New Wave.

Brought to you by:D-CRBN - a Belgian startup turning industrial CO₂ emissions into valuable feedstock using cutting-edge plasma technology. If you want to learn more, reach out directly to David Ziegler or Gill Scheltjens.***This week on New Wave Weekly: change is no longer a scientific forecast.👉 Fusion Energy: Is It Around The Corner?Proxima Fusion raises $200M, U.S. players pull in mega-rounds up to $900M… and suddenly everyone’s bullish. But is fusion coming in 2030, or 2100? Game-changing tech or just another beautiful mirage?👉 The capital stack goes creativeGrants, debt, PPAs, infra equity, climate finance is finally evolving beyond pure VC. But who’s funding $100M FOAK projects? And where are all the climate-native CFOs?👉 OpenAI x Oracle, $300B and 4.5 GWOne AI deal = 4 nuclear reactors. As data centers suck up grid capacity, could the compute boom drag climate tech into the fast lane?***References:FT: Europe’s fusion race heats up with billions in fundingTechCrunch: CFS books $1B power deal for its future reactorTechCrunch: Google inks its first fusion power deal with CFSLinkedIn: Proxima Fusion extends its Series ACTVC: Fusion roundup — big rounds, big dealsCFS: CFS raises $863M Series B2 to accelerate commercializationSifted: SunSave raises $113M to expand solar subscriptionsWSJ: OpenAI and Oracle sign $300B computing deal***Wave Makers:Hampus Jakobsson - Pale Blue DotMatthew Blain - Voyager Ventures***Chapters:(00:00) Introduction(01:12) Is Fusion Happening?(28:31) The Creative Capital Stack(42:20) A Deal That Needs 4.5GW***Leave a review✨Apple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcgSpotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newwavenewsletter.substack.com

ESG is under fire. Some say it’s “good for the brand” but not foundational to the strategy. Others call it flat-out fraud.So I wanted to find out:Is ESG in venture capital just a PR exercise, or can it actually create value?To unpack this complex topic, I invited Damien Didier, Head of ESG at Daphni, a French VC firm with over €500M AUM and one of the funds that truly walks the talk.And I’ll be honest: I used to see ESG as a box-ticking exercise.But after this conversation, I left convinced that when done right, ESG can improve startup performance, strengthen returns, and unlock real impact.We covered:What ESG really means in VC (and why most people get it wrong)Their framework to assess ESG in early-stage startupsWhy asking for too much ESG data too early is a mistakeHow ESG ties into margins, exit premiums, and long-term value…and more!***References:Daphni - https://www.daphni.com/Damien Didier - https://www.linkedin.com/in/damien-didier/ESG Toolbox - The ESG Toolbox by daphniTime4 - A New Fund to Change the Game!Les Déterminés - https://www.lesdetermines.fr/Live4Good - https://www.live-for-good.org/HEC IncubatorsIncluded VC - https://www.included.vc/***In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introduction(00:41) ESG in Venture?(10:24) Is ESG relevant at pre-seed?(13:14) The S of ESG(23:04) Implementing ESG(28:55) The Future of ESG in VC(31:50) Fire Questions 🔥***What’s next?👀This was the last episode before we launch a new format and brand. Stay tuned! 👋***Leave a review✨Apple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcg Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newwavenewsletter.substack.com

Sir Ronald Cohen is not your average climate investor. In 1972, he co-founded one of Europe’s first VC funds, which became Apax Partners, now with €80B+ deployed in private equity and venture capital.At 60, he had a realization:“I didn’t want my epitaph to read: ‘He delivered a 30% annual return.’ I had always known that life should have a greater purpose.”Since then, he’s spent two decades reimagining what finance can be, and asking what it should become. And so I asked him: Is venture capital the right instrument to solve climate change?***In this conversation:Why risk–return–impact outperforms traditional investingHow impact accounting could reshape global portfoliosWhy public markets are shrinking (and what that means for climate exits)How to measure impact in dollars, not just KPIs…and much moreWhether you’re an investor, founder, or just curious about the future of finance, this is one you won’t want to miss.***Links:Sir Ronald CohenImpact (Sir Ronald’s Book)***Episode guide:(00:00) Introduction(01:23) The case for impact VC(09:23) Fund structures and patient capital(16:40) What makes a company truly impactful?(24:04) Portfolio rotation is coming(33:28) This will change all of finance(35:12) Closing: Are you optimistic? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newwavenewsletter.substack.com

Brought to you by:Accelerating Impact - an independent non-profit advancing impact finance by mobilizing capital toward sustainable development and running free accelerator programs for emerging fund managers (ICFA, ISFA). Join for expert coaching, training, financial support, and a strong peer community. Contact them here.***Climate change is no longer a scientific forecast. It's a daily reality for many people in the Global South.Crops are failing, cities are flooding, and wildfires are becoming the norm.Yet, only a fraction of climate finance goes toward climate adaptation solutions.Why does adaptation remain so drastically underfunded?And what does it take to invest in adaptation?To unpack this complex topic, today we are joined by Timothy Rann, Managing Partner at Mercy Corps Ventures. Timothy has led over 70 investments in emerging markets with one goal: to build real climate resilience where it matters most.***What we discussed:Adaptation vs mitigation: why we need bothWhy adaptation finance lags despite a $300B funding gapThe missed opportunities for global investorsInvestment case studies with Pula and MeridiaThe role of governments, regulations, and public goods… and more!***References:Mercy Corps VenturesLinkedIn - Timothy RannPula (agricultural insurance)Meridia (farm data & traceability)Wasoko (supply chain resilience)***In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introduction & Sponsor(01:57) Adaptation vs. Mitigation(11:39) The Case for Adaptation(18:20) Investment Strategies in Adaptation(25:57) The Social Mission of VC?(34:49) Investing in Adaptation(47:31) Can You Make Money in Climate?(49:52) Fire Questions 🔥***Who’s next?👀Next week, I’ll be joined by the Head of Sustainability at Daphni to unpack the role of ESG in venture capital. Too often dismissed as box-ticking, ESG can actually be a powerful framework for building resilient, future-proof startups. Stay tuned to learn more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newwavenewsletter.substack.com

Can circularity deliver on both carbon reduction and financial performance?Today, we’re joined by Nic Gorini, Managing Partner at Spin Ventures, a fund dedicated to the circular and regenerative economy. In this episode, Nic reframes circularity as a path to business efficiency, not just environmental good. Forget the “waste = trash” mindset. Circularity is about designing smarter systems that cut costs, increase profit, and reduce environmental impact. As Nic puts it: “Less carbon, more profit.”Still have doubts? Vinted, Back Market, Vestiaire Collective are all worth $1B+. If you’re a founder building with efficiency in mind or a VC looking to stay ahead of the curve, this episode is packed with insights.***Where to find Nic & Spin:Spin Ventures: Spin Ventures Ltd.House of Circularity: The House of CircularityLinkedIn: Nic Gorini***In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introduction(01:20) Less Carbon, More Profit(07:23) The Three Pillars of Circularity(17:38) VC Guide to Circularity(24:04) Are Consumers Ready?(28:33) Can Generalists Play?(31:26) Deep Tech + Circularity?(34:51) Fire Questions 🔥***Who’s next?👀Next week, I’ll be speaking with someone who has backed 60+ founders in emerging markets, where climate resilience isn’t optional, it’s survival. We explore why VCs often overlook adaptation, and why that’s a missed opportunity for impact and returns. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newwavenewsletter.substack.com

Artificial Intelligence is seen as a critical tool for solving climate change. We talk about optimizing grids, accelerating material discovery, and predicting extreme weather.But can AI really help us solve the climate crisis faster than it contributes to it?Today I’m joined by three sharp thinkers in the world of climate:- Hampus Jakobsson: founding partner at Pale Blue Dot and a bullish believer in AI for climate- Pippa Gawley: founding partner at Zero Carbon Capital and a cautious observer of the AI hype- Matteo Turchetta: co-founder and CTO at KoraLabs and PhD in AI for sustainable agriculture from ETH ZürichTogether, we answer the question: Is AI a good thing for the climate?***We talk about: Why adding “AI” to your pitch won’t save a climate startupHow smaller, smarter models could reduce emissionsWhether climate data is good enough to train real solutionsWhen AI crosses the line from helpful to harmfulHow small AI wins might unlock massive physical world impactWhen regulation makes sense, and when it stifles innovation… and more!***Where to find Hampus, Pippa & Matteo:Hampus | Pale Blue Dot | The DropPippa | Zero Carbon CapitalMatteo | KoraLabs***Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction (01:30) AI Solution Categories (03:57) Investor Skepticism (06:54) Practical Use Cases (12:30) Data Quality Matters (17:17) Environmental Impact of AI (23:05) Solving Real Problems (33:57) Accelerating Dirty Industries (40:05) Responsible Use of AI (46:06) Key Takeaways***Other episodes you might like: - How Climate Startups Get Their FIRST Investor***Sign up for my free newsletter: - VCo2 | The Climate Investing Podcast | Hugo Rauch | Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newwavenewsletter.substack.com

Dave Borlace, creator of the popular YouTube channel Just Have a Think, breaks down the pivotal role of batteries in the energy transition. He explains the advantages and challenges of various battery types, including lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and emerging solid-state technologies. The discussion highlights China's dominance in battery production and its impact on global pricing. Borlace explores innovations like lithium-sulfur and aluminum batteries, shedding light on their potential to revolutionize energy storage and support renewable energy initiatives.

How do you secure that first yes from a climate investor?And how do you build the conviction needed to write the first check?***Co-hosted by Climate Drift and VCo2, this brutally honest conversation features three of the sharpest minds in early-stage investing, Hampus Jakobsson (Pale Blue Dot), Jonny Everett (Marble), and Andreas Klinger (Prototype Capital), to lift the curtain on how decisions are made when there’s barely a product, let alone traction.You’ll learn:→ Why traction isn’t what gets deals done→ What “founder-problem fit” really means→ The checklists behind venture decisions→ How to cut through the noise and get noticed→ … and more!This conversation is gold if you’re raising a first round, backing pre-seed startups, or trying to figure out how to stand out in a crowded fundraising market.***⌛TIMESTAMPS00.00 Introduction01:28 What Hampus Looks For02:31 Investors Can Be Fast04:11 Checklist to Build A Startup06:25 An Investor's Checklist17:27 Matching People and Ideas22:50 Market Shifts 202535:19 Getting Investor Attention40:48 Planning for Returns42:19 What is a Good Investor?47:38 Planning Future Rounds52:35 The Dynamics of Fundraising56:02 Honesty in Rejections1:02:04 Engineering Momentum1:05:09 Seek a No1:10:06 Building Real Relationships1:13:35 Getting Noticed by Marble1:16:22 The Upside of Failure1:17:52 Closing Thoughts***Pale Blue Dot: https://paleblue.vc/ The Drop: https://thedropconf.com/ Prototype: https://www.prototypecap.com/contact/ Andreas' Channel:  ⁨@prototypecap⁩  Marble: https://marble.studio/about Climate Drift: https://www.climatedrift.com/ VCo2: https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/***📚 STARTER PACKWe have prepared this Starter Pack as your crash course in early-stage climate investing, the people doing it, the psychology behind it, and the playbook that gets the first check over the line. Enjoy!***💚 LEAVE A REVIEWApple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcgSpotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newwavenewsletter.substack.com

This week, we sit down with Tove Larsson, General Partner at Norrsken VC, one of the largest climate VCs in Europe with already 3 unicorns in their portfolio and built on top of Norrsken Foundation, launched by Niklas Adalberth (founder of Klarna).We discuss why the geopolitical landscape is creating new opportunities, how Europe’s startup ecosystem is maturing, and what VCs need to change about their approach to impact investing.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why Europe is a more attractive climate tech market than ever beforeHow the European policy landscape (Green Deal, CBAM, etc.) is shaping startupsThe sectors with the strongest unicorn potential in climateExamples of booming sectors from Norrsken’s portfolioHow to support startups during and after failureWhat LPs really think about impact funds, and why that’s changing… and more!***Thank you to DealMaker for sponsoring this episode. 💚 Big raises. No gatekeepers. DealMaker helps cleantech companies bypass traditional funding barriers and raise millions on their own terms, by going directly to investors online. Ready to fuel your vision? Visit DealMaker.tech to learn more.***⌛TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction & Europe's Investment Boom04:49 Norssken & Klarna's Story06:44 Key Sectors in Climate09:28 AI For Climate?16:09 European Policy Landscape20:05 It's Time for Climate Unicorns 26:37 We Need More LPs In Climate31:10 Embracing Risk & Failure 38:41 Rapid Fire Questions 🔥***💚 LEAVE A REVIEWApple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcgSpotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newwavenewsletter.substack.com

This week, we sit down with Helena Wasserman, the co-founder of Investors for Climate, a global network of over 400 climate-focused investors across 24 cities. In this episode, we dive into the engine behind that momentum: a community that connects capital with founders at seed stage, and creates deep relationships between VCs, angels, and family offices worldwide.***Thank you to DealMaker for sponsoring this episode. 💚 Big raises. No gatekeepers. DealMaker helps cleantech companies bypass traditional funding barriers and raise millions on their own terms, by going directly to investors online. Ready to fuel your vision? Visit DealMaker.tech to learn more.***⌛TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction to Investors For Climate04:16 How the Community Started06:43 The Community Playbook09:58 Why Community Matters14:28 Investor Preferences17:56 City Expansion Strategy19:18 Notable Investment Examples20:36 You Need Strict Rules 21:45 Fire Questions***💚 LEAVE A REVIEWApple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcgSpotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newwavenewsletter.substack.com