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CLIMB by VSC

by Jay Kapoor

Expert Conversations on Scaling Technologies for Climate AdaptionCLIMB is a weekly podcast where experienced entrepreneurs and venture capitalists Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha speak with leading investors, founders, and industry experts about lessons and perspectives on company-building in the world of climate tech and climate adaptation.If you are a founder building a climate technology business, an investor allocating capital in climate tech, or just a listener looking for a high-octane injection of optimism against a media environment full of doom and gloom, you're in the right place!

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Episodes

  1. Retain Top Talent with the Science of Motivation | EP 075 Lindsay McGregor

    Worried about retaining your best employees? Our guest on this episode is helping you do just that. Lindsay McGregor is the CEO and Co-Founder of Factor.ai and co-author of the bestselling book "Primed to Perform: How to Build the Highest Performing Cultures Through the Science of Total...

  2. Water Technology is a $4 Trillion Opportunity | EP 074 Peter Yolles

    The value of water to water security is $4 trillion today and is likely to triple in the next 10 years. [Source: Global Water Intelligence] To put that $12 trillion into perspective, it is higher than the GDP of every other country other than the US and China. Meet Peter Yolles, General Partner…

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  3. How The Best Founders Find Product Market Fit | EP 073 Zach Coelius

    As many have attested, there's nothing romantic about being a founder. It's about doing what has to be done. And that’s what makes entrepreneurship difficult. In Episode 073 of CLIMB, Zach Coelius, Managing Partner at Coelius Capital, maintains that being a founder is 10x harder than being a VC....

  4. How AI Unlocks Billion Dollar Category Creation | EP 072 Ann Bordetsky

    Ann Bordetsky, partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), joins us in this episode to discuss how AI is creating new business categories and transforming the tech industry. Ann shares her journey through the tech world, her role in supporting startups, and the keys to building successful...

  5. Are Venture Capitalists Helping or Hurting Your Startup? | EP 071 Jason Shuman

    Join us in this episode as we talk with Jason Shuman, a General Partner at Primary Ventures. Jason shares his journey from selling shoes to becoming a big name in venture capital and we dive deep into how venture capitalists like him support and grow startups. Jason talks about his early days of...

  6. Navigating Innovation in Transportation and Electrification | EP 070 Sunil Paul

    In this episode, we welcome Sunil Paul, a pioneer in ride-sharing and a significant figure in sustainable transportation. Paul, who started Sidecar and influenced the early stages of Getaround, dives into his newest venture, Spring Free EV. With his extensive experience, including his early work…

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  7. What Makes a Startup Transform the World | EP 069 Peter Relan

    We welcome Peter Relan, a seasoned Silicon Valley veteran with a rich 40-year history of entrepreneurship and investment. Renowned for founding the YouWeb Incubator, Relan has been instrumental in the early stages of companies that have become household names, such as Discord. His early…

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  8. Secrets to Spotting the Next Big Thing the Baukunst Way | EP 068

    This week, we host Kate McAndrew, founding partner of Baukunst. We discuss the ‘art of building’ successful startups and VC firms as well as the philosophy and practices that have driven Kate to find and invest in groundbreaking technologies over her venture career. From building and leading a…

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  9. When Technology Transcends Screens with Sunil Nagaraj | EP 067

    We're honored to host Sunil Nagaraj, a visionary investor in the intersection of deep tech and climate innovation, and founding partner of Ubiquity Ventures. Nagaraj's unique perspective on "software beyond the screen" and his commitment to supporting early-stage, tech-driven startups are at the...

  10. Special from Consensus in Conversation: Matt Rogers of Mill Industries on Food Waste, Impactful Product Design, and Innovation

    This week, we have the privilege of presenting a discussion from "Consensus in Conversation," hosted by Conor Gaughan, featuring Matt Rogers, CEO of Mill Mills. This episode dives into Matt's impressive journey from his formative years at Apple, where he contributed to the design of…

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  11. Taking a Systems-Based Approach to Surviving Climate Change | EP 065 Ian Samuels

    We are joined by Ian Samuels, founder and managing partner of New System Ventures, a climate tech investment firm dedicated to fostering transformative climate solutions. With a rich background in climate finance, policy, and technology, Ian offers deep insights into the intersection of climate...

  12. Athletes in the Boardroom | EP 064 Eric Rosenblum

    We have the pleasure of hosting Eric Rosenblum, the Managing Partner at Foothill Ventures. Eric shares his compelling journey from his humble beginnings in a small Ohio town to making significant strides in the tech world, including his time at Google where he embraced the fast-paced culture and...

  13. Pouring the Foundations for Artificial Intelligence in Concrete | EP 063 Alex Hall

    We are excited to welcome Alex Hall, co-founder and CEO of Concrete AI, a trailblazer in the construction industry's shift towards sustainability. With an innovative generative AI platform, Concrete AI revolutionizes the concrete mix formulation process, significantly reducing time, costs, and...

  14. What VCs Talk About Behind Closed Doors | EP 062 Rishi Taparia

    We're excited to have Rishi Taparia, Twitter friend turned real-life companion and the founder and managing partner of Garuda Ventures. With the recent close of their first institutional fund at $31 million, Garuda Ventures is taking the early-stage startup world by storm, offering not just...

  15. Why Metrics Shouldn’t Matter, and Funds Shouldn’t Bloat | EP 061 Graham Brown

    We sit down with Graham Brown, Managing Partner at Lerer Hippeau Ventures. Brown brings his venture capital expertise to the table, focusing on climate tech innovation. Lerer Hippeau has been the earliest investor in some of the most iconic consumer brands of the last decade, including Casper,...

  16. The Truth Behind Fifth Wall's Climate Tech Revolution | EP 060 Francesca Whitehead

    We are excited to welcome Francesca Whitehead. As a Vice President at Fifth Wall, Francesca brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective on the intersection of property technology (prop tech) and climate innovation. Fifth Wall, known for being the largest venture fund in real estate and...

  17. The Silent Killer of Startups Decoded by Nate Williams | EP 059

    We sit down with Nate Williams, the founding partner of Union Labs Ventures. This episode dives into the complexities of startup success and the role of sales in ensuring a startup's longevity and growth. Nate Williams begins by discussing common pitfalls in startups, particularly the tendency to...

  18. The New Era of Climate Technology | 058 Micah Kotch

    We're joined by Micah Kotch, an influential figure in the climate investment arena and a partner at Blackhorn Ventures. Kotch's expertise lies in investing in companies that revolutionize the way we use resources, emphasizing the integration of digital infrastructure to accelerate the energy...

  19. How Streamline helps startups unlock $100B in climate grant funding | EP 057 with Helena Merk

    We're joined by Helena Merk, CEO of Streamline Climate. Helena, who started as a coder, now leads the charge in helping startups navigate the tricky world of climate tech funding. What led her from coding to this niche? How do startups succeed in this complex world? Helena shares insights into...

  20. NYC's Plan to Outrun Climate Apocalypse – But Could It Backfire? | EP 056 Sander Dolder

    Sander Dolder, Senior Vice President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), dives into their unique structure and goals. NYCEDC was established in the 1990s to repurpose federal properties turned over to the city, including transforming Times Square and repurposing...

  21. Are Politicians Killing Our Effort Towards Climate Change? | EP 055 Susan Schofer

    Susan Schofer, Partner at SOSV and Chief Science Officer at HAX provides a fascinating look at how scientists transition into entrepreneurs, identifying key traits that contribute to the success of scientific founders in the startup world. We dive into the concept of "Industrial Independence" and...

  22. What Makes Consumers Actually Care About the Climate Crisis | EP 054 Alejandro de la Garza

    Alejandro de la Garza, a reporter for Time, takes us on a journey through the complex world of climate and energy. From the latest advancements in sustainable technology to the challenges posed by global climate change, we dive into a conversation that's not just about understanding the problems...

  23. How Climate Change is Making Our Food Expensive | EP 053 Shayna Harris

    Shayna Harris, Co-Founder of Supply Change Capital digs deep into the critical world of food sustainability. Shayna's journey from an activist to a trailblazer in sustainable food systems offers invaluable insights into the ever-evolving landscape of our food supply chain. Under Shayna's…

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  24. Why Revel’s Risky Bet with New York City Paid Off for Urban Mobility | Ep. 052 Frank Reig

    Frank Reig, the CEO of Revel, gives us the inside scoop on how he turned his vision into reality, from convincing Texas lawmakers to embrace his ideas to launching a fleet of electric vehicles in the heart of NYC. We're diving into ⁠Revel⁠ – a dynamic startup that's revolutionizing how we move...

  25. Fred Lalonde’s Vision for Reversing the Collapse of the Carbon Cycle | EP. 051

    Frederic Lalonde is a trailblazer in the tech and climate sectors. As the co-founder of Deep Sky, Lalonde is at the forefront of combating climate change through innovative carbon capture technology. Deep Sky, a state-backed venture, is dedicated to removing gigatons of CO2 from the atmosphere at...

  26. Jay Kapoor & Vijay Chattha: Why Climate Startups Fail at Storytelling & More Reflections from 50 Episodes of CLIMB

    Jay Kapoor & Vijay Chattha are the founders and general partners of VSC Ventures, a $21M Seed fund focused on industrial automation and climate adaptation startups. In their 50th episode of CLIMB, the duo discuss lessons from the past 49 episodes, which guests surprised them, what advice founders...

  27. Lior Susan: Bringing Full-Stack Innovation to Legacy Industries For a Sustainable Future | EP. 049

    Lior is an investor, entrepreneur, and the Founder and Managing Partner of Eclipse Ventures, a Palo Alto-based venture firm that recently raised $1.2 billion across two new funds. Eclipse is a team of operators and investors building companies that are disrupting old-line industries. Lior Susan...

  28. Shane Dyer: Revolutionizing Water Efficiency with Irrigreen Tech | EP. 048

    Shane Dyer is the CEO of Irrigreen. Irrigreen designs and manufactures an all-digital sprinkler system that uses software-controlled precision sprinkler heads to deliver water uniformly across your landscape and reduce unnecessary water usage. Shane has an extensive background in technology,...

  29. Shaun Abrahamson: Diving Deep into Hardware, Risk, and a Post-Climate Change World | EP. 047

    Shaun Abrahamson co-founded Third Sphere, dedicated to shaping a post-climate change world through venture investments and founder support. Before Third Sphere, Shaun was an active angel investor, investing in more than 20 firms and 3 unicorns between 2007 and 2013 including ZocDoc, Public,...

  30. Sarah Applebaum: Leading Climate Innovation Through Hard-Tech Innovation | EP. 046

    Sarah Applebaum serves as a Partner at Pangaea Ventures. Pangaea Ventures is an unparalleled hard-tech investor that invests in firms utilizing the latest breakthroughs in materials science, chemistry and biology to solve many of society's most pressing issues Sarah brings almost a decade of...

  31. Valerie Shen: Catalyzing Climate Tech's Next Wave with G2 Venture Partners | EP. 045

    Valerie Shen is Partner and Chief Operating Officer at G2 Venture Partners, where she oversees all operational aspects of the firm and fund including fundraising /LP relations, recruiting / HR, fund administration, impact reporting, legal, compliance, and marketing. Prior to business school,...

  32. Molly Wood: Pioneering Climate Solutions from the Newsroom to the Boardroom | EP. 044

    Molly is the Founder and CEO of Molly Wood Media, an independent journalism and investing firm focused on climate solutions. She is also an angel investor and scout for the climate investment firm Amasia, and was previously a managing director at LAUNCH, where she also co-hosted the podcast This...

  33. Vaughn Blake: Bridging Policy and Tech for a Sustainable Future | EP. 043

    Vaughn Blake is a partner at Blue Bear Capital with a focus on the renewal energy industry. He is specifically focused on themes and opportunities where policy and technology catalysts interconnect. Prior to Blue Bear, Vaughn managed a portfolio of emerging and esoteric hedge fund and venture...

  34. Tommy Stadlen: Shaping a Better World through Tech, Sustainability, and Global Leadership | EP. 042

    Tommy Stadlen is a technology entrepreneur and bestselling author. He is the Co-Founder of Giant Ventures. Giant builds and backs purpose-driven technology companies solving the world’s biggest challenges. They champion entrepreneurs in creating a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient…

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  35. Shomik Dutta: Pioneering Climate Tech Through Policy, Investment, and Innovation | EP. 041

    Shomik Dutta is a dynamic force in the climate investment landscape. As the Co-Founder and General Partner of Higher Ground Labs venture fund, he brings a unique blend of experience and expertise to the table. With a background in private equity renewable energy, Shomik has a deep understanding…

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  36. Abe Murray: Pioneering the Future of Robotics in the Age of Climate Innovation | EP. 040

    Abe Murray is a visionary founder, accomplished builder, and distinguished product engineering lead with a remarkable track record in the tech industry. Currently serving as a General Partner at AlleyCorp Robotics, Abe leverages his expertise to drive innovation and excellence in the field of...

  37. Ryan Gembala: Revolutionizing Climate Solutions with A.I. and Robotics | EP. 039

    Ryan Gembala is a pre-seed and seed-stage technology investor & founder of Pathbreaker Ventures. As founder of one of the first deep tech funds in Silicon Valley, he is focused on solving complex global problems through novel hardware-software systems. In 2023, Ryan was named one of the Top 100...

  38. Michael DeLucia: Insights from a Trillion-Dollar Climate Investor | EP. 038

    Michael DeLucia is the Sector Lead for Climate Investing at Wellington, an investment management firm with over $1 trillion assets under management. Before joining Wellington Management in 2021, Mike was a founding partner at ⁠Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners⁠ (SIP), where he led all aspects of…

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  39. David McColl: Navigating the Intersections of Climate, Community and Innovation | EP. 037

    David McColl is currently the Executive Director of Stanford Climate Ventures and is a Graduate Research Fellow at the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy & Finance. He is also a Partner at Echelon, an early-stage venture capital firm, and its affiliate Shoreline Capital. David received a B.S....

  40. Nazlican Goksu: Unleashing the Power of Design in Climate Action | EP. 036

    Nazlican Goksu is a Design Director at IDEO, the design studio behind breakout products like Apple’s first usable mouse, the Simplisafe Security System, and Ford’s next-gen vehicles. She has collaborated and supported the launch of IDEO's Climate Portfolio, where she leads a team of designers in...

  41. Shawn Xu: On Venture Investing & Decoding the Journey from Zero to One in Climate Tech | EP. 035

    Shawn Xu is a venture capitalist and current Chief of Staff at Lowercarbon Capital. Shawn believes in audacious founders and bold solutions to the climate crisis and we wanted to have him on CLIMB because he's not just an investor; he's also a relentless builder helping to expand Lowercarbon's...

  42. Sophie Purdom: Transforming Earth's Future with Planeteer Capital and Climate Tech VC | EP. 034

    Sophie Purdom is a leading climate venture capitalist at Planeteer Capital, specializing in early-stage climate tech startups. Sophie's passion for climate and innovation is also expressed through her highly popular newsletter, Climate Tech VC. With a community of over 50,000 subscribers, she...

  43. Rachel Beals: Climate Frontlines - Investments, Insights, and Actions for a Sustainable Future | EP. 033

    Rachel Beals is a seasoned writer and editor with over two decades of expertise. She is currently the Assistant Managing Editor and Lead Climate Writer at MarketWatch. Over a 25-year career, Rachel has covered traditional commodities markets, alternative energy and the major global conferences on...

  44. Arvind Gupta: Pioneering Biotech Frontiers - Redefining Health, Planet, and Profit | EP. 032

    Arvind Gupta co-leads Mayfield’s engineering biology practice and is Founder and Venture Advisor at IndieBio. He was the first investor in breakout bio companies such as Geltor, Synthex, Prime Roots, NotCo, Prellis, New Culture, DNA Lite and Memphis Meats. As Founder of IndieBio, Arvind redefined...

  45. Ian Rountree: Investing at the Edge of Tomorrow - Unleashing Frontier Tech for Global Change | EP. 031

    Ian Rountree is the Founder & General Partner of Cantos Ventures, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm with $90M under management dedicated to backing deeply technical founders at inception across climate tech, computational biology, aerospace, and next-generation computing. Ian started...

  46. Jonathan Shieber⁠ & Manuel Waenke: How FootPrint Coalition is Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Climate Investing & Storytelling | EP. 030

    FootPrint Coalition invests in high-growth, sustainability-focused companies. They make charitable grants to non-profits that advance the adoption of environmental technology and entertain, inform, and mobilize the public with original and curated content. They are a coalition of investors…

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  47. Tim De Chant: Covering Eco-Innovation & Reporting at the Intersection of Tech, Climate, and Conscious Consumerism | EP. 029

    Tim De Chant is a Senior Climate Reporter at TechCrunch and Founder and Editor at Future Proof, a publication covering climate and energy. Future Proof helps you make eco-friendly decisions when it comes to the stuff you buy with the goal of helping you to reduce your carbon footprint, one…

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  48. Mike Jackson: Harnessing Clean Energy Innovation & Investing in Startups Solving the Toughest Climate Challenges | EP. 028

    Mike Jackson is the Managing Director at Earthshot Ventures, where he invests in entrepreneurs solving the toughest climate challenges. He has built an impressive career as an investor, entrepreneur, board member, and advisor in sectors such as clean energy, food & agriculture, buildings…

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  49. Allison Agsten: The Future of Climate Storytelling & Shifting Perceptions on a Changing Planet | EP. 027

    Allison Agsten is the inaugural director of USC Annenberg’s Center for Climate Journalism and Communication. In her role, she conceptualizes programs, develops partnerships, and collaborates with faculty and students to shift public perception and response to climate change. Previously, she has...

  50. Amy Francetic: Fueling Digital Climate Solutions & Building Bridges for Women in Venture | EP. 026

    Amy Francetic is the founder of Buoyant Ventures, a new woman-owned venture fund in Chicago that invests in digital climate solutions. Her journey began at Evergreen Climate Innovations, where she co-founded and led the company as CEO, before moving on to Energize Ventures, a $165 million venture...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Expert Conversations on Scaling Technologies for Climate AdaptionCLIMB is a weekly podcast where experienced entrepreneurs and venture capitalists Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha speak with leading investors, founders, and industry experts about lessons and perspectives on company-building in the world of climate tech and climate adaptation.If you are a founder building a climate technology business, an investor allocating capital in climate tech, or just a listener looking for a high-octane injection of optimism against a media environment full of doom and gloom, you're in the right place!

HOSTED BY

Jay Kapoor

CATEGORIES

business investing

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does CLIMB by VSC have?

CLIMB by VSC currently has 75 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is CLIMB by VSC about?

Expert Conversations on Scaling Technologies for Climate AdaptionCLIMB is a weekly podcast where experienced entrepreneurs and venture capitalists Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha speak with leading investors, founders, and industry experts about lessons and perspectives on company-building in the...

How often does CLIMB by VSC release new episodes?

CLIMB by VSC has 75 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to CLIMB by VSC?

You can listen to CLIMB by VSC on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts CLIMB by VSC?

CLIMB by VSC is created and hosted by Jay Kapoor.
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