Green Disruptors: Scaling the Future

Most people think their climate impact comes from things like driving an EV, installing solar panels, or reducing waste.But what if the biggest climate impact you have is hidden inside your retirement account?In this episode of Green Disruptors: Scaling the Future, Megan Kjar sits down with Ashwin Devnani, CTO and Chief Product Officer of Investiture, to explore one of the most overlooked levers in climate finance.In the United States alone, nearly $10 trillion sits in employer-sponsored retirement accounts like 401(k)s. Most employees set them up once and rarely revisit them — but those investments may be funding industries that contribute heavily to carbon emissions.Ashwin explains how Investiture is helping companies and employees understand the carbon footprint of their investment portfolios, and how simply reallocating a portion of those funds could unlock massive climate impact without sacrificing financial returns.They also discuss:Why retirement investments are often called “zombie money”The hidden climate footprint of 401(k) and 403(b) plansWhy service companies’ largest emissions may come from their investmentsHow companies and employees can influence retirement fund optionsThe opportunity to redirect even 10% of $10 trillion toward climate solutionsThe challenges startups face when disrupting large financial systemsThis conversation highlights an important truth: solving climate change isn’t always about new capital — sometimes it’s about moving the money that already exists.investature.com

In this episode of Green Disruptors, Megan Kjar sits down with Nick Casas, CEO of Uptime EV Charger, to talk about the realities of EV infrastructure deployment in a changing market.Nick shares how Uptime approaches enterprise EV charging rollouts, why the company focuses on transparency and education, and what it means to truly listen to customer needs instead of pushing one-size-fits-all solutions. He explains why EV deployment is far more complex than many assume, and how long-term thinking, strong execution, and the right team can create growth even during a slower and more uncertain market cycle.Megan and Nick also discuss some of the biggest challenges facing the EV sector right now, including power constraints, adoption bottlenecks, policy uncertainty, and the need for practical innovation. Nick highlights the company’s work around mobile charging, battery-backed systems, and hybrid solutions for businesses that do not own their facilities but still need to electrify operations.The conversation also explores how AI is being used inside the business to improve uptime, remote monitoring, customer communication, and decision-making across teams.And in true Green Disruptors fashion, the episode closes on a more personal note with a conversation about music, family, creativity, and the things that keep founders energized outside of work.This episode is for anyone interested in EV charging, fleet electrification, clean energy infrastructure, AI in operations, and what it takes to build resilient companies in the energy transition.

Buildings account for roughly 40% of global energy consumption and carbon emissions, yet one of the biggest drivers of that energy use remains largely invisible: HVAC systems.In this episode of Green Disruptors: Scaling the Future, host Megan Kjar sits down with Jim Metropoulos, founder of BlueBox Air, to unpack a problem that’s been hiding in plain sight for over a century — biofouling inside HVAC heat transfer coils.Jim shares how a background far outside traditional engineering led to an accidental but powerful breakthrough: a patented, enzyme-based process that cleans and automates HVAC systems from the inside out — without chemicals, shutdowns, or disruption. The result?30–50% efficiency restoration in fouled systemsDramatically lower energy costs and peak load demandImproved indoor air qualityFast ROI that often pays back in under a yearFrom hospitals and high-rise buildings to data centers powering AI, this conversation reveals why HVAC is the foundation of the modern world — and why solving this one choke point could meaningfully impact global energy use and emissions at scale.This episode isn’t about moral arguments or sustainability buzzwords. It’s about performance, economics, and systems that finally work the way they were supposed to.

What does it take to scale a clean energy company without losing focus, culture, or profitability?In this episode of Green Disruptors, host Megan Kjar sits down with Lev Buslovich, President of Apadana Energy, to explore leadership lessons behind sustainable growth in clean energy.Lev shares his remarkable personal story—from growing up as a refugee to leading a rapidly scaling energy company—and breaks down the leadership principles that helped Apadana double year over year.Topics include:Why focus is critical for scalingEngineering-driven growth vs. custom chaosBuilding teams around strengthsSystems, process, and leadership in clean energyIf you’re a founder, operator, or energy professional thinking about scale, this conversation is for you.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of energy.

The conversation with Dave Harper delves into the intersection of renewable energy, indigenous sovereignty, and cultural preservation. It highlights the challenges faced by tribal communities in the development of renewable energy projects and the importance of trust, dignity, and collaboration in this space. Dave's vision for Haraav Energy focuses on uplifting tribal communities and promoting sustainable development.TakeawaysRenewable energy and indigenous sovereignty can be in partnershipCultural preservation and historical trauma are important aspects of renewable energy projectsChapters00:00 Introduction to Dave's Background07:06 Collaboration and Funding Challenges27:21 Vision for Haraav Energy

In this episode of Green Disruptors, host Megan Kjar sits down with Tim Raines, a climate tech commercialization advisor specializing in SBIR funding and go-to-market strategy.Tim shares what separates successful SBIR applicants from those that stall out—and why technical excellence alone isn’t enough. From customer discovery and value propositions to sales, marketing, and founder mindset, this conversation unpacks what it really takes to bring climate technologies out of the lab and into the market.If you’re a climate tech founder navigating grants, funding uncertainty, or commercialization challenges, this episode offers practical insight and hard-earned lessons from the field.

The clean energy transition isn’t just about building more solar and wind — it’s about making the power grid smart enough to handle them.In this episode of Green Disruptors, host Megan Kjar sits down with Dan Travers, co-founder of Open Climate Fix, to explore how AI-powered forecasting is transforming the way electricity grids operate.Dan shares:• How outdated grid systems struggle with renewable variability• Why forecasting errors cost utilities millions• How open-source AI tools reduce risk for grid operators• The surprising role data plays in accelerating (or slowing) the energy transition• Why the future of clean energy must be both mission-driven and commercially viableThis conversation is a must-watch for anyone working in climate tech, energy markets, utilities, or AI — or anyone curious about how the energy transition actually works behind the scenes.👉 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of clean energy.

What if you could benefit from solar energy — without installing panels, investing upfront, or taking on risk?In this episode, Megan Kjar sits down with Jason Kaplan, President of PowerMarket, to explore how community solar is unlocking clean energy savings for renters, apartment dwellers, and businesses across the United States.PowerMarket manages over 1 gigawatt of community solar projects and partners with municipalities and nonprofits to bridge the trust gap that often slows adoption.They discuss:How community solar worksWho qualifiesWhy skepticism exists — and how to overcome itThe political dynamics shaping renewable energyThe coming shifts in 2026 and beyondWhy staying cashflow positive in a volatile industry mattersCommunity solar may be one of the most accessible energy solutions available today — and most people don’t even know it exists.Learn more at: powermarket.io

What if inspecting a wind turbine or solar farm was as simple as pressing a button?In this episode of Green Disruptors, Megan sits down with Itai, Chief Revenue Officer at VHive, to explore how AI-powered digital twins are transforming infrastructure management across wind and solar energy.VHive enables energy companies to use off-the-shelf drones to autonomously scan assets, analyze performance, and generate actionable insights — without scheduling third-party inspection crews. The result? Faster inspections, lower operational friction, and a scalable path forward for renewable asset owners.We discuss:What a true “digital twin” actually meansDIY drone inspections for wind turbinesCoordinated multi-drone deployments for large solar farmsOperational efficiency vs. traditional inspection modelsScaling an energy vertical inside a high-growth startup100%+ year-over-year growth goals for 2026If you’re in renewable energy, asset management, infrastructure tech, or climate innovation — this episode is packed with insight.Subscribe for more conversations with leaders scaling clean energy.

How do we make sure more capital flows to the right climate solutions?In this episode of Green Disruptors: Scaling the Future, Megan Kjar sits down with Noah Miller, co-founder of Rho Impact, a climate advisory and software company helping investors, consultants, and capital allocators forecast the real impact of emerging climate technologies.With 2050 net-zero commitments looming and ESG under political scrutiny, the need for structured, defensible, and actionable climate data has never been more urgent.Noah shares:• The origin story of Rho Impact• How the Crane tool evolved into their flagship platform, Koi• Why better data transforms strategy into action• How climate funds evaluate “thousands of things we could invest in”• What’s driving growth and partnership momentum heading into 2026• The cultural realities of scaling a distributed climate company• And why Koi might just be the “Iron Man suit” for climate investorsIf you’re a climate founder, investor, consultant, or capital allocator trying to navigate complex impact claims and allocation commitments — this episode delivers clarity.🔗 Learn more about Rho Impact: https://koi.eco🎙 Hosted by Megan Kjar🌎 Green Disruptors: Scaling the Future

The conversation with Darrell Liski, co-founder of EnBioorganic Technologies, explores the challenges and opportunities in the adoption of biological solutions for environmental problems. It delves into the unique bio-organic treatment system developed by EBioorganic Technologies and the scalability and affordability of the solution. The discussion also covers the go-to-market strategy, overcoming bottlenecks, and the challenges in outreach and adoption.TakeawaysBiological solutions for environmental problemsChallenges in the adoption of biotech solutionsChapters00:00 Introduction to EnBioorganic Technologies06:06 The Unique Solution11:00 Scalability and Affordability18:01 Overcoming Bottlenecks23:02 Outreach and Adoption Challenges

In this episode of Green Disruptors, host Megan Kjar sits down with Jeff Cohen, Head of Sales at Cambium, a pioneering climate-tech company redefining how we value wood. Cambium’s mission is simple but powerful: transform fallen or removed trees into Carbon Smart Wood — durable, traceable lumber that keeps carbon locked away instead of sending it into the atmosphere. Jeff shares how Cambium’s tech platform connects arborists, sawmills, and furniture makers into a circular ecosystem — reducing waste, promoting transparency, and creating scalable climate impact. From “Uber for logs” to redefining reclaimed materials, this is a story of how data and design are transforming the lumber industry for good. 🎧 Learn how Cambium is changing the way we build — one salvaged tree at a time.

In this episode of Green Disruptors, host Megan Kjar speaks with Henk Mooiweer, co-founder of Grass Roots Carbon, a Texas-based company helping businesses like Microsoft and Nestlé meet their climate goals by investing in regenerative ranching. Henk explains how mimicking natural grazing patterns can restore grassland ecosystems, boost soil health, and store massive amounts of carbon underground. He also discusses how Grassroots Carbon bridges the gap between corporations seeking high-quality carbon credits and ranchers ready to transform their land management practices. If you’ve ever wondered how nature-based carbon removal actually works—or how the soil beneath our feet could help fight climate change—this episode will open your eyes to a powerful, proven solution.

In this episode of Green Disruptors, host Megan Kjar sits down with Chris Gray, CEO of EcoSmart Solution, to talk about how simplicity, scalability, and strategy are driving the next generation of sustainable real estate. Chris shares how his background—from HVAC technician to PhD in sustainability—led him to merge engineering, construction, and financing expertise into one powerful mission: making energy efficiency accessible and affordable for all. They discuss the challenges of scaling sustainability, the financial realities shaping the market, and how turnkey geothermal and retrofit systems are changing the game for developers and property owners alike. Whether you’re in real estate, energy, or just passionate about practical sustainability, this episode is packed with insights on how to make the green transition actually work. 🎧 Listen now and discover how EcoSmart is building the future—one efficient property at a time.

What if the most powerful cleaner didn’t come from a bottle of chemicals — but from water, oxygen, and electricity? In this episode of Green Disruptors, host Megan Kjar sits down with Michael K. Webb, Strategic Partner at CleanCore Solutions, a sustainability company based in Omaha, Nebraska that’s revolutionizing cleaning with patented aqueous ozone technology. Their system creates a non-toxic, on-demand cleaning solution that’s already being adopted by industries like childcare, pet care, hospitality, and large-scale service contractors — delivering up to 25–30% cost savings, faster cleaning times, and safer environments for people and animals. We discuss: ✅ Why ozone cleaning has been overlooked — until now ✅ How CleanCore makes it effective for 4–8 hours using nano-bubbles ✅ The cost, safety, and scalability advantages for businesses ✅ Why skepticism is their biggest challenge — and how they’re overcoming it ✅ Residential use cases (including fruit/veggie cleaning, sinks & surfaces) ✅ Landing their largest contract and scaling across industry verticals Whether you’re in sustainability, operations, product innovation, or simply curious about non-toxic living — this episode delivers a powerful look at how clean tech is scaling behind the scenes.

In this episode of Green Disruptors, host Megan Kjar sits down with Chris Gray, CEO of EcoSmart Solution, to talk about how simplicity, scalability, and strategy are driving the next generation of sustainable real estate. Chris shares how his background—from HVAC technician to PhD in sustainability—led him to merge engineering, construction, and financing expertise into one powerful mission: making energy efficiency accessible and affordable for all. They discuss the challenges of scaling sustainability, the financial realities shaping the market, and how turnkey geothermal and retrofit systems are changing the game for developers and property owners alike. Whether you’re in real estate, energy, or just passionate about practical sustainability, this episode is packed with insights on how to make the green transition actually work. 🎧 Listen now and discover how EcoSmart is building the future—one efficient property at a time.

In this episode of Green Disruptors, host Megan Kjar sits down with Dave Wells, VP at NLINE Energy, to explore how micro steam turbines are transforming wasted pressure into renewable electricity — without burning additional fuel. With 30 years in the energy industry and a track record in successful startups like EnerNOC, Dave explains how NLINE is scaling a technology that can generate up to 2 million+ kWh per year per unit by simply bypassing existing pressure reduction valves in high-pressure steam systems. We cover: ✅ The origin story behind NLINE’s breakthrough ✅ How thermal energy recovery works (in real-world terms) ✅ Why hospitals, universities, lumber mills, and paper manufacturers are prime candidates ✅ Payback timelines and financial impact ✅ Go-to-market strategy and the importance of awareness ✅ The scalability of a turbine that literally fits through a standard boiler room door If you’re working in industrial sustainability, energy efficiency, or decarbonization strategy — this one’s a must-listen.

How do companies — from two-person startups to global giants — navigate the chaos of sustainability, regulatory shifts, and volatile energy markets? In this episode, Eco-Engineers President Brad Pleima breaks down how his firm helps organizations understand the carbon markets, calculate lifecycle emissions, monetize sustainability through credits, and move from uncertainty to opportunity. We discuss: ✅ Why market downturns are NOT a reason to pause climate progress ✅ How carbon credits and regulatory programs drive innovation ✅ Why small, consistent actions beat “all or nothing” sustainability thinking ✅ What types of companies are taking bold first steps — and winning ✅ The mindset required to endure long-term sustainability cycles If you’re building, investing in, or advising within the clean energy transition, this conversation offers clarity, strategy, and encouragement for the long haul. 🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of sustainable innovation.

In this episode of Green Disruptors, host Megan Kjar sits down with Brian Riordan, CEO and Co-Founder of Avalanche Fusion, a Washington-based company pioneering compact fusion energy. Brian shares how his unconventional background in ocean engineering and team-building led him to tackle one of the toughest challenges in energy: harnessing the power of the stars here on Earth. Together, they unpack the difference between fission and fusion, explore how Avalanche’s small-scale approach could revolutionize industries from shipping to defense, and discuss what it takes to innovate at the edge of science with optimism, grit, and a good sense of humor. 💡 Learn more at avalanchefusion.com

What if waste was the starting point for innovation? In this episode of Green Disruptors, host Megan Kjar sits down with Connor, co-founder of Rubbish Ideas, to unpack how circular economy thinking is transforming the events industry — and beyond. Connor shares his journey from growing up with sustainability in his DNA to building tools like the Rubbish Portal, a waste and carbon accountancy software now used across Europe. Together, they explore the nuance behind “good” and “bad” materials, why top-down change is just as vital as personal responsibility, and how imperfect environmentalism can still create perfect momentum. 🎧 Tune in for fresh ideas on sustainability communication, system-level innovation, and practical paths toward a cleaner future.