32. Martin Mulvilhill (Safer Made) on investing in safe chemistry

Martin Mulvihill of Safer Made, a VC firm, talks about investing in startups that eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals in consumer products and supply chains. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:40) Marty’s career path (03:10) Motivation for becoming a VC (04:38) Safer Made’s origin, mission, and vision (05:40) Safer Made’s investment thesis (06:05) How Safer Made thinks about and measures impact (07:02) Safer Made’s portfolio companies, including P2Science and Repurpose (08:58) How Safer Made sources and evaluates investment opportunities  (10:46) Safer Made’s value add beyond capital (12:01) Safer Made’s LPs (12:27) What makes an excellent deeptech VC (14:07) Safer Made’s risk appetite and desired rate of return (16:28) Chemical industry and its emissions (17:25) Chemical industry’s positive and negative impact on society  (20:40) Fossil fuel consumption and driver for its reduction  (22:28) Unintended consequences of increased plastic production (24:51) Doubling of chemical industry and curtailing negative effects (27:57) Role and responsibilities chemical industry has in advancing sustainability (29:51) Safer Made’s relationship and interaction with chemical corporations (31:00) Regulation