CC Pod Climate Capital

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.
Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Cambrium is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Michael works as a General Partner.
CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.
Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

Join host Michael Luciani in our latest podcast episode featuring Mitchell Duffy, Co-Founder and CEO at Cambrium. Discover how they're leveraging molecular design technology to engineer proteins and revolutionize material creation.
Cambrium has a simple yet profound goal: to make materials that matter. Recognizing that materials contribute to 23% of global greenhouse gas emissions and cause innumerable environmental issues, Duffy and his team are committed to creating sustainable solutions. Their approach involves designing proteins, or as Duffy explains, downloading programs into cells, such as yeast, to change the way biology executes these programs.
The process begins by identifying a customer's needs and the current industry standards they wish to improve upon. Cambrium initially focused on the cosmetics industry due to the industry's openness to innovation and sustainability.
The team then designs a protein that meets the specified needs using computational tools. This designed protein is then produced in yeast, akin to brewing beer. The yeast acts as a factory, manufacturing the proteins that can then be used to create materials with the desired properties.
This innovative approach allows for the creation of materials in a way that is not just sustainable but also highly customizable. It provides a potential solution to the current limitations of hydrocarbon feedstocks used by the majority of the materials industry. Traditional hydrocarbon feedstocks limit the variety of chemicals that can be produced, stifling innovation. Cambrium's method, on the other hand, taps into nature's vast array of possibilities, offering a much broader spectrum of potential materials.
This technology could revolutionize not just the materials industry but also industries that rely on animal by-products. As Duffy explained, by targeting materials made from animal by-products, such as collagen or leather, Cambrium could disrupt these industries and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Looking ahead, Duffy envisions a world where Cambrium’s technology enables biomaterials to deliver on their promise. His goal is to create a specialty chemicals company that consumers can trust for both performance and sustainability. This commitment to both sustainability and product quality sets Cambrium apart in the materials industry.
Cambrium is leveraging the power of synthetic biology to revolutionize the materials industry. By designing proteins to create sustainable and high-performing materials, they are addressing the environmental toll of materials production and paving the way for a more sustainable future.
Visit cambium.bio to learn more!


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This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.
Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Banyan Infrastructure is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our guest host, Dimitry, is the co-founder and CEO of one of our portcos, Enduring Planet.
CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.
Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

Join guest host Dimitri Gershenson as he interviews Amanda Li, COO and Co-founder at Banyan Infrastructure. Tune in to learn more about how Banyan is streamlining sustainable infrastructure financing.
Amanda’s passion for good business and environmental preservation led her to co-found Banyan Infrastructure, a company that uses software to invest in sustainable infrastructure, aiming to reduce the barriers to sustainable infrastructure financing.
Banyan's mission is to address the friction in the project financing process, particularly for smaller scale projects. Large banks often avoid these projects due to the high cost and time-consuming process of evaluating, managing, and maintaining them. However, Banyan's purpose-built project finance software is becoming a game-changer in this space.
Banyan also works with large banks like SMBC to streamline and automate the investment process. By cutting investment time and reducing transaction fees, they're making it possible for these banks to fund smaller, but profitable projects that they would have otherwise overlooked. This not only expands the banks' market share but also accelerates the flow of capital to sustainable infrastructure projects.
Notably, Banyan played an instrumental role in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, working alongside green banks and community development financial institutions. Their software helped cut down the time taken to write out small loans, ensuring the funds reached the intended communities faster.
Visit banyaninfrastructure.com to learn more!


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This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.
Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Cosmic is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Zeina works as a Partner.
CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.
Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

In today’s episode of CC Pod host Zeina Fayyaz Kim engages in a conversation with Sasha Jokic, the Founder and CEO of Cosmic. Explore the world of sustainable living and learn how they're transforming housing with their innovative approach, focusing on fully electric, self-sufficient homes.
Cosmic’s homes, constructed in factories and shipped to sites without the need for utility connections, are designed to increase productivity and quality, while reducing environmental impact. The company's focus extends beyond mere construction – it's about the entire lifecycle of a home, from design and logistics to assembly and operation.
Jokic explained, “We really get obsessed about how do we make sure that something that we believe today in it will be the rule for the next 30 years in this company.” This commitment to sustainability and customer experience is evident in their first product – Cosmic One. Available in three sizes, these Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are equipped with state-of-the-art systems for air filtration and water recycling.
What sets Cosmic Buildings apart is not just the product, but also their business strategy. Drawing on his previous entrepreneurial experience, Jokic has implemented a lean operation, focusing on cost management, strategic partnerships, and innovative financing plans.
Cosmic is also launching the Cosmic Foundation initiative. The company is pledging 1% of every sold home to support displaced families and children, tying their commercial success with their social responsibility.
As Jokic invites listeners to visit their showroom in downtown San Francisco, there’s a palpable excitement about the future of housing. With companies like Cosmic at the helm, the sustainable, self-sufficient homes of the future may just be around the corner.
Visit cosmicbuildings.com to learn more!


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This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.
Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Unicorn Bio is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Michael Works as a General Partner.
CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.
Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

Join host Michael in conversation with Jack Reid and Adam Glen, co-founders of Unicorn Bio. Discover how they're transforming biotech automation to streamline cell culture processes and manufacturing workflows. 
Unicorn Bio is a company that is driven by the vision of automating processes in biotechnology, effectively bringing about an industrial revolution in the field. Their work is centered around developing machinery with biological components to streamline manufacturing processes in the biotech industry. The company aims to create Amazon-style factories that require minimal human intervention and can mass-produce bio-based, cell-based products for various industries.
Jack and Adam, who met via an online platform during the pandemic, have successfully merged their complementary skills to guide Unicorn Biology on its path. With Jack's passion for entrepreneurship and Adam's extensive knowledge in biotechnology, the duo has managed to break new ground in an industry ripe for disruption.
The challenges faced during their journey were not insignificant. From iterating through various ideas to find the perfect product fit, to facing rejections from major banks in the UK due to their unconventional company name and their status as a young company, the hardships were numerous. The pair spoke candidly about how their identities have become intertwined with Unicorn Biology. Their mission to revolutionize biotech manufacturing is not just a job for them; it's an integral part of their lives.
The conversation also touched on the many challenges inherent to entrepreneurship. They stressed the importance of resilience, the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, and the necessity of being open to learning from failures and successes alike.
Visit unicornb.io to learn more!


Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.
Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Pow.bio is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Michael works as a General Partner.
CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.
Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

In the latest CC Pod episode, join Michael Luciani and guest Shannon Hall , co-Founder and CEO of Pow.bio as they discuss Pow.bio's innovative role in sustainable biomanufacturing. Through advanced synthetic biology, they're revolutionizing traditional fermentation, leading the industry toward a more sustainable future.
Pow.bio aims to revolutionize fermentation processes. This is a critical area as it plays a key role in sustainable manufacturing, especially in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Their approach combines synthetic biology and machine learning to scale up this technology for a broader impact.
Shannon shares the challenges she faced during the startup's early days. From developing effective communication cadence to handling HR, she discusses how she and the team navigated these hurdles by focusing on shared goals and maintaining a commitment to making a difference in the industry.
The conversation also delves into the fundraising process, where Shannon shared her experiences and lessons. She emphasized the importance of resilience and adaptability. She also highlighted the value of understanding investors' perspectives and needs, and how effective communication can help navigate potential issues.
Shannon's journey is a testament to the power of passion and resilience in driving innovation and making a significant impact in the world of synthetic biology. Her insights serve as an inspiration for other founders and those interested in the intersection of biology and technology.
Visit pow.bio to learn more!


Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.
Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Quilt is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Zeina works as a Partner.
CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.
Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

Join us for an insightful conversation on climate tech with host Zeina Fayyaz Kim and guest speaker Bill Kee, COO and Co-Founder at Quilt. Learn about the transformative technology of heat pumps and Quilt's innovative approach to revolutionizing the heating and cooling market.
A former tech industry veteran, Kee had an epiphany after a conversation with his son about the future. He realized his career needed to include a focus on climate change. This led him to co-found Quilt, a company that's revolutionizing the home heating and cooling market with an innovative solution - high-efficiency consumer heat pumps.
Heat pumps are a remarkable technology that have been around for a while, but have suffered from slow adoption due to a variety of factors, including design issues, usability, installation transparency, and cost.
Quilt aims to address these issues by creating a heat pump that not only looks good in the home but is also easy to finance, install, and use. The company's goal is to make the process of purchasing and installing a heat pump as simple as buying an electric car, providing customers with a complete and seamless experience from start to finish.
The cost of installation has been a significant barrier for many homeowners, with heat pumps costing thousands, often in hard-to-forecast soft costs. However, Kee highlights that when you consider the energy savings, reduced carbon emissions, and various subsidies available, the overall cost becomes significantly more attractive.
Despite the challenges, Kee is optimistic about the future of heat pumps and the role they play in combating climate change. He sees a promising roadmap ahead for the industry to attract more talent and simplify processes for customers.
Visit quilt.com to learn more!


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