Climate CEOs

Learn how Amanda Hall and Summit Nanotech use nanotechnology to cut lithium production from 18 months to 1 day while raising $72M to accelerate the EV revolution. ⭐ My guest today is Amanda Hall , Founder and CEO of Summit Nanotech , which supports the electric vehicle revolution by capturing lithium ion in brine using nanotechnology.  In their unique process, they shorten the average industry ra...

Discover how EIF invests $3–10M in post-revenue climate and sustainability companies, building trust with CEOs over years and backing market-ready startups like EV Connect and ZepSolar. ⭐ My guests today are Devin Whatley , Managing Partner, and cofounder, and Geoffrey Eisenberg , Partner, at Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF) . EIF is a long-time VC investor in renewable energy, distributed energy,...

Shawn Lesser, Cofounder of The Real, shares how burnout, depression, and identity tied to business shaped his journey and inspired a platform helping entrepreneurs find purpose through shared challenges. ⭐ My guest today is Shawn Lesser , Cofounder of The Real (current role) and Cofounder of Big Path Capital (prior role). The Real is helping entrepreneurs deal with burnout and depression by conne...

Chris shares key takeaways from coaching over 100 climate tech CEOs, highlighting leadership, decision-making, and scaling insights for impact-driven founders. ⭐ In today’s super short episode, I share parts of a white paper I recently wrote called “10 Lessons I’ve Learned from Coaching 100+ Climate CEOs.”  The rest of the white paper is available for free on my website at www.entrepreneursforimp...

Matt LeDucq explains how Forum Mobility provides zero-emission trucks and charging via a subscription model, tackling port emissions while scaling with venture capital and strategic partnerships. ⭐ My guest today is Matt LeDucq , Cofounder and CEO of Forum Mobility . Forum Mobility is tackling greenhouse gas emissions at California’s largest ports as well as local air pollution causing asthma and...

Ryan Jeffery explains why real climate tech investors act now, how gener8tor picks 5 startups from 500, and lessons from scaling impact-focused ventures globally. ⭐ My guest today is Ryan Jeffery , the Senior Managing Director for gener8tor Sustainability , a leading accelerator investing and supporting startups at the forefront of our climate crisis. They invest $100k in startups in their 12-wee...

Five climate tech leaders share the daily habits, personal wisdom, and book recommendations that keep them focused, healthy, and thriving while scaling impact-driven companies. ⭐ In today’s episode, instead of talking about business and finance, we will concentrate on the people side of growing a climate tech business. We’ll listen to five CEOs talk about advice they'd give their younger self...

Learn how Eion is using olivine and existing farm infrastructure to permanently remove CO₂ at scale, backed by a $12M Series A. ⭐ My guest today is Adam Wolf , Founder and CEO of Eion . Eion is an enhanced rock weathering startup that works with farmers and ranchers to safely and permanently pull carbon out of the air. They use rock called olivine, which is the most abundant on Earth, and by 2026...

Discover how Mast Reforestation is combining project finance, a 130-year-old seed business, and long-term carbon credit integrity to bring back forests that can’t regrow on their own after wildfires. ⭐ My guest today is Grant Canary , Founder and CEO of Mast Reforestation . In addition, Grant is also a former: Maggot farmer (!) – that is, growing industrial-grade insect protein using food waste C...

Learn how WattBuy is helping homeowners access the cheapest clean energy with personalized plans, SaaS simplicity, and partnerships with Amazon, Redfin, Samsung, and more. ⭐ My guest today is Naman Trivedi , Cofounder and CEO of WattBuy . WattBuy helps homeowners find the best electricity, solar plans, and more – all at the lowest price. Using just a home’s address, they crunch the data to recomm...

Discover how DroneDeploy is transforming construction and infrastructure with digital twins, safer workflows, and AI-driven drone insights across 180 countries. ⭐ My guest today is Mike Winn , Founder and CEO of DroneDeploy . DroneDeploy is a software company harnessing drones to provide interior and exterior visual data – any altitude, any angle, all in one platform. They have raised over $140M...

Learn how Monta scaled to 170 employees in just 2 years, secured $60M from top climate investors, and is building the operating system unifying the global EV charging ecosystem. ⭐ My guest today is Casper Rasmussen , co-founder and CEO of Monta . Monta is “the operating platform powering the EV ecosystem serving drivers, companies, cities, and the electricity grid with one integrated software sol...

Discover how Budderfly raised over $500M to deliver no-upfront-cost energy upgrades—HVAC, lighting, refrigeration—while slashing bills and carbon footprints for businesses nationwide. ⭐ My guest today is Al Subbloie , Founder and CEO of Budderfly , a business that provides 100% of the upfront capital needed to give businesses premium, high-efficiency HVAC, refrigeration, LED lights, and more to r...

Learn how Jacqueline van den Ende built Carbon Equity into a $125M platform mobilizing retail capital for climate tech VC & PE funds—unlocking the power of “mass affluent” investors for the planet. ⭐ My guest today is Jacqueline van den Ende , Co-founder & CEO at Carbon Equity , a fintech platform that seeks to power the world's most impactful climate technology solutions with retail...

Discover how Dr. Murray Collins and Space Intelligence use satellites, LIDAR, and decades of tropical ecology expertise to protect rainforests, measure carbon, and help giants like Apple hit net zero. ⭐ My guest today is Dr. Murray Collins , Cofounder and CEO of Space Intelligence , a world-leading nature data provider for Nature Based Solutions, such as the protection of tropical forests to pres...

Learn how Matt Maroon and C-Motive are reinventing motors with electrostatic tech—90% efficiency, $100B market impact, and the potential to slash half of global electricity use. ⭐ My guest today is Matt Maroon , CEO of C-Motive Technologies . He is a six-time veteran of cleantech startups – developing and selling new technologies, from advanced batteries to energy-optimizing artificial intelligen...

Discover how Loren Burnett and Prometheus Materials are using algae-inspired biomimicry to reinvent cement, slash gigaton-scale CO₂, and win backing from Microsoft. ⭐ My guest today is Loren Burnett , Cofounder and CEO of Prometheus Materials . Inspired by the composition of coral and seashells, Prometheus Materials combines microalgae with other natural components to form an ultra low-carbon bio...

Learn how John Tough and Energize Ventures deploy $1.2B into climate software, using a PMTEDI framework, megatrend theses, and 200+ biographies for sharper investment bets. ⭐ My guest today is John Tough , Managing Partner at Energize Ventures . Energize Ventures is a leading climate software investor that manages $1.2 Billion across two strategies: venture capital and growth equity.  In addition...

Discover how Trina Chiasson and Ovipost scale alternative proteins with automated insect farming, crickets as the “gateway bug,” and a winding founder journey from tech to entomology. ⭐ My guest today is ⁠Trina Chiasson⁠ , Founder and CEO of ⁠Ovipost⁠ , a VC-backed insect protein company creating automation hardware and software in order to scale alternative proteins. Previously, Trina co-founded...

Learn how Geir Robstad and Heaten are replacing fossil fuels in heavy industry with high-temp heat pumps, unlocking gigaton-scale GHG reductions and cheaper clean process heat. ⭐ My guest today is ⁠⁠Geir Robstad⁠⁠ , Cofounder of ⁠⁠Heaten⁠⁠ , a very high-temperature heat pump that can achieve 200°C process temperature at low costs while being completely independent of fossil fuels. They are backed...

Dr. Sarah Richardson shares how MicroByre is “taming germs” to unlock scalable biomanufacturing, replacing petrochemicals with lawn clippings—backed by Prime Impact, MCJ Collective, and Earthshot Ventures. ⭐ My guest today is Sarah Richardson , co-founder and CEO of MicroByre . MicroByre makes pets out of bacteria. They domesticate naturally occurring bacteria and introduce them to industry. They...

Bryan Hassin shares how DexMat is turning carbon into high-performance nanomaterials targeting gigaton-scale GHG reduction—backed by his $350M+ exits, Third Derivative experience, and $20M in non-dilutive funding. ⭐ My guest today is Bryan Hassin , CEO of DexMat, a next-gen climate tech materials company that transforms carbon from an expensive environmental problem into high-value, high-performa...

Nick Flores unpacks how Caprock helps 299 families invest $8B with impact intentionality, select top fund managers, and prove that purpose-driven portfolios don’t mean below-market returns. ⭐ My guest today is Nick Flores , Managing Director at Caprock , a multi-family office and founding B Corporation with $8B of assets under advisement and a rigorous approach to impact investing. In addition, N...

Jeff Erhardt shares how Mattiq is harnessing AI and electrochemistry to screen one trillion materials, accelerate cleaner fuels and chemicals, and scale breakthroughs through joint ventures with major energy and chemical players. ⭐ My guest today is Jeff Erhardt , CEO of Mattiq . Mattiq is a materials discovery startup delivering innovative electrochemical solutions to decarbonize the fundamental...