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Activation Energy
By Selma DuhovicScience
Activation Energy episodes
- 16. Tina Tosukhowong (TDK Ventures) on investing in deep tech startups
I speak with Tina Tosukhowong of TDK Ventures about investing in deep tech startups.
- (0:00) Introduction
- (0:49) Defining deep tech
- (1:21) Distinction from clean tech
- (3:00) What drives investment in deep tech
- (5:35) Risks in deep tech ventures and their investors
- (9:07) Challenges faced by startups and investors
- (12:36) Characteristics of successful deep tech startups
- (15:53) Deep tech ecosystem
- (18:27) Traditional vs. Corporate venture capital
- (21:32) TDK Ventures
27 min - 15. Rajiv Banavali (WestRock) on innovation and sustainability
I speak with Rajiv Banavali, the senior vice president of science and innovation at WestRock, the second largest American packaging company.
- (0:00) Introduction
- (0:44) Definition of innovation
- (1:28) Distinction between breakthrough and incremental innovation
- (3:53) Identifying opportunities for innovation
- (5:32) Figuring out what customers and their customer want
- (8:10) Predicting which products will be successful and which ones will fail
- (10:27) Setting an innovation strategy
- (12:42) Role of science at WestRock and drivers of new ideas
- (17:51) Designing products for sustainability
- (20:25) Resources needed for innovation
- (23:37) Creating a culture of innovation
- (26:23) Innovation killers
- (28:38) Sustainability as a value driver
- (30:29) What drivers sustainability
- (34:56) Circular economy in packaging industry
- (37:03) Innovation in packaging industry
- (38:37) Exciting development in packaging
- (41:14) Innovation at WestRock
- (44:21) Regulation
- (46:18) Government’s role in creating and supporting innovation
49 min - 14. John Warner (Zymergen) on sustainability
I speak with Dr. John Warner of Zymergen and Beyond Benign about sustainability in the chemical industry.
- (0:00) Introduction
- (1:03) Chemical industry as an actor in society and economy
- (4:31) Green chemistry
- (5:54) Teaching chemistry skills
- (10:50) Beyond Benign
- (20:11) Marketing and public relations in the chemical industry
- (22:24) Communication
- (24:03) Financing sustainability efforts
- (30:59) Numbers and narratives in startups
39 min - 13. Nikhil Kalane (PwC India) on state of the chemical industry
I speak with Nikhil Kalane of PwC India about the current state of the global chemical industry.
- (0:00) Introduction
- (0:42) Management consultancies for chemical industry
- (1:42) Nikhil’s expertise and role
- (2:34) State of the chemical industry and pandemic’s impact
- (6:22) Pandemic’s impact by region
- (10:20) Examples of sustainability and circular economy principles in the chemical industry
- (12:22) Innovation in the chemical industry
- (13:41) Cost structure
- (14:44) Factors influencing innovation
- (15:46) Approach to growth
- (17:00) Open innovation
- (17:46) Indian chemical industry
21 min - 12. William Provine (The Innovation Space) on innovation
I speak with Dr. William Provine of The Innovation Space about innovation in the chemical industry and the support ecosystem that exists for chemical startups.
- (0:00) Introduction
- (0:48) Invention vs. innovation
- (4:55) How chemical companies identify opportunities for innovation
- (8:41) Rate of success across innovation efforts
- (10:23) Need for new materials
- (13:18) Chem vs. Pharma spending on R&D
- (18:42) How chemical giants interact with startups
- (21:16) The Innovation Space and startups it supports, including Prelude Therapeutics and Versogen
- (27:31) Challenges chemical startups face
- (29:51) Origin of The Innovation Space
- (31:25) Future of The Innovation Space
35 min - 11. Judy Giordan (ecosVC) on talent and diversity
I speak with Dr. Judy Giordan of ecosVC about education, talent development, and diversity in the chemical industry.
- (0:00) Introduction
- (0:42) Chemistry majors
- (4:42) Talent acquisition and development
- (10:34) Diversity, inclusion, equity
- (19:26) Sociology vs. Technology
21 min - 10. Sebastian Alamillo-Falkenberg (KPM Accelerate) on innovation
I speak with Sebastian Alamillo-Falkenberg of KPM Accelerate about the tough-tech ecosystem and resources available for science-based startups.
- (0:39) Innovation, invention, design
- (1:51) Example: The Metals Company
- (3:05) Example: Li-Cycle
- (4:29) Science vs. software startups
- (7:41) Risks in science-based startups and steps to mitigate risks
- (9:11) Techno-economics
- (11:52) Resources and ecosystems
- (13:36) Incubators
- (14:30) Accelerators
- (16:13) KPM Accelerate and how it supports startups
27 min - 1. Greg Newbloom (Membrion, Inc.) on green chemistry
I speak with Dr. Greg Newbloom, the founder and CEO of Membrion, about his career, company, and interest in green chemistry.
7 min - 9. Judy Giordan (ecosVC) on innovation in the chemical industry
I speak with Dr. Judy Giordan about innovation.
- (0:00) Introduction
- (0:46) Invention vs. Innovation vs. Diffusion
- (5:05) Innovation in large chem corporations
- (7:50) Different stakeholders driving innovation
- (8:47) How innovation influences chem industry’s dynamics and evolution
- (13:51) Current innovations in the chem industry
- (16:26) Interfacing with startups: Chem vs. Pharma
19 min - Topic 3: Innovation in the Chemical Industry
Introduction to Topic 3: Innovation in the Chemical Industry
2 min
About Activation Energy
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Discussions about science, innovation, and impact
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