August 22, 2023

#118 - Carbon Negative Cement, DeepTech Development Frameworks, Hiring a Founding Team, Pointers on an IP Business, & More w/ Cody Finke (Brimstone)

57 minutes

(CoHost.AI Writeup)

Ever wonder how a chemist turned into a green entrepreneur tackling the enormous environmental issue of cement production? Our latest episode of the CleanTechies podcast brings you the fascinating journey of Cody Finke, the brain behind Brimstone, a unique venture that's transforming cement production with a carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative approach. From his days in graduate school to receiving the instrumental influence of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Cody takes us through his transition into a business founder, the challenges of securing initial funding, and the strategies that won over investors for his world-improving cause.

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We delve into the heart of Brimstone's innovation - a groundbreaking method of creating Portland cement that passively sequesters CO2. Cody opens up about their plans for scaling this climate-friendly process and the hurdles they face in retrofitting cement plants. He emphasizes the importance of advanced market commitments in scaling their process. But it's not all about the technicalities; listen in as Cody shares his personal insights on the power of persistence, risk-taking, and maintaining focus as a deep tech founder.As we round off our discussion, Cody shares his experiences recruiting chemical engineers and navigating the construction of facilities. He highlights the crucial role of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in shaping Brimstone's distinctive approach. For anyone contemplating a dive into the deep-tech domain, Cody has pearls of wisdom on the necessity of risk-taking and staying focused. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the intersection of science, entrepreneurship, and environmental conservation. Tune in for a peek behind the scenes of a climate-positive startup!

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Summary

In this episode, Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) and Cody Finke (@cody_finke), the Co-Founder of Brimstone discuss Cody's journey into climate and how they are revolutionizing the cement space.

They have created a cement product that has just been approved as certified Portland Cement - This is the main cement used in the construction of buildings. The best part, it's carbon neutral in many cases negative (depending on the energy source used).

This is a truly revolutionary technology and we can't wait to see it at commercial scale in the next few years.

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Topics:

* 2:30 Intro & Climate Journey

* 11:04 How he became an entrepreneur

* 14:09 Experience closing his skills gap as a founder

* 17:16 What brimstone is / How Cement is Made

* 22:09 How they got C150 Certification

* 27:36 The Supply Chain Problem

* 30:11 Their Biz Model

* 32:40 Building the Pilot Plant

* 33:52 Fundraising

* 41:54 Where the Rock is Found

* 44:15 Corporate Partners

* 45:20 Receptivity of the Industry

* 46:35 DeepTech Development Framework

* 50:18 Choosing Founding Team

* 51:51 Funding Advice

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Links:

* Connect with Cody: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-finke-ph-d-213b88ab

* Brimstone Website: https://www.brimstone.com/

* Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/

* Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/

* HMU on Twitter: @silasmahner

Other episodes you might enjoy:

* Most Recent Episode: Early Stage Hiring Decisions, Heeding the Lessons from CleanTech 1.0, Energize's $300m Growth Fund Close, & More w/ Eileen Waris (Energize Capital)

* Similar Topic: From Restaurants to ClimateTech: Building a Carbon Capture Concrete Company w/ Tim Sperry (Carbon Limit)

* Something Totally Different: Cutting Building Heat Loss Via Windows & Building a Platform for Glass Technology Firms w/ Anas Kassas (INOVUES)

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By The #1 Podcast for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs

4.9

2020 ratings