In this episode of Finding Fearless, Madeline sits down with Virginia Klausmeier, the President and CEO of Sylvatex, a climate tech company. Together, they explore Virginia's journey of founding and scaling an impact-driven business and her mission to create a more sustainable future.

Key themes include:

• Virginia’s path to founding Sylvatex and the unique challenges of scaling a climate tech company.
• The essential need to secure the right investors who are aligned with your company’s mission.
• The vital importance of a strong support system for female founders navigating a male-dominated industry.
• The significance of trusting one's intuition and the power of perseverance in the face of entrepreneurial challenges.
• The energy implications of technological advancements and the necessity of building sustainable solutions.

00:00 Introduction to Finding Fearless

00:39 Guest Introduction: Virginia Klausmeier of Sylvatex

02:52 Virginia's Journey and Vision for Sylvatex

06:26 Challenges and Insights in Climate Tech

13:58 Navigating the Investment Landscape

23:39 Balancing Growth and Values

30:45 Navigating Hardships as a Minority Leader

32:40 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

35:40 Building a Support System

38:08 The Importance of Community and Mentorship

43:48 Advice for Aspiring Founders

50:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Connect with Virgina:

For more information about Sylvatex and their work in sustainable battery materials, visit sylvatex.com or connect with Virginia on LinkedIn.

Connect with Fearless Foundry:

• Fearless Foundry
• Madeline Reeves

Finding Fearless is an exploration of human-centric leadership and a celebration of ambition, releasing every other week on Wednesdays, 6AM PST. If you liked the show, please rate, review, and share! You can also visit our website to learn more about how to become a sponsor of Finding Fearless!

Finding Fearless is produced by Fearless Foundry, a creative consultancy focused on advancing ambitious humans from around the globe to amplify their impact through branding, marketing, and business development. You can contact us at hello@fearlessfoundry.com if you are interested in our services and can follow us on all social media @fearlessfoundry.

Season 4 music is by Premium Beats. All audio is recorded and owned by Fearless Foundry.