Leaders on a Mission

Europe’s energy system is undergoing one of the biggest transformations in generations. Energy security, the rapid growth of renewables, rising demand from AI and data centres, and the continuing challenge of climate change are fundamentally reshaping how we generate, store and consume power. At the centre of that transformation is energy storage.

Today, I’m joined by Philipp Mann, Founder of terralayr, a company building and operating battery storage infrastructure with ambitions to become a major force in Europe’s energy transition.

We explore why Philipp believes the coming decades will belong to energy and infrastructure technology businesses, why Germany represents such a compelling starting point, and how terralayr has scaled rapidly while raising hundreds of millions in equity and project financing.

We also get into leadership, building a high-agency culture, attracting exceptional talent, and Philipp’s ambition to build a company of generational scale and lasting impact.

This is a conversation about energy sovereignty, infrastructure, technology, and what it takes to build an enduring energy business at the heart of Europe’s transformation.

Tune in for an inside look at turning an ambitious student experiment into scalable energy infrastructure.

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Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! 

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? 

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. 

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. 

Tune in on…

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

Timestamps:

01:08 — From Watches to Energy

03:36 — Solving Europe’s Storage Gap

07:06 — Why Batteries, Why Now?

10:15 — Finding Product-Market Fit

13:16 — Winning Major Energy Partners

15:45 — How Virtual Tolling Works

21:32 — Energy’s Defining Decades

25:19 — Raising €400M+ Capital

28:37 — Agency, Integrity & Culture

Useful links: 

terralayr Website:  https://www.trlyr.com/

terralayr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/terralayr/

Phillip Mann  Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippman/

Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/

Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

What started as a student experiment is now a €140 million bet on the future of industrial heat.

In this episode, Mark Verhagen, Founder and CEO of RIFT, shares the hard lessons behind taking iron fuel from the university lab towards commercial scale—and challenging fossil fuels in one of the toughest industries to decarbonise.

Mark explains why sustainability alone won’t win customers, why first movers matter, and how RIFT realised its original business model wouldn’t support the capital needed to scale. He also explores knowing when to pivot, aligning financing with commercial strategy, handling the pressure of fundraising, and building a company when the odds are against you.
🎧 Tune in for an inside look at turning an ambitious student experiment into scalable energy infrastructure.
---
🌿 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts!

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability?

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions.

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact.

Tune in on…

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

Timestamps:
00:00 – Reinventing industrial heat
03:43 – How iron fuel works
08:03 – Student project to scale-up
11:35 – Sustainability isn’t enough
14:04 – Rethinking the business model
16:03 – Learning ahead of growth
18:31 – Knowing when to pivot
23:56 – The reality of fundraising
25:56 – The odds are against you


Useful links: 👇
RIFT Website:  https://www.ironfueltechnology.com/
RIFT  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/renewableironfueltechnology/
Mark Verhagen  Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/-markverhagen/
Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/
Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

Turning breakthrough science into a successful business requires more than great technology. It takes capital, manufacturing scale, commercial focus and a team capable of turning innovation into real-world impact.

In this episode, Thijs Bosch, CEO of The Protein Brewery, shares the realities of leading a fermentation-based food company from startup to scale-up. Following EU novel food approval and a major Series B extension, he discusses raising growth capital, scaling production to meet demand, and building a high-performing culture that brings together biotech, manufacturing and commercial expertise. 

Thijs also reflects on becoming a first-time CEO, why focus and resource allocation are critical in a scale-up, and what it takes to turn breakthrough food innovation into a commercially successful business.
🎧 Tune in to discover how breakthrough science becomes scalable innovation—and why the future belongs to those willing to think long term.

---

🌿 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts!

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability?

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions.

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact.

Tune in on…

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
03:20 – Joining a company mid-fundraise
05:00 – Moving from startup to scale-up
09:52 – The realities of becoming a first-time CEO
14:51 – De-risking breakthrough technology
16:42 – Securing EU novel food approval
19:42 – The opportunity in active nutrition
24:39 – Scaling production to meet demand
28:02 – Building a high-performance cultur


Useful links: 👇
The Protein Brewery Website:  https://www.theproteinbrewery.com/
The Protein Brewery LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-protein-brewery/
Thijs Bosch Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thijs-bosch-8a53133/
Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/
Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

What does it really take to turn breakthrough science into a business that changes industries? In this episode, Giacomo Bastianelli, CEO of Rainbow Crops, shares his journey commercialising frontier science—from biotech and software startups to building climate-resilient crops using AI, genome editing, and precision breeding. He explains why people matter more than technology, how AI is transforming crop genetics through better data, and why patient capital is essential for deep-tech innovation. Giacomo also discusses Europe's evolving regulatory landscape, building high-performing teams, and the mindset required to navigate long development cycles while creating lasting impact.

🎧 Tune in to discover how breakthrough science becomes scalable innovation—and why the future belongs to those willing to think long term.

---

🌿 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! 

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? 

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. 

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. 

Tune in on…

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!


Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & introduction
01:59 – The 3 Ps of startups
09:53 – Engineering plants differently
11:25 – Building Rainbow Crops
17:04 – AI meets crop genetics
20:20 – Europe's regulatory shift
23:35 – Commercialising deep tech
26:57 – Why patient capital matters
35:40 – Lessons from failure

Useful links: 👇
Rainbow Crops Website:  https://www.rainbowcrops.com
Rainbow Crops LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rainbow-crops/
Giacomo Bastianelli Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giacomobastianelli/
Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/
Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

AI isn't facing a compute problem—it's facing an infrastructure problem. Every breakthrough in artificial intelligence, electrification and clean energy depends on critical minerals, yet the real challenge is extracting them sustainably and economically.

In this episode, Mohammad Doostmohammadi, Founder & CEO of PH7 Technologies, shares how his company is transforming the recovery of critical minerals through a closed-loop process that dramatically reduces water use, eliminates wastewater and unlocks value from low-grade ores and mine waste. He also discusses the realities of commercialising deep-tech, navigating the mining industry's appetite for innovation, and why building the right team—not just the right technology—is what ultimately determines success.

🎧 Tune in for a fresh look at scaling deep-tech ventures where speed matters—but shortcuts don’t.

---

🌿 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! 

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? 

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. 

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. 

Tune in on…

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

Timestamps
00:00 – AI's infrastructure challenge
02:15 – The founding insight
06:30 – Unlocking mine waste
11:15 – Sustainable meets commercial
12:50 – Why copper matters
18:05 – Rethinking mineral processing
22:45 – Scaling deep-tech
30:40 – It's all about team
33:30 – Building a global vision

Useful links: 👇
ph7 Technologies website:  https://ph7technologies.com/
ph7 Technologies  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ph7technologies/
Mohammad Doostmohammadi  Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammad-doostmohammadi/
Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/
Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

How do you raise millions in one of the world’s toughest deep-tech sectors when you’re still learning the industry yourself?

In this episode, Susan Stone, CEO of Blue Current, shares how curiosity, relentless learning, and disciplined execution helped her lead a major fundraise within her first year in solid-state batteries. Susan explores the realities of scaling breakthrough energy technologies, navigating the “valley of torture” between innovation and commercialization, and building a culture where respectful challenge drives better decisions. From manufacturing strategy and investor alignment to AI-driven energy demand and the future of battery innovation, this conversation offers a masterclass in leading through complexity and uncertainty.

Tune in for a fresh look at scaling deep-tech ventures where speed matters—but shortcuts don’t.

---

Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! 

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? 

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. 

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. 

Tune in on…

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

Timestamps
00:00 – Entering Battery Tech
04:38 – Choosing The Winner
09:02 – Capital-Light Thinking
12:58 – Solid-State Reality Check
17:02 – Go Fast. No Shortcuts.
21:22 – Batteries & National Security
24:43 – AI's Energy Demand
28:21 – Hiring For Challenge
34:39 – Breaking Down Silos

Useful links:
Blue Current  website:  https://blue-current.com/
Blue Current LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-current-inc/
Susan Stone Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-stone-49bb5a/
Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/
Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

What happens when the infrastructure feeding half the world's population becomes vulnerable to geopolitics, supply chain disruption, and outdated production models?

In this episode Nico Pinkowski, CEO and co-founder of Nitricity, shares how his team is reimagining fertiliser production through distributed, renewable-powered systems built closer to farmers. Nico reflects on failed technologies, difficult pivots, and the breakthrough moments that emerged when the company was at its lowest. From strengthening food security to scaling a 70-person climate tech business, he reveals why great leaders don't avoid hard problems—they stare the bull in the eyes and find opportunity where others see obstacles.

---

Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! 

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? 

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. 

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. 

Tune in on…

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

Timestamps:

01:00 Food Security Risks

03:57 Nitricity's Mission

06:29 The Fertiliser Challenge

08:04 When Pivots Hurt

11:10 Bombing The Pitch

13:00 Opportunities In The Gutter

14:39 Reinventing Fertiliser

20:04 Scaling The Company

30:45 Stare The Bull 

Useful links: 

Nitricity website:  https://www.nitricity.co/

Nitrcity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nitricity/

Nico Pinkowski  Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspinkowski/

Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/

Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

What happens when you realise incremental change is no longer enough? For Randi Wahlsten, that moment led her from a successful corporate career to founding Matr Foods, a company reimagining how sustainable food is created and consumed.

In this episode, Randi shares the realities of building a new food category from scratch, transforming simple ingredients through fermentation, and scaling a business around a vision before the market existed. 

 From raising capital and building a first-of-its-kind factory to leading through uncertainty and challenging industry norms, this conversation explores what it takes to turn purpose into progress.

Tune in for an honest conversation about conviction, innovation, and building something the world doesn't yet know it needs.

---

 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! 

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? 

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. 

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. 

Tune in on…

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

Timestamps:  

00:00 Building a New Category

01:20 Leaving Corporate

02:50 Fermentation's Opportunity

05:00 Beyond Meat Alternatives

06:20 How Matr Works

08:45 Scaling Across Europe

11:45 Fundraising Lessons

16:30 Startup Reality

22:50 What Investors Want

25:10 Hiring for Growth

27:40 Female Founder Bias

34:20 Future of Food

Useful links: 

Matr Foods website:  https://matrfoods.com/

Matr Foods LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/matrfoods/

Randi Wahlsten  Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randi-wahlsten-285115/

Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/

Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

Europe imports millions of tons of soybeans every year. But what if the future of farming could change that completely?

In this episode, Simon Leich sits down with Benjamin Laga, founder and CEO of Protealis, to explore how AI, genetics, and next-generation breeding could help Europe grow more of its own protein and reduce its dependence on imported soy.

Benjamin shares his journey from biotech startups to global corporations like BASF, and explains why he left the corporate world to build a company focused on sustainable agriculture and food security.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why Europe depends so heavily on imported soybeans
• How protein crops could reshape the future of farming
• How AI is accelerating crop breeding and genetic selection
• Why sustainable farming starts with better crop systems
• The challenge of turning scientific innovation into real-world impact

This episode is a fascinating look at the future of agriculture, food independence, and the technology changing how crops are developed.
Watch now and discover how one startup is trying to transform Europe’s food system.

Tune in on…

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:36 Meet Benjamin Laga

01:32 From Startup Life to Big Corporations

05:18 How Benjamin Started Protealis

07:52 Building a Company with Purpose

09:25 Starting a Business During Covid

10:23 Why Europe Imports So Much Protein

12:09 Soybeans & Europe’s Nitrogen Problem

14:51 Using AI to Improve Crop Breeding

18:16 How AI Predicts Better Crops

22:44 Why Soybeans Struggle in Europe

25:54 Developing High Protein Crops

27:10 Growing Soybeans Across Europe

28:19 Turning Research Into a Real Business

30:00 Building the Right Company Culture

32:12 Hiring People for Startup Life

34:09 Belgium’s Growing AgTech Scene

35:34 The Future Vision for Pr

Useful links:

Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/

Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

What if agriculture could become the world’s most powerful engine for climate and health—without sacrificing yield? In this episode, Dr. Robert Berendes, scientist, entrepreneur and longtime ag innovator, unpacks how deep tech, genome editing and AI are transforming a “low-tech” industry into a high-impact platform for planetary regeneration. He explores the shift from calories to nutrition, soil health and carbon sequestration, why new genetics will rewrite competitive dynamics in ag, and what it really takes to scale ventures from flagship labs to farmers’ fields. Along the way, Robert shares hard-won lessons on talent, regulation, capital cycles and why agriculture in 2030 will look nothing like today.

Tune in for a fresh look at building ventures that leave every acre better.

---

Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! 

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? 

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. 

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. 

Tune in on…

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

Timestamps:

0:00 – Rethinking innovation in ag

1:08 – Ignoring the noisy consensus

3:43 – From consulting to Syngenta

5:38 – Why ag is misunderstood

10:09 – Reading and writing genomes

12:56 – Power shift to farmers

17:24 – Inside the Flagship model

22:59 – Talent that drives disruption

28:42 – Funding cycles and exits

34:10 – Agriculture in 2030

Useful links:

Flagship Pioneering website: https://www.flagshippioneering.com/

Flagship Pioneering LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flagship-pioneering/

Robert Berendes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-berendes-39b62a67/

Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/

Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/