Impact at Scale

In this episode, Zal Dastur interviews Ryan Shermahorn, a patent attorney and partner at Marshall, Gerstein & Borun, to explore the critical intersection of climate change, clean technology, and intellectual property.

They dive into the Climate Change Mitigation Pilot Program, which accelerates the patent process for climate-focused innovations, highlighting how this program can benefit startups and smaller companies.

Ryan explains why securing patents is essential for attracting investors, safeguarding innovations, and mitigating risks from patent trolls and counterfeiters.

The conversation also unpacks the challenges of protecting AI-related patents, strategies for navigating international markets, and the often-overlooked resources available to clean tech innovators.

In this episode of Impact at Scale, Zal Dastur speaks with Martijn Lopes Cardozo, a partner at Regeneration VC, to uncover how climate venture capital is shaping a sustainable future. They dive into the principles of the circular economy, revealing that only 7% of materials are recycled—a stark call for change.

Martijn highlights how Regenerative VC targets consumer climate tech investments and tackles underfunded climate sectors with innovative business models.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of de-risking investments through corporate collaboration and securing customer validation as a cornerstone of startup success.

Martijn also shares compelling stories from their portfolio, offering insider tips on crafting pitches that emotionally engage investors and showcase the indispensable qualities of a winning founding team.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of venture capital and climate innovation.

How do extreme weather events and the ongoing climate crisis impact emotional well-being? In this week's conversation, Impact at Scale talks to climate psychologist Katharina Van Bronswijk about the intersection of climate change and mental health.

Katharina emphasizes the importance of recognizing and processing emotions related to climate change, such as eco-grief and anxiety, while also advocating for a balance between awareness and mental health.

The discussion highlights the significance of agency and collective efficacy in driving sustainable behavior and the need to shift societal norms to elevate sustainability as a status value.

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In this week's episode of Impact at Scale with Zal Dastur, we are doing a deep dive into energy with my guest, Jeremy Bentham, the Co-Chair of the World Energy Council.

Jeremy discusses the critical themes surrounding the energy transition, including the role of the World Energy Council, the need for a shift in perception regarding energy transition, the importance of aligning various factors for successful implementation, and the potential of nuclear energy.

We also explore the geopolitical aspects of energy planning, the size and impact of the energy system, the evolving role of fossil fuel companies and the significance of consumer demand and individual actions in driving the transition towards a sustainable energy future.

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Impact at Scale with Zal Dastur discussed all things waste management with Joel Tasche, the founder and co-CEO of Cleanhub. Cleanhub brings waste management services to areas with inefficient systems, aiming to keep plastic out of the environment and create local jobs.

Joel shares his company's mission to tackle plastic pollution at scale and emphasizes the importance of strong partnerships and building relationships with local partners and communities. He also discusses Cleanhub's business model, which involves partnering with consumer goods brands to sponsor the cleanup of plastic waste.

Joel highlights the challenges of recycling, including the competition with the optimized process of producing virgin plastic and the difficulty of sorting and processing different types of plastic. We talk about the need for strong regulation and extended producer responsibility to drive change in waste management and recycling practices.

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Impact at Scale interviews Steve Willis, author of Fairhaven: A Novel of Climate Optimism.

They discuss the intersection of technology and climate change, the need for optimism and action in the face of the climate crisis, and the importance of shifting societal values around status and consumption. They also explore the potential for media, such as books and movies, to inspire and showcase solutions for a sustainable future.

You can find a link to their substack here - https://fairhavenclimatenovel.substack.com/

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To listen to the episode with Prof Ben Horton please use the link - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5qWgEyCS29aycs23gQZumA?si=gdYBCkWySuqq-GX7AzwHkg

Impact at Scale had a conversation with Mihir Pershad, CEO of Umami Bioworks. Umami is utilizing stem cell biology, machine learning, and automation to craft the future of sustainable seafood

Mihir discusses the company's mission to revolutionize the seafood industry through sustainable practices. He explores the challenges of traditional seafood production, the scalability of alternative proteins, and the cultural shifts needed to promote sustainable consumption.

The conversation emphasizes the need for aspirational marketing to change consumer perceptions and the urgency of addressing climate change through innovative food systems.

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Impact at Scale, connected with Esther Chang, Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact Network Singapore, which is the Singapore chapter of the United Nations Global Compact, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative

Esther discusses the work of the UN GCNS and the importance of sustainability. She highlights the need for partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Esther emphasizes the role of leadership in driving sustainability efforts within organizations and the importance of embedding sustainability in strategy and operations.

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Impact at Scale had an insightful conversation with Alina Truhina, CEO and Managing Partner of The Radical Fund. The Radical Fund is an early-stage VC fund enabling an inclusive climate transition for a resilient Southeast Asia.

Alina discusses the importance of climate innovation and investing in emerging markets. She highlights the need for climate mitigation and adaptation, emphasizing that climate change already impacts emerging markets.

She emphasizes the importance of balancing impact and commercial returns in climate funds. In this conversation, Alina also highlights the need for perception change and radical behaviour change to address the complex challenge of climate change. She discusses the differences between how the West and Asia approach climate action.

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Brian Sheng, co-founder and CEO of Aquaria, a renewable source of water that taps into the humidity in the air to produce clean, drinkable water. Aquaria's atmospheric water generators (AWGs) act as a backup or alternative water supply that can be installed on-site in hours.

Brian discusses the global water challenge and the innovative solutions offered by his company. The conversation delves into the scarcity of clean water, the impact of climate change, and the potential for decentralized water creation. Brian shares insights on the market for Aquaria's product, the technology behind it, and the significance of addressing the water crisis. The conversation ends on a positive note, highlighting the potential for technology to solve the water problem.

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