What Makes Climate Tech Startups Thrive — and Why So Many Fail

In this episode of Energy Matters, Claire and Dan take a candid look at what separates successful climate tech startups from the ones that never make it past the prototype. Drawing from decades of experience in both business and science, they unpack real stories from companies like Enphase, CleanCapital, MiaSolé, and Ada Energy—exploring what great leadership, realistic market sizing, and sound unit economics look like in practice. From visionary founders and ego-free C-suites to flawed go-to-market strategies and overestimated demand, Claire and Dan reveal the patterns that determine whether a climate innovation scales or stalls. This conversation bridges the gap between the lab and the boardroom—and sets the stage for part two, next week, of their deep dive into startup culture. Hosts: Claire Broido Johnson and Dan Kammen