Pioneering Carbon Capture with Jim Mann I Season Six, Episode One

Welcome to Season Six of Conversations in Cleantech! From inspiring stories and words of wisdom to future foresight and the tech from the bleeding edge of cleantech, during this season you can expect to learn all about how pioneering start-ups and the founders at their helm are propelling us towards a cleaner, greener tomorrow.

 

In the first episode, Brightsmith director Jenny Gladman is joined by Jim Mann, the founder and CEO of UNDO Carbon Removal. Jim, a serial entrepreneur, father of two, and passionate long-distance runner, leads UNDO Carbon Removal in their groundbreaking mission to capture significant amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere using basalt rock.

 

UNDO Carbon Removal's innovative approach has gained attention for its potential impact on combating climate change. By spreading basalt rock on agricultural land, they trigger a chemical reaction that releases minerals and captures CO2 through carbonic acid. This process offers a double benefit of carbon removal and enhancing agricultural productivity.

 

A key focus for UNDO Carbon Removal is developing rigorous measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) methodologies to accurately quantify their carbon removal efforts. This enables them to obtain carbon credits, adding further value to their sustainable solution.

 

Jim's motivation for founding UNDO Carbon Removal stems from his lifelong ecological awareness. Recognising the need for action beyond government initiatives, he took it upon himself to explore scalable solutions and make a tangible difference. His journey serves as inspiration for aspiring founders and individuals interested in making a positive impact in the clean technology sector.

 

Join us in this episode as Jim shares the remarkable story behind UNDO Carbon Removal, discusses the potential impact of their technology, and imparts valuable advice for those considering their own entrepreneurial journey in the pursuit of a sustainable future.

 

Tune in to gain insights and guidance from a visionary leader in clean technology.

 

Timestamped Guide: 

00.48 - Introduction to Jim 

 

3.39 - What were the driving factors behind your decision to start a company focused on climate tech and solving the climate crisis?

 

5.41 - What is the scale of operation for a company like UNDO, and how does it impact us and the planet in terms of megatons, gigatonnes, and the associated timeline?

 

7.26 - What makes UNDO unique? 

 

8.40 - What are the main factors or hurdles that need to be addressed for you to achieve your desired success by 2030?

 

9.48 - How would you describe the experience of raising capital so far, and how does it encompass both the dreams and nightmares of entrepreneurs?

 

11.04 - How do you keep yourself focused, motivated and positive?

 

13.35 - What challenges have you encountered in terms of recruiting the right people, motivating them, and ensuring that you have the strongest possible team?

 

19.08 - Can you share your running story and how it relates to your determination to succeed as an entrepreneur, considering the similarities between the mindset required for both endeavours?

 

20.13 - Do you find a sense of achievement primarily at the end of your runs, or do you genuinely enjoy the process along the way?

 

22.14 - What kind of traits that you think, are important for an entrepreneur to have to be successful?

 

25.44 - What advice would you give to aspiring founders or individuals considering starting their own business?

 

27.42 - How do you measure the impact of your business on the environment and society, and are there specific benchmarks you use to assess success in these areas?

 

29.38 - What is your perspective on the impact of climate tech startups compared to established corporations in the broader fight against climate change?

 

32.58 - What are your final thoughts on the emerging trends within the sector and what do you envision for its future in the next few years?

 

Connect with your host, Jenny Gladman, on LinkedIn.

Find your guest, Jim Mann on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.

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