Future in Bloom

Steph Speirs
  • 5.0 (9)
  • EARTH SCIENCES

Intelligent solutions for a thriving world 🌎 Future in Bloom bridges climate tech and human nature. Hosted by clean energy entrepreneur Steph Speirs, Future in Bloom brings together innovators, scientists, and investors working on the world’s most promising planetary solutions. Adapted from the Yale School of Management course “Climate Tech Innovation and Commercialization,” learners discover next generation technologies through data-driven lectures, deep dive studio interviews, and vivid short documentaries. Future in Bloom is here to show that a thriving future is within reach. Supported by the Yale Center for Business and the Environment. — About Me: Steph Speirs is a clean energy entrepreneur (Solstice CEO/founder), Yale SOM climate instructor, and former White House NSC staffer. She founded Future in Bloom and serves on the Sierra Club Foundation & Vote Solar Boards.

  1. 3D AGO

    Why Most Grid Batteries Won’t Survive a Winter Storm

    Arvin Ganesan, CEO of Fourth Power, joins Steph Speirs to unpack what’s really happening at the intersection of extreme heat, carbon blocks, and the future of long-duration energy storage. From the “25% demand surge” hitting the U.S. grid to why traditional lithium-ion isn’t enough for our wind and solar future, Arvin breaks down the massive technological friction points holding back the next generation of environmental giants. Learn why the shift to decentralized power is making the grid more volatile and how a career spanning from the U.S. Senate and Obama-era EPA to Apple led Arvin to solve the “loneliness” of climate tech entrepreneurship. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom — Common Questions What is long-duration energy storage (LDES)? It refers to systems that can store energy for 10+ hours to handle grid fluctuations when the sun isn’t shining. How does Fourth Power’s technology work? It uses electricity to heat carbon blocks to extreme temperatures, which can then be converted back to power as needed. Why is grid demand increasing so fast? The primary drivers are the massive energy needs of AI data centers, the transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs), and a resurgence in domestic manufacturing. What are the biggest challenges for climate tech CEOs? Beyond the tech, it’s about managing investor trust and the emotional toll of leading a “hard tech” revolution.

    50 min

  2. MAR 9

    The Hidden Barrier to America’s Clean Energy Future

    Antoine Vagneur-Jones, Head of Trade & Supply Chains at Bloomberg NEF, joins Steph Speirs to unpack what’s really happening at the intersection of tariffs, critical minerals, and the clean energy transition. From the “3x price gap” hitting U.S. solar modules to why the “New Oil” narrative is questionable, Antoine breaks down the massive geopolitical friction points holding back the next generation of environmental giants. Learn why blanket tariffs might be hurting domestic manufacturers more than protecting them and how the global battle for lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements is redefining the “Valley of Death” for clean tech startups. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom — Common Questions Are critical minerals actually as scarce as oil? Unlike oil, which is burned and lost, minerals like lithium are part of a hardware-based system and can be recycled, meaning we don’t face the same “scarcity” in the ground. Why are solar panels more expensive in the U.S.? Due to a “wall of tariffs,” solar module prices in the U.S. are approximately three times higher than the rest of the world. Does the U.S. rely on China for refining? Yes. China currently controls approximately 60% of lithium refining capacity and 85% of rare earth mineral processing. How long does it take to move a clean tech factory? While battery plants are complex, a solar module assembly facility can be relocated to a new geography in roughly six months to avoid trade barriers. — #cleanenergy #tradewar #sustainability #climatetech #geopolitics #greenenergy — Future in Bloom bridges climate tech and human nature. Hosted by clean energy entrepreneur Steph Speirs, Future in Bloom brings together innovators, scientists, and investors working on the world’s most promising planetary solutions. Adapted from the Yale School of Management course “Climate Tech Innovation and Commercialization,” learners discover next generation technologies through data-driven lectures, deep dive studio interviews, and vivid short documentaries. Future in Bloom is here to show that a thriving future is within reach. Future in Bloom is supported by the Yale Center for Business and the Environment. — About Me: Steph Speirs is a clean energy entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and teacher. She founded Future in Bloom, a media studio about intelligent solutions for a thriving world. Steph teaches climate entrepreneurship at Yale School of Management and is a Resident Fellow at the Center for Business and the Environment. She keynotes and advises philanthropists, investors, and companies on the future of climate tech and clean energy. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Sierra Club Foundation, Vote Solar, and on the Credit Committee of the Community Investment Guarantee Pool. Steph most recently cofounded and was CEO of Solstice, an enterprise dedicated to radically expanding the number of American households that can take advantage of clean energy using community-shared solar farms (acquired by MyPower/Mitsui). Steph previously worked at the White House National Security Council and in clean energy companies in India and Pakistan.

    37 min

  3. MAR 6

    How AI Slashes Clean Energy R&D by Decades W/ Lisbeth Kaufman

    Lisbeth Kaufman, AWS Head of Climate Tech Startups and former founder, joins Steph Speirs to discuss how the world’s largest cloud provider is accelerating the next generation of environmental giants. From “building a star on Earth” with fusion energy to AI-powered robots eliminating pesticides, Elizabeth breaks down the massive $7 billion resource engine helping startups scale past the “Valley of Death.” Learn why big tech is the secret weapon for 24/7 clean energy and how generative AI is slashing R&D timelines from 40 years to just 10. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom — #ClimateTech #Sustainability #ArtificialIntelligence #CleanEnergy #Startups #FutureInBloom — Future in Bloom bridges climate tech and human nature. Hosted by clean energy entrepreneur Steph Speirs, Future in Bloom brings together innovators, scientists, and investors working on the world’s most promising planetary solutions. Adapted from the Yale School of Management course “Climate Tech Innovation and Commercialization,” learners discover next generation technologies through data-driven lectures, deep dive studio interviews, and vivid short documentaries. Future in Bloom is here to show that a thriving future is within reach. Future in Bloom is supported by the Yale Center for Business and the Environment. — About Me: Steph Speirs is a clean energy entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and teacher. She founded Future in Bloom, a media studio about intelligent solutions for a thriving world. Steph teaches climate entrepreneurship at Yale School of Management and is a Resident Fellow at the Center for Business and the Environment. She keynotes and advises philanthropists, investors, and companies on the future of climate tech and clean energy. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Sierra Club Foundation, Vote Solar, and on the Credit Committee of the Community Investment Guarantee Pool. Steph most recently cofounded and was CEO of Solstice, an enterprise dedicated to radically expanding the number of American households that can take advantage of clean energy using community-shared solar farms (acquired by MyPower/Mitsui). Steph previously worked at the White House National Security Council and in clean energy companies in India and Pakistan.

    39 min

  4. FEB 15

    Navigating the Climate Tech Capital Stack & The Future of VC | Sophie Purdom

    The “Green Premium” is officially dead. If you think a great invention is enough to save the planet—and a business—think again. In this eye-opening breakdown, Sophie Purdom (General Partner at Planeteer Capital) pulls back the curtain on the brutal reality of climate tech. While there’s an $82 billion “gold mine” of dry powder waiting, most founders are looking in the wrong places. Whether you’re curious about how the world’s biggest industries (Energy, Food, and Transport) are being rebuilt or you want to know why your favorite “eco-friendly” startup might vanish tomorrow, Sophie provides the unfiltered truth on what it actually takes to win the climate war. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom — Common Questions Why are climate tech startups failing? Many rely on a “green premium” (charging more for being eco-friendly), which fails in a tough economy. Success now requires being cheaper or better than the “dirty” alternative. Is there still money for new climate companies? Yes, but the “dry powder” is concentrated. Investors are pivoting away from pure software toward “hardware-enabled” solutions that solve real-world industrial problems. How is AI affecting climate change? AI requires massive amounts of energy for data centers (the “Hungry Hippo”), creating a massive challenge—and opportunity—for the energy grid. What is the best way to get involved in climate tech? According to Sophie, the world needs more builders and founders in heavy industry and risk mitigation rather than more venture capitalists.

    40 min

  5. FEB 14

    Investing in Climate Tech Innovation

    The “Green Premium” is officially dead. If you think a great invention is enough to save the planet—and a business—think again. In this eye-opening breakdown, Sophie Purdom (General Partner at Planeteer Capital) pulls back the curtain on the brutal reality of climate tech. While there’s a $82 billion “gold mine” of dry powder waiting, most founders are looking in the wrong places. Whether you’re curious about how the world’s biggest industries (Energy, Food, and Transport) are being rebuilt or you want to know why your favorite “eco-friendly” startup might vanish tomorrow, Sophie provides the unfiltered truth on what it actually takes to win the climate war. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom — Common Questions Why are climate tech startups failing? Many rely on a “green premium” (charging more for being eco-friendly), which fails in a tough economy. Success now requires being cheaper or better than the “dirty” alternative. Is there still money for new climate companies? Yes, but the “dry powder” is concentrated. Investors are pivoting away from pure software toward “hardware-enabled” solutions that solve real-world industrial problems. How is AI affecting climate change? AI requires massive amounts of energy for data centers (the “Hungry Hippo”), creating a massive challenge—and opportunity—for the energy grid. What is the best way to get involved in climate tech? According to Sophie, the world needs more builders and founders in heavy industry and risk mitigation rather than more venture capitalists. —-

    1 min

  6. FEB 13

    Solving the AI Power Problem part 4

    Why Isn’t Grid Flexibility Happening?

    2 min

  7. JAN 29

    Investing in Clean Energy Innovation Keynote | Yale Clean Energy Conference

    In this keynote panel from the Yale Clean Energy Conference, we go beyond the surface of “green tech” to discuss the brutal realities of financing the energy transition. As policy support for clean energy wavers in America, we share how we navigate the shift from software-enabled “asset-light” technologies to the capital-intensive infrastructure needed to transform global industry. We explore why the human side of venture capital is often more important than the technology itself , and how the next era of climate tech—Climate Tech 3.0—is being shaped by national security, industrial policy, and the massive power demands of AI. Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom —- We answer the biggest questions facing the energy transition: The Policy Exposure: We explain why we believe there is no way to invest in clean energy at scale without taking a specific policy point of view. Management Over Math: We discuss why we look for agile management teams that can “roll with the punches” as the best way to de-risk a business. The AI Opportunity: We explore how AI load growth is making grid optimization and behind-the-meter solutions more valuable than they have ever been. Climate Tech 3.0: We define the next era where costs are falling, but technologies must have freestanding economics with minimal reliance on subsidies. Breaking In: We offer candid advice for students, emphasizing specificity and the importance of building trust in a tough market. —- About this podcast: Recorded at the Yale Clean Energy Conference on November 6-7, 2025, this keynote features our panel: Amy Duffuor (Azola Ventures) , Terry Kellogg (Helios Climate Ventures) , and Rakesh Shankar (Antin Infrastructure Partners). We provide a masterclass on the “funder mindset,” detailing how we move capital from university labs to the massive infrastructure projects that define our climate future.

    57 min

  8. JAN 27

    Solving the AI Power Problem part 3

    Like it or leave it, artificial intelligence is driving up energy demand. Can it help modernize the grid in ways we urgently need? In episode 3 of Solving the AI Power Problem, we break down what’s possible. Follow Future in Bloom for more.

    2 min
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5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Intelligent solutions for a thriving world 🌎 Future in Bloom bridges climate tech and human nature. Hosted by clean energy entrepreneur Steph Speirs, Future in Bloom brings together innovators, scientists, and investors working on the world’s most promising planetary solutions. Adapted from the Yale School of Management course “Climate Tech Innovation and Commercialization,” learners discover next generation technologies through data-driven lectures, deep dive studio interviews, and vivid short documentaries. Future in Bloom is here to show that a thriving future is within reach. Supported by the Yale Center for Business and the Environment. — About Me: Steph Speirs is a clean energy entrepreneur (Solstice CEO/founder), Yale SOM climate instructor, and former White House NSC staffer. She founded Future in Bloom and serves on the Sierra Club Foundation & Vote Solar Boards.

Information

  • Creator
    Steph Speirs
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Future in Bloom

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