Welcome to Carbon13’s podcast “Climate Takes” where we ask special guests for their “takes” on their industry and climate challenge, as well as setting a call to action, asking what will it take to solve the climate emergency?

In this episode we’re looking at Corporate VCs and the role they play in funding climatetech startups. It’s estimated that in 2024, CVCs invested over $10 billion into climatetech startups - but it’s not just their chequebooks that are important to founders. CVCs can become an entrypoint into the parent company and in a sector where the majority of startups are b2b, and pilots, LOIs and Offtakes are the holy grails, this makes them an investor class well worth understanding.

To demystify CVCs, we’re delighted to be joined by Mike Smeed, Managing Director of InMotion Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover’s CVC. Their portfolio includes battery recycling, rare earths recycling and supply chain visibility solutions. Mike himself is passionate about connecting mission driven entrepreneurs to JLR’s strategic goals, and elevating the work of CVCs across Europe.

Subscribe to Climate Takes to find more content on founding and investing in climatetech, with Takes on green chemicals, innovative materials, AI, and hard won lessons in climate entrepreneurship.