery storage developments. Laura Pagliarulo is the Co-founder and CEO of SolaREIT, bringing over 20 years of experience in the renewable energy sector. Before founding SolaREIT in July 2020, she served as Managing Director at CleanChoice Energy, where she led initiatives to expand access to clean energy solutions. Her extensive background also includes leadership roles at SunEdison and WGL Energy, where she focused on community solar and distributed generation projects. Here are some key takeaways: How to optimize capital efficiency in solar and battery storage projects by leveraging innovative land acquisition strategies How they decide to structure their investment based on landowner and project owner perspectives Why the solar and battery storage industry demonstrates resilience and adaptability amidst legislative changes and market fluctuations When to consider long-term commitments within a company to fully understand its operations and foster personal growth How to maintain health and focus through personal habits such as outdoor exercise, mindful presence, and balanced technology use🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS: SolarREIT: https://www.solareit.com Laura's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-pagliarulo-4934aa5 📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP: Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📣 EFI’S NEWSLETTER: I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW: To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🤔 PODCAST HOST: Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups and executive coaching), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (clean energy investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, and super humble human being (as evidenced by this long bio).

    49 phút
  5. #214: Tim Weiss, Co-Founder & CEO at Optera – $25M for SaaS Managing Scope 3 GHG Emissions. Navigating New Climate Regulations. Practicing Mindful Leadership. Embracing Career Risks.

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    #214: Tim Weiss, Co-Founder & CEO at Optera – $25M for SaaS Managing Scope 3 GHG Emissions. Navigating New Climate Regulations. Practicing Mindful Leadership. Embracing Career Risks.

    Optera provides a SaaS platform and consulting services to help enterprises manage carbon emissions, focusing on Scope 3 emissions. Their platform integrates operational and supply chain data to calculate and track emissions, helping clients to align with science-based targets, comply with regulations, and improve sustainability strategies. Optera supports auto, tech, and retail industries in decarbonizing their value chains and meeting emerging climate disclosure requirements. Tim Weiss, co-founder of Optera, has extensive experience in renewable energy and emissions management. He has led initiatives in scaling solar technology in sub-Saharan Africa and now focuses on advancing enterprise-level decarbonization solutions through innovative SaaS and consulting models. Here are six topics we covered: Scope 3 Challenges: Managing Scope 3 emissions requires collaboration with suppliers and collecting primary data to address the largest and most complex portion of a company’s carbon footprint. Optera’s SaaS Approach: Optera combines emissions tracking software with consulting expertise, offering tailored solutions for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Benchmarking Value: Understanding performance relative to peers and industry standards is crucial for strategic decarbonization and regulatory compliance. Regulations and Standards: New climate regulations, such as CBAM and California’s disclosure laws, are driving companies to adopt science-based targets and renewable energy strategies. Climate Tech Resilience: Despite political shifts, the climate tech sector continues to grow, bolstered by mature technologies and strong market demand. Leadership and Mindfulness: Tim emphasizes the importance of calculated risks, mindfulness practices, and outdoor activities to maintain balance as a leader. 🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS: Optera Website: https://opteraclimate.com Tim Weiss LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tim-weiss-123b5b1b Book: The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/15-Commitments-Conscious-Leadership-Sustainable-ebook/dp/B00R3MHWUE Podcast: People I Mostly Admire: https://freakonomics.com/series/people-i-mostly-admire/ 📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP: Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER: I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW: To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🤔 PODCAST HOST: Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, and occasional monk.

    49 phút
  6. #213: Julian Ryba-White, CEO at Mark1 – FOAK Finance. Low-Carbon Project Development as a Service. RMI, Flour, and Deep Science Ventures Partnership. TRL vs ARL for Climate Tech.

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    #213: Julian Ryba-White, CEO at Mark1 – FOAK Finance. Low-Carbon Project Development as a Service. RMI, Flour, and Deep Science Ventures Partnership. TRL vs ARL for Climate Tech.

    Mark1 is a public benefit corporation focused on accelerating the commercialization of emerging industrial technologies and climate solutions. Being spun out of Deep Science Ventures and the Rocky Mountain Institute, Mark1 offers early-stage project development support, front-end planning, and catalytic capital for innovative companies. By bridging the gap between technology development and project development, they help startups navigate the complexities of project financing, off-take agreements, and regulatory processes. Julian Ryba-White, Co-Founder and CEO of Mark1, was previously a Principal at Nokomis Energy, Senior Director of TenK Solar, and Manager at SolarCity Here are five takeaways. Bridging the commercialization gap: Julian explains the unique challenges companies face when transitioning from technology development to project deployment and how Mark1 supports this process through expertise and resources. Adoption readiness levels: Mark1 introduces the concept of “adoption readiness levels” from the DOE to measure project viability and prepare companies for scaling. Catalytic capital: Julian details their funding approach, targeting deployment of $300,000 to $500,000 for early development costs to de-risk development with a return model tied to project milestones to align incentives. Holistic project development: Mark1’s bespoke program identifies gaps in technology, finance, and equity, providing tailored support through a co-development agreement. Career advice for emerging professionals: Julian emphasizes the importance of patience, family time, and human connection in balancing personal and professional growth. 🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS: Company Website: https://www.mark1.build Julian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-ryba-white-1999628 📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP: Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER: I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW: To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🤔 PODCAST HOST: Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).

    49 phút
  7. #212: Matt Eggers, Managing Director at Prelude Ventures – Investing Billions in Climate Tech. Financing First-of-a-Kind Facilities. Supporting Biogenic Carbon Removal. Leading with Mindfulness.

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    #212: Matt Eggers, Managing Director at Prelude Ventures – Investing Billions in Climate Tech. Financing First-of-a-Kind Facilities. Supporting Biogenic Carbon Removal. Leading with Mindfulness.

    Prelude Ventures is a climate tech investment firm focusing on early-stage startups. They invest primarily in seed and Series A rounds, supporting founders with innovative technologies addressing climate challenges. They began in 2009 and have about $2 billion under management. Matt Eggers, Managing Director at Prelude Ventures, has a wealth of experience in climate tech investing and manufacturing. Plus, he serves on one of our boards at Duke University, the EDGE Center at our Fuqua School of Business, so you know he can pick great teams! Prior roles include Partner at Breakthrough Energy Ventures and operational roles at Sunrun, Tesla, Genentech, and Bloom Energy.  Here are four topics we covered: Climate Tech Investment Strategy: Prelude focuses on strong teams, scalable technologies, and significant markets for venture-backed growth. A great team can overcome deficiencies in technology or business models and drive a startup's success. Creative Financing Solutions: Examples of combining venture capital, grants, and equipment financing for first-of-a-kind manufacturing facilities like Lux Wall. Biogenic Carbon Capture: Insights into innovative approaches like Graphyte and Vaulted Deep, which address both carbon removal and waste management. Personal Habits for Leaders: Matt highlights outdoor activities, meditation, and self-reflection as critical practices for mental well-being and leadership focus. 🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS: Company Website: https://www.preludeventures.com Matt Eggers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eggersmatt Lux Wall: https://luxwall.com Graphyte: https://www.graphyte.com Vaulted Deep: https://www.vaulteddeep.com 📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP: Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows, Alumni Allies, and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER: I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW: To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🤔 PODCAST HOST: Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).

    50 phút
  8. #211: Daniel Schnitzer, CEO of SparkMeter – $30M for Grid Management in 30 Countries. Millions of Customers Served. AI for Climate. PhD Research from Carnegie Mellon.

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    #211: Daniel Schnitzer, CEO of SparkMeter – $30M for Grid Management in 30 Countries. Millions of Customers Served. AI for Climate. PhD Research from Carnegie Mellon.

    SparkMeter offers grid-management solutions that enable utilities worldwide to run profitable, efficient, and reliable systems. Their investors include mutual friends at Clean Energy Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and Elemental Impact. Dan’s prior experience includes work at DNV GL and a PhD in engineering and public policy from Carnegie Mellon. In this episode, you’ll learn these four important takeaways. How an 8th-grade science project and a trip to Haiti laid the foundation for this company Why they chose to build solutions involving hardware, software, and communications instead of just one or two of those pieces How their structured customer discovery channeled 75 utility executive interviews into the formation of their new product offering Why we shouldn’t wait for a crisis to start building health relationships with mindfulness and therapy tools like IFS 🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS: SparkMeter -https://www.sparkmeter.io Dan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-schnitzer-600934bb/ Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist (book) - https://shorturl.at/EYrJp Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead (book) - https://shorturl.at/hlgO9 The Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win (book) - https://shorturl.at/2ZVRZ High Output Management (book) - https://shorturl.at/wvZjo 📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP: Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows, Alumni Allies, and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER: I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW: To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🤔 PODCAST HOST: Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).

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Giới Thiệu

Interviews with climate tech CEOs and investors: Business strategy, capital raising, investment criteria, lessons learned, book recommendations, productivity habits, and career advice. Hosted by Dr. Chris Wedding: serial founder, investor, professor, and occasional monk. www.entrepreneursforimpact.com (Nothing herein is investment advice.)

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