The Most Important Question

126. Climate Tech $ Above The Fold


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In Episode 126, Quinn meets his newsletter heroes: Kim Zou & Sophie Purdom, co-founders of the independent media outlet Climate Tech VC.

Kim works with Energy Impact Partners, a venture capital firm investing in climate technology. Sophie works as an investor in early stage climate technology businesses. 

Together they write Climate Tech VC, the data-obsessed, essential take on the opportunities, deals, and news in the flourishing climate tech scene.

There is a massive cost that comes with transitioning every single existing building and vehicle, not to mention all of our power and infrastructure to green tech. While it’s arguably the biggest challenge of our time, it is also quite possibly the biggest market opportunity ever. 

Kim and Sophie discuss the sustainability of volunteer advocacy for these important endeavors, and managing the currency of free time as this work becomes people’s second jobs--without the pay. 

They also outline the action steps you can take, whether an investor, journalist, or a student looking to make the leap into the climate tech space -- because (so fun) it’s now or never!

Today’s episode is brought to you by Avocado Green Brands, where sustainability comes first. They craft their GOTS certified organic mattresses, pillows, and bedding with natural materials sourced from their organic farms in India, in their own clean-energy powered facility in Los Angeles, where their team shares a singular purpose: To raise the bar for what it means to be a sustainable business. 

Avocado is Climate Neutral Certified for net zero emissions and donates one percent of all revenue to environmental nonprofits through its membership with 1% For the Planet. 

Find out what it means to sleep organic at AvocadoMattress.com.

Have feedback or questions? Tweet us, or send a message to [email protected]

New here? Get started with our fan favorite episodes at podcast.importantnotimportant.com.

Important, Not Important Book Club:

  • The Alchemy of Air by Thomas Hager

  • Reboot by Jerry Colonna

  • https://bookshop.org/shop/importantnotimportant

  • Links:

    • Subscribe to Climate Tech VC: climatetechvc.substack.com

    • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kim-zou

    • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sophiepurdom

    • energyimpactpartners.com

    • Connect with us:

      • Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com!

      • Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ImportantNotImp

      • Follow Quinn: twitter.com/quinnemmett

      • Like and share us on Facebook: facebook.com/ImportantNotImportant

      • Intro/outro by Tim Blane: timblane.com

      • Art by Amrit Pal

      • Important, Not Important is produced by Crate Media

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