In this episode, Michael Beckerman interviews Laura Fox, the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Streetlife Ventures. They discuss the focus of Streetlight Ventures on investing in climate tech solutions for the built environment. Laura shares her background and career journey, highlighting her passion for improving quality of life in cities. They also discuss the manifesto of Streetlight Ventures and their approach to supporting startups in the B2B space. Laura emphasizes the importance of cities in addressing climate change and the economic opportunities that come with it. They also touch on the state of New York City in terms of climate tech and decarbonization. The conversation with Laura Fox from Streetlight Ventures focused on the opportunities and challenges in building sustainable cities. The main themes discussed were the importance of logistics and fleet management in the transportation sector, the need for energy efficiency and renewable power in buildings, the potential of wastewater and adaptation technologies, and the role of government in driving sustainable urban development. The conversation also touched on the strategies for scaling a climate tech startup and the vision for future cities that prioritize climate justice, inclusivity, and resilience.

Takeaways:

• Streetlight Ventures focuses on investing in pre-seed and seed stage B2B climate tech startups in five core sectors: mobility and logistics, buildings, energy, waste and water, and adaptation
• Cities play a crucial role in addressing climate change, as half of humanity lives in cities and 70% of emissions come from cities
• New York City is considered the Silicon Valley of climate tech, with a thriving ecosystem of climate tech startups and a range of resources and support for founders
• Government and private sector collaboration is key in driving innovation and decarbonization in cities
• Technology categories with potential in the climate tech space include urban logistics and fleet management, energy efficiency in buildings, renewable energy generation, waste management, and climate adaptation solutions. Logistics and fleet management solutions are crucial for the transportation sector to improve efficiency and reduce emissions
• Energy efficiency and renewable power are key in making buildings more sustainable and reducing emissions
• Wastewater and adaptation technologies offer opportunities for innovation and creating value in the climate tech space
• Government partnerships and collaboration are essential for driving sustainable urban development
• Scaling a climate tech startup requires understanding the market, building a strong funnel, and optimizing operations
• The vision for future cities includes climate justice, inclusivity, and resilience