

CleanTechies Podcast
The #1 Podcast for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs
We are CleanTechies, the #1 Podcast for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs. Whether you’re an active ClimateTech entrepreneur, an aspiring one, an investor, a service provider…anything that touches supporting early stage climate tech, this is the place for you.
Each week, we publish two interviews with leading experts in the field telling their stories, insights, and advice to help ClimateTech Entrepreneurs like you be inspired by their successes and learn from their mistakes. cleantechies.substack.com
Each week, we publish two interviews with leading experts in the field telling their stories, insights, and advice to help ClimateTech Entrepreneurs like you be inspired by their successes and learn from their mistakes. cleantechies.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 6, 2022 • 48min
Combating Fast Fashion using Sustainable Cotton with Graham Stewart from Fiber52
Hello everyone and welcome back to CleanTechies the Podcast. This is episode 72.If you are a climate tech founder with specific questions you'd like us to ask -- OR -- looking for capital and strategic partner introductions, please reach out to me via the Slack Channel or LinkedIn and we are glad to help in any way we can. Today we are joined by Graham Stewart the founder of Fiber52 which has a method of dyeing cotton which is significantly more sustainable. Graham was born and raised in one of the world's (at the time) largest textile manufacturing towns in the UK. If I caught it correctly he was actually born in one of the factories/warehouses. He went on to spend his life in this industry. In today's conversation, he walks us through his background, entrance to sustainability, how he built Fiber52, and then into a lot about what they are doing and other things surrounding the sustainable textile industry. Overall, this was a fascinating conversation where I learned so much about an industry I have never explored before. Hopefully, they will grow this technology and make a strong impact on reversing climate change. Enjoy the episode and please share it with someone interested in sustainable fashion. Topics:[10:37 - 13:16] The process of how textiles are traditionally made[13:39 - 15:55] How sustainable textiles are made[16:37 - 18:59] The business model, transparency across the value chain, challenges, and benefits[33:18 - 37:35] Graham's thoughts and comments on Fast Fashion[40:16 - 44:19] Getting into the textile space for young professionals and the return of the apprenticeship modelWe hope you enjoy today's episode - please reach out with any specific questions or discussion points. If you're interested in being a show sponsor you can reach me at silasmahner@gmail.comLINKS:Fiber52 Website: https://www.fibre52.com/Connect with Graham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamrstewart/Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/Join the Slack Channel: https://cleantechies.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-pd2drz6d-N~9nURU5JlyMXv2ZiO5bAQ#/shared-invite/emailFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/ HMU on Twitter: @silasmahnerWe are proud to continue working with NextWave as our official show sponsor for this podcast. NextWave and all of its staff are highly motivated to advance the ClimateTech revolution and are constantly innovating ways that they can help affect that transition. From experts in the talent space to ESG experts, NextWave is taking on Climate and Social responsibility head-on and helping companies build great cultures that not only make the world a better place but also increase workplace satisfaction. Reach out to NextWave Partners today to learn more about how we might partner with you today. https://www.next-wavepartners.com/ / info@next-wavepartners.comSupport the show This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

Dec 1, 2022 • 1h 4min
Demystifying Alternative-Protein and How its Made with Sharyn Murray from Good Food Institute (GFI)
Hello everyone and welcome back to CleanTechies the Podcast. This is episode 71.If you are a climate tech founder with specific questions you'd like us to ask -- OR -- looking for capital and strategic partner introductions, please reach out to me via the Slack Channel or LinkedIn and we are glad to help in any way we can. If you're unfamiliar with Alternative Proteins, this episode should be a good place for you to start - especially if like me, you're not a white-coat scientist.Today Sharyn Murray from Good Food Institute (commonly referred to as GFI) joined us to speak about Alternative Proteins and what they are doing at GFI.Sharyn is highly knowledgeable in this space and was able to really shed light on a lot of things inside this space from how the proteins are grown (in a way understandable to a non-scientist), the infrastructure required to grow the industry, how local farmers will be affected, and many other things. An incredible episode that should be especially helpful for anyone interested in the Alternative Protein space. TOPICS:[3:20 - 5:40] - Intro to Sharyn & Effective Altruism[6:20 - 8:24] - moving to GFI & differentiating herself[9:30 - 13:34] - GFI & the Origin[14:10 - 18:01] - Terminology of Alt Protein Space[20:14 - 23:49] - Adoption, taste & price, regulatory issues, and cost parity[27:06 - 28:44] - Carbon impact of the space - 20% of Global GHG, & the alternative is 98% carbon emissions-free[30:01 - 32:42] Regenerative Farming or Alt-Protein[33:23 - 36:46] - How are alt proteins made (for non-science people)[37:23 - 39:54] - Missing infrastructure [40:17 - 44:19] - How farmers are affected by this shift / helping them / affects of climate change[49:20 - 52:26] - The Alt Protein ESG reporting framework from GFI / FAIRR[53:14 - 55:02] - Conventional and Disruptive orgs enter space[55:40 - 57:32] - The grant program: who can apply, how, and the target outcomes[57:57- 59:02] - How to get into Alt-Protein space - advice for early career individuals[59:15 - End] - ClosingWe hope you enjoy today's episode - please reach out with any specific questions or discussion points. If you're interested in being a show sponsor you can reach me at silasmahner@gmail.comLINKS:GFI Website: https://gfi.org/Connect with Sharyn:Bruce's TED Talk:Oxford Study:Nature study:Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners:Join the Slack Channel: https://cleantechies.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-pd2drz6d-N~9nURU5JlyMXv2ZiO5bAQ#/shared-invite/emailFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/ Support the show This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 27, 2022 • 52min
Making Wave Energy Viable and Attractive with Jan from NoviOcean
Hello everyone and welcome back to CleanTechies the Podcast. This is episode 70.If you are a climate tech founder with specific questions you'd like us to ask -- OR -- looking for capital and strategic partner introductions, please reach out to me via the Slack Channel or LinkedIn and we are glad to help in any way we can. Today we are joined by Jan Skjoldhammer the founder and CEO of NoviOcean. NoviOcean is a wave energy technology company that is developing, what they believe to be, a technology that will truly crack the wave power industry. In the conversation we discuss...(5:50 - 7:02) How he went from being a pilot to founding a wave power company(10:26 - 12:47) How the technology works and how they combined the best of all wave power technology(23:30 - 27:40) The layout and siting of the projects and the benefits of co-locating the projects with Offshore Wind(32:51 - 34:33) How the tech can also help reduce damage from waves onshore(40:49 - 42:45) The importance of mobilizing regulators at a speed appropriate for the speed of climate changeWe hope you enjoy today's episode - please reach out with any specific questions or discussion points. If you're interested in being a show sponsor you can reach me at silasmahner@gmail.comNoviOcean Website: https://noviocean.energy/Connect with Jan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-g-skjoldhammer-8807996/Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/Join the Slack Channel: https://cleantechies.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-pd2drz6d-N~9nURU5JlyMXv2ZiO5bAQ#/shared-invite/emailFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/ HMU on Twitter: @silasmahner__________We are proud to continue working with NextWave as our official show sponsor for this podcast. NextWave and all of its staff are highly motivated to advance the ClimateTech revolution and are constantly innovating ways that they can help affect that transition. From experts in the talent space to ESG experts, NextWave is taking on Climate and Social responsibility head-on and helping companies build great cultures that not only make the world a better place but also increase workplace satisfaction. Reach out to NextWave Partners today to learn more about how we might partner with you today. https://www.next-wavepartners.com/ / info@next-wavepartners.comSupport the show This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 22, 2022 • 1h 6min
Charging Ahead - How Mary Barra is Brining GM into the Future with author David Welch.
Hello everyone and welcome back to CleanTechies the Podcast. This is episode 69.If you are a climate tech founder with specific questions you'd like us to ask -- OR -- looking for capital and strategic partner introductions, please reach out to me via the Slack Channel or LinkedIn and we are glad to help in any way we can. Today we are joined by David Welch the Bureau Chief at Bloomberg News in Detroit to discuss his new book, Charging Ahead. The book is generally about how Mary Barra rose to become the CEO of GM and the first Female CEO in the Legacy Auto Industry. And then goes on to describe how she has led GM into the future by making the shift to Electric Vehicles. We talk about a lot of things but some of the key topics in this episode are...[6.12] GM's history. From the most respected company in the world to bankruptcy[11.11] How Mary Barra made her rise to CEO and her battles with Trump[31:35] The legacy automaker sentiment and the future for them[38.07] Tesla & Joe Biden[45.05] The benefits of EVs[51.17] The success of the EV regulatory frameworks[59.46]The challenges for the next 2-3 years for EVWe hope you enjoy today's episode - please reach out with any specific questions or discussion points. If you're interested in being a show sponsor you can reach me at silasmahner@gmail.comOrder the book, Charging Ahead: https://www.amazon.com/Charging-Ahead-Barra-Reinvention-American/dp/1400233593Connect with David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-welch-9031185/Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/Join the Slack Channel: https://cleantechies.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-pd2drz6d-N~9nURU5JlyMXv2ZiO5bAQ#/shared-invite/emailFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/ HMU on Twitter: @silasmahner__________We are proud to continue working with NextWave as our official show sponsor for this podcast. NextWave and all of its staff are highly motivated to advance the ClimateTech revolution and are constantly innovating ways that they can help affect that transition. From experts in the talent space to ESG experts, NextWave is taking on Climate and Social responsibility head-on and helping companies build great cultures that not only make the world a better place but also increase workplace satisfaction. Reach out to NextWave Partners today to learn more about how we might partner with you today. https://www.next-wavepartners.com/ / info@next-wavepartners.comSupport the show This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 15, 2022 • 60min
How Microfinance Helps Unbanked & The Climate Vulnerable w/ Celyn & Kristen (ShareChange)
Hello everyone and welcome back to CleanTechies the Podcast. This is episode 68.If you are a climate tech founder with specific questions you'd like us to ask -- OR -- looking for capital and strategic partner introductions, please reach out to me via the Slack Channel or LinkedIn and we are glad to help in any way we can. Today we are joined by Celyn Brown and Kristen Castell to discuss what ShareChange is doing in the Micro Finance space. This conversation spans broadly across what ShareChange is doing with Micro Lending to Entrepreneurs in unbanked regions but also more broadly about the importance of Micro Finance. Key topics: How big financial institutions can stand to change and how they originally were against Impact Finance How the unbanked populations are also more affected by Climate Change How, in many countries, women are unable to get loans without a man's signature How learning through doing is the best way to get into impact finance We hope you enjoy today's episode - please reach out with any specific questions or discussion points. If you're interested in being a show sponsor you can reach me at silasmahner@gmail.comShareChange Website: https://wesharechange.com/Connect with Kristen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kriscastell/Connect with Celyn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celynbrown/Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/Join the Slack Channel: https://cleantechies.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-pd2drz6d-N~9nURU5JlyMXv2ZiO5bAQ#/shared-invite/emailFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/ HMU on Twitter: @silasmahner__________We are proud to continue working with NextWave as our official show sponsor for this podcast. NextWave and all of its staff are highly motivated to advance the ClimateTech revolution and are constantly innovating ways that they can help affect that transition. From experts in the talent space to ESG experts, NextWave is taking on Climate and Social responsibility head-on and helping companies build great cultures that not only make the world a better place but also increase workplace satisfaction. Reach out to NextWave Partners today to learn more about how we might partner with you today. https://www.next-wavepartners.com/ / info@next-wavepartners.comSupport the show This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 12, 2022 • 48min
Is Propane The Perfect Energy Transition Fuel? With Tucker Perkins
Hello everyone and welcome back to CleanTechies the Podcast. This is episode 67.If you are a climate tech founder with specific questions you'd like us to ask -- OR -- looking for capital and strategic partner introductions, please reach out to me via the Slack Channel or LinkedIn and we are glad to help in any way we can. Today we speak with Tucker Perkins who is the President and CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council (aka PERC) and we discussed Renewable Propane. Broadly speaking, we covered the basics of the propane industry, how it's made, what the environmental impacts are, and how renewable propane is being made. This was our first time talking about this topic, and for me, it was the first time I really have ever heard the argument for Propane. This was a really fascinating topic as it appears Propane could serve as a really great interim fuel to make immediate impacts on reducing carbon emissions. We hope you enjoy today's episode - please reach out with any specific questions or discussion points. If you're interested in being a show sponsor you can reach me at silasmahner@gmail.comPropane Education & Research Council: https://propane.com/Connect with Tucker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tucker-perkins-8972a510/Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/Join the Slack Channel: https://cleantechies.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-pd2drz6d-N~9nURU5JlyMXv2ZiO5bAQ#/shared-invite/emailFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/ HMU on Twitter: @silasmahner__________We are proud to continue working with NextWave as our official show sponsor for this podcast. NextWave and all of its staff are highly motivated to advance the ClimateTech revolution and are constantly innovating ways that they can help affect that transition. From experts in the talent space to ESG experts, NextWave is taking on Climate and Social responsibility head-on and helping companies build great cultures that not only make the world a better place but also increase workplace satisfaction. Reach out to NextWave Partners today to learn more about how we might partner with you today. https://www.next-wavepartners.com/ / info@next-wavepartners.comSupport the show This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 8, 2022 • 42min
Decarbonizing Residential Energy Usage & Saving Homeowners Money with Greg from Elevation
Hello everyone and welcome back to CleanTechies the Podcast. This is episode 66.If you are a climate tech founder with specific questions you'd like us to ask -- OR -- looking for capital and strategic partner introductions, please reach out to me via the Slack Channel or LinkedIn and we are glad to help in any way we can. Today we are joined by Greg Fasullo from Elevation. They are helping holistically transform residential energy usage. They do 3 things primarily. Help visualize energy usage for homeowners in a very easy wayInstall solar to help reduce environmental impacts and save moneyHelp utilities manage demand response programsWe talk in detail about all these things along with some other things including...how their data tracking can offer feedback to appliance manufacturers how an energy-efficient home affects real estate valueshow his time at Berkeley shaped him virtual power plantsWe hope you enjoy today's episode - please reach out with any specific questions or discussion points. If you're interested in being a show sponsor you can reach me at silasmahner@gmail.comElevation Website: https://www.poweredbyelevation.com/Connect with Greg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregfasullo/Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/Join the Slack Channel: https://cleantechies.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-pd2drz6d-N~9nURU5JlyMXv2ZiO5bAQ#/shared-invite/emailFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/ HMU on Twitter: @silasmahner__________We are proud to continue working with NextWave as our official show sponsor for this podcast. NextWave and all of its staff are highly motivated to advance the ClimateTech revolution and are constantly innovating ways that they can help affect that transition. From experts in the talent space to ESG experts, NextWave is taking on Climate and Social responsibility head-on and helping companies build great cultures that not only make the world a better place but also increase workplace satisfaction. Reach out to NextWave Partners today to learn more about how we might partner with you today. https://www.next-wavepartners.com/ / info@next-wavepartners.comSupport the show This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 5, 2022 • 1h 1min
Decentralizing Agriculture & Societal Resilience with Eddy from Eden Green Technologies
Hello everyone and welcome back to CleanTechies the Podcast. This is episode 65.If you are a climate tech founder with specific questions you'd like us to ask -- OR -- looking for capital and strategic partner introductions, please reach out to me via the Slack Channel or LinkedIn and we are glad to help in any way we can. Today we are speaking with Eddy Badrina the CEO of Eden Green Technologies. Eden is a vertical farming technology company that is, currently, focused on the growing of lettuce at a commodity scale. In today's episode, Eddy walks us through,the challenges of other vertical growers, compares some of the business models, discusses food insecurity due to climate change,of course how their tech works, what their future and the future of vertical growing looks like generally, as well as how they are not only farming lettuce but their own talent and bringing career growth to the farming industry in a way not previously seen. Really fascinating episode with Eddy. Super glad we can bring this to you. We hope you enjoy today's episode - please reach out with any specific questions or discussion points. If you're interested in being a show sponsor you can reach me at silasmahner@gmail.comEden Green Technology Website: https://www.edengreen.com/Connect with Eddy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddybadrina/Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/Join the Slack Channel: https://cleantechies.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-pd2drz6d-N~9nURU5JlyMXv2ZiO5bAQ#/shared-invite/emailFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/ HMU on Twitter: @silasmahner__________We are proud to continue working with NextWave as our official show sponsor for this podcast. NextWave and all of its staff are highly motivated to advance the ClimateTech revolution and are constantly innovating ways that they can help affect that transition. From experts in the talent space to ESG experts, NextWave is taking on Climate and Social responsibility head-on and helping companies build great cultures that not only make the world a better place but also increase workplace satisfaction. Reach out to NextWave Partners today to learn more about how we might partner with you today. https://www.next-wavepartners.com/ / info@next-wavepartners.comSupport the show This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

Nov 1, 2022 • 40min
Reducing Plastic Usage En Masse & Improving Recycling with Bahruz from BERKM Inc
Hello everyone and welcome back to CleanTechies the Podcast. This is episode 64.If you are a climate tech founder with specific questions you'd like us to ask -- OR -- looking for capital and strategic partner introductions, please reach out to me via the Slack Channel or LinkedIn and we are glad to help in any way we can. On today's episode of the podcast, we are joined by Bahruz Mammadov discussing how he and his team at BERKM Inc are helping reduce plastic usage through their innovative technology. The key areas covered are how their additive allows bottle makers to reduce the total volume of plastic used in the creation of bottles --and--how they are working to increase recycling to a full circleWe hope you enjoy today's episode - please reach out with any specific questions or discussion points. If you're interested in being a show sponsor you can reach me at silasmahner@gmail.comBERKM Inc Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkm-inc/Connect with Bahruz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bahruzmammadov/Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/Join the Slack Channel: https://cleantechies.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-pd2drz6d-N~9nURU5JlyMXv2ZiO5bAQ#/shared-invite/emailFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/ HMU on Twitter: @silasmahner__________We are proud to continue working with NextWave as our official show sponsor for this podcast. NextWave and all of its staff are highly motivated to advance the ClimateTech revolution and are constantly innovating ways that they can help affect that transition. From experts in the talent space to ESG experts, NextWave is taking on Climate and Social responsibility head-on and helping companies build great cultures that not only make the world a better place but also increase workplace satisfaction. Reach out to NextWave Partners today to learn more about how we might partner with you today. https://www.next-wavepartners.com/ / info@next-wavepartners.comSupport the show This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe

Oct 28, 2022 • 48min
Carbon Markets and How they Work with Matt Smith from Finite Carbon
Hello everyone and welcome back to CleanTechies the Podcast. This is episode 63.If you are a climate tech founder with specific questions you'd like us to ask -- OR -- looking for capital and strategic partner introductions, please reach out to me via the Slack Channel or LinkedIn and we are glad to help in any way we can. What is carbon sequestration? Isn't it a scam? How does it work? Who decides the price? We cover these and more questions about the carbon sequestration and carbon markets space in today's conversation with Matt Smith from Finite Carbon. Finite Carbon is a platform helping land owners get verified Carbon Credits, as well as connect them with the buyers of these credits. And soon, this will be available to landowners with as little as 40 acres. Very exciting work they are doing at Finite Carbon. We are glad we can bring this episode to you. Main talking points of today's discussion are:How the carbon markets work What a carbon baseline isBeing a self-regulated industryVerification and transparent reporting How to get into the space The future of Carbon MarketsWe hope you enjoy today's episode - please reach out with any specific questions or discussion points. If you're interested in being a show sponsor you can reach me at silasmahner@gmail.comThe Finite Carbon Website: https://www.finitecarbon.com/Connect with Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smith-matthew09/Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/Join the Slack Channel: https://cleantechies.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-pd2drz6d-N~9nURU5JlyMXv2ZiO5bAQ#/shared-invite/emailFollow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/ HMU on Twitter: @silasmahner__________We are proud to continue working with NextWave as our official show sponsor for this podcast. NextWave and all of its staff are highly motivated to advance the ClimateTech revolution and are constantly innovating ways that they can help affect that transition. From experts in the talent space to ESG experts, NextWave is taking on Climate and Social responsibility head-on and helping companies build great cultures that not only make the world a better place but also increase workplace satisfaction. Reach out to NextWave Partners today to learn more about how we might partner with you today. https://www.next-wavepartners.com/ / info@next-wavepartners.comSupport the show This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cleantechies.substack.com/subscribe


