LtM ep5 - Seth Bannon, Founding Partner at Fifty Years on How Science Startups Build the Future

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), the founders of Span and Quilt talk about the electrification of homes.

• Span has developed a smart panel that helps homeowners integrate new devices and manage their electricity use.
• Quilt is building an aesthetically pleasing residential electric heating and cooling system.

They discuss the challenges of expanding the grid and the confusion homeowners face when transitioning to electrification. They also mention the importance of building relationships with contractors and the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides subsidies for electrification. Both speakers express their excitement about the future of electrification.

This conversation is moderated by Emily Pontecorvo, Staff Writer at Heatmap. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.

Speakers

• Paul Lambert, Co-Founder and CEO, Quilt
• Arch Rao, CEO, Span

Moderator

• Emily Pontecorvo, Staff Writer, Heatmap

Credits

• Producer: Ben Joffe 
• Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe
• Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs 
• Intro Music: EL Waili
• Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three startup founders discuss the importance of climate data and measurement.

• Pano AI developed a solution for active wildfire detection using cameras and satellite feeds.
• Kayrros use of satellite imagery to provide independent data for financial institutions, insurance companies, and government regulatory bodies.
• Gaia AI uses satellite technology to measure greenhouse gas emissions, biomass, and biodiversity. He also mentions their focus on timber companies and connecting them to the carbon market.

The conversation touches on the challenges and opportunities in their respective industries. It is moderated by Devin Coldewey, Writer at TechCrunch. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.

Speakers

• Peter McHale,Co-Founder and CEO, Gaia.ai
• Sonia Kastner, CEO and Founder, Pano AI
• Antoine Rostand, President and Co-Founder, Kayrros

Moderator

• Devin Coldewey, Writer, TechCrunch

Credits

• Producer: Ben Joffe 
• Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe
• Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs 
• Intro Music: EL Waili
• Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three scientists working at notable venture funds: Clea Kolster, Partner and Head of Science at Lowercarbon, Ken Caldeira, Senior Scientist at Breakthrough Energy and Susan Schofer, Partner and Chief Science Officer at SOSV’s HAX program, discuss the importance of having Phd scientists on venture capital teams and how they play a role in translating technical research into marketable solutions.

They also touch on the relationship between science and investment in their respective firms, the need for diverse expertise, and the transition from academia to investing. Overall, they emphasize the importance of combining technical knowledge with market understanding to make informed investment decisions in the field of climate tech.

This conversation is moderated by Tim DeChant, Senior Climate Reporter at TechCrunch+. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.

Speakers

• Ken Caldeira, Senior Scientist, Breakthrough Energy
• Clea Kolster, Partner and Head of Science, Lowercarbon Capital
• Susan Schofer, HAX, Partner & Chief Science Officer

Moderator

• Tim DeChant, TechCrunch+, Senior Climate Reporter
• Credits
• Producer: Ben Joffe 
• Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe
• Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs 
• Intro Music: EL Waili
• Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), we feature three speakers: Rob Leclerc, Founding Partner at AgFunder, Kate Danaher, Managing Director at S2G Ventures Ocean Fund, and Greg Smithies, Partner at Fifth Wall.

They discuss the benefits and challenges of raising funds from category-specific climate tech firms. They also talk about the most exciting spaces in agriculture, buildings, and oceans, as well as the state of the climate tech funding market. The speakers emphasize the importance of specialized underwriting, pattern recognition, and the need for realistic valuations in the climate tech sector. They also highlight the opportunities presented by the Infrastructure and CHIP Acts.

This conversation is moderated by Katie Fehrenbacher, Climate Tech Reporter at Axios. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.

Speakers

• Rob Leclerc, Founding Partner, AgFunder
• Greg Smithies, Partner, Fifth Wall
• Kate Danaher, Managing Director, S2G Ventures Ocean Fund

Moderator

• Katie Fehrenbacher, Climate Tech Reporter, Axios

Credits

• Producer: Ben Joffe 
• Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe
• Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs 
• Intro Music: EL Waili
• Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), two analysts and an analyst-turned-VC discuss the need for innovative solutions in sectors such as renewable power, transportation, and hard-to-abate industries. They also discuss the potential for growth in climate tech and the importance of research and funding in driving progress. They highlight emerging segments such as sustainable mining, geothermal energy, and energy storage. Overall, they emphasize the ongoing need for climate solutions and the opportunities for career growth in the field.

This conversation is moderated by Sierra Peterson, Founding Partner, Voyager VC. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.

Speakers

• Nat Bullard, Partner, Bloomberg NEF
• Mark Taylor, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer, CTVC

Moderator

• Sierra Peterson, Founding Partner at Voyager VC

Credits

• Producer: Ben Joffe 
• Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe
• Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs 
• Intro Music: EL Waili
• Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), we feature Iceland’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, and David Helgason, co-founder and former CEO of software unicorn Unity, and the founder of a climate-focused venture capital firm called Transition and an initiative called Transition Labs.

They discuss Iceland's potential as a hub for carbon removal technologies and climate tech. They highlight Iceland's commitment to renewable energy sources and its strong government support for global climate solutions. They also discuss the advantages of Iceland's agile innovation ecosystem and its willingness to pilot and deploy climate technologies quickly. The speakers emphasize the importance of collaboration and experimentation in scaling climate solutions.

This conversation is moderated by Ben Joffe, Partner at SOSV. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.

Speakers

• Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Iceland Government
• David Helgason, Transition Labs, Climate Investor

Moderator

• Ben Joffe, SOSV, Partner

Credits

• Producer: Ben Joffe 
• Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe
• Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs 
• Intro Music: EL Waili
• Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), four investors discuss the importance of early stage funding and the need for startups to show traction and progress. They also highlight the potential of untapped sectors such as cement and agriculture in driving climate tech innovation. The conversation touches on the role of government regulation and incentives in supporting the growth of the climate tech industry.

This conversation is moderated by Alex Wilhelm, Editor in Chief at TechCrunch. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.

Speakers

• Laurie Menoud, Founding Partner, AtOne
• Stephanie Dorsey, Founding Partner, E2JDJ
• Corinna Chen, Partner, Material Impact
• Dr. Pae Wu, SOSV General Partner, IndieBio CTO

Moderator

• Alex Wilhelm, TechCrunch, Editor in Chief

Credits

• Producer: Ben Joffe 
• Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe
• Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs 
• Intro Music: EL Waili
• Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech

In this discussion from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), 

Three founders of AgTech startups discuss their innovative solutions in the fields of climate resilient crops, bio fertilizer, and water harvesting.

Brendan from Avalo explains how machine learning is used to identify desirable traits in plant genomes. Franco from Puna Bio discusses the use of extreme microbes to create bio fertilizer. Dr. Ramadan Borayek from Drip AI explains the passive technology behind their hydro panel that harvests water from the air. The founders also discuss the challenges of raising funds and the importance of investing in deep tech solutions to cope with growing food in challenging climate conditions.

This conversation is moderated by Marina Schmidt, Founder and Editor in Chief, Red to Green Solutions. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.

Speakers

• Brendan Collins, Co-Founder, CEO, Avalo
• Franco Martinez Levis, CEO and Co-Founder, Puna Bio
• Ramadan Borayek, CTO, Co-Founder, Drip.ai

Moderator

• Marina Schmidt, Founder and Editor in Chief, Red to Green Solutions

Credits

• Producer: Ben Joffe 
• Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe
• Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs 
• Intro Music: EL Waili
• Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech

In this interview from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), Dr. Gaurab Chakrabarti, Co-founder and CEO of Solugen, a company specializing in sustainable chemicals, is interviewed by Dr. John Cumbers, Founder and CEO of SynBioBeta.

They discuss Solugen’s progress in fundraising and building infrastructure, as well as its focus on developing climate-neutral and climate-negative chemicals. They talk about the industrial uses of Solugen’s products, such as disinfecting water in agriculture and industrial water treatment. They also discuss the climate impact of its chemicals and their goal to replace 30% of US chemical demand with domestically bio-manufactured alternatives. Finally, they touch on the challenges of scaling bio manufacturing and the need for regulatory support.

The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.

Speakers

• Dr. Gaurab Chakrabarti, Co-founder & CEO, Solugen
• Dr. John Cumbers, Founder and CEO, SynBioBeta

Credits

• Producer: Ben Joffe 
• Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe
• Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs 
• Intro Music: EL Waili
• Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech

In this panel from the 2023 SOSV Climate Tech Summit (Sept 26-27, 2023), three experts discuss the future of meat and the challenges faced by the cultivated meat industry.

Eric from Upside Foods emphasizes the need for access to public funds and international harmonization of regulatory policies. Deniz from Prolific talks about the importance of reducing costs and increasing yields in order to compete with factory farming. Last, Philip from OSI Group mentions the role of traditional meat companies in providing sustainable options and the importance of clear and accurate labeling. They also discuss the need for transparency and independent validation of safety and nutritional data. The discussion closes with ideas on the future of meat consumption and the potential for innovation to address climate change.

This conversation is moderated by Larissa Zimberoff, Journalist and Author of Technically Food: Inside Silicon Valley's Mission to Change What We Eat. The video of this episode and more can be found online at sosvclimatetech.com.

Speakers

• Eric Schulze, VP Global Regulatory and Public Policy, UPSIDE Foods
• Deniz Kent, Co-founder & CEO, Prolific
• Philip Bronstein, Senior Vice President Global Food Safety and Quality Assurance, OSI Group

Moderator

• Larissa Zimberoff, Technically Food: Inside Silicon Valley's Mission to Change What We Eat, Author

Credits

• Producer: Ben Joffe 
• Podcast Summary: Written by gpt-3.5-turbo, edited by Ben Joffe
• Intro Voice: Cloned voice of Ben Joffe by ElevenLabs 
• Intro Music: EL Waili
• Keywords: #deeptech #venturecapital #climatetech #vc #robotics #lifesciences #biology #hardware #startups #innovation #technology #frontiertech #hardtech