Move Fast & Fix the Planet

Join Bedy Yang, managing partner at 500 Global, as she dives into the world of evaluating and investing in startups in the climate and sustainability space. Hear what she has to say about the scalability of ideas, the credibility of founders, and the importance of measuring impact. Hosted by Mike Lepech, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford’s School of Engineering.

Venture capitalist Sailesh Ramakrishnan, co-founder and managing partner at Rocketship VC, delves into the data-driven approach of Rocketship VC in identifying and investing in climate and sustainability startups. Learn about the challenges, opportunities, and innovative solutions in the realm of AI, venture capital, and sustainable innovation. Hosted by Mike Lepech, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford’s School of Engineering.

Juliet Rothenberg, lead product manager for Google's climate AI initiatives, shares how AI is revolutionizing climate solutions, from optimizing traffic lights to providing flood forecasting alerts for 80 countries. She also discusses the role of a product manager when the planet is one of your key stakeholders. Hosted by Mike Lepech, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford’s School of Engineering.

Dan Dorosin, a partner at the law firm Fenwick & West, Discusses the unique legal and policy challenges faced by climate and sustainability startups, from navigating the intricacies of the Inflation Reduction Act to addressing funding complexities influenced by changing legislation. Gain insights into startup financing, law and policy implications, and the evolving landscape of climate tech entrepreneurship. Hosted by Mike Lepech, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford’s School of Engineering.

Arvind Gupta was a genetic engineering major-turned-trader, became a design director at IDEO, founded the startup developer IndieBio, and is now a partner at Mayfield focused on human and planetary health. His mission is to invest in science-based companies that could change history. Learn what he thinks are the unique dynamics of venture capital funding for these companies, and hear his advice on building successful businesses in the climate and sustainability space. Hosted by Mike Lepech, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford’s School of Engineering.

Patrick Flynn, a leader in climate action, discusses the essentials of transformative climate leadership in organizations, drawing on his seven years as head of global sustainability for Salesforce as well as extensive experience advising organizations. He shares how big companies can leverage their purchasing power, the need for bold action, and why he thinks climate and sustainability is a good career path. Hosted by Mike Lepech, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford’s School of Engineering.

Technology can help solve our sustainability challenges, but partnership across sectors is required to implement solutions at scale.Our first episode features Emily Ma, head of special projects in sustainability, real estate, and workplace services at Google. Delve into Emily's journey as an intrapreneur focusing on sustainability within Google's internal operations, particularly in the realm of food systems. Learn about the unique opportunities and obstacles she’s encountered in building a more sustainable future. Gain insights into the entrepreneurial mindset, the intersection of technology and agriculture, and the importance of holistic approaches in addressing global challenges. Hosted by Mike Lepech, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford’s School of Engineering.