Inevitable

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Ep. 201: Virginia Sentance, Chief of Staff for the UK COP26 Presidency Mar 21, 2022

Show notes

Today's guest is Virginia Sentance, Chief of Staff for the UK COP26 Presidency.

Virginia Sentance is the Chief of Staff for the UK COP26 Presidency team based in the UK Government. The UK hosted the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) - the UN's annual climate change summit - in Glasgow on 31 October to 13 November 2021. As Chief of Staff Virginia works closely with the COP President and COP CEO to oversee all aspects of the COP26 Presidency, including the political strategy, negotiations, diplomatic engagement, and operational delivery of the summit. Prior to this, Virginia was an International Economist for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and HM Treasury - the UK's economic and finance ministry, focusing on a number of international finance issues including G7, G20 and the IMF, financial services, economic security, and trade. Virginia holds a BSc in Politics and Economics and MSc in Politics both from the London School of Economics.

I was excited to have this conversation with Virginia and learn more about COP26. Virginia walks me through her climate journey, the role of COP in a clean future, and why we should pay attention to global carbon commitments. We also dive into the tensions between industry stakeholders and global leaders, COP26's goals and how this COP defined success, and the evolution of science since COP1. Virginia is a great guest with a unique insight into the climate crisis and collective global action. This is a fantastic episode if you want to learn more about the role COPs play in the clean transition.

Enjoy the show!

You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded March 9th, 2022
To learn more about the UK COP26 Presidency, visit: https://ukcop26.org/
To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/virginia-sentance

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Startup Series: Outlast Earth Mar 17, 2022

Show notes

Today's guest is Sam Saltzman, Founder & CEO of Outlast Earth.

Outlast is disrupting the biggest market you've never heard of. The bulk recyclables industry is a ~$1 trillion industry – yet is largely a technological desert. Outlast is transforming recyclables trade through technology. Their platform enables suppliers and buyers to safely and effortlessly transact their materials at the push of a button. Beyond connecting suppliers and buyers, they also provide global logistics, financing, and quality control.

Sam is the CEO of Outlast. Before Outlast, he was COO at AMELCO, an aluminum recycling plant and the Chief Geologic Officer at Extracon. He also served as the Chief Operations & Technical Officer at Aroa Commodities, where he worked to develop, manage, and supervise sustainable copper, gold, and silver mines in Colombia. At the University of Iowa, Sam was the Interim Lab Manager and Researcher at the University of Iowa's Electron Microprobe Lab. Sam has a BS in Geology and an MS in Geoscience from the University of Iowa.

In this episode, Sam takes me through his climate journey, what led him to leave commodities for bulk recycling, and Outlast Earth's mission. We also talk about why the bulk recycling industry is lucrative, Outlast's unique approach to the circular economy, and how the startup measures impact while balancing profits. Sam is a great guest, and it was educational to dive into the thorny topic of recycling.

Enjoy the show!

You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded March 8th, 2022
To learn more about Outlast Earth, visit: https://www.outlast.earth/

To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/outlast-earth

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Ep. 200: David Antonioli, CEO of Verra Mar 14, 2022

Show notes

Today's guest is David Antonioli, CEO of Verra.
Verra is a global leader helping to tackle the world's most intractable environmental and social challenges by developing and managing standards that help the private sector, countries, and civil society achieve ambitious sustainable development and climate action goals. Verra's global standards and frameworks serve as linchpins for channeling finance towards high-impact activities that tackle some of the most pressing environmental issues of our day.
David serves as Chief Executive Officer of Verra, where he oversees all aspects of the organization, including ensuring the financial and operational health of the organization and that the organization's certification programs meet high-quality integrity and transparency standards. Before joining Verra, David joined EcoSecurities in Oxford (UK), where he led a joint venture to develop landfill gas-to-energy projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). David began his career at ICF Consulting, providing technical advice to Latin American countries developing their GHG inventories, and was a global climate change advisor in Mexico at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). David holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Princeton University and a Master's in Public Policy from Harvard University.
I was eager to sit down with David to learn more about the offset market and his work at Verra. We dive into a variety of topics, including David's career path to Verra, Verra's approach to offsets, and how Verra measures success. David also walks me through why carbon offsets are controversial, how to assess net-zero commitments when balancing reduction and offsets, and capitalism's role in the climate crisis. This is a fantastic episode if you're looking to understand better the history of carbon offsets, the existing market, and how we can move to a cleaner future.
Enjoy the show!
You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.
Episode recorded March 1st, 2022
To learn more about Verra, visit: https://verra.org/
To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/david-antonioli

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Startup Series: Compound Foods Mar 10, 2022

Show notes

Today's guest is Maricel Saenz, Founder & CEO of Compound Foods.
Maricel Saenz is the founder and CEO of Compound Foods, a food-tech startup recreating coffee without coffee beans. Maricel and Compound aim to create a sustainable coffee that reduces the negative environmental impact on the planet and ensures we have coffee for the foreseeable future.
Maricel is a Costa Rica native, passionate about sustainability and coffee. She has a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of British Columbia and attended Singularity University's Global Solutions Program in 2017. Maricel has a background in finance and previously co-founded Nextbiotics, a synthetic biology startup addressing antibiotic resistance. She worked in international development in South Africa, with local entrepreneurs, and in Cambodia with Hellen Keller International to empower women. She also worked with Monitor Deloitte in corporate strategy and innovation consultancies. In addition, Maricel was named on the 2022 Forbes' 30 under 30 list.
In this episode, Maricel walks me through her career path leading up to Compound Foods, why coffee is so important to her, and the company's approach to beanless coffee. We also discuss the impacts of climate change in the coffee industry, the startup's most recent raise, and how sustainability has shaped Compound Foods. This is a great episode for those interested in the intersection of food and climate change.
Enjoy the show!
You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.
Episode recorded February 23rd, 2022
To learn more about Compound Food, visit: https://www.compound-foods.com/
To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/compound-foods

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@ovr.vc.

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Ep. 199: Sean O'Sullivan, Managing Director & Founder of SOSV Mar 07, 2022

Show notes

Today's guest is Sean O'Sullivan, Managing Partner & Founder of SOSV.

SOSV is a venture capital firm with more than $1.2B in assets under management. SOSV pioneers & runs world-leading startup development programs.
Sean O'Sullivan is Managing Partner & Founder of SOSV, a venture capital firm with over $1 Billion in assets under management. SOSV specializes in programs for very early stage, deep-tech startups and is one of the most active venture investors in the world, with more than 1,000 companies in its portfolio. O'Sullivan's first company, MapInfo, popularized street mapping on computers. Credited with co-creating the term "cloud computing," Sean's first internet company, NetCentric, developed many concepts in internet computing. In addition, he founded JumpStart International, a leading humanitarian organization in conflict zones. Sean received his Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Masters of Fine Arts in Film Production from University of Southern California. He is on the board of Khan Academy, Sun Genomics, the Tyndall Institute, the Autism Impact Fund, the Brain Foundation, and several private companies.
I was looking forward to this discussion with Sean and taking a deeper dive into SOSV. Sean explains the company's founding story, his transition from cloud and internet technology to deep tech, bio, and hardware, and what makes a meaningful climate investment to SOSV. We also discuss the commonalities across the development programs, why SOSV doesn't have a specific climate pillar, and advice Sean has for investors interested in focusing on climate. Sean is a seasoned investor and a fantastic guest.

Enjoy the show!
You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.
Episode recorded February 15th, 2022

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@ovr.vc.

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Startup Series: Air Company Mar 03, 2022

Show notes

Today's guest is Greg Constantine, Co-Founder & CEO of Air Company.

Air Company is a technology, engineering, and design company. The startup has invented a patented carbon conversion technology that transforms carbon dioxide (CO2) into impurity-free, carbon-negative alcohols, fuels, and perfumes. Air Company seeks to demonstrate to the world the limitless potential of carbon technology solutions.

Greg is recognized as a world-leading entrepreneur in business and marketing with a spirit of innovation, landing him on the Forbes' 2017 30 Under 30 list. Leading all company strategy, operations, and innovation, including marketing and product design, Constantine has accelerated Air Company from an early-stage startup concept into one of the world's most innovative companies. He has led the startup to adopt numerous profitable applications of its technology, including fragrances, spirits, and rocket and aviation fuels. Greg brings expertise in the arts with an undergraduate degree from The University of Sydney and a wealth of business acumen from the Executive program at Harvard Business School.

In this episode, Greg and I explore Air Company's proprietary technology, Greg's career path leading up to Air Company, and the startup's products, from Vodka to perfume. We also discuss the future marketplace for carbon-converted products, the direct air capture ecosystem, and why all CO2 is not created equal. Greg is a great guest, and it was exciting to learn more about Air Company.

Enjoy the show!

You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded February 17th, 2022
To learn more about Air Company, visit: https://aircompany.com/

To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/air-company

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@ovr.vc.

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Ep. 198: Nicole Systrom, Chief Impact Officer at Galvanize Climate Solutions Feb 28, 2022

Show notes

Today's guest is Nicole Systrom, Chief Impact Officer at Galvanize Climate Solutions.

Galvanize Climate Solutions, launched in September 2021 by Tom Steyer and Katie Hall, is a mission-driven investment platform that will provide capital, expertise, and partnerships necessary to produce and scale vital and urgent climate solutions. Galvanize is purpose-built to accelerate decarbonization efforts by integrating climate-focused investment with global activism.

Nicole Systrom has spent her entire career partnering with investors, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists to accelerate high-impact climate and clean technology solutions. Before Galvanize, Nicole founded Sutro Energy Group to counsel impact investors, philanthropists, and nonprofits on how to direct mission-oriented resources toward innovative clean technologies. With an extensive background in environmental science and a passion for helping entrepreneurs scale breakthrough technologies, nonprofits, foundations, and family offices frequently tap Nicole for her counsel on climate-positive programs. In addition, she is a published thought leader on climate innovation topics ranging from identifying gaps in the cleantech ecosystem, building philanthropic tools for investing in climate solutions, and enabling better state energy policy.

I was eager to have Nicole on the podcast because she has dedicated her entire career to climate. We cover several important topics in this episode, including Nicole's role at Galvanize, the company's theory of change as an investment firm, and Nicole's experience balancing belief systems and passions throughout her career. We also dive into the evolution of Nicole's views on the best climate solutions, key levers for unlocking faster innovation, and the climate solutions that dominate the airtime but are not the most valuable. This is a fantastic episode, especially for those interested in understanding climate solutions better.

Enjoy the show!

You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded February 10th, 2022
To learn more about Galvanize Climate Solutions, visit: https://galvanizeclimatesolutions.com/

To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/nicole-systrom

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@ovr.vc.

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Startup Series: WeaveGrid Feb 24, 2022

Show notes

Today's guest is Apoorv Bhargava, Co-Founder & CEO of WeaveGrid.
Apoorv Bhargava is the co-founder and CEO of WeaveGrid. The startup uses machine learning to help utilities predict and manage large spikes in power demand from electric vehicle charging to balance renewable energy production and reduce the need for costly upgrades to the grid. Apoorv has always been passionate about climate and energy his whole career. He previously worked at Opower and The Boston Consulting Group. Before that, Apoorv spent time at NRG Energy, Joby Aviation, and The Capricorn Investment Group. He holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and an MS in Energy & Resources from Stanford University. Additionally, Apoorv was featured on this year's GreenBiz and Forbes' 30 Under 30 lists.
In this episode, Apoorv explains what motivated him to found WeaveGrid and the problems he observed with transport electrification and renewables' rise in the power sector. We also dive into a lively discussion on WeaveGrid's scalability and business model, how the startup navigates the complex utility ecosystem in the US, and roadblocks to successful grid electrification. Apoorv is a great guest. This is a fantastic episode for those interested in grid electrification and the energy transition.
Enjoy the show!
You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.
Episode recorded February 16th, 2022
To learn more about WeaveGrid, visit: https://www.weavegrid.com/
To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/weavegrid

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@ovr.vc.

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Ep. 197: Rob Hanson, Co-Founder & CEO of Monolith, and Jigar Shah, Director of the Loan Programs Office at US DOE Feb 21, 2022

Show notes

Today's guests are Rob Hanson, CEO & Co-Founder of Monolith, and Jigar Shah, Director of the Loan Programs Office, at U.S. Department of Energy.
Rob is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Monolith, where he leads the development of next-generation technology for producing low cost, low emission hydrogen and carbon black, an important raw material used in the manufacture of rubber and plastic. Prior to Monolith, Hanson served as the global director of product management for AREVA Solar, the solar division of the world's largest nuclear company. He has a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford, and has been a guest lecturer at Stanford, UNL, Foothill College and the University of Saskatchewan on topics ranging from thermodynamics to entrepreneurship.
Jigar was most recently co-founder and President at Generate Capital, where he focused on helping entrepreneurs accelerate decarbonization solutions through the use of low-cost infrastructure-as-a service financing. Prior to Generate Capital, Shah founded SunEdison, a company that pioneered "pay as you save" solar financing. After SunEdison, Shah served as the founding CEO of the Carbon War Room, a global non-profit founded by Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Unite to help entrepreneurs address climate change. Originally from Illinois, Shah holds a B.S. from the University of Illinois-UC and an MBA from the University of Maryland College Park.
I was eager for Rob and Jigar to come back on the show to discuss Monolith's recent $1B loan from the DOE's Loan Programs Office. Rob provides us with an overview of Monolith, key phases of the company thus far, and the motivations for seeking public funding. Jigar explains his role at the LPO, why traditional VCs aren't built for early-stage climatetech, and how the private and public sectors can address climate change. We also discuss the government's role in the carbon-free future, how to re-align incentives for traditional funders, and advice Rob and Jigar have for entrepreneurs in the climate space. This is a great episode and a must-listen for anyone at the intersection of climate and finance.
Enjoy the show!
You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.
Episode recorded February 7th, 2022
To learn more about Monolith, visit: https://monolith-corp.com/
To learn more about the US DOE's Loan Programs Office, visit: https://www.energy.gov/lpo/loan-programs-office
To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/hanson-shah

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@ovr.vc.

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Startup Series: Moment Energy Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

Today's guest is Edward Chiang, Co-Founder & CEO of Moment Energy.

Eddy co-founded Moment Energy in 2019. He was a member of NEXT 36, a cohort of NEXT Canada, a non-profit that develops exceptional talent to create world-class ventures and propel technology adoption. Eddy holds a BASc in Mechatronics Systems Engineering from Simon Fraser University.

Moment Energy provides affordable, performant, and reliable energy storage by repurposing retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The company is working with major automotive companies, including Nissan and various utilities, to take advantage of the 80% remaining capacity in retired EV batteries to provide cost-advantaged and robust grid storage solutions for facilities located in major markets.

In this episode, Eddy walks me through how he and his co-founded started Moment Energy, Moment's progress to date, and how he first came to care about the problem of EV battery recycling. We also dive into the existing policy around end-of-life care of batteries, what motivates EV manufacturers to work with Moment, and where safety, ethics, and sustainability fit into the customer decision-making process. Eddy is a great guest, and the Moment Energy story is fantastic for MCJ listeners.

Enjoy the show!

You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded January 31st, 2022
To learn more about Moment Energy, visit: https://www.momentenergy.ca/
To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/moment-energy

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@ovr.vc.

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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