Climate CEOs: Scaling Startups

Here are today’s five topics on climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI for entrepreneurs, and mindfulness in leadership:1. CLIMATE DATAWhich cities have the most startup funding? 2. CEO TO KNOWToussaint Wattinne @ Upway — $60M for sustainable mobility3. INVESTOR SPOTLIGHTTim Krysiek @ Climate Technology Fund of MassMutual Ventures4. AI INSIGHTDon’t be scared: “100 million jobs erased by AI in the USA in 10 years.” 5. MINDFUL MOMENT“Don’t feel sorry for yourself. Only assholes do that.”--------Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet Our 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast ReviewNo sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Serial entrepreneurs, MIT professors, and climate tech experts share their blueprint for building startups in this new book.🎧 Episode SummaryTod Hynes is the Co-founder and CEO of Maigent, Board Chairman at Woodwell Climate Research Center, and Senior Lecturer at MIT.He has co-founded several organizations and companies and has raised over $500 million. He has also helped hundreds of teams of students launch their own climate and energy companies through the MIT Climate & Energy Ventures (CEV) class and MIT Climate & Energy Prize.Tod helped the Woodwell Climate Research Center raise matching funds and win a $41 million grant through the Audacious Project for their Permafrost Pathways Project. Only 18% of IPCC Earth Systems models include emissions from permafrost, which is like leaving out a Japan or even the U.S. worth of emissions. His newest venture, Maigent, leverages AI to accelerate climate solutions by turning us into super connectors to the right investors and partners needed for scale.I could try to summarize his other 44 “Experiences” on LinkedIn or how we have 364 mutual connections, but you get the idea!Learn more:MIT Course: https://www.climateandenergyventures.comNew Book Website: https://www.de4cev.comMaigent Website: https://maigent.aiWoodwell Website: https://www.woodwellclimate.orgBook coauthors include veteran entrepreneur Bill Aulet, climate tech expert Ben Soltoff, and the additional faculty behind MIT's Climate & Energy Ventures course, Francis O'Sullivan, and Libby Wayman.--------Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet Our 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast ReviewNo sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Tackling superpollutants, carbon insetting, digital carbon, and ESG strategy consulting before climate tech was cool.🎧 Episode SummaryClimeCo is an award-winning leader in decarbonization and an Inc. Best Workplaces Company. Since 2009, they have evolved from a pioneer in nitrous oxide abatement projects to a global leader in the environmental commodities market. Bill Flederbach is a Sustainability Hero Award Winner 2025, a former executive with MGM and AgCert, and an active member of the Rotary Club, implementing their four guiding principles across ClimeCo: Is it the truthIs it fair to all concernedWill it build goodwill and better friendshipsWill it be beneficial to all concerned🌎 Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com📨 Get Our 4-Minute NewsletterFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments—drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com/⭐ Leave a ReviewNo sponsors—just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews🎙️ About the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. Follow daily insights on climate tech startups and leadership on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Learn 5 quick insights in climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI for entrepreneurs, and mindfulness in leadership — straight from my Climate CEOs newsletter. Join 40,000 who get it. https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com

With 40 million electric bikes worldwide, we need Upway's marketplace to refurbish and resell them at scale. 🎧 Episode SummaryUpway is a marketplace for refurbished electric bikes in eight countries. Backed by $60M in VC funding, including household names like Sequoia, they’ve sold over 80,000 bikes across hundreds of OEMs at 40% discounts to new e-bikes.Toussaint brings almost a decade of experience from Uber in the EU before starting Upway. And simply listening to his rich French accent may increase your cool factor by 20 points. I know it did for me.🌎 Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com📨 Get Our 4-Minute NewsletterFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments—drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com/⭐ Leave a ReviewNo sponsors—just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews🎙️ About the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. Follow daily insights on climate tech startups and leadership on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Enjoy this brief primer on how to establish a board of advisors for your startup (or negotiate a seat on one). In our EFI climate CEO peer group, we have a growing library of these hot topic primers. To get more like this, join 40,000 who get my Climate CEOs newsletter. https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com

100,000 people joined 1,000 events in NYC last week for the Climate Week. In this 18-minute podcast, I summarize 16 highlights from my time there. If you like this, join 40,000 who get my Climate CEOs newsletter. https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com

Learn 5 quick insights in climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI for entrepreneurs, and mindfulness in leadership — straight from my Climate CEOs newsletter. Join 40,000 who get it. https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com(Shout out to Carbon Brief on the visual.)

Electric vehicles, charging, and support in one predictable monthly payment (4 million EV fleet vehicles by 2030).🎧 Episode Summary7Gen is a Vancouver-based company that helps commercial fleets transition to zero-emission vehicles by providing turnkey solutions for electrification. Their services include financing, procurement, charging infrastructure, and long-term support to simplify the switch from diesel to electric. By acting as both a technology integrator and capital partner, 7Gen accelerates adoption of clean transportation in North America.Frans is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with a track record in scaling sustainable businesses. He has led companies across sectors including renewable energy, transportation, and technology, with a consistent focus on impact and climate solutions. His career spans Europe and North America, giving him a global perspective on the future of clean mobility.🌎 Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com📨 Get Our 4-Minute NewsletterFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments—drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com/⭐ Leave a ReviewNo sponsors—just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews🎙️ About the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. Follow daily insights on climate tech startups and leadership on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Learn 5 quick insights in climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI for entrepreneurs, and mindfulness in leadership — straight from my Climate CEOs newsletter. Join 40,000 who get it. https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com

Mapping $1.9 Trillion in global climate finance. Who invests? Who gets the funding?🎧 Episode SummaryThe Climate Policy Initiative is a leading international nonprofit research organization focused on tracking and mobilizing climate finance.Dr. Barbara Buchner is the lead author of the annual Global Landscape of Climate Finance reports—widely regarded as the standard for climate finance tracking—and directs CPI’s Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance, which has helped mobilize multibillion‑dollar investment for sustainable development worldwide.🌎 Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com📨 Get Our 4-Minute NewsletterFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments—drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com/⭐ Leave a ReviewNo sponsors—just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews🎙️ About the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. Follow daily insights on climate tech startups and leadership on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Hear 5 themes from Sept. 10th EFI CEO & investor discussion on AI in climate tech in practice. Additionally, discover 7 ways AI is a climate champion, along with 14 example companies. (From my newsletter. Join 40,000 who get it. https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com)

Using robots and microfactories to build energy-efficient, affordable homes, resilient to natural disasters.🎧 Episode SummaryReframe Systems, led by CEO Vikas Enti, is a climate‑tech startup building compact, robotic micro‑factories that can construct climate‑resilient, net‑zero homes—specifically “missing‑middle” housing—significantly faster, cheaper, and with far lower carbon emissions than traditional methods. Having previously led robotics innovation at Amazon Robotics (and before that, Kiva Systems), Enti’s Reframe was recently awarded LACI’s LA Resilient Rebuilding Cup, recognizing both his vision and progress toward scalable, resilient housing solutions. 🔑 HighlightsRaising a new $20M round co-led by Eclipse and VoLo Earth Ventures, with support from MassMutual Catalyst Funds, Cubit Capital, Planetary Health at RA Capital Management, Saga Ventures, and Nor’easter VenturesBuilding affordable, high-efficiency homes 2.5x faster and 30% cheaperLeading teams at Amazon Robotics with 1 million robotsAddressing a 500,000-worker shortage in building construction, with 40% of tradespeople expected to retire in the next 10 yearsChanging a career based on children and finding more meaning in life🌎 Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com📨 Get Our 4-Minute NewsletterFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments—drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com/⭐ Leave a ReviewNo sponsors—just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews🎙️ About the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. Follow daily insights on climate tech startups and leadership on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Learn 5 quick insights in climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI for entrepreneurs, and mindfulness in leadership — straight from my newsletter. Join 40,000 who get it. https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com

AI-powered agtech infrastructure is growing climate-friendly crops while boosting farmer profitability—backed by horticultural expertise and data science.🎧 Episode SummaryIUNU is a Seattle‑based ag‑tech startup using AI‑driven computer vision and autonomous sensors—via its LUNA platform—to monitor greenhouse crop growth in real time, optimize operations, and boost farm productivity across 100 facilities in 18 countries.They've raised over $60 million to scale up, including a recent $20M round led by our friends at S2G Investments. Adam Greenberg is the CEO and co-founder. As a servant leader, he believes that "true leaders base their success on the success of those around them." Amen, brother! His prior roles include consulting for Fortune 100 companies, volunteering with youth programs, and co-founding Pure Blue Tech (a reverse osmosis water tech co). 🔑 HighlightsHow they recently raised $20 million in a challenging market by demonstrating strong market pull from customersWhy they help farmers, retailers, and breeders with real business benefits before mentioning their environmentally friendly attributesWhat he means by Chief Translation OfficerHow great leaders create an environment where everyone is willing to go the extra mileThe inverse correlation between high-impact work and personal balanceHow Wim Hof breathing and meditation keep him healthy and sane🌎 Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com📨 Get Our 4-Minute NewsletterFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments—drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com/⭐ Leave a ReviewNo sponsors—just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews🎙️ About the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. Follow daily insights on climate tech startups and leadership on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Learn 5 quick insights in climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI tips, and mindfulness in leadership — straight from my newsletter. Join 20,000 who get it. https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com

Learn how to dramatically lower HVAC energy use via metal organic frameworks with Sorin Grama, CEO of Transaera.🎧 Episode SummaryTransaera is reimagining air-conditioning with solid desiccant materials that strip out moisture before cooling. Translation: less energy, fewer emissions, and a planet that sweats less.It’s a plug‑and‑play upgrade across residential and commercial HVAC systems.Sorin is an MIT-trained engineer, inventor, and serial entrepreneur. He’s also the co-founder of Greentown Labs, a lecturer at MIT, and a Climate CEO Fellow in our EFI peer group program.🔑 Key Takeaways“Don’t fall in love with tech. Fall in love with the customer’s pain.”Promethean Power Systems and the art of keeping dairy cold in rural IndiaThe weird science of Metal Organic FrameworksLeadership lessons from Hard Thing About Hard Things + Zen and the Art of Motorcycle MaintenanceHis 5-minute journal + the radical act of slowing down to think clearly🌎 Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com📨 Get Our 4-Minute NewsletterFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments—drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com/⭐ Leave a ReviewNo sponsors—just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews🎙️ About the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. Follow daily insights on climate tech startups and leadership on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Learn 5 quick insights in climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI tips, and mindfulness in leadership — straight from my newsletter. Join 20,000 who get it. https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com

Legendary VC investor Brad Feld explains why “giving first” (his new book) is the key to building resilient founders, impactful startups, and thriving startup communities—especially in climate tech and turbulent times.🎧 Episode SummaryBrad Feld, co-founder of Foundry Group and Techstars, joins Dr. Chris Wedding to discuss why his “Give First” philosophy—mentorship without expectation of immediate return—matters more than ever. Brad shares lessons from four decades as a VC investor, board member, and mentor. These include how startup founders can survive near-death experiences, embrace long time horizons, and create positive-sum relationships that outlast cycles of hype, political polarization, and shifting government priorities.Brad dives into the difference between being a mentor, advisor, coach, and investor—and why setting boundaries and focusing on the long arc of reputation and karma is critical for mental health and sustained impact. He also shares insights from his latest book, Give First, and how the practice of non-transactional mentorship can unlock new opportunities and durable communities in climate innovation.🔑 Key TakeawaysPrivate sector innovation—and founders with grit—are more important than ever for climate solutions, especially as government support and data become more fragile.Most startups fail, but even failures drive learning, progress, and future breakthroughs—long-term impact compounds through experimentation.The best founders are resilient, adaptive, and motivated by mission, not just market conditions; they see setbacks as “type 2” fun (enjoyable in hindsight).“Give First” means engaging in relationships without upfront transactional expectations—positive outcomes flow back in unpredictable ways over time.Mentorship is distinct from advisory, coaching, or investing: mentors give with no guarantee of return; advisors and coaches are transactional; investors have skin in the game.Healthy boundaries are essential: founders and mentors must balance generosity, mental health, and financial realities.Community building in climate tech—and beyond—relies on trust, shared learning, and a willingness to help without keeping score.Reputation and “karma” accrue over decades, not quarters; the most satisfying business relationships are long-term, peer-based, and founded on authenticity and empathy.Brad’s Mentor Manifesto (from Techstars) and the concept of “entrepreneurial tzedakah” (righteous giving) offer frameworks for effective, fulfilling mentorship.Giving first in business isn’t altruism; it’s a philosophy for creating positive-sum games in a world fixated on transactions.🌎 Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com📨 Get Our 4-Minute NewsletterFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments—drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com/⭐ Leave a ReviewNo sponsors—just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews🎙️ About the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. Follow daily insights on climate tech startups and leadership on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Learn these 5 quick insights in climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI tips, and mindfulness in leadership — straight from my newsletter. Join 20,000 who get it. https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com