The Keep Cool Podcast Nick Van Osdol
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- Technology
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Climate tech is constantly evolving. Why? To help solve the most important challenges facing our planet. With so much innovation it’s hard to pick out the companies to watch, and it’s even harder to connect them to the wider climate tech picture. That’s why The Keep Cool Show is here. Join host Nick Van Osdol as he dives deep into the latest technologies shaping climate solution technology, but also zooms out to help investors and anyone working in the industry join the dots and get a broader view of what’s really going on. Every week Nick is joined by a climate tech founder, investor or operator, discussing how they’re working to solve climate change. He’ll join the dots in real time, bringing out the nuances, trends and patterns in the industry. If you’re a climate tech professional already working in the industry, looking for the next big opportunity or simply curious about the space, this is the show for you. Episodes every other Thursday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
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E65: Building The Common Operating Picture for Climate Action with Vibrant Planet
Nick and Allison Wolff, CEO of Vibrant Planet, discuss the platform Allison and company are building to accelerate environmentally and economically sound outcomes in natural resource management, wildfire risk mitigation, and more. Whether your interest stems from curiosity around optimal use cases for AI and machine learning in climate action or nature-based solutions ranging from proactive land management to mitigate wildfires or the reintroduction of beavers, there’s something in this episode for everyone. Specifically, Nick and Allison discuss:
How Vibrant Planet’s platform is a perfect case study of using AI and ML for climate actionRapid outcomes Vibrant Planet has driven by digitizing natural resource management processes and uniting all required stakeholders more seamlessly Underappreciated opportunities for significant impact in nature-based solutions, as well as underappreciated careers that people interested in climate work should consider
Timestamps:
00:03:51 - The Multifaceted Impact of Vibrant Planet's Platform
00:10:44 - The Pre-Digital State of Fire Risk Management
00:14:16 - The Importance of AI in Vibrant Planet's Platform
00:19:28 - Global Expansion and Key Use Cases
00:24:03 - Business Model and Customer Base
00:25:44 - Emerging Markets and the Future of Carbon and Biodiversity Credits
00:32:20 - A Concrete Example of Vibrant Planet's Impact
00:36:07 - Challenges and Concerns for the Future
00:42:14 - Calls to Action and Keeping Up with Vibrant Planet
Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the role of novel geoengineering efforts in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform.
Learn more about Vibrant Planet on their website and LinkedIn: https://www.vibrantplanet.net/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/vibrant-planet/
If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool
Thank you so much.
Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/ -
SPECIAL EPI: How Glassdome digitizes and accelerates industrial decarbonization
Nick and Josh Charnin-Aker, Glassdome’s co-founder and CTO, as well as TJ Yoon, Product Manager, discuss how Glassdome is building a platform and a deeply experienced team to accelerate sustainability in manufacturing, heavy industry, and more. Not only does this involve building a first-in-class digital product to help customers like SK manage things like product carbon footprint calculations, but it also entails getting their hands dirty to collect novel, primary data from manufacturing environments and supply chains. Specifically, Nick, Josh, and TJ discuss:
The new base layer for manufacturing and industrial decarbonization Glassdome is buildingThe regulatory environment and specific rules and regulations necessitate a much deeper understanding of supplier and factory-level data from manufacturersHow deeper and digital intelligence will accelerate sustainability outcomes in what are traditionally thought of as ‘hard-to-abate’ industries
Timestamps:
00:03:27 - Overview of Glassdome's Business Focus
00:06:12 - EU and SEC Regulatory Landscape
00:08:45 - EU Battery Regulations and Challenges
00:12:07 - EU Battery Regulation Impact on Manufacturers
00:14:04 - Facilitating Deeper Data Understanding in Manufacturing Supply Chains
00:20:01 - Differentiation from Other Carbon Accounting Software
00:21:37 - Acquiring Data from Outdated Manufacturing Equipment
00:23:31 - Granularity of Emissions Data in Manufacturing
00:25:46 - Macro vs. Micro-Level Emissions Analysis
00:27:03 - Opportunities for Manufacturing Decarbonization
00:30:08 - Global Shifts in Manufacturing Sustainability
00:39:41 - The Broader Context of Sustainability Beyond Emissions
00:42:10 - Call to Action for Listeners and Job Seekers
Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the role of novel geoengineering efforts in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform.
Learn more about Glassdome on their website and LinkedIn: https://glassdome.com/ / https://glassdome.com/
If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool
Thank you so much.
Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/ -
E63: Literally Making It Rain with Augustus Doricko of Rainmaker
Nick and Augustus Doricko, Founder and CEO of Rainmaker, discuss the viability of cloud seeding to (quite literally) make it rain more. Whether for farmers dealing with drought or depleted aquifers or for adaptive purposes such as mitigating wildfires, the potential applications of cloud seeding and making rain more abundant are endless. Nick and Augustus dive deep into the history, theory, and modern current state of cloud seeding while turning an eye to what to expect from Rainmaker in Q2 2024 and beyond. In addition, they discuss:
The various approaches and technical complexities inherent to cloud seedingWhether cloud seeding simply “pulls forward” rain that would otherwise have precipitatedHow to encourage more people to pursue hard problems and the value of non-linear career and life paths
Timestamps:
00:02:06 - Overview of Rainmaker's Mission
00:03:00 - Public Perception and History of Cloud Seeding
00:04:49 - Breakthrough in Cloud Seeding Validation
00:07:40 - Cost Challenges and Rainmaker's Innovations
00:10:52 - Discussion on Cloud Seeding Materials
00:13:04 - The Confluence of Technologies in Modern Cloud Seeding
00:19:41 - Complexity in Climate and Water Systems
00:22:00 - Public Interest in Complex Climate Solutions
00:23:10 - The Importance of Long-Form Content
00:24:24 - Business Model and Customer Agreements at Rainmaker
00:30:03 - Pricing and Servicing Agreements for Water Production
00:31:57 - Rainmaker's Seeding Operations and Results
00:34:14 - Supply-Side Conversations in Water Resources
00:36:05 - Drone Technology and Altitude in Cloud Seeding
00:38:01 - Potential Synergies with Other Geoengineering Efforts
Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the role of novel geoengineering efforts in mitigating and adapting to climate change. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform.
Learn more about Rainmaker on their website and LinkedIn: https://www.makerain.com/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/rainmaker-technology-corporation/
If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool
Thank you so much.
Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/ -
E62: Infrastructure Investing For the Energy Transition With John Skrinar, Partner at Cresta
Description: Nick and John Skrinar, Partner at Cresta Fund Management, explore the intersection of infrastructure investment, private equity, and the energy transition in the U.S. in 2024. Specifically, Nick and John discuss the merits of technologies ranging from carbon capture to hydrogen and renewable natural gas while also casting an eye to the political landscape and how sustainable infrastructure investing has changed over the past five years in the U.S. In addition, Nick and John dove deep on the following topics:
Other technologies like thermal energy storage, which is commercializing as we speak and offer a cost-effective solution to store and utilize excess renewable energyThe importance and state of stable policy: Nick and John discuss the IRA, the need for further clarification on its components, and other stable policies like the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).The importance of "boring capital" in climate tech and energy investment: As more large private equity firms enter the market, it signals a maturation of the industry.
Timestamps:
00:01:52 - Climate Tech Investment Landscape
00:04:48 - Molecule-focused Energy Infrastructure
00:05:09 - The Role of Private Equity in Energy Transition
00:06:13 - Types of Projects and Technologies for 2024
00:07:17 - The Mainstreaming of Carbon Capture
00:11:27 - The Role of Stable Policy in Infrastructure Investment
00:15:22 - Specific Projects Supported by Cresta
00:21:07 - The Potential of Renewable Natural Gas
00:24:06 - The Process of Creating Sustainable Aviation Fuel
00:29:57 - Cresta's Investment Strategy for 2024
00:31:24 - The Practical Applications of Green Hydrogen
00:34:24 - The Need for Stable Policy in Energy Investments
00:35:16 - Policy Tailwinds and Headwinds in the US
00:37:25 - The Impact of State-Level Policies on Energy Transition
00:40:37 - The Importance of Boring Investments in Energy Transition
Don't miss out on this podcast if you're interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, the energy transition, and the role of infrastructure investing in various critical capital stacks. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the latest episodes.
Learn more about Cresta on their website and LinkedIn: https://www.crestafunds.com/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/crestafunds/
If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool
Thank you so much.
Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/ -
E61: Making More Climate Resilient Chocolate with Kawa Project and CEO, Aaron Feigelman
Nick and Aaron Feigelman, the CEO of Kawa Project, dive deep on the world of waste-to-value alternatives to commodities like cocoa and palm oil. Specifically Nick and Aaron discuss why cocoa prices are soaring, how there’s a ton of ‘climate’ stories inherent to this dynamic, and the work Aaron’s company is doing to make cocoa alternatives that are sustainable and future-proof. In addition, Nick and Aaron walk through:
All the climactic impacts inherent to supply chains for things like cocoa The benefit of waste-to-value approaches in climate tech and energyThe nuts and bolts (or beans?) of the cocoa industry and Kawa Project’s business
Don't miss out on this podcast if you’re interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, food and agriculture, waste-to-value approaches, and more! Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the latest episodes.
00:01:34 - Food Waste Statistics and Environmental Impact
00:04:51 - Challenges and Pivots in Business Model
00:08:05 - Kawa Project's Current Focus and Progress
00:13:43 - Impact Layers and Keeping Waste Out of Landfills
00:15:00 - The Iterative Process of Product Development
00:16:03 - The Economics of Waste Management
00:18:45 - Centralization of Cocoa Supply Chain
00:20:07 - Scale and Sales Cycle in B2B Ingredient Sales
00:23:59 - The Biggest Challenges for Kawa Project in 2024
00:27:38 - Aaron's Broader Thoughts on Climate and Industry
00:33:44 - The Free Market and Climate Solutions
Learn more about Kawa Project on their website: https://www.thekawaproject.com/
If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool
Thank you so much!
Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/ -
E60: Keeping methane out of the atmosphere by using it on Earth, with Windfall Bio
Description: Nick and Josh Silverman, the CEO of Windfall Bio, discuss his companies novel methane utilization technologies while casting a wide net across the climate tech ecosystem to discuss dynamics inherent to the methane ‘story’ as a whole and why methane mitigation deserves more attention from stakeholders across climate and energy (as well as listeners like you)
Why methane in general deserves a lot more attention in climate circlesWhy methane hasn’t gotten more attention until now A novel way to use methane on Earth, keeping it out of the atmosphere
Don't miss out on this podcast if you’re interested in learning more about the state of climate tech, methane mitigation, energy, and more! Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the latest episodes.
00:01:57 - Needed Nuance in Climate Discussions and Methane's Role
00:04:04 - Reversing Climate Change with Methane Reduction
00:09:06 - Using Methane as a Feedstock
00:14:37 - Windfall Bio's Business Model and Go-to-Market Strategy
00:19:31 - Customizing Solutions for Different Methane Sources
00:25:17 - The Self-Sustaining Business Model of Windfall Bio
00:26:34 - The Importance of Sustainability in Business
00:31:11 - The Persistence of Methane Emissions Despite Its Value
00:34:12 - Case Study: Methane Mitigation on a Dairy Farm
00:44:13 - The Need for a Broader Focus Beyond CO2 in Climate Action
00:49:24 - The Positive Movement in Methane Regulation and Awareness
Learn more about Windfall Bio on their website: https://www.windfall.bio/
If you love listening to The Keep Cool Show, please leave me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/keepcool
Thank you so much!
Plus, stay up-to-date on all things Keep Cool here: https://keepcool.co/ and follow Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickvanosdol and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasvanosdol/
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