In this episode, I speak with Mattias Karls, a seasoned entrepreneur hailing from Stockholm, Sweden. Mattias shares his journey from the heartland of Sweden to becoming a serial entrepreneur, starting right after his university days during the IT boom of the late '90s. We dive into his experiences with his first company, which grew rapidly and hooked him on the thrill of entrepreneurship. Mattias also opens up about his time at Disruptive Materials, where he helped launch a groundbreaking new material, and how his career took a turn after a personal health challenge. His story is one of resilience and passion for innovation, and it's fascinating to hear how these experiences have shaped his approach to leadership and business.

We also explore Mattias's current venture, Direct Carbon, and the exciting potential it holds in the indoor farming and air quality sectors. Mattias talks about the company's origins, the innovative technology they're developing, and the unique challenges and opportunities in the vertical farming industry. He shares insights into the decision-making process behind joining Direct Carbon and the strategic moves they're making to expand their impact. Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, cutting-edge technology, or sustainable solutions, Mattias's journey offers valuable lessons and inspiration.

Join us as we uncover the story behind Direct Carbon and the future of indoor farming.

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Key Takeaways

02:05 Journey of a Serial Entrepreneur

8:26 The Disruptive Materials Journey

12:10 The Origin Story of Direct Carbon

18:09 The Potential of Direct Air Capture and Indoor Farming

22:54 Greentech Conference Experience

26:44 Direct Carbon Capture for Small Farms

29:25 Plug and Play Farm Technology

38:08 Challenges in the Indoor Farming Industry

39:42 Transitioning to New Technologies

Tweetable Quotes

"I think when you get more experienced, you have the confidence to actually make decisions, even if you don't have all the information. Early in your career, you gather input endlessly, thinking it will make the decision easier, but it often doesn't."

"We launched our first unit at Greentech, and having the machine running in the booth drew a lot of attention. It was a smart move because it allowed us to show how it worked, which was crucial for engaging potential clients."

"Balancing spending and progress is always a struggle in a startup. You want to invest in everything—fairs, customer visits, better processes—but you have to decide if it's the right time or if you should achieve certain milestones first."

Resources Mentioned

Website - www.direct-carbon.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattiaskarls/

Connect With Us

VFP - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod

Vertical Farming Jobs - http://verticalfarmingjobs.com

Vertical Farming Weekly - www.getrevue.co/profile/verticalfarmingpodcast

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Mentioned in this episode:

Indoor AgCon 2025

Indoor AgCon 2025

CEA Summit East 2024

CEA Summit East 2024