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 environmental cost compared to traditional energy sources. He addresses common criticisms of nuclear energy, particularly focusing on the exaggerated concerns about radiation and the real challenges of cost and time to delivery.The conversation also touches on regulatory hurdles and the need for innovation in nuclear technology deployment.Kugelmass advocates for a future where nuclear energy significantly contributes to solving global energy demands sustainably, in a future where humanity will need 10 times the amount of today's energy to afford everyone the lifestyle of today's most developed countries.The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.SpeakersBret Kugelmass, Chief Executive Officer, Last EnergyModeratorCandice Ammori, Founder and CEO, Climate VineCreditsProducer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-turbo, edited by Ben JoffeIntro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL WailiKeywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech #energy #decarbonizationHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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 engagement with startups, strategic alignment with corporate goals, and the necessity for startups to understand their market and competition.They highlight the challenges of scaling up technology in the climate sector, particularly the capital intensity and longer timelines associated with hardware innovations.They advise startups on navigating corporate structures and leveraging intellectual property effectively.The conversation underscored the evolving role of corporate venture capital in fostering innovative climate technologies and the collaborative approach required to drive significant advancements in decarbonizing industries.The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.SpeakersBrandon Middaugh, Senior Director, Climate Innovation Fund, MicrosoftTaehong Huh, Managing Partner, GS FuturesAdity Sharma, Principal, Honda InnovationsModeratorDr. Pae Wu, CTO, IndieBio; General Partner, SOSVCreditsProducer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-turbo, edited by Ben JoffeIntro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL WailiKeywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech #energy #decarbonizationHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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 EuropeThe correlation between high impact and high returns.Perspectives on setting impact KPIs.The influence of investors on startups.The complexities of attributing impact across the value chain.The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.SpeakersAgnes Svensson, Chief Impact Officer, Norrsken VCJessica Burley, Investor, Planet AElena Stark, Impact Associate, AENUMorgan Sheil, Head of Impact, World FundModeratorHampus Jakobsson, General Partner, Pale Blue DotCreditsProducer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-turbo, edited by Ben JoffeIntro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL WailiKeywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech #energy #decarbonizationHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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 sector, noting a decrease in deal counts but robust fundraising, with venture capital and private equity firms holding significant "dry powder."The scrutiny in Series B and C funding rounds, the faster pace of seed and pre-seed investments, and the impact of recent economic uncertainties on investor behavior.The importance of building large, profitable companies to combat climate change.The role of technology in bridging the commercialization gap.The need for new investment structures to support CapEx-heavy projects.The global scope of climate tech, emphasizing the need for local partnerships in emerging markets and the potential influence of U.S. elections on the investment climate.The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.SpeakersChristina Karapataki, General Partner, Breakthrough EnergyDuncan Turner, Managing Director, HAX; General Partner, SOSVShuo Yang, General Partner, Lowercarbon CapitalModeratorTim de Chant, Senior Climate Reporter, TechCrunchCreditsProducer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-turbo, edited by Ben JoffeIntro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL WailiKeywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech #energy #decarbonizationHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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 industrial heat accounts for a significant portion of global emissions, primarily from fossil fuels.Antora Energy initially explored various energy storage solutions before developing thermal batteries, leveraging cheap and abundant renewable energy sources.These batteries efficiently store and provide heat, aiming to replace fossil fuel dependency in industries.The conversation also covers the economic and safety aspects of thermal batteries, their integration into industrial applications, and the potential expansion into high-temperature processes like cement and steel production.The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.SpeakerAndrew Ponec, Co-founder and CEO, Antora EnergyModeratorCasey Crownhart, Climate Reporter, MIT Technology ReviewCreditsProducer: Ben Joffe Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-4-turbo, edited by Ben JoffeIntro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs Intro Music: EL WailiKeywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech #energy #decarbonizationHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.