CC Pod

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.

Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Banyan Infrastructure is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our guest host, Dimitry, is the co-founder and CEO of one of our portcos, Enduring Planet.

CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.

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Join guest host Dimitri Gershenson as he interviews Amanda Li, COO and Co-founder at Banyan Infrastructure. Tune in to learn more about how Banyan is streamlining sustainable infrastructure financing.

Amanda’s passion for good business and environmental preservation led her to co-found Banyan Infrastructure, a company that uses software to invest in sustainable infrastructure, aiming to reduce the barriers to sustainable infrastructure financing.

Banyan's mission is to address the friction in the project financing process, particularly for smaller scale projects. Large banks often avoid these projects due to the high cost and time-consuming process of evaluating, managing, and maintaining them. However, Banyan's purpose-built project finance software is becoming a game-changer in this space.

Banyan also works with large banks like SMBC to streamline and automate the investment process. By cutting investment time and reducing transaction fees, they're making it possible for these banks to fund smaller, but profitable projects that they would have otherwise overlooked. This not only expands the banks' market share but also accelerates the flow of capital to sustainable infrastructure projects.

Notably, Banyan played an instrumental role in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, working alongside green banks and community development financial institutions. Their software helped cut down the time taken to write out small loans, ensuring the funds reached the intended communities faster.

Visit banyaninfrastructure.com to learn more!

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.

Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Cosmic is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Zeina works as a Partner.

CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.

Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

In today’s episode of CC Pod host Zeina Fayyaz Kim engages in a conversation with Sasha Jokic, the Founder and CEO of Cosmic. Explore the world of sustainable living and learn how they're transforming housing with their innovative approach, focusing on fully electric, self-sufficient homes.

Cosmic’s homes, constructed in factories and shipped to sites without the need for utility connections, are designed to increase productivity and quality, while reducing environmental impact. The company's focus extends beyond mere construction – it's about the entire lifecycle of a home, from design and logistics to assembly and operation.

Jokic explained, “We really get obsessed about how do we make sure that something that we believe today in it will be the rule for the next 30 years in this company.” This commitment to sustainability and customer experience is evident in their first product – Cosmic One. Available in three sizes, these Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are equipped with state-of-the-art systems for air filtration and water recycling.

What sets Cosmic Buildings apart is not just the product, but also their business strategy. Drawing on his previous entrepreneurial experience, Jokic has implemented a lean operation, focusing on cost management, strategic partnerships, and innovative financing plans.

Cosmic is also launching the Cosmic Foundation initiative. The company is pledging 1% of every sold home to support displaced families and children, tying their commercial success with their social responsibility.

As Jokic invites listeners to visit their showroom in downtown San Francisco, there’s a palpable excitement about the future of housing. With companies like Cosmic at the helm, the sustainable, self-sufficient homes of the future may just be around the corner.

Visit cosmicbuildings.com to learn more!

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.

Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Unicorn Bio is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Michael Works as a General Partner.

CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.

Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

Join host Michael in conversation with Jack Reid and Adam Glen, co-founders of Unicorn Bio. Discover how they're transforming biotech automation to streamline cell culture processes and manufacturing workflows. 

Unicorn Bio is a company that is driven by the vision of automating processes in biotechnology, effectively bringing about an industrial revolution in the field. Their work is centered around developing machinery with biological components to streamline manufacturing processes in the biotech industry. The company aims to create Amazon-style factories that require minimal human intervention and can mass-produce bio-based, cell-based products for various industries.

Jack and Adam, who met via an online platform during the pandemic, have successfully merged their complementary skills to guide Unicorn Biology on its path. With Jack's passion for entrepreneurship and Adam's extensive knowledge in biotechnology, the duo has managed to break new ground in an industry ripe for disruption.

The challenges faced during their journey were not insignificant. From iterating through various ideas to find the perfect product fit, to facing rejections from major banks in the UK due to their unconventional company name and their status as a young company, the hardships were numerous. The pair spoke candidly about how their identities have become intertwined with Unicorn Biology. Their mission to revolutionize biotech manufacturing is not just a job for them; it's an integral part of their lives.

The conversation also touched on the many challenges inherent to entrepreneurship. They stressed the importance of resilience, the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, and the necessity of being open to learning from failures and successes alike.

Visit unicornb.io to learn more!

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.

Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Pow.bio is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Michael works as a General Partner.

CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.

Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

In the latest CC Pod episode, join Michael Luciani and guest Shannon Hall , co-Founder and CEO of Pow.bio as they discuss Pow.bio's innovative role in sustainable biomanufacturing. Through advanced synthetic biology, they're revolutionizing traditional fermentation, leading the industry toward a more sustainable future.

Pow.bio aims to revolutionize fermentation processes. This is a critical area as it plays a key role in sustainable manufacturing, especially in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Their approach combines synthetic biology and machine learning to scale up this technology for a broader impact.

Shannon shares the challenges she faced during the startup's early days. From developing effective communication cadence to handling HR, she discusses how she and the team navigated these hurdles by focusing on shared goals and maintaining a commitment to making a difference in the industry.

The conversation also delves into the fundraising process, where Shannon shared her experiences and lessons. She emphasized the importance of resilience and adaptability. She also highlighted the value of understanding investors' perspectives and needs, and how effective communication can help navigate potential issues.

Shannon's journey is a testament to the power of passion and resilience in driving innovation and making a significant impact in the world of synthetic biology. Her insights serve as an inspiration for other founders and those interested in the intersection of biology and technology.

Visit pow.bio to learn more!

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.

Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Quilt is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Zeina works as a Partner.

CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.

Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

Join us for an insightful conversation on climate tech with host Zeina Fayyaz Kim and guest speaker Bill Kee, COO and Co-Founder at Quilt. Learn about the transformative technology of heat pumps and Quilt's innovative approach to revolutionizing the heating and cooling market.

A former tech industry veteran, Kee had an epiphany after a conversation with his son about the future. He realized his career needed to include a focus on climate change. This led him to co-found Quilt, a company that's revolutionizing the home heating and cooling market with an innovative solution - high-efficiency consumer heat pumps.

Heat pumps are a remarkable technology that have been around for a while, but have suffered from slow adoption due to a variety of factors, including design issues, usability, installation transparency, and cost.

Quilt aims to address these issues by creating a heat pump that not only looks good in the home but is also easy to finance, install, and use. The company's goal is to make the process of purchasing and installing a heat pump as simple as buying an electric car, providing customers with a complete and seamless experience from start to finish.

The cost of installation has been a significant barrier for many homeowners, with heat pumps costing thousands, often in hard-to-forecast soft costs. However, Kee highlights that when you consider the energy savings, reduced carbon emissions, and various subsidies available, the overall cost becomes significantly more attractive.

Despite the challenges, Kee is optimistic about the future of heat pumps and the role they play in combating climate change. He sees a promising roadmap ahead for the industry to attract more talent and simplify processes for customers.

Visit quilt.com to learn more!

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.

Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Kadeya is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Michael works as a General Partner.

CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.

Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

Join us on the latest CC Pod hosted by Michael Luciani, as we delve into the future of decarbonization with Manuela Zoninsein, CEO of Kadeya! Learn how Kadeya's innovative solutions are reshaping the beverage industry in pursuit of eliminating single-use containers.

As a serial entrepreneur with experience in the Chinese market and a deep-seated interest in climate issues, Manuela's vision for Kadeya is rooted in a profound understanding of the global waste problem. She describes her company as "bike sharing for bottles," a concept derived from her experiences in China and her desire to address the global waste issue head-on.

One of the key challenges Manuela faced during the early stages of Kadeya was developing a narrative that resonated with investors. She found that she needed to communicate her business model in a way that showcased potential for high returns, while also addressing concerns around capital intensity and the risks associated with hardware startups.

However, Manuela didn't let these challenges deter her. Instead, she used them as an opportunity to refine Kadeya's value proposition, focus on industrial use cases, and develop a comprehensive understanding of different financial vehicles. This approach allowed her to align the company's objectives with investor expectations, helping her establish a compelling narrative that showcased Kadeya's potential in the climate tech space.

A significant breakthrough came when Manuela discovered the potential for Kadeya's solution in industrial use cases. By providing a sustainable and efficient hydration solution for work sites, Kadeya not only addresses environmental concerns but also offers a valuable service, demonstrating the potential of climate tech startups to create economic value while tackling pressing environmental issues.

Visit kadeya.com to learn more!

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.

Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Enduring Planet is an investor in Dollaride, where our guest host Dimitry Gershenson works as co-founder and CEO of Enduring Planet. Additionally, Enduring Planet is one of Climate Capital’s portfolio companies.

CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.

Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

In today’s exciting episode, join Dimitri Gershenson and guest Su Sanni, Co-Founder & CEO of Dollaride, a mobility company tackling climate challenges in underserved communities. Learn about their clean transit initiative and the quest for sustainable transportation solutions.

Su, a graduate of Boston College, began his career in finance at Brown Brothers Harriman, but his entrepreneurial spirit led him to the tech world, where he honed his skills in sales and revenue generation at Meltwater Group.

Dollaride is a mobility company that brings clean and accessible transportation to underserved communities. With Su's uncles' experience in the transportation industry and partnership with academic experts at NYU, Dollaride was created with the aim of providing a platform for small business owners to solve transportation challenges in their communities.

The conversation further delved into how Dollaride integrates climate-friendly practices into its operations. Su explained how Dollaride is working to digitize the existing transportation ecosystem and transition to electric vehicles, thus cutting down carbon emissions and contributing to a healthier environment.

However, the journey has not been without its challenges. Su shared a recent crisis where a key vendor filed for bankruptcy, disrupting their electrification plans. Despite the setback, he remains optimistic and is actively seeking alternatives.

The episode concluded on a powerful note as Su shared some invaluable advice for fellow entrepreneurs. He emphasized the importance of building a strong team and creating a network of peers to navigate the emotional toll of entrepreneurship. He further encouraged founders to remain focused on their business execution, not getting swayed by industry headlines and external pressures.

Visit dollaride.com to learn more!

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.

Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Hoxton Farms is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Michael works as a General Partner.

CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.

Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

Join Michael as he hosts today’s CC Pod episode with Ed Steele, Co-founder of Hoxton Farms. Explore Hoxton Farms' mission to create cruelty-free, sustainable meat alternatives using mathematical models and synthetic biology.

Hoxton Farms was founded by Ed and his elementary school friend, Max, a molecular biologist. The duo aimed to leverage their combined expertise in mathematical modeling and synthetic biology to make a significant difference in the food production industry.

Hoxton’s primary focus is on producing food that not only matches up to real meat in terms of taste and texture, but also surpasses it. Their vision is to create food that browns the right way, tastes the same, and is sustainable.

Hoxton Farms’ story isn’t just about creating sustainable food alternatives, but it's also about understanding and navigating the complex world of food science and safety regulations. Ed candidly discussed the challenges they faced when part of their process was found non-compliant, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collective problem-solving in overcoming such hurdles.

Ed also addressed some of the controversies surrounding lab-grown food. He believes that the perceived "weirdness" of lab-grown food stems from a lack of understanding and can be overcome with time and education. Hoxton Farms, through its innovative efforts, is not just contributing to decarbonization but also reshaping our perceptions about food and its production.

Visit hoxtonfarms.com to learn more!

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.

Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Arcadia is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Vijay works as a Syndicate Investor and Advisor.

CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.

Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

In the latest CC Pod episode, Vijay interviews Kiran Bhatraju, founder and CEO of Arcadia. Listen and learn more about the fascinating world of utility data.

Kiran's career began on Capitol Hill, where he worked on energy and national security issues. This early exposure to the complexities of energy markets and new energy technologies was foundational in shaping his future trajectory. He realized the urgent need for a shift away from fossil fuels and saw it as the most significant economic transition period in our lifetimes.

Arcadia was born out of the challenges Kiran encountered in his previous venture. The availability and accessibility of utility data proved to be a significant pain point. Recognizing the need for a solution, Arcadia was founded with the aim of making utility data more accessible and usable.

Arcadia's platform unlocks the value within utility accounts, making information like energy usage, tariffs, and price signals readily available. This data-driven approach not only streamlines processes but also offers numerous benefits to different players in the energy ecosystem. For instance, Kiran shared how Arcadia's data helped a solar developer determine a customer's reliability based on their bill payment history.

Kiran envisions a future where Arcadia's success will not only catalyze the energy transition but also revolutionize the way utilities operate. He believes that the availability of utility data can unlock the full potential of DERs and ultimately lead to utilities focusing solely on distribution, leaving the generation game.

Visit arcadia.com to learn more!

This is CC Pod - the Climate Capital Podcast. You are receiving this because you have subscribed to our Substack. If you’d like to manage your Climate Capital Substack subscription, click here.

Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Cemvita is a portfolio company at Climate Capital, where Michael works as a General Partner.

CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.

Don’t miss an episode from Climate Capital!

Welcome to another episode of the Climate Capital podcast! In today’s episode, Michael sits down with Moji Karimi, Co-founder and CEO of Cemvita. Cemvita's innovative approach tackles climate change head-on by leveraging industrial biotech to address key challenges.

Moji shares the origin story of Cemvita, including how he met his co-founder and their decision to leave their previous work to start something new. The co-founders, despite coming from different backgrounds, found common ground in their shared frustration with the limitations of the academic environment.

Moji shares insights on the role of oil and gas in their work. While there was some skepticism from investors about their location in Houston, Moji highlighted the significance of their local presence. He stressed the importance of understanding the industry, its culture, and its mechanics to create effective solutions.

Despite the challenges faced during their Series A funding, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Moji emphasized the importance of focusing on executing set milestones. He also shared some valuable advice he received from another entrepreneur, "Believe in yourself and follow your passion."

Visit cemvita.com to learn more!