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CC Pod

Climate Capital

Our weekly podcast where we interview founders who are solving the most difficult and important decarbonization problems in the world. Climate Capital, across our funds and our syndicate, is one of the most active funders of early stage climate tech in the world.

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Yesterday · 31 min
Building the Future of Emerging-Market Mobility (with Michael Spencer of Zeno)
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, Zeno is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our guest host, Noah Margo-Dermer, General Manager of Climate Capital’s Climate Angels program. 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. But first: Network Fund & Climate Angels →Invest in the Network Fund. Large fund access with micro-fund minimums. →Join Climate Angels. Sessions w/ top investors, discounted carry, community & more. Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital! For millions of commercial motorbike drivers across emerging markets, fuel is one of their biggest operating costs. In some African markets, drivers can spend $2,000-$3,000 a year just to keep their motorcycles running. That creates a compelling case for electrification: when an electric vehicle can cut operating costs by roughly 50% while increasing driver income by 25-35%, the transition is no longer just about emissions. It is about economics. In this week’s episode of CC Pod, Noah Margo-Dermer speaks with Michael Spencer, Founder and CEO of Zeno, about building electric mobility around that opportunity. Zeno is developing purpose-built electric motorcycles, battery-swapping infrastructure, and distributed energy systems across East Africa, with a focus on making EVs cheaper and more practical for commercial drivers. The company has taken a decidedly full-stack approach. Instead of adapting petrol motorcycles or relying on off-the-shelf components, Zeno built its own powertrain, firmware, vehicle control units, operating system, and charging profiles. Its team includes talent from Tesla, Apple, Lucid, Gogoro, and Sun Mobility, and its vehicles underwent more than half a million kilometers of testing before commercial launch. The goal was simple: build an electric motorcycle that could compete with a 150cc petrol bike without asking customers to compromise. The same principle drives Zeno’s approach to charging. Drivers can swap a roughly 30-pound, 2 kWh battery at compact stations, fast-charge to around 90-95% in about 45 minutes, or charge overnight at home. Because customers pay for the motorcycle but access batteries through a pay-as-you-go energy model, Zeno can separate the cost of the vehicle from the cost of energy. The result is a motorcycle priced roughly 6-7% below a comparable petrol bike and an estimated 50-55% lower total cost of ownership. But the more interesting opportunity may sit beyond the motorcycle itself. Zeno’s growing network of more than 200 locations across Kenya and Uganda combines solar generation, battery storage, IoT connectivity, and software to manage energy and demand. What begins as a battery-swapping network can become distributed energy infrastructure, creating potential revenue streams across virtual power plants, edge computing, and carbon credits. Spencer sees the network evolving into something closer to a new kind of utility. That broader vision points to a powerful climate-tech thesis: in emerging markets, electrification can scale when it delivers better economics first and climate benefits second. Zeno reports strong repayment performance among financed customers, while drivers are using their savings to travel farther and spend more on essentials such as food, education, healthcare, and housing. If electric mobility can simultaneously lower costs, increase incomes, and build distributed energy infrastructure, the transition could be driven less by subsidies and more by the basic economics of a better product. To learn more about Zeno, visit https://zeno.earth. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
July 15 · 35 min
Manufacturing the Nuclear Future (with Yasir Arafat of Aalo Atomics)
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, Aalo Atomics is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our host is Noah Margo-Dermer, General Manager of Climate Capital’s Climate Angels program. 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. But first: Network Fund & Climate Angels →Invest in the Network Fund. Large fund access with micro-fund minimums. →Join Climate Angels. Sessions w/ top investors, discounted carry, community & more. Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital! On the latest episode of CC Pod, Noah Margo-Dermer joins Yasir Arafat, co-founder, CTO and President of Aalo Atomics, to explore the future of nuclear energy and Aalo’s vision for making reactors faster to build, easier to deploy, and ready to meet growing demand from AI and data centers. Arafat’s journey began in Bangladesh, where frequent power outages and firsthand exposure to the impacts of climate change sparked a lifelong interest in solving the world’s energy challenges. After spending more than 15 years in the nuclear industry, working on everything from large-scale reactors to pioneering microreactor programs, he became convinced that nuclear power needed a fundamentally different approach. That insight led Arafat and co-founder and CEO Matt Loszak to launch Aalo Atomics. Rather than building massive, custom-designed power plants, Aalo is developing compact, advanced reactors that can be manufactured, deployed, and scaled far more efficiently than traditional nuclear systems. The company’s approach focuses on simplifying reactor design, increasing power density, and leveraging proven technologies that can be built repeatedly at scale. At the core of Aalo’s strategy is a belief that nuclear energy must be built differently. By pairing compact, high-power-density reactors with an assembly-line production model, the company aims to move nuclear beyond bespoke infrastructure projects and toward a scalable energy platform capable of meeting growing demand from AI, data centers, and industrial customers. With AI infrastructure driving unprecedented electricity demand, Aalo believes advanced nuclear power can play a critical role in powering the next generation of computing. The conversation highlights the company’s vision for transforming nuclear energy from a slow, bespoke industry into a scalable manufacturing platform capable of delivering abundant, reliable clean power wherever it’s needed. To learn more about Aalo Atomics, visit https://www.aalo.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
July 9 · 36 min
Smarter Batteries for a Smarter Grid (with Cole Ashman of Pila Energy)
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, Pila Energy is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our guest host, Noah Margo-Dermer, General Manager of Climate Capital’s Climate Angels program. 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. But first: Network Fund & Climate Angels →Invest in the Network Fund. Large fund access with micro-fund minimums. →Join Climate Angels. Sessions w/ top investors, discounted carry, community & more. Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital! Power outages are becoming more frequent, electricity costs continue to rise, and the modern grid is under growing pressure from electrification, AI-driven demand, and increasingly severe weather. Yet the technologies designed to provide energy resilience remain largely inaccessible to the millions of people who rent, live in multifamily housing, or cannot justify costly home retrofits. In this week’s episode of CC Pod, Noah Margo-Dermer speaks with Cole Ashman, Founder and CEO of Pila Energy, about building a new category of home energy infrastructure that makes backup power, energy savings, and intelligent energy management available to far more people than traditional residential battery systems. Pila has developed a network of intelligent plug-in home batteries that install without electricians or major renovations. Rather than replacing a home’s electrical system, each battery simply plugs into a standard outlet, powering critical appliances while continuously optimizing energy use. The system forms a connected mesh across the home, enabling batteries to communicate, monitor energy consumption, automate savings during peak electricity pricing, and provide backup power during outages. Designed with over-the-air software updates, the platform is also built to support emerging capabilities such as plug-in solar integration and bidirectional power as electrical codes continue to evolve. The timing reflects several powerful shifts reshaping the energy landscape. Utilities are facing unprecedented load growth from electric vehicles, building electrification, and rapidly expanding AI infrastructure, while aging grids struggle to keep pace with more frequent extreme weather events. At the same time, time-of-use electricity pricing, virtual power plants, and distributed energy programs are creating new economic incentives for homeowners and renters alike to store and intelligently manage electricity. As regulators increasingly embrace plug-in distributed energy technologies, software-defined batteries have the potential to become a much broader part of the residential energy ecosystem. Pila’s ambition extends well beyond selling backup batteries. The company views its hardware as the foundation for an operating system for energy across homes and buildings, creating a software platform that connects appliances, distributed energy resources, utilities, insurers, and future grid services. Rather than relying on subscription fees, Pila aims to generate value through optional energy programs, virtual power plant participation, data-driven services, and strategic partnerships across the broader built environment. Starting with direct-to-consumer sales, the company is expanding through utility, solar, insurance, and commercial channels as distributed energy becomes increasingly mainstream. The long-term vision is a future where every building can intelligently manage its own energy without requiring expensive infrastructure upgrades. By lowering the barriers to adopting residential batteries and transforming ordinary wall outlets into connected energy assets, Pila is working toward a more resilient, flexible, and decentralized electricity system, one where energy independence becomes a practical reality for renters, homeowners, and businesses alike. To learn more about Pila Energy, visit https://pilaenergy.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
May 28 · 26 min
Resilience in the Built Environment: Unlocking the Social License for AI (with Hunter Maats and Ameet Konkar @ Resilience Investments)
This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack; manage. Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Resilience Investments is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Sundeep Ahuja is the Founder and 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. But first: Network Fund & Climate Angels →Invest in the Network Fund. Large fund access with micro-fund minimums.→Join Climate Angels. Sessions w/ top investors, discounted carry, community & more. Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital! Recorded during San Francisco Climate Week and co-sponsored by Goodwin, this conversation was part of our event, “Resilience in the Built Environment: Unlocking the Social License for AI.” In this episode, Sundeep sits down with co-founders Ameet Konkar (Chief Executive Officer) and Hunter Maats (Chief Strategy Officer). Together with co-founder Jay Lipman (President), they launched Resilience Investments, a real estate asset manager focused on building portfolios that can not only withstand climate change but thrive in the face of rising energy costs, aging infrastructure, and shifting population patterns. Resilience begins with naturally occurring affordable housing, such as upgrading older single-family homes with rooftop solar, battery storage, insulation, and other improvements that lower utility bills, enhance comfort, and make homes more resilient to extreme weather. These upgrades preserve affordability while transforming aging housing stock into distributed energy assets. By aggregating thousands of homes into virtual power plants, Resilience creates dispatchable energy capacity that can be sold to hyperscalers building AI data centers. This model allows data center developers to secure reliable power and demonstrate tangible community benefits. At the same time, residents receive lower or even zero electricity bills, home repairs, and access to skilled trades jobs. This model helps data center developers earn the trust and support of local communities by delivering visible, recurring benefits such as lower energy bills, home repairs, and skilled trades jobs. It offers a compelling vision for how affordable housing, climate resilience, and AI infrastructure can work together to create lasting value for both communities and investors. To learn more about Resilience Investments, visit https://resilience.energy/. *Goodwin's Climate Tech practice has the mission of supporting clients' efforts to avert the worst consequences of the global environmental crisis by providing differentiated and highly sophisticated legal services to startups and startup investors in the climate technologies sector. Our clients are developing and scaling innovations in climate software, renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, nuclear fusion, batteries, mobility, sustainable agriculture, materials science, advanced manufacturing, plastic alternatives, and other areas. Our team is the first of its kind in the industry, consisting of experts in the field with backgrounds not only in law, but in biotech sciences, engineering, and public health policy development. As such, we are able to provide proactive and comprehensive legal services to climate technology enterprises and investors across the globe. To learn more about our global law firm, please visit www.goodwinlaw.com. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
May 15 · 19 min
Unlocking Climate Investing to 401(k) Retirement Plans (with Alex Wright-Gladstein of Sphere)
This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack; manage. Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Sphere is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Sundeep Ahuja is the Founder and 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. But first: Network Fund & Climate Angels →Invest in the Network Fund. Large fund access with micro-fund minimums.→Join Climate Angels. Sessions w/ top investors, discounted carry, community & more. Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital! Retirement savings represent one of the largest pools of capital in the world, yet they are rarely discussed in the context of climate impact. In this conversation, CC Pod host Sundeep Ahuja speaks with Alex Wright-Gladstein, founder and CEO of Sphere, about how the $45 trillion of retirement savings could become a powerful lever for climate-aligned investing. Sphere helps advisors and employers demonstrate their commitment to fiduciary duty with a high-quality product at reasonable fees while also satisfying a deeply personal desire of clients, without having to choose between the two. Building on this, the company’s flagship strategy, the Sphere 500 Fossil-Free Index, tracks the 500 largest US companies by market capitalization while excluding fossil fuel exposure to reduce stranded asset risk. It also directs shareholder voting toward climate-aligned outcomes rather than maintaining the status quo, embedding climate considerations directly into capital allocation. The conversation traces Alex’s path into building Sphere, which began far outside finance. She previously founded Ayar Labs, an MIT spin-out valued at roughly $3.75–4 billion that uses photonic interconnects to move data between chips using light, significantly improving energy efficiency and performance in AI computing systems. Despite working on frontier hardware innovation, her eventual pivot into retirement investing came from a very personal operational challenge inside her own company. While leading Ayar Labs, Alex attempted to add a climate-aligned option to the company’s 401(k) plan. What initially seemed like a simple internal change turned into a multi-year effort that revealed deeper structural constraints in the retirement industry. Even employees at climate-focused companies were often defaulted into funds with fossil fuel exposure, not because of lack of demand, but due to fiduciary risk frameworks, fee sensitivity, and the absence of compliant index-based climate alternatives. That friction became the foundation for Sphere. The company’s insight was that the barrier to climate-aligned retirement investing was not investor intent, but product structure. Instead of relying on higher-cost, actively managed ESG strategies, Sphere designed passive index funds that mirror standard benchmarks while excluding fossil fuel companies, allowing them to meet fiduciary standards on fees, tracking error, and legal defensibility. Sphere has since focused on embedding its funds directly into major 401(k) platforms, making it possible for employers to add climate-aligned options without switching providers or redesigning their retirement plans. This plug-in model removes operational friction for HR teams and plan advisors, which has historically been one of the biggest blockers to adoption. Beyond product design, Sphere also operates as a systems-change platform. It highlights long-term market data showing that fossil fuel-heavy sectors have underperformed broader indices over time, reframing climate alignment as both a values-driven and financially competitive choice. The company also supports employee-led advocacy, where individuals push HR departments and 401(k) advisors to introduce climate-aligned options, creating change from within large organizations. The episode further explores how Sphere has partnered with broader public awareness efforts, including campaigns led by cultural figures and pension participants, to highlight the scale of fossil fuel exposure in retirement funds. These efforts have helped bring visibility to an issue that most savers are unaware of, despite its significant climate implications. Today, Sphere is expanding its product suite beyond its initial index fund, building a broader range of climate-aligned retirement options designed to replicate standard 401(k) allocations across asset classes. The company’s long-term goal is to make climate-aligned investing a default feature of workplace retirement plans, rather than a niche or optional add-on. To learn more about Sphere, visit https://www.oursphere.org/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
May 5 · 53 min
EV Battery Repurposing for Grid Resilience (with Edward Chiang of Moment Energy)
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, Moment Energy is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our host is Noah Margo-Dermer, General Manager of Climate Capital’s Climate Angels program. 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. But first: Network Fund & Climate Angels →Invest in the Network Fund. Large fund access with micro-fund minimums. →Join Climate Angels. Sessions w/ top investors, discounted carry, community & more. Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital! In the most recent episode of the CC Pod, Noah Margo-Dermer sits down with Edward Chiang, co-founder and CEO of Moment Energy, a company redefining how we think about battery life cycles and grid resilience. Moment Energy is a cleantech company building sustainable energy storage systems from repurposed electric vehicle batteries. The company’s mission is to keep people’s lights on while preventing usable batteries from ending up in landfills. Founded by four engineers and entrepreneurs, Edward Chiang, alongside co-founders Sumreen Rattan (COO), Gabriel Soares (CTO), and Gurmesh Sidhu (CPO), Moment Energy is focused on expanding global access to clean, reliable, and affordable power. The company also works with major automakers, including Nissan North America and Mercedes-Benz Energy, to give EV batteries a second life. The company is tackling a growing but underappreciated problem: what happens to electric vehicle batteries when they are no longer suitable for driving. While most assume these batteries are recycled, the reality is more complex and costly. Moment Energy takes a different approach, upcycling these “end-of-life” EV batteries into stationary energy storage systems that can power critical infrastructure for another 15 to 20 years. At the core of the company’s innovation is a highly sophisticated repurposing process. EV batteries are rarely fully degraded at retirement, often retaining 80 to 95 percent of their original capacity. Moment Energy disassembles battery packs, identifies and removes underperforming cells, and reconfigures the remaining modules into new storage systems. This approach extends material lifespan while significantly reducing costs compared to manufacturing new batteries. This process is technically complex due to the variability across EV batteries. Different automakers, chemistries, and usage patterns mean no two battery packs are identical. To address this, Moment Energy has built an advanced battery management system powered by machine learning. By collecting real-world performance data across deployments, the system continuously improves optimization, safety, and longevity across diverse operating conditions. Safety and certification are key differentiators. Moment Energy is the first company in North America to achieve full certification for second-life battery systems, enabling deployment in dense, on-grid environments such as hospitals, data centers, and urban infrastructure. This milestone is critical in an industry where many alternative approaches lack the regulatory rigor required for widespread adoption. The broader impact becomes even more important as electricity demand accelerates from electrification, AI infrastructure, and aging grid systems. Moment Energy’s modular storage units can be deployed directly at the point of need, storing energy during off-peak hours and discharging during peak demand. This reduces strain on the grid, avoids costly infrastructure upgrades, and lowers energy costs. Their systems also support off-grid and remote applications, reducing diesel consumption and enabling cleaner energy access, while providing backup power and peak shaving for commercial and industrial customers. Ultimately, Moment Energy sits at the intersection of energy storage, supply chain resilience, and the circular economy. By transforming retired EV batteries into reliable, scalable infrastructure, the company is extending the life of critical materials while helping build a more flexible and resilient energy system. To learn more about Moment Energy, visit https://www.momentenergy.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
March 4 · 45 min
Recycling Critical Minerals from Electronics (with Alexander Olesen, Bradley Herrup, Grayson Shor, Nick Kumleben of Buckstop)
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, Buckstop is a portfolio company at Climate Capital where Nick van Osdol works as a Venture 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, Nick van Osdol speaks with Alexander Olesen, Grayson Shor, Brad Herrup, and Nick Kumleben, founders of Buckstop, a platform that uses AI to unlock the “urban mine” of critical minerals embedded in end-of-life electronics. Buckstop is addressing a major bottleneck in the energy transition: the widening gap between the minerals required for clean energy and the sources available to supply them. In the United States, electronics recycling rates remain below 22 percent, far behind the 80 to 90 percent rates seen in parts of Asia. The team saw a clear opportunity in discarded solar panels, batteries, and data center equipment, all of which contain valuable materials that could be recovered and redeployed if properly identified, valued, and aggregated. At the heart of the platform is what the company calls an “Algorithmic Assay”. These AI models break down finished goods and assign value based on their underlying metal and mineral content. The current e-waste market is fragmented, with no shared pricing standards or consistent language across asset types. By introducing transparency and standardized valuation, Buckstop enables asset owners to understand residual value, recyclers to access aggregated supply at scale, and insurers to better assess decommissioning risk and bonding requirements. Buckstop is currently in private beta with 14 large industrial and energy companies,has evaluated over 453 MW of real-world customer solar assets, and completed close to 500 customer discovery conversations globally. Early validation has been strong, with interest from underwriters, utilities, recyclers, and manufacturers. The company has also attracted major investors, including one of the world’s largest utilities and corporations in the United States. With more than 162,000 solar assets and batteries already in its system and data center equipment next on the roadmap, Buckstop aims to become a core data infrastructure layer for the circular energy economy. To learn more about Buckstop, visit www.buckstop.com. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
January 8 · 28 min
Scaling Carbon Materials for the Grid (with Bryan Guido Hassin of DexMat)
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, DexMat is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our guest host, Dimitry Gershenson, 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. But first: Network Fund & Climate Angels →Invest in the Network Fund. Next-decade energy, infrastructure, and resilience. Q1 2026 fund now open; last quarter invested in 9 companies alongside Transition VC, Propeller, SOSV, and more. →Join Climate Angels. Sessions w/ top investors, discounted CC Syndicate carry, community & more. Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital! The latest episode of CC Pod features Bryan Guido Hassin, CEO of DexMat, joins host Dimitry Gershenson to discuss the "materials transition" necessary to power the global shift toward clean energy. DexMat’s flagship innovation, Galvorn, is a carbon-based conductive material designed to replace copper and steel. By stripping carbon from greenhouse gases like methane, DexMat creates a material that is as conductive as copper, 15 times stronger than steel, and lighter than aluminum. This “super-material” serves as a circular alternative to traditional metals, providing a way to scale the energy transition without the environmental devastation associated with conventional mining. The company addresses a looming “copper crisis” driven by the massive demand from EVs, renewable energy, and AI data centers. Unlike copper production, which is thermodynamically inefficient and ecologically damaging, Galvorn is manufactured using a zero-loss recycling process and a cost trajectory that is outperforming even solar and batteries. Currently at cost parity with specialty aerospace metals, DexMat is on a path to undercut commodity copper prices within years. DexMat has evolved from a broad "moonshot" startup to a commercially focused leader in the $300 billion conductive wire market. Hassin shares hard-won lessons on founder-investor alignment and the necessity of strategic focus in deep tech. Proudly made in America and shipped globally, Galvorn is enabling industries to do more with less while laying the foundation for a stronger, more efficient, and sustainable world. To learn more about DexMat, visit https://dexmat.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
Dec 4, 2025 · 24 min
Predictive Maintenance for a Smarter, More Resilient Grid (with Joseph Kao of Magnefy)
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, Magnefy is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our guest host, Dimitry Gershenson, 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. But first: Network Fund & Climate Angels →Invest in the Network Fund. Large fund access with micro-fund minimums. Q4 fund now open; the Q3 fund (closed) invested in 11 companies alongside Prelude, At One, Voyager, and more. →Join Climate Angels. Sessions w/ top investors, discounted CC Syndicate carry, community & more. Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital! CC Pod’s latest episode features Joseph Kao, founder and CEO of Magnefy, a Stanford spinout transforming how predictive maintenance is done across the power grid, in conversation with guest host Dimitry Gershenson. Magnefy’s technology uses non-invasive high-frequency magnetic sensing paired with edge AI to detect early-stage failures in transformers, switchgear, and generators months or even years before they occur. The company’s solution helps utilities and mission-critical operators prevent costly outages and reduce maintenance expenses by up to 70%. Magnefy draws from deep expertise in materials science, resource efficiency, and circularity to tackle the challenge of aging power infrastructure. With 65% of transformers now over 35 years old, their innovation comes at a crucial time as grids face increasing pressure from electrification and data center demand. Magnefy’s sensors can be easily clamped to cables without de-energizing equipment, acting like an ECG for transformers by capturing high-resolution data to uncover hidden risks. Beyond hardware, the company has evolved into a software-first platform, integrating AI-driven analytics, digital twins, and a maintenance copilot to turn raw sensor data into actionable insights. Their mission is clear: to make the power grid smarter, safer, and ready for the energy transition ahead. To learn more about Magnefy, visit https://magnefy.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 12, 2025 · 30 min
Unlocking the Capital Stack: The Role of Debt in Climate Startups (with Dimitry Gershenson and Austin Badger)
This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. Upgrade to CC+ for insider access & community or manage your subscription here. Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Dimitry Gershenson is the CEO of Enduring Planet, and Austin Badger is a Managing Director at HSBC, and Sherrie works as a General Manager at Climate Angels. 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! But first: CC Network Fund, CC Syndicate, Climate Angels → Back CC Network Fund. Large fund access with micro-fund minimums. In Q2, the fund invested in 18 companies, including Alta & LGND.→ Back CC Syndicate. SPVs with investment minimums starting at $1k.→ Join Climate Angels. Sessions w/ top investors, discounted CC Syndicate carry, community & more. In the latest CC Pod, we are featuring the most recent Climate Angels webinar, where Sherrie Totoki hosts Dimitry Gershenson, CEO of Enduring Planet, and Austin Badger, Managing Director at HSBC, to explore the often overlooked role of debt in the capital stack for early-stage climate startups. This conversation was originally part of a Climate Angels session, and we’re sharing it here as a special edition of our podcast. While equity typically dominates conversations around startup financing, this episode highlights how debt can be a powerful and strategic tool to fuel growth, manage cash flow, and avoid unnecessary dilution when used wisely. They walk through different types of debt available to founders, including cash flow financing (such as receivable and contract financing) and asset-backed financing (such as equipment loans or sale-leasebacks). They emphasize that understanding when and how to raise debt, before you're in a cash crunch, is critical to maintaining flexibility and negotiating favorable terms. The conversation also touches on investor perspectives, with insights on why lenders are becoming more open to working with early-stage climate companies and what founders should know about aligning their financing strategy with both board expectations and long-term goals. They share real-world lessons, including how one company successfully used debt to finance multiple U.S. military contracts, bridging long reimbursement cycles without giving up equity. Debt is not just for later stages. It is a valuable part of the capital stack if you know how to use it. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 3, 2025 · 23 min
Women Backing Climate Investing (with Kirthika Padmanabhan and Katie Durham)
This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. Upgrade to CC+ for insider access & community or manage your subscription here. Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Kirthika and Katie are both Syndicate Partners at Climate Capital, where Sherrie works as a General Manager at Climate Angels. 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! Before we dive in: Climate Angels, CC Network Fund, & CC Syndicate Whether you’re new to climate investing or a veteran, three opportunities for you: → Back the CC Network Fund. Large fund access with micro-fund minimums. So far in Q2 the fund has invested in 13 companies including Alta & LGND. → Back the CC Syndicate. SPVs with investment minimums starting at $1k. → Join Climate Angels. Three top tier sessions/month with veteran investors & angel peers; apply by July 7 for 10% off. In the latest episode of the CC Pod, Sherrie Totoki hosts Kirthika Padmanabhan and Katie Durham, both syndicate partners at Climate Capital and seasoned angel investors, focusing on enhancing female representation in investing, particularly within the climate technology sector. Increasing the number of female investors is crucial due to female investors often achieving stronger returns and tending to diversify portfolios by backing female founders. The episode challenges the notion that deep financial expertise is a prerequisite for investing and encourages others to recognize that the skills needed can be learned, especially through accessible resources and supportive communities like Climate Angels. Building a supportive network and seeking mentorship in the investment landscape is important and doable, even for newcomers to the space. They share practical advice for expanding your network, suggesting starting in areas where you already have knowledge and can lean on your existing connections to uncover opportunities and insights. They also explore the dynamic landscape of climate technology and continued excitement for innovations that directly address environmental challenges. This is a call to action for women to step into the world of climate tech investing, where diverse pathways await and your participation can drive meaningful, industry-wide change. The future of climate innovation needs more voices, perspectives, and leadership, and there’s no better time to get involved. — References: https://www.ubs.com/global/en/wealthmanagement/who-we-serve/women-wealth/insights/2022/female-founders.html https://www.fool.com/research/women-in-investing-statistics/ https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/the-new-face-of-wealth-the-rise-of-the-female-investor 🧭 Capital Conversations We’ve got two powerhouse sessions lined up exploring how capital is shaping the future of climate innovation: 🔹 Investing in Nuclear Innovation | July 8 @ 10-11 am PTNishant Mani (Climate Capital) and Mike Mettler (Roadrunner Capital, Climate Capital) take us inside the evolving landscape of nuclear investment. Learn what makes this sector unique and where early-stage capital can make a difference. Register Here 🔹 How Early-Stage Startups Use Debt | July 17 @ 10-11 am PTJoin Dimitry Gershenson (Enduring Planet) and Austin Badger (HSBC) as they break down how tools like venture debt and equipment financing can fit into a startup’s capital stack—and what investors need to know to underwrite both impact and returns. Register Here Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 25, 2025 · 17 min
Revolutionizing Lithium-Ion Batteries with Nano-Silicon (with Andre Zeitoun @ Ionic Mineral Technologies)
This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. Manage your CC Substack subscription here. Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Ionic Mineral Technologies is a portfolio company at Climate Capital where Katie Durham works as a Venture 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! Before we dive in: Climate Angels, CC Network Fund, & CC Syndicate Whether you’re new to climate investing or a veteran, three opportunities for you: → Back the CC Network Fund. Large fund access with micro-fund minimums. So far in Q2 the fund has invested in 13 companies including Alta & LGND. → Back the CC Syndicate. SPVs with investment minimums starting at $1k. → Join Climate Angels. Three top tier sessions/month with veteran investors & angel peers; apply by July 7 for 10% off. In the latest episode of the Climate Capital podcast, host Katie Durham interviews Andre Zeitoun, the founder and CEO of Ionic Mineral Technologies. The discussion revolves around the innovative work being done at Ionic Mineral Technologies, particularly in the realm of battery materials and sustainable energy solutions. Ionic MT is pioneering the commercialization of a unique mineral called halloysite, which has the potential to revolutionize battery technology. Halloysite is a naturally occurring clay mineral that can be transformed into nano-silicon, significantly enhancing battery performance. This transformation is crucial as the demand for more efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions continues to grow, particularly in electric vehicles (EVs) and consumer electronics. One of the standout features of Ionic MT’s approach is its environmentally friendly production process. The company has developed a silane-free method to produce nano silicon, which not only minimizes waste but also results in one of the lowest carbon footprints among competing battery material companies. Additionally, the process generates boehmite alumina as a byproduct, further contributing to a sustainable production model. Andre emphasizes the importance of domestic production of battery materials, particularly in light of the U.S.'s heavy reliance on imported materials, predominantly from China. By producing high-quality silicon that can rival Chinese imports without the need for subsidies or tariffs, Ionic Mineral Technologies positions itself as a key player in the push for energy independence. Looking ahead, Andre shares his vision for the future, where advancements in battery technology could lead to electric vehicles charging in under ten minutes and lighter, more efficient military drones. With recent developments, including the designation of silicon and alumina as critical minerals by the U.S. government, Ionic MT is poised for significant growth and innovation. To learn more about Ionic Mineral Technologies, visit https://ionicmt.com/. 🧭 Capital Conversations We’ve got two powerhouse sessions lined up exploring how capital is shaping the future of climate innovation: 🔹 Investing in Nuclear InnovationNishant Mani (Climate Capital) and Mike Mettler (Roadrunner Capital, Climate Capital) take us inside the evolving landscape of nuclear investment. Learn what makes this sector unique and where early-stage capital can make a difference. Register Here 🔹 How Early-Stage Startups Use DebtJoin Dimitry Gershenson (Enduring Planet) and Austin Badger (HSBC) as they break down how tools like venture debt and equipment financing can fit into a startup’s capital stack—and what investors need to know to underwrite both impact and returns. Register Here Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
Jun 12, 2025 · 24 min
Transforming Mold Recovery Solutions (with Ariana Thacker @ MoldCo)
This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. Upgrade to CC+ for insider access & community or manage your subscription here. Disclaimer: For full disclosure, MoldCo is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Sundeep Ahuja is the Founder and 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. Announcing the Next Phase of Climate Angels! Know someone seeking to unlock the knowledge and skills to help them become a successful investor? Send them the application for Climate Angels, an immersive program and community designed for aspiring angel investors: More here Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital! In this insightful episode, host Sundeep Ahuja welcomes Ariana Thacker, Founder and CEO of MoldCo, who shares her personal journey from experiencing severe health issues due to mold exposure to establishing a company dedicated to helping others navigate the complexities of mold toxicity. MoldCo offers a comprehensive solution that combines specialized lab testing with personalized care, aiming to empower individuals suffering from mold-related health problems. Ariana's passion for addressing mold toxicity stems from her own struggles with symptoms that included hair loss, gastrointestinal issues, and debilitating brain fog, all linked to her exposure in a Miami apartment. This personal experience fueled her desire to create MoldCo, which provides an end-to-end service for mold recovery. The company offers a starter lab panel at an accessible price, focusing on key biomarkers indicative of mold exposure. This initial testing is designed to identify the presence of mold toxins in the body, allowing patients to understand their health status better. MoldCo's approach is further enhanced by its concierge-style medical care, which connects patients with specialized providers and delivers necessary medications directly to their homes. The treatment protocol is based on over 30 years of research, including insights from leading experts in the field, and aims to simplify the recovery process for patients. Ariana emphasizes the importance of understanding the environmental factors contributing to mold exposure, including the impact of climate change and the use of antifungal chemicals in paints that may exacerbate mold growth. As MoldCo expands its services nationwide, it seeks to raise awareness about mold toxicity as a significant public health issue, potentially affecting millions of Americans. This episode not only sheds light on the innovative solutions MoldCo offers but also serves as a beacon of hope for those grappling with the often-overlooked effects of mold exposure. With a commitment to research and patient care, MoldCo is paving the way for a healthier future, one mold recovery journey at a time. To learn more about MoldCo, visit https://www.moldco.com/. 🚨Portco Job Alert One of our portfolio companies, Ezra Climate, is growing its engineering team and hiring for two foundational roles: 🔹 VP of Engineering / CTO 🔹 Principal AI Engineer If you know someone who fits the profile—or can help connect to the right networks—they’d be grateful for warm intros or guidance. Reach out to hiring@ezraclimate.com for more information. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
May 29, 2025 · 24 min
Democratizing Clean Energy (with Will Wiseman @ Climatize)
This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. Upgrade to CC+ for insider access & community or manage your subscription here. Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Climatize is a portfolio company at Climate Capital where Katie Durham works as a Venture 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. Announcing the Next Phase of Climate Angels! Unlock the knowledge and skills to help you become a successful investor with Climate Angels — an immersive program designed for aspiring angel investors. Learn more at climateangels.vc. Interested in joining? Fill out this form to join the next program: Apply here Be a part of the next wave of climate investors! Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital! On this episode of the CC Pod, host Katie Durham interviews Will Wiseman, the CEO and co-founder of Climatize, an innovative SEC-registered investing platform that aims to democratize access to renewable energy investments across the United States. Climatize has successfully mobilized over $8 million from more than 2,000 investors, funding 17 renewable energy projects that include solar installations, energy storage solutions, and electric vehicle charging stations. Will shares his journey from growing up in Santa Cruz, California, where his passion for the environment was ignited by witnessing the decline of marine ecosystems, to his extensive education in renewable energy engineering. His background includes hands-on experience as a solar installer and roles in project management and finance, which have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the renewable energy landscape. Alongside Alba Forns, COO and co-founder, Will has worked to build a platform that bridges the gap between everyday investors and renewable energy projects. Together, they’ve crafted a mission-driven company that enables individuals to participate directly in the clean energy transition. Will emphasizes the importance of building trust with potential investors, particularly in a space that often faces regulatory hurdles. Climatize has leveraged organic growth strategies, including partnerships with trusted podcast hosts, to attract investors who are eager to support sustainable initiatives. The platform focuses on funding cash flow-generating projects, carefully selecting opportunities based on their financial viability and the presence of incentives that can de-risk investments. This approach not only addresses the funding needs of small to medium-scale renewable energy projects but also empowers individual investors to participate in the energy transition. Will's vision for Climatize extends beyond mere investment; he aims to foster a movement that allows everyday people to become stakeholders in the energy sector, challenging the dominance of traditional energy companies. As Climatize continues to grow, Will is committed to enhancing the platform's capabilities and streamlining the investment process, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future. This episode is a compelling exploration of how innovative platforms like Climatize are reshaping the renewable energy investment landscape and empowering individuals to make a tangible impact in the fight against climate change. For those interested in learning more about Climatize and its mission, visit their website at Climatize Earth. To learn more about Climatize, visit https://www.climatize.earth/. (Risk Disclosure: When investing through Climatize, all investments carry risk including the loss of principal. In making an investment decision, investors must rely on their own examination of the issuer and the terms of the offering, including the merits and risks involved. Investments on Climatize are speculative, illiquid and involve a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment.) Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
May 15, 2025 · 26 min
Streamlining EV Charging Solutions (with Ashwin Dias @ Presto)
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, Presto is a portfolio company at Climate Capital where Katie Durham works as a Venture 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! Upgrade to CC+ for insider access & community or manage your subscription here. In the latest episode of the CC Pod, host Katie Durham sits down with Ashwin Dias, co-founder and CEO of Presto, a company on a mission to transform the electric vehicle (EV) charging landscape. Drawing from his experience at Uber, where he played a key role in accelerating EV adoption, Ashwin offers thoughtful insights into the real-world challenges faced by rideshare drivers and the broader EV community. Together with co-founder and CFO JJ Raynor, the Presto team is focused on creating practical, scalable solutions to make EV charging more accessible and efficient. Presto was born out of the realization that the fragmented charging infrastructure posed a significant barrier to EV adoption, particularly for drivers who often live in apartments or rental properties without access to home charging. The company aims to simplify the charging experience by aggregating various charging networks into a single, user-friendly platform. This platform allows users, especially those renting EVs from major companies like Hertz and Avis, to easily locate charging stations, check availability, and manage payments—all through the Presto app. The technology behind Presto includes a recommendation engine that utilizes machine learning to guide users to the most suitable charging stations based on availability, pricing, and reliability. Additionally, Presto offers white-label solutions and APIs for businesses looking to integrate charging capabilities into their own platforms, making it easier for fleets and logistics companies to manage their EV charging needs. As Presto continues to expand its reach across the U.S. and into Canada, the company is committed to enhancing the EV charging experience, ultimately aiming to eliminate the anxiety associated with charging for both new and seasoned EV users. Ashwin emphasizes the importance of collaboration and community in this journey, encouraging others passionate about the EV space to get involved. This episode not only highlights the innovative solutions Presto is bringing to the market but also sheds light on the broader implications for the future of transportation and sustainable energy. Tune in to learn more about how Presto is paving the way for a more accessible and efficient EV charging landscape. To learn more about Presto, visit https://www.prestocharging.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
Apr 17, 2025 · 22 min
Transforming Plastics with Seaweed (with Julia Marsh @ Sway)
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, Sway is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our guest host, Dimitry Gershenson, 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! Plastics are a climate issue — and Sway is tackling it head-on. On this week’s CC Pod, host Dimitry Gershenson sits down with Julia Marsh, Co-founder & CEO of Sway, a California-based materials startup scaling seaweed-based, home-compostable packaging. Their patented tech mimics the performance of plastic, plugs into existing infrastructure, and decomposes into healthy soil. Alongside Co-founder & COO Matthew Mayes, the team has developed patented tech that matches the performance of plastic, integrates into existing infrastructure, and decomposes into healthy soil. Julia shares her journey as an "ocean kid" from the Monterey Bay area, where her love for the ocean and design converged to inspire her work at Sway. The company’s patented products aim to replicate the performance attributes of conventional plastics while being environmentally friendly. Unlike traditional plastics, Sway’s materials are derived from abundant, regenerative seaweed, which decomposes into healthy soil after use, making them a sustainable alternative. The episode delves into the significant challenges posed by plastic pollution, especially flexible plastics, which account for a vast majority of plastic waste. Julia highlights that over 5 trillion bags, wrappers, and pouches are produced annually, with less than 3% being recycled. This staggering statistic underscores the urgency of Sway's mission. Sway's innovative approach utilizes various types of responsibly farmed seaweed, allowing the company to avoid over-reliance on a single species. The seaweed is processed into pellets that can be used in existing plastic manufacturing systems, enabling a seamless transition to more sustainable materials. Julia explains the complex process of blown film extrusion, where these pellets are transformed into films for products like grocery bags and packaging materials. Throughout the conversation, Julia emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges. She recounts the arduous journey of developing a viable product, which involved numerous trials and iterations. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and community support, she notes that the climate tech sector fosters a unique spirit of camaraderie among entrepreneurs. Listeners are encouraged to support Sway by following their journey on social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. This episode not only sheds light on Sway's groundbreaking work but also serves as an inspiring reminder of the potential for innovation in the fight against climate change. To learn more about Sway, visit https://swaythefuture.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
Mar 12, 2025 · 35 min
Eliminating Single Use Packaging, Economically (with Lindsey Hoell @ Dispatch Goods)
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, Dispatch Goods is a portfolio company at Climate Capital Climate Capital where Kirthika Padmanabhan works as a Principal. 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! For this week's CC Pod episode, Kirthika Padmanabhan chats with Lindsey Hoell, Founder and CEO of Dispatch Goods, about how they’re cutting costs and boosting brands with sustainable, returnable packaging. Lindsey's path to entrepreneurship is anything but conventional. With a background as a perfusionist—where she operated heart-lung machines during open-heart surgeries—Lindsey transitioned to the world of sustainability after witnessing firsthand the environmental challenges in Hawaii. Her involvement with the Surfrider Foundation and the launch of the Ocean Friendly Restaurants program ignited her passion for sustainability, leading her to identify a critical gap in the market: the need for effective circular packaging systems. Recognizing the limitations of traditional waste management practices, Lindsey envisioned a new infrastructure that businesses could leverage to shift from linear, wasteful practices to sustainable, circular solutions. This vision culminated in the founding of Dispatch Goods. Dispatch Goods operates in a sector where single-use packaging is rampant. In the U.S. alone, approximately one trillion single-use food service packaging units are consumed each year, with the vast majority ending up in landfills or incinerated. Lindsey highlighted the staggering statistic of 15 million gel packs being manufactured daily for meal and grocery deliveries, most of which contribute to environmental pollution. The mission of Dispatch Goods is clear: to create the circular supply chains of the future by focusing on reuse. The company has developed a three-pronged approach that includes: * Durable Packaging: Dispatch Goods engineers packaging that is both cost-effective and durable, ensuring it can withstand multiple uses. * Cleaning Facilities: The company has established cleaning facilities where used packaging is sanitized and prepared for reuse, ensuring safety and quality. * Circular Logistics: By partnering with a network of delivery services, Dispatch Goods manages the logistics of collecting used packaging and distributing clean, reusable items back to businesses. Since its inception, Dispatch Goods has made significant strides in reducing waste. The company has successfully diverted over 8 million items from landfills, with a recent milestone of achieving its first million-item quarter. This impressive growth underscores the potential for circular solutions to not only benefit the environment but also provide cost savings for businesses. Looking ahead, Dispatch Goods aims to expand its infrastructure and technology. Lindsey shared insights into the development of a custom software platform that enhances warehouse management, labor planning, and inventory tracking. The company is also exploring advancements in automation and computer vision to streamline operations further. Dispatch Goods is at the forefront of transforming how businesses approach packaging and waste management. Tune in to the full episode for more insights from Lindsey and learn how you can get involved. To learn more about Dispatch Goods, visit https://dispatchgoods.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
Feb 25, 2025 · 20 min
Special Episode: Climate Angels (with Nishant Mani and Vijay Rajendran)
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: 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 this special episode of the CC Pod, we're diving into the why and how of climate angel investing—and why NOW is the time to get involved. Sherrie Totoki is joined by Nishant Mani and Vijay Rajendran, two seasoned investors and instructors for Climate Angels, our six-week program designed to equip the next wave of climate tech investors. For more information on Climate Angels, read our latest CC Insights! Show Notes: Nishant, a partner at Climate Capital, shared insights into the program's mission to engage more angel investors who are passionate about addressing climate challenges. He highlighted that while the climate crisis continues to escalate, the number of entrepreneurs developing solutions is also increasing. However, access to capital remains a significant hurdle for many founders. The Climate Angels program aims to bridge this gap by fostering a community of informed investors who can provide the necessary support. Vijay emphasized the importance of demystifying angel investing, noting that many potential investors feel intimidated by the complexities of the field. He pointed out that one doesn't need to be an expert in every aspect of investing; rather, building a supportive network is crucial. This community allows investors to share knowledge and collaborate in supporting founders dedicated to creating sustainable solutions. The episode also touched on the evolving landscape of climate investing, with both guests predicting a shift toward sectors focused on adaptation and resilience. As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, there will be an increasing demand for businesses that enhance supply chain robustness and address climate-related challenges. The Climate Angels program stands out as a unique initiative that combines practical experience with expert insights. Over six weeks, participants learn about the fundamentals of angel investing while gaining knowledge about specific climate topics. The program features guest speakers from the industry, providing valuable networking opportunities and equipping participants to make informed investments in the climate tech space. Listeners interested in making a meaningful impact through their investments are encouraged to join the Climate Angels program. With a special discount available for podcast listeners, this initiative offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable future. To learn more about Climate Angels, visit https://www.climateangels.vc/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
Feb 12, 2025 · 34 min
More Efficient EVs, From The Powertrain Up (with Mohamed Badawy @ Scalvy)
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, Scalvy is a portfolio company at Climate Capital where Nick van Osdol works as a Venture 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 this episode, Nick van Osdol sits down with Mohamed Badawy, CEO of Scalvy. Scalvy is redefining how electrical energy moves. Initially focused on electric mobility powertrains, surging demand for Scalvy’s modular integrated technology has driven expansion into stationary energy storage and data centers. With 6+ patents and Fortune 500 partnerships, Scalvy is driving electrification at scale. Mohamed’s journey from a tenured professor at San Jose State University to the CEO of a venture-backed startup is both inspiring and insightful. He founded Scalvy with a clear vision: to commercialize innovative technology that addresses real-world problems. At the heart of Scalvy's innovation is its software-defined energy management module, which integrates seamlessly with energy storage systems. Unlike traditional battery management systems, Scalvy’s modules offer a range of functionalities, including the ability to invert DC power to AC, regulate DC output, and charge batteries—all without the need for additional electronic systems in vehicles. This modular approach not only simplifies design but also significantly reduces costs and enhances performance. The technology is particularly relevant for electric vehicles (EVs), but its applications extend beyond that realm. Scalvy is also focusing on stationary energy storage solutions that provide grid services and data center applications. As Mohamed noted, the initial skepticism about the applicability of their technology in sectors beyond EVs has transformed into a strong market pull, validating Scalvy's versatile approach. One of the standout features of Scalvy's technology is its modularity. Traditional powertrains are often bulky and require customization for different vehicle models, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs. In contrast, Scalvy’s system allows manufacturers to use the same hardware across various applications while configuring it to meet specific needs. This flexibility not only streamlines production but also accelerates the electrification process for diverse vehicle types, including off-road machinery and material handling equipment. Since launching commercial engagements just a few months ago, Scalvy has already secured multiple agreements with OEMs in the electric truck and off-road vehicle sectors. The company is witnessing a growing interest in its technology, particularly in industries that require efficient electrification solutions. As Scalvy continues to build its customer base, the focus will shift towards scaling production and obtaining necessary certifications. Stay tuned for more insights from the Climate Capital Podcast as we continue to explore the innovators tackling the most pressing decarbonization challenges of our time. To learn more about Scalvy, visit http://www.scalvy.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe
Jan 30, 2025 · 33 min
Scaling the Reclaimed Wood Supply Chain (with Ben Christensen @ Cambium)
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, Cambium is a portfolio company at Climate Capital Climate Capital where Kirthika Padmanabhan works as a Principal. 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! On today’s episode, Ben Christensen, founder of Cambium, joins CC Pod with host Kirthika to discuss Carbon Smart™ wood—transforming waste into sustainable materials at scale. Wood is ubiquitous in our lives, from the floors we walk on to the furniture we use. However, the traditional wood supply chain is fraught with inefficiencies and environmental concerns. Currently, the U.S. consumes about 60 billion board feet of lumber annually, and a staggering 58% of this could potentially be replaced with reclaimed wood. Yet, less than 1% of wood used today is recycled. This presents a massive opportunity for Cambium to step in and make a significant impact. Ben explains that the wood industry often relies on virgin timber, which can lead to deforestation and other unsustainable practices. Cambium aims to substitute this with salvaged wood—material that is currently wasted but can be repurposed. The company focuses on three main sources of reclaimed wood: unmanaged urban forests, deconstructed buildings, and biomass from forest management practices aimed at reducing fire hazards. Cambium's mission is to simplify the use of waste materials at scale. To achieve this, the company is building a robust supply chain platform that connects large buyers—such as architects, builders, and furniture manufacturers—with reclaimed wood sources. Some key technological components of Cambium's approach: * Supply Chain Management: Cambium is developing technology to streamline the logistics of sourcing, moving, and processing reclaimed wood. This includes tools for lumber and sawmill industries to manage their inventory and capture waste wood effectively. * Data Analytics: By creating a data layer that tracks material movement through the supply chain, Cambium can provide live carbon reporting. This transparency allows stakeholders to make informed decisions about sourcing and sustainability. * Local Processing: One of the critical innovations is the focus on local processing of reclaimed wood. By reducing the distance wood travels—often from thousands of miles to just 20 miles—Cambium minimizes carbon emissions associated with transportation. * Circular Economy: Cambium emphasizes full circularity in its operations. The company not only aims to reuse wood but also reinvests in new tree planting initiatives, ensuring that the cycle of sustainability continues. Cambium has achieved several significant milestones since its inception, including a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised $18,000 by selling cutting boards made from reclaimed wood. The company has also received grants to explore the potential of urban wood waste and has begun processing millions of board feet of material from waste streams. Looking ahead, Cambium plans to scale its operations nationally, focusing on expanding its supply chains and enhancing its technology platform. Ben emphasizes the importance of internal processes and effective communication as the company grows, ensuring that they can maintain high standards of sustainability and efficiency. To learn more about Cambium, visit https://cambiumcarbon.com/. Get full access to Climate Capital at climatecap.substack.com/subscribe

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