Rooted in Change

Managing extraneous water and optimizing sewer networks remains one of the hardest challenges in the water industry, requiring costly and labor-intensive monitoring. Utilities continue to rely on these inefficient traditional methods. Pluvion changes that by introducing intelligent, AI-driven software to the wastewater sector. By analyzing data from existing level sensors to efficiently detect and localize water infiltration, Pluvion provides a cost-effective system that enables real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. Philipp, Pluvion's CEO and co-founder, talks about the technology behind their breakthrough product, the power of real-time data and the company's vision for a sustainable water future.

Storing and transporting renewable hydrogen remains one of the hardest challenges of the energy transition, requiring complex and expensive high-pressure tanks. The industry continues to rely on these inefficient methods. Iron Energy replaces traditional tanks by turning hydrogen into a stable, solid energy carrier. By reacting hydrogen with iron oxide to safely lock the energy into metallic iron, Iron Energy allows for indefinite storage and releases almost 100% of the injected hydrogen on demand simply by adding steam. Daniel, Iron Energy's co-founder, joins the podcast to talk about his unusual journey from finance to deep tech, the company's scale-up journey and why their business model works so well.

Global climate goals require massive amounts of carbon removal. Therefore, we need to find scalable, permanent solutions. Many efforts continue to rely solely on land-based technologies. Planeteers unlocks the planet's largest natural carbon sink by enhancing the ocean's ability to safely absorb and store CO2. By operating at the intersection of ocean science and entrepreneurship, Planeteers provides a vital carbon removal method that permanently locks away emissions while actively combating ocean acidification. Frank, Planeteers' Founder and Managing Director, joins the podcast to talk about his decision to leave the corporate world, how the company plans to scale and what motivates him to keep going.

The traditional cement industry relies on proven chemistry and typically looks for minor process improvements rather than fundamental change. This has contributed to the fact that, until now, the industry has produced high CO2 emissions. Cemvision reinvents the process from the ground up by replacing virgin limestone with recycled industrial residues. But creating green cement is only part of the equation - in such a logistics-heavy business, figuring out how to actually get the physical product to the customer is a critical, often overlooked challenge. Oscar, Cemvision's CEO, joins the podcast to talk about bringing true core innovation to a traditional industry, solving the massive logistics puzzle, and what it was like to meet Bill Gates a few weeks ago.

Data centers generate immense heat and require constant, energy-intensive cooling to run their servers. Those facilities typically vent that excess energy as waste, until now. NeoCarbon turns data centers into carbon capture machines by integrating Direct Air Capture technology directly into their infrastructure. By utilizing the servers' waste heat to power the process, NeoCarbon acts as a thermal buffer that drastically reduces cooling needs while actively capturing CO2. Tobias, NeoCarbon’s CEO, joins me to talk about this paradigm shift in collaboration, the holistic solution for facility operators and the company's commercial focus on the data center market. Tune in to learn what NeoCarbon's approach has to do with the German "Reinheitsgebot" for brewing beer.

Heavy industries need high temperatures to run their processes, making certain processes hard to electrify. Those companies continue to rely on fossil gas, until now. Meva Energy replaces fossil gas by building gasification plants directly on-site at the factory. By converting local biomass residue into clean, renewable gas, Meva provides the intense heat needed for industrial processes, cutting carbon emissions and stabilizing energy costs instantly. Thomas, Meva's Business Development Manager, joins the podcast to talk about the technology, applications and the company's future plans.

Reaching Net Zero is one of the defining challenges of our time, but reducing emissions alone won't be enough - we also need to actively remove carbon from the atmosphere. That’s exactly where Carbo Culture comes in. Their team has developed a proprietary technology that converts waste biomass into stable biochar. In this episode, I talk with Hanna about how their technology works, the critical role of biochar in the climate equation and what it takes to scale a physical solution to a gigaton level. We also dive into a crucial but often overlooked angle: the lessons she brings from her background in the Prime Minister’s Office in Finland and how navigating the complex world of policy is just as vital as the engineering when building a deep-tech market from scratch.

Clean water is one of the defining challenges of our time and even its own Sustainable Development Goal. One essential piece of the puzzle is wastewater purification. That’s exactly where Stockholm Water Technology comes in. Their team has developed a chemical- and membrane-free purification technology that uses only electricity to remove contaminants and even recover valuable nutrients. In this episode, I talk with Karthik about how their technology works, why it matters and what it could mean for the future of water treatment. We also dive into an unexpected angle: the lessons he brings from his career as a professional athlete and how they shape his approach to building and scaling a deep-tech company.

As the heating season kicks off, energy use and energy bills start climbing fast. In this episode, I talk with Felix, co-founder and CEO at viboo, who are tackling this challenge head-on. Their platform uses AI-driven heating control to help light commercial buildings save energy, cut costs, and reduce CO₂ emissions. We dive into how their solution works, why it’s particularly effective for light commercial buildings, and how it makes energy efficiency both smart and affordable and how buildings can become an active part of the energy transition.

Unbound Potential is rethinking batteries. By removing costly membranes and complex cell stacks, their membrane-free redox flow technology stores energy in two liquids with minimal hardware, lasting over 20,000 cycles. I chat with the company's CFO Emilio Dal Re about how it works, why it matters for the energy transition, and the recent pre-seed funding plus early pilots with companies like Amazon.

Waste streams are often overlooked, but they hold enormous potential. TreaTech has developed a technology that captures the full value of a broad range of end products - from renewable gas to clean water, salts and minerals - turning waste into valuable resources. In this episode, I chat with Frederic, co-founder of TreaTech, about how the technology works, why it’s a game-changer for the waste treatment industry and how it could help build a truly circular economy. We also dive into the challenges of scaling this approach and what’s next for the company.

Supercapacitors aren’t as well-known as batteries, but they play an important role in the energy storage landscape. Unlike batteries, they can charge and discharge almost instantly, making them ideal for applications that require short, powerful bursts of energy. In this episode, I chat with Lars Stegmann, CEO at CAP-XX, the company behind the world’s thinnest supercapacitors. We explore how the technology works, why it matters for the energy transition and how CAP-XX powers a green transition.

What if we could build without cement? In this episode, one of the world’s most used, yet climate-damaging materials makes an appearance: cement. Gnanli Landrou, co-founder of Oxara, explains how the ETH Zurich spin-off turns demolition waste and clay into clean, circular building materials. With cement-free binders that cut emissions and reduce construction waste, Oxara opens the door to affordable, low-carbon housing. Tune in to hear how the team is building a future that’s cleaner and smarter - without cement.

Enhanced weathering uses finely ground minerals spread on farmland to speed up a natural process: rocks reacting with CO2 to form stable carbon compounds. This process not only captures and stores C02 for thousands of years but also improves soil health and crop yields. Hannes, COO and co-founder at ZeroEx, explains how the company closes the loop in the enhanced weathering space. To issue the right carbon credits, the company models the expected CO2 sequestration potential based on data collected, implements the projects and has each certificate verified. ZeroEx is at an exciting moment in the scale-up journey. Tune in to learn more!

What if materials could (almost) magically repair themselves? When I witnessed it firsthand, I thought it was magic - it's "just" science in action. We cover how CompPair is revolutionizing composites with their self-healing technology. CEO Amaël shares how their materials extend the lifetime of composite parts, reduce waste, and unlock new economic opportunities. From aerospace to sporting goods, CompPair’s approach sets the stage for a smarter, more sustainable future in materials science.

What if carbon removal started with the oceans? In this episode, we dive into how Pronoe is restoring the ocean’s power to capture and store CO₂. Founder and CEO Nicolas explains how their automated water treatment systems, placed downstream from industrial sites, reduce ocean acidification and enhance the natural carbon sink—all while using existing infrastructure. By turning return flows into climate assets, Pronoe supports healthier oceans and a cooler planet. Tune in to learn how this ocean-first, asset-light approach could reshape carbon removal at scale.

What if heat could be stored in a compact form? In this episode, we dive into how Cowa is revolutionizing energy storage through cutting-edge phase change materials. The Swiss company enables homes to transition to sustainable storage solutions, making the most out of often limited space. In this conversation with the company's CRO, we dive into the business model, their traction and award-winning technology and what's next for them. If you're interested in storage, watch this hot company!

What if comfort could be climate-friendly? This is the question that Florina Mînzat posed. And she found an answer. As the founder of EcothermiQ, a company bringing passive, low-carbon thermal comfort into our homes, she works to launch smart, easy-to-integrate solutions. EcothermiQ makes it possible to feel good indoors while reducing emissions. Flo also shares the unconventional path that led her to launch a climate tech startup—an unconventional path by her own accord. This is for you if you're looking for inspiration and hope during these turbulent times.

What if new materials power the energy transition? In this episode, we explore the cutting edge of chemical energy storage with breakthrough materials that make storing and releasing energy more efficient, scalable, and sustainable. Maryam dives into her personal journey of becoming a founder and continuously striving for excellence. She shares the science behind Planck, their customers, and how a niche position helps them to provide a lot of value.

What if we could unearth natural hydrogen? In this episode, Emmanuel from Mantle8 shares how they are pioneering the search for the Earth’s naturally occurring hydrogen reservoirs. As a new generation of geologists, Mantle8 uses bottom-up exploration and decades of expertise to unlock this untapped energy source. We discuss the science behind natural hydrogen and why it matters, how Mantle8’s approach differs from traditional approaches and what their secret sauce is. Natural hydrogen is one of the hottest topics in the climate tech industry right now, so this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

What if designing district heating networks became simple? In this episode, I sit down with Stefano, founder and CEO of Planeto, to explore how their technology transforms how energy planners develop district heating and cooling systems. Those networks are crucial for the energy transition, yet often overlooked. Planeto makes creating efficient, future-proof networks that accelerate the energy transition easier. Stefano shares the inspiration behind the company, the challenges of scaling such a solution, and why district energy is a crucial piece of the clean energy puzzle. Tune in to learn how digital tools can unlock the future of urban heating and cooling.

What if melting and freezing powered the world? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of phase-change materials and their game-changing role in energy storage. By leveraging the unique properties of those materials, Cartesian has developed a solution that efficiently stores and releases energy as materials transition between solid and liquid states. Co-founder and CTO Alexis shares how he identified the solution, how it works in practice, its applications in the built environment and its future potential. If you're interested in storage solutions, this one is for you.

What if we unlocked the full potential of underground heat? In this episode, we dive into how Enerdrape is revolutionizing renewable energy by turning underground spaces into sources of heating and cooling with the world’s first geothermal panel technology. This patented solution harnesses shallow geothermal without drilling or direct ground contact. Co-founder and CEO Margaux explains how parking lots, tunnels, and other underground spaces can become sustainable energy sources, reducing CO₂ emissions and transforming building energy systems. Learn why this technology could redefine how we think about renewable heating and cooling.

What if we create industrial heat differently? In this episode, we explore how SolidWatts transforms power-hungry industrial processes by enabling electrification for high-heat applications. By designing and building the world’s highest-performing Solid State Power Amplifiers, SolidWatts is changing how industries think about heat generation. We also discuss the unique journey of falling in love with a solution first and then finding the right problems to solve. Join us to learn about this innovative approach and the future of sustainable industrial heat.

What if we could use hydrogen everywhere? In this episode, we dive into how Neology is unlocking the potential of hydrogen through its innovative ammonia cracker technology. Using ammonia as an energy vector, hydrogen can be transported and transformed independently of where it's produced We explore the current hydrogen landscape, exciting applications across industries, and Neology’s ambitious scale-up plans. Tune in to learn how Aris and his team use their experience to deliver an important piece of the energy transition.

What if we could store energy in water? We explore how Aquabattery is transforming energy storage with its groundbreaking technology, which uses just table salt and water. CEO JJ shares how this affordable, sustainable, and safe solution reshapes large-scale energy storage. We also dive into JJ’s passion for running marathons and what it takes to keep pushing forward, even through the rollercoaster journeys of entrepreneurship. This episode covers how to start and scale a company, lessons on resilience, and what the future of energy storage could look like.

What if we could turn coffee waste into green chemicals? In this episode, I chat with Maciej Majchrowicz, a former VC investor turned operator, who is now transforming coffee waste into valuable green chemicals. Maciej shares the unique advantages of Ecobean's approach, emphasizing the importance of being a drop-in solution that seamlessly integrates into existing systems. We also explore how European coffee drinking habits are shaping their business scaling strategy.

What if we had all the necessary technology to drive the energy transition? In this episode, I speak with Benjamin, CEO of ecocoach. With a strong commitment to energy independence, ecocoach is at the forefront of developing efficient energy management solutions and pioneering battery storage systems. Benjamin shares insights on how they leverage technology to empower individuals, communities, and businesses to achieve true energy autonomy. Tune in to learn more about ecocoach and Benjamin's own fascinating journey.

What if we could supercharge the future with next-gen batteries? In the latest podcast episode, we explore how BTRY transforms the battery landscape by combining the advantages of supercapacitors and batteries. Grounded in cutting-edge European research, BTRY is pioneering a sustainable and reliable solid-state lithium-ion battery that can be charged in just one minute. CEO Moritz gives insights into the technology behind BRTY's products, his European journey that led to founding a start-up and the company's ambitious plans.

What if we could convert energy more efficiently? Kristjan, the founder and CEO of Efenco, a company that's transforming the way we think about thermal conversion, explains how current technologies are outdated and fail to utilize the total potential energy contained in fuels, leading to significant energy waste. We'll also dive into the unexpected connection between Tina Turner and his innovative approach to climate tech. Learn more about why the unknowns of the universe, from distant galaxies to the tiniest particles, hold secrets to combat the climate crisis.

What if we could make buildings greener? This is where aedifion comes in. The company offers a cloud platform to optimize building portfolios. In this episode with the company's CEO Johannes we discuss why he originally started the company, the challenges of scaling a climate tech company in a conservative industry, and how to manage uncertainty. Learn more about the impact that aedifion wants to have on the building sector and how they will save megatons of carbon.

What if we could use iron as a fuel? Enter RIFT (Renewable Iron Fuel Technology), a company that leverages iron powder to deliver reliable and fully renewable heat supply. This innovative process harnesses the circular nature of rusting and unrusting iron, marking a significant stride towards a cleaner, greener future. In the conversation with Iron Fuel Technology's CEO Mark, we delve into the working principle behind the technology and its applications across various markets. Discover what playing football has to do with running a start-up and how Mark and his team will transform industries with their tech.

What if we could turn CO2 into concrete? Good news: We can! This is one of the more hidden problems, but with a significant impact. Some studies say that concrete accounts for 8% of global carbon emissions. Carbonaide tackles this issue. They have developed a technology that utilizes and stores carbon dioxide in the precast concrete industry. The company is on an exciting scale-up journey. CEO and founder Tapio shares unique insights into the industry, his decision to spin off a company from the university and the company's ambition. If you want to know more about a powerful technology that sets out to be a new industry standard - this one is for you.

What if we had energy insights to make smarter choices? Introducing Voltaware, on a mission to utilize electricity data to create more efficient, greener, reliable, and secure homes. With actionable energy insights, Voltaware empowers users to save energy and enhance comfort at home. In this conversation with Francois Gruber-Magitot, the company's Head of Partnerships and Business Development, we dive into how the technology works, the differences between European markets, and the impact the company will have. Listen to this episode if you want to hear from a real European with unique insights into various energy markets.

What if we could turn buildings into carbon sinks? Turns out - you can. We explore this revolutionary idea with Petri Laakso, the CEO of Soletair Power. Join us as Petri unveils the innovative technology that removes CO2 from buildings' air ventilation, making them not only more energy-efficient but even carbon negative. It's a fascinating conversation that delves into the transformative power of sustainable technology in our built environment. Learn how the tech functions, the positive health effects of lower CO2 emissions in buildings and the company's vision.

What if we could prevent outages by using fuel cells? This is where PowerUp enters the stage. With Ivar, founder and CEO of the company, we discuss how batteries and hydrogen-powered fuel cells can work together to provide power wherever needed. In this conversation, we delve into how fuel cells work, use cases for the technology, and PowerUp's traction. We discuss the current fundraising climate for hydrogen companies and how the increased investor interest has led to an interesting challenge. Bonus point for the surprise when Ivar shared where PowerUp's story originally started. Thank you so much for listening in 2023 - we'll be back in 2024.

This episode explores how to turn leftovers from the wood and forestry industry into the next generation of biomaterials. I'm joined by Peep, Fibenol's Chief Development Officer. We dive into his personal journey and understand the first-of-a-kind technology that Fibenol has developed. Moreover, we discuss the challenges the company faces on this groundbreaking path, solutions on how to overcome them, and of course how far Fibenol has already come. Join me for a conversation that goes beyond biomaterials, but focuses on resilience, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of a sustainable future.

What if we could make charging as seamless as refueling a car? The EV space and charging solutions are booming. But how can we make it even simpler for EV drivers to charge their car, especially when they don't have a charger at home? That's a mission that ChargeIQ is tackling. Tune in as we discuss the challenges and innovations in the EV charging space with Volker Fricke & Stephan Dengler, founders of ChargeIQ. We delve into the use cases, success stories, and daily struggles to run a climate tech company. If you're an EV enthusiast, this one is for you!

What if we could use existing assets to save the climate? Yes, you've read correctly. What if one of the solutions to fix the climate crisis was to use existing assets such as steel smelting plants, greenhouses or HVACs in a smarter way, namely by lowering their energy demand in order to ensure grid stability. This service is called flexibility. Sympower, a Dutch scale-up company, helps companies to unlock flexibility to make the energy system more efficient. Mirjam Penders, Head of Commercial at Sympower. shares her personal journey into the energy market, why we need more flexibility solutions, challenges to scale across Europe and why greenhouses in Finland are the perfect provider for flexibility.

What if we could give batteries a second life? In this episode, we embark on a fascinating exploration of what happens to batteries after their initial use. Eden Yates explains how Cling's marketplace model works and the use cases for them. We also unravel the unexpected connection between Taylor Swift and Cling's business model. Moreover, we discuss Sweden's role as Europe's battery powerhouse. And if you're navigating the challenging journey of finding the right connection to your potential target audience, Eden has some practical tips to share.

What if we could remove carbon from the atmosphere and improve soil health? Join me in my conversation with Priya Bhullar, one of the co-founders of Planboo. Learn how they're utilizing biochar to combine carbon reductions and soil enrichment. We also explore the dynamics of founding a global business and the pivotal role of trust in bringing a new approach and concept to market. Don't miss this lively discussion on the intersection of sustainability and agriculture, taking a global perspective on one of the most pressing issues of our time.

What if we could electrify nitrogen production? Half the food produced now is supported by nitrogen fertilizer, accounting for 2.5 % of global fossil-related greenhouse gas emissions. The industry struggles to move away from fossil gas and shift to renewable energy. As we need fertilizer to maintain field productivity and feed a continuously growing world population, we need a solution. Good news: NitroCapt, a climate tech company from Sweden, has found one. In our conversation, their Head of Strategy & Vice CEO Björn Lindh shares their progress, future plans and what made him take the position at NitroCapt as a seasoned entrepreneur. Learn also more about how he identifies his purpose and what keeps him going!

What if we can build the operating system for EV charging? Join me in this fascinating episode as I sit down with Marco Möller, a serial founder and the visionary CEO of Pionix. We delve into the intricacies of the EV industry, exploring how compatibility issues impact electric vehicle rollout. Marco shares valuable insights on the challenges and opportunities to accelerate the roll-out of chargers globally. We also explore Marco's visionary perspective on market development five years ahead. Tune in to learn how Pionix builds the operating system for charging stations, driving positive change for a cleaner and more sustainable future.

What if we could make protein from gases? Turns out: you can. In this episode, I talk to Pete, one of the co-founders and the CEO of Deep Branch, a pioneering biotechnology company. Pete and his team have developed an innovative platform for producing climate-friendly ingredients. By harnessing the power of microbes, they are revolutionizing the way we produce feed and food additives. Their sustainable solution utilizes carbon dioxide (CO2) and renewable hydrogen to convert them into valuable protein-rich ingredients. Pete shares his personal story of how he started the company, the challenges when constructing a pilot plant and the recipe to overcome those. Join me for an insightful and fun conversation and learn about microbes that spur the circular economy.

What if we could make better plant-based products? During her research, Nemailla identified a yeast that converts side streams into value-added ingredients rich in lipids, proteins, antioxidants, and pigments. With her co-founder, she started the company ÄIO, a biotechnology business that aims to develop sustainable alternatives to animal fats, palm, and coconut oil. We cover how the technology works in detail, how ÄIO scales its production capacities, and what stands in the way to full commercialization. Listen to this episode if you want to know more about how ÄIO supports the transition to better plant-based alternatives.

What if we could make IT more sustainable? With the increasing reliance on technology, understanding the environmental impact of our digital practices is more important than ever. David Abosch is the founder and CEO of Cognition Cloud, a startup aiming to make the use of IT equipment more sustainable. We discuss the role of data centers, the e-waste generated by our devices, and strategies for reducing our carbon footprint in the tech industry. Join us as we explore the intersection of technology and sustainability and discuss our role in creating a more environmentally responsible digital world - including tips and tricks for everyday life.

Energy planning is something that most of us don't come in contact with on a day-to-day basis. Yet, energy planning has enormous implications for our lives, as we are surrounded by energy infrastructure daily. Sympheny, a Swiss company, offers a solution to enhance the planning process, delivering better results and more transparency to the market. In the conversation with CEO and Co-Founder Andrew Bollinger, we delve into the key challenges and opportunities in energy planning, including the integration of renewable energy, the optimization of energy storage and distribution, and the promotion of energy efficiency measures. Learn more about how skiing and energy consumption patterns are linked and how you find the optimal solution for your energy system.

What if we could use our roofs for solar production? Well, we all know standard rooftop PV installations. But what if you dislike the aesthetics and would rather have the PV modules integrated into the actual roof? That is how the idea for Roofit.Solar was born. They offer a solar roof that looks like a regular roof while at the same time generating sustainable electricity. In this episode, Andres Anijalg, Roofit.Solar's CEO, gives insights into the functionality, the company's traction over the last year, and plans for international expansion. Learn more about Andres' role model and how the latest fundraising will help Roofit.Solar to make the planet a cooler place.

What if we can build the next generation of batteries? Batteries are crucial to power the transition to net zero, storing green electricity and forming the backbone of clean mobility solutions. Eloisa de Castro is the CEO of Enerpoly, a Sweden-based company offering proprietary zinc-ion battery cells and packs. Their batteries are a safe, reliable, and cost-efficient solution for stationary energy storage. This episode goes into the details of the technology, its advantages, and use cases. If you want to learn more about why we need a mix of battery solutions in the future - this one is for you!

What if we can build the next generation of batteries? Batteries are crucial to power the transition to net zero, storing green electricity and forming the backbone of clean mobility solutions. Eloisa de Castro is the CEO of Enerpoly, a Sweden-based company offering proprietary zinc-ion battery cells and packs. Their batteries are a safe, reliable, and cost-efficient solution for stationary energy storage. This episode goes into the details of the technology, its advantages, and use cases. If you want to learn more about why we need a mix of battery solutions in the future - this one is for you!