#157 Onshoring Battery Production, Getting to Bankability, Waterless Cathode Materials, & More w/ Virginia Klausmeier (Sylvatex)

Thanks for returning to the CleanTechies Podcast on Substack! If you are a first-time consumer or if you are returning, we have a big favor to ask you. Please take ~7 min to fill out our listeners’ survey so we can better understand your preferences and better tailor the show to you. Thank you SO much for being a reader/listener. 🌎 Welcome back to the CleanTechies PodLetter, founder edition. Today, we are talking to Virginia Klausmeier from SylvatexToday, we had the chance to learn about a pretty technical innovation with someone who helped us understand tech in a manageable way. Some of the core discussion points are… * The landscape of battery manufacturing, along with the supply chain issues pushing onshoring and nearshoring* How Sylvatex is creating a more sustainable precursor material for use in battery manufacturing by using a waterless innovation * Her journey to becoming a founder and the mission behind what she’s doing Ask yourself this: is the content we put out valuable enough to you that you’d be willing to buy us a latte 🍵 once a month? 📺 Watch on YouTube🍎 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify🗣️ Join the Slack ChannelThe Guest: Virginia Klausmeier * Having graduated from University of Oregon with a Masters in Biomechanical Engineering, Virginia would start her career working in consulting. * She would end up starting Sylvatex in the wake of her Father’s death to continue on his research. Perhaps out of a desire to carry on his legancy but as we discussed on the pod, out of a responsibiliyt to the planet. * Today, Virginia is on a number of boards, speaks at industry events including for the World Economic Forum, and is pushing Sylvatex forward to the point where they can start producing Cathode Active Materials at scale (CAM). The Startup: SylvatexBattery Materials, Manufacturing, Green ChemicalsOne-liner: Making Cathode Active Materials (chemicals used in the production of batteries) without water. Born out of Virginia’s late father’s research, Sylvatex is her way of taking the opportunity presented to her to help solve climate change.The technoligy uses a dry manufacturing process to produce Cathode Active Materials without using water and in a highly energy efficient way. This helps reduce the environmental impacts of these materials which are in high demand. In addition to all of this, their technology will help onshore battery production in the US, reducing the supply chain concerns, as well as removing a lot of emissions caused by shipping these materials. Enjoying the CleanTechies PodLetter? Please show your support by subscribing! 📝 Show Notes:Topics* 01:23 Intro* 07:11 Battery Mfg in the US* 09:11 Onshoring Battery Mfg* 09:42 The Opportunity* 15:54 Motivation* 17:12 The Story of Sylvatex* 19:16 Starting a Company* 21:03 Taking the Leap* 24:13 Waterless Cathode Production* 30:51 State of Sylvatex* 42:11 Pilot Funding* 42:41Milestones for Commercialization* 45:05 Getting to Bankability* 47:29 Debt Financing for Modular Manufacturing* 48:25 Navigating the UnknownLinks* Virginia Klausmeier | Sylvatex* Connect with Somil | Connect with Silas* Check out our sponsor, NextWave Partners, for all your Climate, Renewables, and Sustainability recruitment needs.* This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.Asks 👋* We have recently launched a listener survey, and we would love to hear from you how we can improve the show and what you like most. Please take 7 minutes to help us with this. It’s 7 minutes for you, but it makes a huge impact on how we can serve you. * Have a specific guest or topic you’d like us to discuss? Leave a comment and let us know. Here’s the thing: Somil and I both have day jobs, so if you’re in the helping mood, we both have an ask for you today.Somil: I’m currently seeking to connect with founders in the built environment space for a project I’m working on. If you’re in that space, schedule a chat here!Silas: As many of you know, my day job is solving people’s hiring headaches in climate - do you have a hiring headache? Well, let me be your Advil. (booking here)🚨🚨🚨 Attention Hiring Managers!!! Are you struggling to find qualified candidates? Maybe getting candidates but can’t bring them across the line consistently? Or not getting sufficient applicants? — Reach out to our sponsors, NextWave Partners today to help solve that for you.NextWave Partners is a leading Global Renewables, Climate, & Sustainability recruitment consultancy solely focused on these impact areas. They are also B-Corp Certified.Reach out to them today to help you solve your hiring challenges and get you one step closer to making an impact.🙏🏽 Thanks for tuning in, and see you all next episode! 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