SOSV Climate Tech Podcast

In this discussion from SOSV 's 2024 EarthDay+ sessions (Apr 22-26, 2024), Bret Kugelmass, the CEO and co-founder of the nuclear fission startup Last Energy , which focuses on developing small nuclear reactors, talks about: The potential of nuclear power to provide abundant, inexpensive energy with minimal environmental impact. Kugelmass emphasizes nuclear energy's efficiency and reduced environme...

In this panel discussion from SOSV 's 2024 EarthDay+ sessions (Apr 22-26, 2024) moderated by Dr. Pae Wu of IndieBio and SOSV, corporate venture capitalists Brandon Middaugh from Microsoft's Climate Innovation Fund, Taehong Huh from GS Futures, and Aditya Sharma from Honda Innovations discussed their strategies for investing in climate tech startups. They emphasize the importance of early engagemen...

In this panel discussion from SOSV 's 2024 EarthDay+ sessions (Apr 22-26, 2024) focused on measuring and attributing climate impact and moderated by Hampus Jakobsson of Pale Blue Dot, investors from various climate tech-focused funds discussed the importance of impact measurement in startups and investment decisions. The challenges and methodologies of impact assessment. The role of legislation in...

In this panel discussion from SOSV 's 2024 EarthDay+ sessions (Apr 22-26, 2024) moderated by Tim De Chant, Senior Climate Reporter at TechCrunch, panelists Christina Karapataki from Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Shuo Yang from Lowercarbon Capital, and Duncan Turner from HAX and SOSV discussed the current state and future of climate tech venture capital. The challenges and opportunities in the sect...

In this discussion from SOSV 's 2024 EarthDay+ sessions (Apr 22-26, 2024), Andrew Ponec, Co-founder and CEO of Antora Energy , discusses with Casey Crownhart, Climate Reporter at MIT Technology Review, the challenges and innovations in industrial heating. Antora Energy is electrifying heavy industry with thermal energy storage and raised over 200 million dollars in funding. Ponec explains that ind...

In this panel discussion from SOSV 's 2024 EarthDay+ sessions (Apr 22-26, 2024) moderated by Dr. Sabriya Stukes, Chief Scientific Officer at SOSV's IndieBio New York program, founders Beth Esponnette of unspun, Gilberto Loureiro of SMARTEX, and Onur Eren of GOZEN discussed innovative approaches to sustainable fashion. The conversation focused on leveraging technology to reduce waste and emissions...

In this discussion from SOSV's 2024 EarthDay+ sessions (Apr 22-26, 2024), the CEO and co-founder of Form Energy, Mateo Jaramillo, talks about: Form Energy's advancements in energy storage, with their unique iron-air battery technology designed for multi-day energy storage, which is more cost-effective and durable than traditional lithium-ion batteries. How this technology supports the integration...

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), the founders of Span and Quilt talk about the electrification of homes. Span has developed a smart panel that helps homeowners integrate new devices and manage their electricity use. Quilt is building an aesthetically pleasing residential electric heating and cooling system. They discuss the challenges of expanding the g...

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three startup founders discuss the importance of climate data and measurement. Pano AI developed a solution for active wildfire detection using cameras and satellite feeds. Kayrros use of satellite imagery to provide independent data for financial institutions, insurance companies, and government regulatory bodies. Gaia...

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three scientists working at notable venture funds: Clea Kolster, Partner and Head of Science at Lowercarbon, Ken Caldeira, Senior Scientist at Breakthrough Energy and Susan Schofer, Partner and Chief Science Officer at SOSV’s HAX program, discuss the importance of having Phd scientists on venture capital teams and how th...

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), we feature three speakers: Rob Leclerc, Founding Partner at AgFunder, Kate Danaher, Managing Director at S2G Ventures Ocean Fund, and Greg Smithies, Partner at Fifth Wall. They discuss the benefits and challenges of raising funds from category-specific climate tech firms. They also talk about the most exciting spaces in...

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), two analysts and an analyst-turned-VC discuss the need for innovative solutions in sectors such as renewable power, transportation, and hard-to-abate industries. They also discuss the potential for growth in climate tech and the importance of research and funding in driving progress. They highlight emerging segments such...

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), we feature Iceland’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, and David Helgason, co-founder and former CEO of software unicorn Unity, and the founder of a climate-focused venture capital firm called Transition and an initiative called Transition Labs. They discuss Iceland's potential as a hub for carbon re...

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), four investors discuss the importance of early stage funding and the need for startups to show traction and progress. They also highlight the potential of untapped sectors such as cement and agriculture in driving climate tech innovation. The conversation touches on the role of government regulation and incentives in sup...

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023),  Three founders of AgTech startups discuss their innovative solutions in the fields of climate resilient crops, bio fertilizer, and water harvesting. Brendan from Avalo explains how machine learning is used to identify desirable traits in plant genomes. Franco from Puna Bio discusses the use of extreme microbes to create...

In this interview from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), Dr. Gaurab Chakrabarti, Co-founder and CEO of Solugen, a company specializing in sustainable chemicals, is interviewed by Dr. John Cumbers, Founder and CEO of SynBioBeta. They discuss Solugen’s progress in fundraising and building infrastructure, as well as its focus on developing climate-neutral and climate-negative chem...

In this panel from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three experts discuss the future of meat and the challenges faced by the cultivated meat industry. Eric from Upside Foods emphasizes the need for access to public funds and international harmonization of regulatory policies. Deniz from Prolific talks about the importance of reducing costs and increasing yields in order to com...

In this panel from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three corporate investors, from Toyota Ventures, Solvay Ventures and ADM Ventures discuss their mandates as investors in the climate space and how they prioritize investments. Toyota Ventures looks at technologies and solutions for emissions reduction, removal, and adaptation to support Toyota's efforts in achieving carbon ne...

In this panel from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), four investors based in emerging markets discuss the importance of the global south in addressing climate change and the opportunities for climate tech in their respective regions. Marie from Wavemaker emphasizes the need for startups to drive adoption and change behavior, while James from Africa Climate Ventures highlights A...

In this panel from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three founders of platforms promoting careers in climate discuss the misconception that climate jobs are only for scientists and activists and emphasize that climate jobs can be found in various industries. They also highlight the need for more skilled workers in the clean economy and the importance of building a talent pipel...

In this panel from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), the founders of three startups discuss the challenges and potential of the hydrogen value chain, particularly in terms of green hydrogen production. They highlight the importance of renewable electricity in producing truly green hydrogen and the need for collaboration and support from governments and policymakers. They also d...

In this panel from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three founders of startups involved in long-duration energy storage discuss the importance of such technologies in the changing grid and the need for new ways to store energy. Each speaker explains their company's technology and how it fits into the energy system. They also discuss the challenges they have faced in funding th...

In this panel from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three startup founders discuss the industrial sector's focus on reducing carbon emissions and the challenges they face. Their technologies cover alternatives to various materials, and approaches to reduce energy consumption in the chemical industry and for the production of industrial heat. They also discuss the investment la...

In this panel from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three founders of startups building small nuclear reactors discuss the development of advanced nuclear technologies and their potential in the energy landscape. They highlight the shift in business models, the need for private investment, and the importance of addressing safety concerns. The speakers express optimism about th...

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three startup founders discuss the importance of critical minerals in the energy transition and how their companies are working to secure access to these minerals. One focuses on lithium extraction from brine, another on refining copper ore with electricity, and the last one on extracting minerals from the ocean floor. T...