Conversations in Cleantech offers insight into the opportunities, challenges and rewards of working in the cleantech space from the investors, leaders, entrepreneurs, accelerators & technologists within it. We talk all things cleantech, sustainability, renewables, agritech, solar, wind, e-mobilty, hydrogen & energy storage. The time for cleantech is now – join the revolution and live your purpose. Conversations in Cleantech is bought to you by Brightsmith, the cleantech search specialists.
Episodes
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
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 this episode, we’re joined by Ana Haurie, CEO and Co-Founder at Respira International - a business that creates capital market solutions to enable long-term partnerships and aligns the interests of carbon credit project developers, buyers and capital providers.
As an inspirational woman within the carbon community, Ana shares her story behind starting Respira International and how she became an activist in her mid 50s.
Also breaking down the significance of the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) and the challenges it faces, she also discusses the journey of an entrepreneur and how it is not always all exciting…
An absolute must-listen for anyone who is interested in the fascinating world of cleantech, as Ana’s honest and inspirational story gives a real account of the VCM and the challenges it faces in the years to come.
Timestamped guide:
01:09 - Introduction to Ana
02:01 - Inspiration for Respira International
03:49 - The importance of the Voluntary Carbon Market
06:08 - How the Voluntary Carbon Market works
08:58 - Integrity in the Carbon Market
14:21 - Women in Carbon Community
16:47 - The highs and lows of setting up a business
21:04 - The importance of making mistakes in your career
22:49 - Advice for people who want to get into the Carbon Market
Connect with your hosts Jenny Gladman and Alexa Mangeant, on LinkedIn.
Find your guest, Ana Haurie on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.
This is a Loaded Hype production.
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
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 this episode, we’re joined by Mike Simpson, Founder and Chief Commercial and Product Officer at Cheesecake Energy.
Contrary to the name, Cheesecake Energy is not a purveyor of desserts! Instead, they are a pioneering cleantech start-up developing thermal and compressed air energy storage technology.
Despite Mike's background in aerospace engineering, by the time he had finished studying in the field, he knew he wanted to live his purpose and work in cleantech.
The perfect listen for those curious about cutting-edge cleantech or founders looking for fascinating facts about start-up life; this episode covers all you could need to know, including the challenges of innovating new technologies; funding challenges and strategies for securing grants and investments; the traits of successful entrepreneurs that Mike has observed; and the advice he would give his 16-year-old self.
Get ready to be inspired to live your purpose in cleantech!
Timestamped guide:
00:49 - Introduction to Mike
02:15 - For listeners who don't know Cheesecake Energy: who are you and what is your mission?
04:25 - What is the real-world usage for energy storage?
06:39 - How was the idea of Cheesecake Energy born, and how did you bring the team together?
07:57 - How have you found trying to grow the business at the right rate, ensuring you’ve got the right grants, the right funding or the right investment?
10:21 - What are the top challenges you’ve faced to date?
13:22 - What are the things you didn’t expect with growing a team?
20:40 - How do you destress?
22:20 - How do you keep a positive mindset?
23:30 - What are some of the traits of founders that you’ve seen that you think makes them successful?
25:53 - How much impact do you believe that startups will have in their wider battle on climate change versus the corporates?
28:04 - if you had to go back and give your 16-year-old self a piece of advice, what would that advice be?
Connect with your host Jenny Gladman, on LinkedIn.
Find your guest, Mike Simpson on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.
This is a Loaded Hype production.
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
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 this episode, we’re joined by Marta Krupinska, CEO and Dominque Airey, Client Partnerships Director at Cur8, a company at the forefront of carbon removal technology.
Dynamic duo Marta and Dominique have some impressive accolades under their belts -
CEO of Cur8, Marta is a serial tech entrepreneur, proud migrant and advocate for diversity. Alongside founding four companies with two successful exits, her contributions to the tech industry have earned her recognition from esteemed publications, including Forbes and the Evening Standard.
Client Partnerships Director, Dominique (Dom), has 15 years of experience across mission-driven startups, nonprofits and corporates. A passionate advocate for scaling organisations that deliver sustainable social and environmental impact, her achievements include being named one of Third Sectors “Most Promising CEOs” and featured in Management Today's 35 Women under 35.
In this conversation with Brightsmith Director, Jenny Gladman, Marta and Dom explore the challenges of building trust and credibility in an emerging industry surrounded by scepticism. With an emphasis on the need for education, funding and action to scale carbon removal solutions, they find motivation in the opportunity to build an industry that can make a truly meaningful impact on climate change.
Timestamped guide:
00:48 - Introduction to Marta and Dom
06:03 - An explanation of what Cur8 is
12:33 - There's a real lack of knowledge and education about the carbon market. How do we change and navigate that? And how do we make sure that over the next few years, it looks very different?
18:58 - How are you addressing the sceptics?
28:31 - how do you both stay positive when things get tough?
32:37 - Something I always like to discuss with female leaders in businesses is your advice to other females contemplating a career in this space, either founding a business or joining a business. Is there anything you'd specifically share with our female listeners?
35:58 - What does the carbon industry need from a talent perspective?
Connect with your host Jenny Gladman, on LinkedIn.
Find your guests, Marta Krupinska and Dominique Airey on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.
This is a Loaded Hype production.
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
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 this episode, Brightsmith vice president Ben Sparks and director Jenny Gladman are joined by Kobi Eisenberg, Co-Founder & CEO at Autofleet.
Kobi discusses the challenges of scaling a climate tech startup focused on fleet electrification and optimisation, with fascinating insights on hiring and culture, the role of startups in tackling climate change, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs!
The conversation also tracks the rise of EV fleets and how technology has empowered Kobi and Autofleet to deliver core solutions for their partners worldwide.
Timestamped guide:
00:48 - Introduction to Kobe
3:48 - The inspiration behind Auto Fleet
6:15 - Challenges of scaling the company
8:16 - Hiring the best talent
10:38 - Cultivating a positive mindset as a CEO
16:13 - Traits of successful entrepreneurs
18:45 - What new technology is doing for the sector
20:57 - Future trends in the marketplace
Connect with your hosts, Ben Sparks and Jenny Gladman, on LinkedIn.
Find your guest, Kobi Eisenberg on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.
This is a Loaded Hype production.
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
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 this episode, Brightsmith director Jenny Gladman is joined by Piotrek Lewandowski, Co-Founder and CEO of Hydrogen Prospect.
Piotrek has had a particularly intriguing journey. It’s one that’s taken him from a childhood in Poland to a PhD in the United States, where he went on to have a very successful career - and also started a family.
Now, he is back in Europe cruising around on bicycles with his four children - in where else but the Netherlands! 🚲
In recent years, Piotrek decided it was time to find something more meaningful. In this episode, you can find out just exactly what that is, and how this led him to co-found Hydrogen Prospect just under a year ago.
You can also get Piotrek’s unique insights on the cleantech industry; from pivoting from a career in oil and gas to becoming a ”Decarbonization Maximalist”; right through to insight into how and why brilliant talent from oil and gas should take the leap into cleantech, and start living their purpose!
Timestamped guide:
00:48 - Introduction to Piotrek
09:10 - What is the purpose of hydrogen storage?
16:56 - What does the hydrogen economy look like in 2030?
23:29 - How do you stay motivated and on track?
27:23 - How do we educate people on this area?
31:42 - Do you have any advice on how we encourage more brilliant talent to make the step from oil and gas into cleantech?
Connect with your host, Jenny Gladman, on LinkedIn.
Find your guest, Piotrek Lewandowski on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.
This is a Loaded Hype production.
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
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.
This is a Loaded Hype production.
Tuesday May 09, 2023
Tuesday May 09, 2023
Welcome to another exciting episode of Conversations in Cleantech! Today, Jenny Gladman, our Director, is joined by a true trailblazer in the world of technology and sustainability, Ellen Kugelberg. Ellen's career is nothing short of remarkable, having dabbled in engineering, consulting, telecom, and even founding a nonprofit foundation.
Ellen is currently the Chief Product Officer of Einride, a freight technology company that is revolutionising the transportation industry with its cutting-edge solutions for electric and autonomous shipping. With her extensive knowledge and experience, Ellen is leading the charge towards a more sustainable future, one truck at a time.
In this episode, Ellen shares her insights and experiences on how she transitioned from engineering to consulting and then into the tech industry, her passion for leveraging data for intelligent business decision-making, and her mission to make a real difference in children's reading ability through a nonprofit foundation.
We also dive into the challenges and opportunities in the cleantech space, the role of sensors in revolutionising the transportation sector, and how Einride is pioneering the way towards a greener and more sustainable future.
Whether you are a budding entrepreneur, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of clean tech, you do not want to miss this episode. So sit back, relax, and join us for an insightful conversation with Ellen Kugelberg.
Timestamped Guide
01.19 - Introduction to Ellen
03.03 - How did your background in engineering lead you to consulting?
05.15 - How did your focus on data-driven decision-making in your career lead you to your next move in Telenor?
06.39 - What led you to make a purpose-driven career move that was unexpected based on your previous experience and what drove your passion for this type of work?
10.20 - What is your business's elevator pitch and how does it fit into the conversation around disruption?
15.38 - How did managing teams prepare you for industry disruption, and what motivated you to seize opportunities despite challenges?
20.21 - How do you build the right team?
22.59 - How does your company navigate disruption by obtaining approvals for innovative products/services that have never been approved before, and what challenges do you face?
24.56 - Can you share your startup's funding journey, the challenges you faced, and advice for entrepreneurs seeking funding?
27.55 - What’s next for Einride, where are you heading?
30.05 - How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
34.22 - How have your strengths influenced your success in mentoring others and what advice would you give to those looking to develop their leadership skills in this area?
35.54 - What advice would you give to your younger self?
Connect with your host, Jenny Gladman, on LinkedIn.
Find our guest, Ellen Kugelberg on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.
This is a Loaded Hype production.
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Welcome to another exciting episode of Conversations in Cleantech Season Five! Our Director Jenny Gladman is joined by two exceptional guests, Louisa O’Connell, a Sales Specialist, and Sirine Hanaf, who is the Head of Partnerships at BeZero Carbon.
BeZero Carbon is a global rating agency that plays a crucial role in the voluntary carbon market by providing market participants with the ability to price and manage risk.
BeZero Carbon's focus is on a voluntary scheme that enables companies to offset their emissions through the purchase of carbon credits while ensuring transparency. Their mission is to expedite the transition to a zero-carbon future by supporting companies in their quest to achieve net-zero emissions.
Louisa shares her story of transitioning from academia to the carbon market industry and how working with companies such as ITV and Net Zero Target has impacted her professional journey. Sirine talks about her experience of transitioning from a strong corporate background to a dynamic startup. They both discuss the challenges of working in the voluntary carbon market and provide advice for those who want to enter the carbon market.
In this engaging conversation, Louisa and Sirine share their inspiring professional journeys from the beginning to how they landed at BeZero Carbon and how their roles contribute to the fight for a cleaner future. You will be motivated to pursue a career in driving the energy transition after listening to their inspiring stories. So, tune in now to your favourite podcast platform and join the conversation!
Timestamped Guide :
01.39 - Introduction to Louisa
01.55 - Introduction to Sirine
04.44 - Can you give the 101 on Carbon Markets, and what they look like?
06.59 - What is a carbon credit?
10.20 - How do you see the carbon market and the changes in that having an impact?
17.42 - Early Careers - Sirine tell us more about your role at Disney.
20.55 - How has that experience of working in different countries & cultures shaped you into the person you are today?
24.20 - Louisa, can you share the story you told us about your decision-making process and how you made the transition from academia to the carbon market industry?
27.07 - Why you should travel, and take that sabbatical?
29.50 - Louisa, Can you share how the events of 2015, the year you started your career, and how impacted you and your professional journey and ultimately led her to where you are today?
32.17 - Sirine, as someone with a strong corporate background who has transitioned into a startup, can you share your experience of this change and how it felt for you?
36.50 - Louisa, how do you find that startup life and the constant change?
39.19 - What are the main challenges that you think the voluntary carbon market is going to face?
46.45 - Advice to people who want to enter the carbon market
Connect with your host, Jenny Gladman, on LinkedIn.
Find your guests Louisa O'Connell & Sirine Hanaf, on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.
This is a Loaded Hype production.
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
We're delighted to welcome fleet electrification advocate and market expert, Bonnie Datta, to season five, episode three of Conversations in Cleantech!
A strategic advisor and board member to a host of innovative electrification startups and scaleups, Bonnie is also front and center with legislators, regulators, and EV industry stakeholders across the US, at both federal and state levels to ensure electrification is top of the agenda.
To give you an idea about Bonnie's desire to scale businesses focussed on decarbonisation and disrupt the status quo - she describes herself as a 'fearless adventurer", whose skillsets can't be put "in a straitjacket" thanks to an unconventional journey into cleantech that has spanned "across mountains and valleys".
Hosted by Brightsmith Vice President, Ben Sparks, this episode touches on Bonnie's views on fleet electrification in general, the tailwinds and headwinds faced by the startups that she's working with, alongside the importance of cross training when it comes to closing the talent gap and invaluable career insights for anyone interested in cleantech.
Timestamped Guide:
01:03 - Introduction to Bonnie
04:26 - An overview of PlugtoGrid and the startups she's currently "playing" with
07:58 - Let's give our listeners an overview of you and what your cleantech journey has been so far
12:29 - What advice would you give yourself coming out of that corporate world?
16:30 - Digging into fleet electrification, why is it such a game changer for the US?
21:31 - What should be the next step in fleet electrification the US marketplace?
23:38 - What do you think we'll see more of in the future of electrification?
26:11 - What are some of the tailwinds and headwinds in the c-suite of startups that you're seeing at the moment?
31:29 - What other subsectors of cleantech are you super excited about at the. moment?
31:52 - What sectors should we be getting the next clean tech professionals from? What is your advice to people who are looking to take a leap of faith into cleantech and live their purpose?
Connect with your host, Ben Sparks, on LinkedIn.
Find your guest, Bonnie Datta, on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.
This is a Loaded Hype production.
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
In episode two of season five, your host and Brightsmith Vice President, Ben Sparks, is thrilled to be joined by Director of Strategy and Operations, Erin Petrey.
EV enthusiast, HR whiz, communications connoisseur, bourbon buff; Erin is no stranger when it comes to wearing many, many different hats! In her role at Inspiration Mobility, Erin uses her incredible skill set and passionate nature to solve problems and build a greener, cleaner world. Aside from sustainability, Erin's other passion is writing about bourbon and cocktails at Bourbon & Banter.
From the rewards and challenges of working in a startup, to why you don't have to be perfect to make a difference; in this inspiring episode, Ben and Erin discuss her career to date, the advice she'd give to those looking to carve out their own career in cleantech, and how Inspiration Mobility is enabling her to truly live her purpose.
01:03 - Introduction to Erin
03:38 - Tells us about your career before you became part of the EV and sustainability world?
09:15 - What drew you to the people you're currently working with?
10:56 - What have been some of your key learnings from navigating the world of startups?
16:49 - What areas of sustainability are you passionate about at the moment?
19:15 - What does living your purpose mean to you?
20:59 - How do you navigate the challenges of the skills gap, and equal representation and diversity?
23:50 - What are your top tips top someone who has just moved into a leadership role?
26:28 - What would the one piece of advice you'd give to a younger Erin?
Connect with your host, Ben Sparks, on LinkedIn.
Find your guest, Erin Petrey, on LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.
This is a Loaded Hype production.