Climate Avengers

10: From Seed To Success

On Today's Episode: In today's climate-conscious landscape, addressing global climate change is not just a mission but an urgent necessity. Paul Straub, through Wireframe Ventures, is actively confronting this issue. He's channeling investments into early-stage companies focusing on technologies that can both mitigate and adapt to the challenges of climate change. This includes novel solutions for decarbonizing our economy, helping societies acclimatize to shifting climates, and actively pulling carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. By offering seed funding, mentoring, fostering industry connections, and aiding in recruitment, Paul is ensuring these startups are primed for success. Paul Straub is the Managing Director of Wireframe Ventures and has positioned himself at the forefront of the fight against climate change. A seasoned investor, Paul is leveraging his expertise by focusing on "climate tech" — a term he stresses is more of a broad theme than a restricted sector. Drawing parallels between the emergence of the internet in the 90s and today's climate tech, he believes these innovations will soon permeate every aspect of society. Paul champions a collaborative approach, partnering closely with founders, guiding them through the complex world of startups, and introducing them to invaluable networks and potential clients. The conversation with Paul offers invaluable insights into the world of climate tech investing. Addressing the challenges and opportunities in the sector, he discusses the long timelines associated with climate tech development, often spanning a decade or more. This underscores the importance of perseverance, mission-driven resilience, and adaptability. In a market that's rapidly evolving, Paul emphasizes the need to build sustainable businesses underpinned by robust performance metrics and not just fleeting hype. His comparison of the burgeoning climate tech industry to the internet's nascence in the 90s is particularly evocative, suggesting not just its potential impact, but its inevitable integration into the fabric of society. The Climate Avengers is a Resource Labs Podcast Network production [https://resourcelabs.co/podcast-network/]. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and startup advice at www.REsource.co [https://www.resourcelabs.co/]. You can connect with me, Elena Foukes, on: Twitter - https://twitter.com/elenascs [https://twitter.com/elenascs] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenafoukes/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenafoukes/]

09: Sailing the Jetstream: Tommy Leep's Vision for Sustainable Startups

On Today's Episode: Tune in to an enlightening dialogue with Elena Foukes as she hosts Tommy Leep, the visionary founding partner of Jetstream. This climate tech fund is dedicated to supporting software startups that are shaping our sustainable economy. You'll learn about Tommy's extensive background in tech and venture capital, and his transition into the climate tech sphere. He shares insights about the critical role of climate change and how it necessitated a shift in his investment strategy to empower burgeoning enterprises in the climate tech industry. Tommy also explores the key technological advancements propelling climate tech: the spread of sensor technology, the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in data analysis, and the drop in the cost of robotics. Discover fascinating real-world applications of AI in the climate tech sector, such as AI-powered analysis of satellite imagery for carbon emissions tracking, and the use of computer vision in refining recycling processes. Lastly, Tommy delves into the potential held by the convergence of software and climate tech, emphasizing its significance for investors and the future of our planet. The Climate Avengers is a Resource Labs Podcast Network production [https://resourcelabs.co/podcast-network/]. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and startup advice at www.REsource.co [https://www.resourcelabs.co/]. You can connect with me, Elena Foukes, on: Twitter - https://twitter.com/elenascs [https://twitter.com/elenascs] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenafoukes/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenafoukes/]

08: From Baggage Handler to Climate Tech CEO: Devin Hampton is Unlocking Utility Data at UtilityAPI

On Today's Episode: In this special episode, our Executive Producer, Nico Johnson, takes the helm as a guest host. The conversation is with Devin Hampton, CEO of UtilityAPI, a service transforming the energy industry by making utility customer bill and interval data accessible & useful. Devin explains the complexities of developing a platform that ensures safe and secure data sharing among various energy stakeholders, as well as what it was like becoming the CEO of a revenue-positive climate tech startup and taking it through the next round of funding. Devin and Nico discuss many elements of his coming of age as a climate tech executive, not the least of which is the experience of leading a funding round, particularly as a person of color, during this recent economic downturn.  His perspectives are insightful, emphasizing how he specifically defines 'impact' and the importance of selecting the right investors for scaling any business. Devin is transparent about his personal experiences, shedding light on the unique challenges and victories he's navigated. Among the many gems shared, one especially bright moment is how he helped unlock additional equity earmarked specifically for diverse new talent, with a vision to help them participate in the wealth-creation that tech startups can often create for early shareholders.  He also discusses his top picks for climate tech investments right now, giving us all a few more climate tech leaders and companies to add to our Twitter feeds! The Climate Avengers is a Resource Labs Podcast Network production [https://resourcelabs.co/podcast-network/]. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and startup advice at www.REsource.co [https://www.resourcelabs.co/]. You can connect with me, Elena Foukes, on: Twitter - https://twitter.com/elenascs [https://twitter.com/elenascs] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenafoukes/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenafoukes/]

07: Turning the Tide on Water Tech: Christine Boyle, Valor Water and Burnt Island Ventures

On Today's Episode: Christine Boyle, Partner at Burnt Island Ventures Founder and CEO of Valor Water, a venture backed water tech/data company that exited after 5 years to a big corporate.  We discuss: * Hacking procurement timelines were part of the entrepreneurial journey * Water is more than utilities, ag, data centers,  * Become an insider in the sector, conference circuit and joining groups/orgs/committtees * Raising capital in the utility space * What it’s like to get acquired * Imagine H2O [https://www.imagineh2o.org/] - https://www.imagineh2o.org/ [https://www.imagineh2o.org/] * Don’t be a jerk  - even when you’re stressed or anxious * Life in China * Dam removal & water use for the Klamath River * What Burnt Island Ventures is looking for in potential portfolio companies * 2 consumer water technologies that you can get NOW: * Spout [https://www.spoutwater.com/] - Getting water from air on your countertop - https://www.spoutwater.com/ [https://www.spoutwater.com/] * Beagle [https://www.beagleservices.com/] - Water security and plumbing - https://www.beagleservices.com/ [https://www.beagleservices.com/] Join us to learn more about exiting the world of water tech. The Climate Avengers is a Resource Labs Podcast Network production [https://resourcelabs.co/podcast-network/]. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and startup advice at www.REsource.co [https://www.resourcelabs.co/]. You can connect with me, Elena Foukes, on: Twitter - https://twitter.com/elenascs [https://twitter.com/elenascs] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenafoukes/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenafoukes/]

06: Fast Founder Friendly Funding

On Today's Episode: This week we have the founders of Enduring Planet: Dimitry Gershenson, CEO Erin Davis, COO Enduring Planet offers revenue based and grant based debt to climatetech companies. VC funding is only one type of funding for a climate startup, and we extensively talk about the different funding available and the pros and cons of each type.  In this episode, we talk about: * Family and ruthless prioritization as founders, intentional culture * Venture vs grants vs debt * Diversity Equity Inclusion and Justice * The journey from international development to founding a US based startup As referenced in the episode, here are some resources that we can highlight around JEDI/gender lens investing: * Morgan Stanley: https://www.morganstanley.com/articles/gender-diversity [https://www.morganstanley.com/articles/gender-diversity] * CFA Institute: https://blogs.cfainstitute.org/investor/2021/02/23/beyond-intention-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-require-action/ [https://blogs.cfainstitute.org/investor/2021/02/23/beyond-intention-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-require-action/] * Kapor Capital's framework for Equity-lens investing: https://www.kaporcapital.com/how-we-invest/ [https://www.kaporcapital.com/how-we-invest/] * Calvert Capital: https://calvertimpact.org/resources/investing-with-a-gender-lens [https://calvertimpact.org/resources/investing-with-a-gender-lens] * 2X Global: https://www.2xglobal.org/new-to-gender-lens-investing [https://www.2xglobal.org/new-to-gender-lens-investing] * Mission Investors Exchange: https://missioninvestors.org/resources/examining-existing-and-potential-investments-racial-equity-lens [https://missioninvestors.org/resources/examining-existing-and-potential-investments-racial-equity-lens] The Climate Avengers is a Resource Labs Podcast Network production [https://resourcelabs.co/podcast-network/]. Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and startup advice at www.REsource.co [https://www.resourcelabs.co/]. You can connect with me, Elena Foukes, on: Twitter - https://twitter.com/elenascs [https://twitter.com/elenascs] LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenafoukes/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenafoukes/]