SunCast

723: From Tetris To Clean Energy: Henk Rogers' Conversion Story


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two years before the end of the Cold War to broker a licensing agreement for what would become the best-selling video game of all time: Tetris.

Either of those feats would be remarkable; to accomplish both is a whole other level of entrepreneurial achievement.  While some of you may not be familiar with today’s guest, you’ll definitely be familiar with his work, and you may have even watched a movie about him!

Henk Rogers is known as the father of role-playing games in Japan and for introducing Tetris to the world. Leveraging his software development and licensing expertise, Henk is now tackling what he considers the greatest problem of our time: climate change. And, yes, he was even played by Taron Edgerton in the 2023 Apple TV+ movie ‘Tetris’!

A mid-life health scare helped Henk realize that he needed to trade pixels for a higher purpose. Through founding the Blue Planet Foundation, he is helping to do just that, starting in his home state of Hawaii where he was instrumental in driving their goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045. With his most recent venture, Blue Planet Energy, he is developing advanced battery energy storage systems to enhance safety, reliability, and output for renewable energy.

In this Flashback Friday clip, you’ll discover:

  • How Henk Rogers discovered Tetris and revolutionized the gaming industry
  • The pivotal moment that redirected his career towards environmental activism and the fight against climate change
  • The unwavering determination that has propelled him to the forefront of the renewable energy movement in Hawaii
  • The strategies he's employed to transform the Aloha State into a model the rest of the planet can follow

If you’d like to hear more than just this snippet, then I’d encourage you to queue up episode 150 and explore how a gaming legend became a driving force in the fight against climate change.

Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?

Hit us up - [email protected] with your feedback & recommendations.

Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is also sponsored by Nextpower!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

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

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SunCastBy Nico Johnson

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