Climate CEOs

Bellwether uses AI to predict climate disasters, analyze Earth observation data, and help governments & organizations respond faster while building resilient systems.

Bellwether is a climate prediction tool that uses AI to analyze Earth observation data and anticipate changes to the planet. It's used by the public and private sectors to help with disaster preparation and recovery. 

How Bellwether works: 

• Uses simulation techniques to analyze Earth observation data
• Predicts the likelihood of severe weather, like wildfires and floods
• Identifies damage to critical infrastructure after a disaster
• Helps deliver aid more quickly after a disaster

Dr. Sarah Russell is a startup founder, tech executive, and physician working at the intersection of business, planetary health, and machine learning.

In addition to her role as CEO of Bellwether, she is a Managing Director at X, the Moonshot Factory at Alphabet.

Previously, she held leadership roles at Venrock, the VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, and Google, applying her expertise in healthcare, technology, and regulatory strategy.

In addition to her entrepreneurial and executive pursuits, she serves as an Assistant Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, where she remains dedicated to mentoring and advancing innovation in medicine and sustainability.

Here are some topics we covered:

• How to navigate personal growth and identity shifts after selling a business
• What is the significance of absolute risk scores in disaster preparedness and how they differ from relative risk scores
• Why AI models are advantageous over traditional physics-based models in climate and weather event predictions
• When to consider expanding a business model to offer comprehensive solutions, including vertical integration and AI-enabled services
• How to maintain focus and remember that just because you can doesn’t mean you should
• Why you should surround yourself with people way smarter than you and do the ego work to deal with that reality

🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:

Sarah - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahrussellmd

Bellwether - https://x.company/projects/bellwether

📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:

Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📣 EFI’S NEWSLETTER:

I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:

To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🤔 PODCAST HOST:

Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups and executive coaching), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (clean energy investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, and super humble human being (as evidenced by this long bio).

SolaREIT provides flexible capital for solar & battery projects, enabling large-scale development while fostering long-term partnerships and mindful leadership.

SolaREIT, established in 2020, specializes in providing flexible capital solutions for solar and battery energy storage real estate. By partnering with developers and landowners, SolaREIT facilitates the monetization of land assets through land purchases, lease prepayments, and land loans. Their streamlined approach and competitive pricing have enabled capital deployment for projects across 19 states, contributing to over $3.5 billion in solar and battery storage developments.

Laura Pagliarulo is the Co-founder and CEO of SolaREIT, bringing over 20 years of experience in the renewable energy sector. Before founding SolaREIT in July 2020, she served as Managing Director at CleanChoice Energy, where she led initiatives to expand access to clean energy solutions. Her extensive background also includes leadership roles at SunEdison and WGL Energy, where she focused on community solar and distributed generation projects.

Here are some key takeaways:

1. How to optimize capital efficiency in solar and battery storage projects by leveraging innovative land acquisition strategies
2. How they decide to structure their investment based on landowner and project owner perspectives
3. Why the solar and battery storage industry demonstrates resilience and adaptability amidst legislative changes and market fluctuations
4. When to consider long-term commitments within a company to fully understand its operations and foster personal growth
5. How to maintain health and focus through personal habits such as outdoor exercise, mindful presence, and balanced technology use

🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:

SolarREIT: https://www.solareit.com

Laura's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-pagliarulo-4934aa5

📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:

Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📣 EFI’S NEWSLETTER:

I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:

To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🤔 PODCAST HOST:

Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups and executive coaching), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (clean energy investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, and super humble human being (as evidenced by this long bio).

Optera helps enterprises track & reduce Scope 3 emissions with SaaS + consulting, aligning supply chains with science-based targets and regulatory compliance.

Optera provides a SaaS platform and consulting services to help enterprises manage carbon emissions, focusing on Scope 3 emissions. Their platform integrates operational and supply chain data to calculate and track emissions, helping clients to align with science-based targets, comply with regulations, and improve sustainability strategies. Optera supports auto, tech, and retail industries in decarbonizing their value chains and meeting emerging climate disclosure requirements.

Tim Weiss, co-founder of Optera, has extensive experience in renewable energy and emissions management. He has led initiatives in scaling solar technology in sub-Saharan Africa and now focuses on advancing enterprise-level decarbonization solutions through innovative SaaS and consulting models.

Here are six topics we covered:

Scope 3 Challenges: Managing Scope 3 emissions requires collaboration with suppliers and collecting primary data to address the largest and most complex portion of a company’s carbon footprint.

Optera’s SaaS Approach: Optera combines emissions tracking software with consulting expertise, offering tailored solutions for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.

Benchmarking Value: Understanding performance relative to peers and industry standards is crucial for strategic decarbonization and regulatory compliance.

Regulations and Standards: New climate regulations, such as CBAM and California’s disclosure laws, are driving companies to adopt science-based targets and renewable energy strategies.

Climate Tech Resilience: Despite political shifts, the climate tech sector continues to grow, bolstered by mature technologies and strong market demand.

Leadership and Mindfulness: Tim emphasizes the importance of calculated risks, mindfulness practices, and outdoor activities to maintain balance as a leader.

🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:

Optera Website: https://opteraclimate.com

Tim Weiss LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tim-weiss-123b5b1b

Book: The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/15-Commitments-Conscious-Leadership-Sustainable-ebook/dp/B00R3MHWUE

Podcast: People I Mostly Admire: https://freakonomics.com/series/people-i-mostly-admire/

📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:

Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:

I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:

To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🤔 PODCAST HOST:

Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, and occasional monk.

Mark1 accelerates industrial climate tech commercialization with project development support, catalytic capital, and adoption readiness frameworks for early-stage startups.

Mark1 is a public benefit corporation focused on accelerating the commercialization of emerging industrial technologies and climate solutions. Being spun out of Deep Science Ventures and the Rocky Mountain Institute, Mark1 offers early-stage project development support, front-end planning, and catalytic capital for innovative companies. By bridging the gap between technology development and project development, they help startups navigate the complexities of project financing, off-take agreements, and regulatory processes.

Julian Ryba-White, Co-Founder and CEO of Mark1, was previously a Principal at Nokomis Energy, Senior Director of TenK Solar, and Manager at SolarCity

Here are five takeaways.

Bridging the commercialization gap: Julian explains the unique challenges companies face when transitioning from technology development to project deployment and how Mark1 supports this process through expertise and resources. Adoption readiness levels: Mark1 introduces the concept of “adoption readiness levels” from the DOE to measure project viability and prepare companies for scaling. Catalytic capital: Julian details their funding approach, targeting deployment of $300,000 to $500,000 for early development costs to de-risk development with a return model tied to project milestones to align incentives. Holistic project development: Mark1’s bespoke program identifies gaps in technology, finance, and equity, providing tailored support through a co-development agreement. Career advice for emerging professionals: Julian emphasizes the importance of patience, family time, and human connection in balancing personal and professional growth.

🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:

Company Website: https://www.mark1.build

Julian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-ryba-white-1999628

📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:

Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:

I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:

To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🤔 PODCAST HOST:

Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).

Matt Eggers of Prelude Ventures shares how early-stage climate tech startups are funded, scaled, and supported while integrating biogenic carbon removal and mindful leadership.

Prelude Ventures is a climate tech investment firm focusing on early-stage startups. They invest primarily in seed and Series A rounds, supporting founders with innovative technologies addressing climate challenges. They began in 2009 and have about $2 billion under management.

Matt Eggers, Managing Director at Prelude Ventures, has a wealth of experience in climate tech investing and manufacturing. Plus, he serves on one of our boards at Duke University, the EDGE Center at our Fuqua School of Business, so you know he can pick great teams! Prior roles include Partner at Breakthrough Energy Ventures and operational roles at Sunrun, Tesla, Genentech, and Bloom Energy. 

Here are four topics we covered:

1. Climate Tech Investment Strategy: Prelude focuses on strong teams, scalable technologies, and significant markets for venture-backed growth. A great team can overcome deficiencies in technology or business models and drive a startup's success.
2. Creative Financing Solutions: Examples of combining venture capital, grants, and equipment financing for first-of-a-kind manufacturing facilities like Lux Wall.
3. Biogenic Carbon Capture: Insights into innovative approaches like Graphyte and Vaulted Deep, which address both carbon removal and waste management.
4. Personal Habits for Leaders: Matt highlights outdoor activities, meditation, and self-reflection as critical practices for mental well-being and leadership focus.

🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:

Company Website: https://www.preludeventures.com

Matt Eggers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eggersmatt

Lux Wall: https://luxwall.com

Graphyte: https://www.graphyte.com

Vaulted Deep: https://www.vaulteddeep.com

📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:

Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows, Alumni Allies, and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:

I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:

To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🤔 PODCAST HOST:

Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).

SparkMeter uses AI-powered solutions to help utilities worldwide manage grids efficiently, serve millions of customers, and advance climate-focused energy systems.

SparkMeter offers grid-management solutions that enable utilities worldwide to run profitable, efficient, and reliable systems. Their investors include mutual friends at Clean Energy Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and Elemental Impact.

Dan’s prior experience includes work at DNV GL and a PhD in engineering and public policy from Carnegie Mellon.

In this episode, you’ll learn these four important takeaways.

1. How an 8th-grade science project and a trip to Haiti laid the foundation for this company
2. Why they chose to build solutions involving hardware, software, and communications instead of just one or two of those pieces
3. How their structured customer discovery channeled 75 utility executive interviews into the formation of their new product offering
4. Why we shouldn’t wait for a crisis to start building health relationships with mindfulness and therapy tools like IFS

🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:

SparkMeter -https://www.sparkmeter.io

Dan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-schnitzer-600934bb/

Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist (book) - https://shorturl.at/EYrJp

Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead (book) - https://shorturl.at/hlgO9

The Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win (book) - https://shorturl.at/2ZVRZ

High Output Management (book) - https://shorturl.at/wvZjo

📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:

Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows, Alumni Allies, and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:

I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:

To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🤔 PODCAST HOST:

Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).

Aeroshield uses MIT- and NASA-backed aerogel technology to create ultra-efficient, lightweight windows that cut energy loss and accelerate payback for buildings.

Aeorshield is unlocking the next generation of energy-efficient windows. They do this by developing the world’s most transparent silica aerogel inserts for windows, reducing energy loss through windows by 50%.

Elise’s prior experience includes roles at Johnson Controls, Activate, and a PhD from MIT where the research on aerogels all began.

In this episode, you’ll learn these four important takeaways.

1. How windows lead to 35% of energy loss in buildings
2. How they’re using $25M in funding to expand beyond their pilot facility and scale up next year
3. How to make this super-insulating material called aeroseal, aka frozen smoke
4. Why you should ignore criticism from people from whom you wouldn’t proactively seek advice

🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:

Aeroshield - https://www.aeroshield.tech

Elise - https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-strobach

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. (book) - https://shorturl.at/BgAZB

Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience (Book) - https://shorturl.at/tu9dV

People’s History of the United States (book) - https://shorturl.at/wAVqu

Nature (PBS series) - https://www.pbs.org/show/nature

📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:

Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows, Alumni Allies, and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:

I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:

To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🤔 PODCAST HOST:

Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).

Skyven Technologies delivers zero CapEx industrial decarbonization with heat pumps, helping heavy industries cut emissions while scaling globally and maintaining founder sanity.

Skyven is an industrial decarbonization company that designs, funds, installs, and maintains a unique steam-generating heat pump with zero downtime and no CapEx cost to customers. They have hundreds of millions of dollars of financing available.

As the founder and CEO, Arun is a mission-driven PhD engineer-turned-entrepreneur with prior roles at Texas Instruments and Metronics.

In this episode, you’ll learn these four important takeaways.

1. Why they're well positioned to serve the trillion-dollar global industry process heat market
2. How they price steam contracts with customers in chemicals, pulp and paper, food and beverage, ethanol, textiles, and metals
3. Why building for the end goal today is a bad idea, and what you should do instead
4. How screaming at the top of your lungs while cycling can help manage the roller coaster of entrepreneurship

🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:

Skyven - https://skyven.co

Arun - https://www.linkedin.com/in/arung12

📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:

Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows, Alumni Allies, and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:

I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:

To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🤔 PODCAST HOST:

Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).

Kita provides carbon insurance to safeguard voluntary carbon market projects, reducing financial exposure while enabling confident investment in climate solutions.

Kita is a carbon insurance specialist bridging the insurance and carbon markets. Their insurance products act as a stamp of confidence and safeguard against loss. Their insurance claims can be paid in cash or in replacement carbon credits, providing flexibility for clients' individual risk appetites and carbon strategies.

In this episode, you’ll learn these four important takeaways.

1. The relationship between billion-dollar transactions and rigorous insurance products
2. The difference between counterparty, political, method, and natural catastrophes risks, and when Kita choose to insure against them
3. The voluntary carbon market players they rely on to certify whether a carbon project has met its goals, or whether an insurance event is triggered
4. Why she chose to do a year-long “maternity sabbatical” after each of her children was born, and what it did for her thoughts on work

🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:

Kita - https://www.kita.earth

Natalia - https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-dorfman

The Magic of Thinking Big (book) - https://shorturl.at/Ucoxn

Size of carbon market in 2030 (six estimates) - https://shorturl.at/WMTV3

Matilda the Musical (movie) - https://www.netflix.com/title/80993016

📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:

Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows, Alumni Allies, and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:

I share lessons learned from working with 300 climate tech CEOs and investors, meditating for 25 years, teaching 90,000 students, and reading 50 books per year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:

To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🤔 PODCAST HOST:

Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).

SER Capital Partners backs North American industrial sustainability companies with mid-market private equity, emphasizing strong teams, ESG value, and mindful leadership.

SER Capital Partners is a middle-market private equity investment firm dedicated to North American industrial sustainability. They manage $500M in equity, plus opportunities to harness debt for the right projects. Typical investments range from $50-$150M per company.

In addition to his role at SER, Rahul is a former private equity investor at Energy Capital Partners and a Board member at Sunnova, NextLight, FirsLlight, Sungevity, and growth-stage cleantech companies. 

In this episode, you’ll learn these four important takeaways.

1. How they pick the right companies to invest in
2. Their perspective on ESG and how it adds financial value to their portfolio companies
3. How they select the right management team, and what it means to be pulled vs. to push
4. Why he practice Transcendental Meditation 5x per week and tries to bring a gift to every personal encounter

🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:

SER Capital - https://sercapitalpartners.com

Rahul - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahul-advani-3a711a

Clean Disruption of Energy and Transportation: How Silicon Valley Will Make Oil, Nuclear, Natural Gas, Coal, Electric Utilities and Conventional Cars Obsolete by 2030 (book) - https://shorturl.at/KjlbJ

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (book) - https://shorturl.at/iihRd

📈 JOIN EFI’S CLIMATE CEO PEER GROUP:

Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — Join North America’s top private peer group community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. We’re a community of 100 CEO Fellows, Alumni Allies, and Mentors (investors and post-exit CEOs) representing over $40B of market value or financial assets for climate solutions. Apply here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📣 READ EFI’S NEWSLETTER:

Inspired by lessons I've learned from 300+ climate tech CEOs and investors, it's a quick read about climate tech startups, investment, wisdom, and a little humor. Join over 20,000 who get it. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

✍🏼 LEAVE A PODCAST REVIEW:

To help more people discover the climate tech CEOs and investors we interview, please take one minute to review or rate this podcast. Since we don’t take any sponsors for this podcast, we appreciate this small gesture of your appreciation. Here are instructions: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🤔 PODCAST HOST:

Dr. Chris Wedding is the CEO of EFI (climate CEO peer groups), cofounder of Terraset (carbon removal), Senior Advisor at Javelin Capital (investment banking), Board member at World Tree (regenerative forestry), Board Advisor at DG Matrix (next-gen power electronics), Duke & UNC professor, ex-private equity investor, ex-investment banker, occasional monk, father of three, 2x ax-throwing champ (huh?), Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2006 (Google it), and super humble guy (as evidenced by this long bio).