Inevitable

Dan Preston is the co-founder and CEO of Stand, a brand-new startup property insurer providing homeowners insurance for climate-exposed properties. They’re launching with a go-to-market focus on higher-end properties in California—homes that are otherwise unable to obtain affordable rates or any coverage at all due to wildfire risk.Stand claims that their differentiation, as Dan will explain in depth, comes from how they assess fire risk at the individual property level and help homeowners take proactive steps to mitigate those risks as part of the underwriting process.Dan is a seasoned entrepreneur with a win under his belt in InsurTech. He was previously the CEO of Metromile, which went public on the NASDAQ in 2020 via a SPAC merger and was later acquired by NextGen insurance company Lemonade in 2022.Stand recently raised a $30 million Series A, co-led by Inspired Capital and Lowercarbon, and came out of stealth at the end of 2024 to begin underwriting properties.Insurance risk is being priced and managed in ways that no longer match today’s realities, and we loved hearing from Dan about how Stand is tackling the challenge.In this episode, we cover: [3:49] Dan’s background in computer science and machine learning[7:00] The catalyst for starting Stand[9:22] How insurance companies typically evaluate risk[11:05] Challenges in measuring wildfire risk[17:32] Managing fire-prone communities and the importance of collective resilience[20:53] The role of private firefighters in insurance[22:08] Stand’s mission and focus on climate-exposed properties[26:53] Progress since launch and early traction[27:39] Stand’s product, technology, and risk modeling approach[33:18] Why legacy insurers have struggled to adapt to wildfire risk[38:35] What "perils" mean in insurance and why they matter[41:47] Stand’s $30M Series A funding and future plansEpisode recorded on Feb 11, 2025 (Published on Feb 20, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Marc Mezvinsky is a partner at TPG Rise Climate. TPG Rise Climate is among the largest pools of capital ever raised with a dedicated focus on climate tech. They announced a debut fund in 2021 at over $7 billion—and another very large fund currently in the works. Rise Climate is part of the broader TPG Rise platform, the impact arm of the publicly traded private equity firm TPG, which manages more than $220 billion in assets.Marc and I discuss his background and career path in finance across various asset classes, including private equity, venture capital at Social Capital, investment banking at Goldman Sachs, and hedge fund management, in addition to his work in climate tech.Of note, Marc has a fascinating personal history as the son of two former U.S. House Representatives and as the son-in-law of former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton—he is married to Chelsea Clinton.We also discuss how Marc approaches capital deployment at TPG Rise Climate, how he thinks about impact in his work, and how TPG Rise Climate evaluates impact relative to market-rate returns.In this episode, we cover: [3:04] An overview of TPG Rise Climate[8:34] The fund’s investment approach[11:12] TPC Rise Climate’s impact mandate[16:16] Marc’s background and path into finance[26:16] His exposure to policymaking and its impact on his work[38:10] Areas Marc and TPG Rise are exploring[44:07] Headwinds and tailwinds on Marc’s radarEpisode recorded on Jan 23, 2025 (Published on Feb 27, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Hudson Gilmer is the co-founder and CEO of LineVision. LineVision is a Series C-stage startup helping utilities monitor and increase the capacity of the vast network of transmission lines that serve as the vascular system of the U.S. electric grid. The U.S. transmission grid spans 600,000 to 700,000 circuit miles of high-voltage lines, connecting energy generation with consumption and delivering power across the country. This infrastructure typically lasts for decades, yet much of it was built before the advent of sophisticated software-based monitoring or persistent connectivity.LineVision provides a non-contact sensor and software system that detects issues with transmission lines and enables grid operators to safely increase their capacity—critical in an increasingly electrified world where grid constraints limit power delivery and building new transmission lines is a slow, multi-year process.We explore all this and more in our conversation with Hudson.In this episode, we cover: [2:06] An overview of transmission as one of the backbones of infrastructure in the US[7:00] LineVision’s focus on high-voltage, long distance lines [8:53] Hudon’s background and LineVision’s origin story[12:41] LineVision’s customers and who they work with[14:33] An overview of LineVision’s product [19:31] How seasonality plays into transmission capacity [22:53] The lifespan of typical transmission lines [25:10] The future of transmission line monitoring [28:11] LineVision’s funding to date [31:05] How LineVision’s business could be applied in the future[33:30] How monitoring facilitated grid security[35:42] LineVision’s new customersEpisode recorded on Jan 30, 2025 (Published on Feb 13, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

John Rappaport is the Chief Investment Officer at Keyframe Capital, a special situations fund manager. They help management teams solve complex asset and corporate financing requirements. In finance speak, this is often referred to as structured capital—the process of separating a company's capital structure into layers, enabling each layer to be fit for an investor seeking that specific risk-return profile.As John shares, structured capital can often be a good fit for companies in the energy transition, as those in renewable energy and adjacent categories often have high upfront capital costs and a relatively low cost of ongoing production.John has spent much of his career in financial roles within the energy and transportation sectors. Prior to founding Keyframe in 2020, he joined Cyrus Capital Partners in 2008, and before that, he worked for Sankaty Advisors, a division of Bain Capital. He has lectured on structured capital and economics at Yale University and sits on the boards of many companies in the energy transition space, including Wonder Capital, Utility Data, and Sealed, among others.So, let's dive into the wonky but important world of structured capital.In this episode, we cover: [1:57] Overview of Keyframe Capital[2:52] The origin of Keyframe and a story about Terawatt Infrastructure[11:25] Understanding structured capital[17:01] Examples of structured capital: Infrastructure as a service[21:10] Keyframe’s thesis-driven approach[25:56] The data center financing challenge[31:02] When and how founders should engage with structured capital providers[35:48] Keyframe’s current focus areasEpisode recorded on Jan 21, 2025 (Published on Feb 6, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Paul Lambert is the Co-founder and CEO of Quilt, a company designing smart ductless heat pumps for residential heating and cooling with intelligent room-by-room controls. Quilt was founded in 2022 and launched in the San Francisco Bay Area in spring 2024. Since then, they have achieved hundreds of deployments and are preparing to expand to their next market in Southern California. Earlier this year, they announced a $33 million Series A financing round co-led by Energy Impact Partners and Galvanize Climate Solutions, following a $9 million seed round in 2023 co-led by Lowercarbon Capital and Gradient Ventures. MCJ is proud to have invested in both rounds through our venture funds.Before founding Quilt, Paul led sustainability efforts at Area 120, Google’s in-house incubator for product ideas developed during employees’ 20% time. He previously held product roles at Google and Twitter and began his career by founding, running, and exiting a startup called LearnDot.In this conversation, we wanted to understand Paul’s product mindset—how Quilt works, the assumptions he’s validated along the way, and how he’s approached the challenges of building the business.In this episode, we cover: [2:01] The origin of the name Quilt[3:32] An overview of Quilt’s product stack[5:37] Quilt’s installation process[8:24] An overview of mini splits[10:56] How Paul and his co-founder decided on ductless mini splits[17:09] Paul’s path from design spec to prototype[18:47] The company’s progress to date[21:38] Consumer sentiment about heat pumps[23:51] Seasonal changes that drive consumers to purchase Quilt[27:16] Paul’s biggest learnings in building the company[32:16] Design considerations in Quilt’s product[34:59] Workforce development and other inertia challenges[40:51] What’s next for Quilt[45:52] Where Quilt is hiring, plus its newly launched merch storeEpisode recorded on Dec 17, 2024 (Published on Jan 23, 2025)*Due to the recent fires, Quilt will now launch in Los Angeles in the Spring of 2025. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Sharon Schneider is the Founder of Integrated Capital Strategies, a consulting firm that helps founders and family offices drive positive social change. Her firm specializes in setting up or realigning family offices to better align with the values and evolving priorities of individuals seeking a more integrated approach to life.We invited Sharon on the show after being inspired by one of her posts, where she highlighted a growing trend: younger generations of high-net-worth families are rethinking their relationship with family wealth, especially in light of climate change.In this conversation, we explored the distinctions between impact capital, aligned capital, and catalytic capital, and how family office strategies can incorporate these concepts. We also discussed key considerations for entrepreneurs and fund managers when engaging with family offices, how family offices can structure loan guarantees to address the first-of-a-kind project finance gap—and much more.In this episode, we cover: [2:13] Sharon’s journey to founding Integrated Capital Strategies[8:42] Her perspective on catalytic capital[12:27] Feedback from family offices: privacy and urgency[16:14] Fiduciary duties of family offices[19:25] How Sharon collaborates with family offices[23:30] Tips for high-net-worth individuals[27:23] Guidance for founders approaching investors[28:53] Advice for GPs raising capital[32:55] Underutilized tools in catalytic capital[37:40] More advice for founders seeking funding[41:57] The role of corporate strategics in startups[44:11] Sharon’s outlook on the future of family office investmentsEpisode recorded on Dec 19, 2024 (Published on Jan 20, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Eliot Brooks is the CEO and co-founder of Cocoon. Cocoon is driving the industrial circular economy, starting with a process that helps the steel industry continue supplying a critical feedstock for cement production. This feedstock is increasingly at risk as steelmaking transitions from coal-based blast furnaces to lower-emission electric arc furnaces. Cocoon was founded on the realization that as industries decarbonize, certain process changes disrupt circular supply chains. The connection between the slag byproduct of steelmaking and the demands of cement production is their starting focus. Earlier this year, Cocoon announced a $5.4 million pre-seed round led by Wireframe, Gigascale, SOSV, and Celsius Industries.In this episode, we cover: [1:33] Introduction to Cocoon[3:13] The challenge steel decarbonization poses for the cement industry[9:56] Cocoon's process for transforming steel slag into a cementitious material[10:51] Eliot’s background and journey to working on this technology[15:46] Cocoon's business model and go-to-market strategy[19:43] Decarbonization pathways for steel and the role of electric arc furnaces[21:10] Cocoon's current technology readiness and near-term deployment plans[22:05] Building industrial expertise at Cocoon[25:07] Comparing the US and Europe as initial target markets[27:57] Cocoon's recent $5.4 million pre-seed funding round[30:00] Eliot’s perspective on bringing expertise from other industries to address challenges in steelmakingEpisode recorded on Nov 20, 2024 (Published on Jan 16, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Adrian Deveny, former Director of Energy and Environmental Policy for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, was a key architect of the Biden-era climate policy agenda, including the landmark Inflation Reduction Act. In this conversation, we explore Adrian's perspective on what to expect from Washington, D.C., in the years ahead, as the federal government transitions to Republican control of the executive branch and both chambers of Congress.We discuss the likely fate of the climate and clean energy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act over the next couple of years and whether there are viable pathways for new clean energy policy in the near term. Given the ambitious policies rolled out in recent years, Adrian also shares insights on the "unfinished business" he sees as critical. Spoiler alert: he believes we need to more than double our policy efforts to meet U.S. emissions targets. In this episode, we cover: [3:36] Adrian’s background and journey in the Senate[8:26] Republican trifecta’s impact on climate policy[11:47] Regulatory challenges, including Supreme Court rulings[17:48] Challenges in EPA funding and appropriations[19:53] Defending clean energy tax credits under the IRA[24:08] IRA’s impact on manufacturing and the EV supply chain[31:48] Bipartisan opportunities in geothermal, nuclear, and defense projects[45:28] Debates on permitting reform for energy projects[52:00] Future clean energy growth and market forces[55:12] Adrian’s focus on advancing federal climate policyRecommended listening: Crafting Landmark Climate Legislation Russel Kenneth DeGraffEpisode recorded on Nov 20, 2024 (Published on Jan 13, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Kathryn Bakos is the Managing Director of Finance and Resilience at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, an applied research center within the faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo in Canada. Our conversation today is all about the inevitable impacts of climate change, including floods, wildfires, and heat waves in particular, as these phenomena are Kathryn's main focus. We talk about the increasing severity of each of these, the preventative efforts that individuals and communities can each take to avoid their worst effects and how risk and insurance industries are navigating these perils. And lastly, we have a conversation about why adaptation measures have seemingly lagged behind decarbonization efforts in the public consciousness about climate change. In this episode, we cover: [0:00] Overview of the Intact Centre[1:30] Canada’s climate vulnerability[2:44] Kathryn’s career path[4:00] Major risks: flooding, wildfires, heat waves[9:59] Responses to flooding: individuals, communities, industries[16:55] Updating flood maps and using AI[26:07] Wildfire risks: actions for homes and communities[34:53] Wildfire insurance and resilience challenges[37:42] Balancing adaptation and mitigation[41:28] Political will for adaptation measures[45:50] Cost-effectiveness of adaptation[46:41] Don River and Waterpark Project[48:34] Innovation in resilience technologies[51:58] Heat risks and urban solutions[58:34] Final reflections on resilience effortsResources from Intact: Three Steps to Cost-Effective Home Flood ProtectionThree Steps to a Cost-Effective FireSmart™ HomeThree Features of a Wildfire-Ready CommunityThree Steps to Cost-Effective Apartment and Condo Heat ProtectionThree Steps to Cost-Effective Home Heat ProtectionEpisode recorded on Dec 2, 2024 (Published on Jan 6, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Seyed Madaeni is the co-founder and CEO of Verse. Verse develops software that helps organizations understand, plan, and manage clean energy. Their platform simplifies the complex clean energy procurement process, enabling companies to meet their emissions goals in the most economical way possible. MCJ is proud to be a repeat investor in Verse through our venture capital funds, including participation in their recent Series A round alongside GV and Coatue. To us, Verse embodies the inevitable shift where large companies must integrate clean energy management as a core business capability.Hyperscalers have led this trend, driven by their insatiable need for electricity to power data centers—a demand that’s only growing with AI. We believe this focus on clean energy will expand across major corporations, much like the widespread adoption of IT and cloud technologies over the past two decades. But enough from us—let’s hear directly from Seyed about what he’s building with Verse.In this episode, we cover: [1:43] Overview of Verse’s mission and focus[2:05] How Seyed founded Verse[4:54] Lessons from Seyed’s time at Fluence[6:02] Insights into the buyer side of the market[10:03] Rising demand on the U.S. energy grid[13:02] Breakdown of Verse’s customer base[17:44] Challenges corporate buyers face with energy and emissions[19:14] Overview of virtual PPAs and additionality[25:14] How Verse helps buyers make energy decisions[27:28] Importance of data in pricing and forecasting[30:40] 24/7 carbon-free energy vs. carbon matching[35:00] The role of batteries in increasing emissions[38:56] How Verse is expanding its offerings[41:15] Understanding Verse’s approach[44:00] Verse’s funding history and goalsEpisode recorded on Oct 17, 2024 (Published on Jan 2, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Maria Robinson, outgoing Director of the Grid Deployment Office at the U.S. Department of Energy, joins us to share insights from her impactful tenure. Since stepping into the role in 2022, Maria has overseen $22 billion in federal funding to drive the development of new and upgraded electric infrastructure nationwide.Recorded in person at the recent Deploy conference in Washington, DC, hosted by the DOE, Maria and Cody discuss her background, the mission of the Grid Deployment Office, and the initiatives she’s championed. We also dive into the complexities of the U.S. electric grid, including transmission, interconnect queues, permitting reform, and enhancing grid resilience amidst extreme weather and climate challenges.In this episode, we cover: [4:57] Maria’s background and work with Rep. Jay Inslee[7:33] The complexity of the U.S. electric grid[10:19] Funding sources for transmission projects[11:54] Renewables’ impact on grid design[15:13] The role of NEPA in grid projects[22:37] Powering data centers and grid distribution[25:37] Interconnect queue backlogs[27:08] The benefits of reconductoring[28:15] Grid resiliency and local utilities[33:34] Maria’s vision for the next administration[35:09] Cybersecurity challenges for the grid[36:32] Federal permitting reform for transmissionEpisode recorded on Dec 5, 2024 (Published on Dec 19, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Arvin Ganesan is the CEO of Fourth Power, which is developing a flexible-duration thermal energy system designed to meet the needs of an electrical grid increasingly powered by renewables. Their system heats liquid tin to extremely high temperatures, circulates it through carbon blocks for heat storage, and converts that heat back to electricity on demand via thermal photovoltaics. The technology aims to address both short-duration energy storage (5–10 hours) and long-duration needs (100 hours or more), with the ability to discharge power within seconds.At the end of last year, Fourth Power raised a Series A led by DCVC, with participation from Breakthrough Energy Ventures. Arvin’s fascinating career includes time in the U.S. Senate as a senior policy advisor to the late Senator Frank Lautenberg, over five years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and nearly six years at Apple as the head of global energy and environmental policy.In this episode, we explore Arvin's career path, his decision to join Fourth Power, and why the company’s work matters for the future of energy storage.In this episode, we cover: [1:49] Arvin's career journey: From the EPA to Apple and beyond[8:13] Why Arvin chose to become CEO of Fourth Power[10:29] Focusing on electricity storage over industrial heat[12:06] Fourth Power’s thermal energy storage system explained[17:11] How Fourth Power uses photovoltaics for efficient energy conversion[20:36] Trade-offs between Fourth Power's technology and lithium-ion batteries[25:03] Co-location strategies and powering renewable energy[28:21] Collaborating with utilities to meet grid demands[31:09] Fourth Power’s milestones and current progress[32:57] Arvin’s transition to a CEO role and what he’s learning[34:59] Market optimism and the potential impact of Fourth Power’s solutionRecommended Listening: Onshoring Clean Energy with Giulia Siccardo, MESCEpisode recorded on Aug 20, 2024 (Published on Dec 12, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Hannah Bebbington is the Head of Deployment at Frontier, an advanced market commitment created in 2022, that aims to purchase $1 billion or more of permanent carbon removal by 2030. Founded by Stripe, Alphabet, Shopify, Meta, and McKinsey, Frontier has quickly become a leading force in the carbon removal space. Its portfolio includes a "who’s who" of innovators pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in carbon removal—many of whom have been guests on this show. Cody catches up with Hannah to explore how Frontier’s program is structured, what they’ve learned so far, and her perspective on the state of carbon removal today.In this episode, we cover: [2:03] What is Frontier? An intro to its $1B commitment to carbon removal[7:00] The scale of the carbon removal challenge and future funding needs[10:42] Gaps in the industry: demand, investment, and measurement[13:21] Hannah’s background and role as Head of Deployment[16:10] Frontier’s advanced market commitment model explained[18:05] How Frontier supports early-stage companies through pre-purchases[21:32] Tips for startups applying to Frontier’s programs[27:19] Frontier’s offtake track for scaling larger projects[30:16] The importance of measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV)[35:05] Frontier’s criteria for funding: scale, cost, and permanence[42:14] Microsoft’s role as a leader in carbon removal[47:24] Key terms in Frontier’s offtake agreements[55:08] The impact of the data center boom on carbon removal[57:01] Carbon removal’s bipartisan support and policy outlookRecommended Listening:MCJ Startup Series: Charm IndustrialPermanent Geologic Carbon Storage with Vaulted DeepEnhanced Rock Weathering with Lithos CarbonCarbon Removal and Climate Policy with Heirloom and Senator Scott WienerEpisode recorded on Nov 22, 2024 (Published on Dec 9, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Dr. Naomi Boness is the managing director of the Natural Gas Initiative and co-managing director of the Hydrogen Initiative at Stanford University. With a Ph.D. in Geophysics from Stanford and over 13 years in technical and management roles at Chevron, Dr. Boness combines deep scientific knowledge with real-world experience in energy operations.In this episode, we dive into the molecule side of energy, focusing on the evolving roles of natural gas and hydrogen in a decarbonizing world. Topics range from geopolitics and energy security to emissions challenges and the future of these key resources in the energy mix.In this episode, we cover: [1:38] Dr. Boness' work and focus at Stanford [5:10] Corporate involvement: utilities, investment firms, and oil majors[7:12] Natural gas in the global energy mix and its role as a coal alternative[9:09] Addressing the critical issue of methane leaks[11:42] Incentives for midstream players to participate [13:53] Dr. Boness' pov on the idea of halting oil and gas production entirely[16:04] Geopolitical dynamics of natural gas production and exportation[20:59] Breakdown of the global gas production mix[22:55] Effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the European gas market[27:10] DPower vs. heat transition and natural gas' role[29:49] Vision for the future of natural gas in a renewable energy landscape[33:55] Challenges and trade-offs in transitioning from natural gas and investing in infrastructure[39:25] Potential role of hydrogen in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors[43:38] Environmental impacts of hydrogen as a potential greenhouse gas[47:33] Policy and regulatory hurdles for clean hydrogen production[50:39] Issues surrounding the "45V rule" in the Inflation Reduction Act[54:21] Dr. Boness' top policy priorities and wish listEpisode recorded on Aug 14, 2024 (Published on Nov 21, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Jason Marks is the Co-founder and CEO at TELO. TELO is developing EV pickup trucks in the footprint of a Mini Cooper with a bed the size of a Toyota Tacoma and the power of a mainstream truck. They're focused on urban use cases for pickup trucks, whether that be a weekend adventurer who lives in a city or an organization whose employees need trucks for work in urban environments but are fed up with navigating giant vehicles through traffic, parking, and underground lots.We were eager to hear Jason’s perspective on why now is the right time to build an electric vehicle from the ground up, what makes TELO’s approach uniquely positioned for a significant market opportunity, and why existing truck manufacturers haven’t pursued this segment. Plus, we dive into the fascinating history of why today’s pickup trucks have become so massive in the first place.MCJ is proud to support TELO as an investor through our venture capital fund, backing founders like Jason who are reshaping industries to be cleaner, more profitable, and more resilient.In this episode, we cover: [2:26] Jason's background in automotive[4:37] An overview of TELO and its purpose[6:13] How pickups have grown significantly larger over the past 15-20 years[11:15] The current EV truck market[12:47] Truck density in urban environments and challenges[15:51] TELO's approach to building EV an pickup[17:58] China's EV phenomenon and landscape[23:08] Current US EV market[24:51] TELO's unique approach to EV pickups[28:09] The company's battery chemistry[29:49] TELO's progress to date[32:05] Big milestones Jason and his team are working towards including homologation[35:59] TELO's go to market[38:20] Jason's vision for the future of his business[39:24] TELO's latest Seed Round led by Neo[41:08] Where TELO needs help[41:44] Biggest surprises in building a vehicle companyEpisode recorded on Oct 4, 2024 (Published on Nov 21, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Mark Lundstrom is the founder and CEO of Radia.Radia is developing the WindRunner, the world’s largest aircraft, specifically designed to transport massive offshore wind turbine blades—some reaching the length of football fields—to onshore sites. This capability, termed "GigaWind," could redefine the scope and scale of onshore wind projects. Radia isn’t stopping at building these groundbreaking aircraft; they also plan to develop wind energy projects to catalyze the GigaWind transformation. This episode dives into Radia’s verticalized approach to addressing a major challenge in wind energy: the physical limitations of transporting turbine blades via the U.S. interstate highway system. By circumventing these constraints, Radia envisions a future where wind farms can reach unprecedented scales.In this episode, we cover: [2:13] Mark's background in aerospace [6:27] Logistics of wind turbines on land today[9:03] Onshore vs. offshore wind energy in terms of turbine size, logistics, and economics [14:04] China's wind energy generation[15:53] An overview of Radia's WindRunner aircraft [20:57] Radia's plan to become a power provider[24:07] Siting and permitting process for Radia's projects [28:23] Radia's progress to date [30:20] Capital stack needed to fund Radia's WindRunner[35:05] Radia's decision to come out of stealth[38:32] Who Radia wants to hear from and hire [39:43] How Radia's solution can address AI power demandsEpisode recorded on Sept 19, 2024 (Published on Nov 13, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Tom Montag, CEO of Rubicon Carbon, joins us to discuss the world of carbon credits. Tom has had an illustrious career, previously serving as Chief Operating Officer at Bank of America, President of Global Banking and Markets, and a member of the executive management team. He joined Merrill Lynch as Executive Vice President and Head of Global Sales and Trading in 2008, just before its merger with Bank of America. Before that, he was with Goldman Sachs, co-heading the Global Securities Business and serving on its management committee. He currently serves on the board of directors of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and is a board member of Northwestern University, NYU Langone Medical Center, the Hispanic Federation, Deschutes Land Trust, and the Japan Society. He is also a former BlackRock board member.In this episode, we dive into why, after such an accomplished career, Tom chose to dedicate his next chapter to carbon markets. We have a fascinating conversation about the current state of voluntary carbon markets and how Tom views them in relation to the financial services industry when he started his career in the 1980s. We explore why carbon credits matter, the circumstances under which companies should use them, and the origin of Rubicon Carbon, including the role of TPG’s Rise Fund. Tom also discusses Rubicon's approach to bundled credit offerings and addresses some of the trust challenges facing the carbon markets today, as well as where he believes they are headed.In this episode, we cover: [2:19] Tom's financial background and career pathway to Rubicon [5:21] The state of the voluntary carbon market, including its size and growth potential[7:41] Parallels between the early derivatives market and the current carbon markets[11:41] Challenges around additionality, financial hedging, and trust in the carbon markets[13:41] An overview of Rubicon Carbon[20:55] Regulatory and compliance considerations around carbon markets[26:30] The need for more standardization and risk adjustment in the VCM[33:44] Examples of Rubicon Carbon's projects and partnerships[36:08] Role of oil and gas in the future of VCM[40:12] Bull and bear cases for the future of carbon marketsEpisode recorded on Aug 22, 2024 (Published on Nov 11, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Hannan Parvizian is Co-founder and CEO of Exowatt. Exowatt turned heads earlier this year when it announced a $20 million Seed round with backers including Andreessen Horowitz, Atomic, and Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. The company has developed a novel combined solution for energy generation and storage that concentrates heat from the sun, stores it as thermal energy, and converts it on demand to electricity.They've primarily focused their go-to-market around the data center boom driven by AI and argue that their solution is purpose-built for the massive energy need of data centers. We were eager to hear from Hannan as the rapid increase in energy demand from hyperscalers and AI remains a huge topic in the energy space, especially as we work to transition away from fossil fuels while also meeting AI-fueled demand.In this episode, we explore Hannan's insights on the limitations of "traditional" solar PV and lithium-ion battery storage in meeting these needs—and how Exowatt aims to bridge this gap.In this episode, we cover: [2:01] An overview of Exowatt[4:56] Exowatt's technology and approach[6:29] Reasons for pursuing a thermal energy storage solution[14:46] Hannan's previous startup experience[16:45] How Exowatt's Seed round came together[20:07] Response to skepticism about Exowatt's technology[24:41] Technical details on the Exowatt P3 system[29:09] Geographical and land use considerations[34:33] Comparison of Exowatt's approach to other thermal energy storage solutions[38:59] Exowatt's manufacturing and deployment strategy[41:48] Pricing and economics of the company's system[43:10] Current deployments and future growth plans[43:44] Hannan's perspectives on Exowatt's competitive advantages and challenges[46:02] Where Exowatt needs helpEpisode recorded on Oct 10, 2024 (Published on Nov 7, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

By now, you’ve likely noticed our refreshed look. We’re evolving the show to focus on the inevitable impacts of climate change and the groundbreaking solutions shaping our future.To kick off this next chapter our first guest on Inevitable is Tom Steyer, Co-executive Chair at Galvanized Climate Solutions, a multi-strategy investment firm focused exclusively on the climate transition. A little over a year ago, Galvanize announced the final close of its Innovation + Expansion Fund at over $1 billion, one of the largest climate venture funds ever raised. Tom is also the recent author of the New York Times bestselling book, "Cheaper, Faster, Better: How We'll Win the Climate War," and he wrote the Forward to Project Drawdown.In 2020, Tom was a Democratic presidential candidate with a climate-focused policy agenda, and he participated that year on the primary debate stage alongside now President Joe Biden and now VP Kamala Harris, among many other notable Democratic party leaders. He's the founder of NextGen America, the largest youth voter organization in the USA, which he created in 2013. But Tom hasn't always been focused on the energy transition and climate change. In 1986, he founded Farallon Capital Management, a multi-strategy hedge fund that he ran for over 25 years and grew to hundreds of employees and $20 billion in assets under management. His story of having incredible success in one field and then feeling the inevitable pull to work on the biggest problem of our time is exactly the type of pathway that we plan to explore on this show. *We recorded this episode live during Climate Week NYC, in front of a fantastic audience. We'd like to thank them for joining as well as the folks at ethic for lending their beautiful space and JP Morgan for helping to sponsor the event. In this episode, we cover: [4:55] Tom's book theme: "do the obvious thing"[9:58] Tom's book theme: "the status quo will not go on forever"[13:53] Energy is wealth and how we can collectively retire fossil energy with renewables[17:06] Tom's decision to dedicate his career to climate and his early pathway[21:34] NextGen and the org's origins[23:32] Sharpening your bullshit detector[25:03] What prompted Tom's 2020 presidential run[26:05] The catalyst to Galvanize[29:26] The firm's different focus areas and strategy[34:45] Tom's "five plus one" approach to investing[38:01] The model Tom would like O&G companies to take in the transition[40:45] Thoughts on the "climate war"[44:13] What happens when climate tech is no longer a category[46:56] Tom's thoughts on permitting halting clean energy progress[49:59] Rapid fire topics including China and India[53:13] Hyperscalers and AI[55:01] Tom's policy wish list[59:29] His call to action for listenersEpisode recorded on Sept 24, 2024 (Published on Nov 4, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Climate change is inevitable. It's already here. But at the same time, the energy transition–the rewriting of industries to be cleaner, more profitable, and more resilient–is also inevitable.Join MCJ Managing Partner Cody Simms each week as sits down with experts across sectors to explore the groundbreaking innovations and extraordinary people shaping the transition of energy and industry. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today on My Climate Journey, we’re bringing back a familiar voice: Jason Jacobs, Founder and Venture Partner at MCJ. In this special episode, Cody and Jason reflect on the evolution of MCJ and its mission to drive climate innovation. While this is the last episode under the My Climate Journey name, don’t worry—the show isn’t going away. The format will stay the same, but a new name is coming soon. Cody and Jason share lessons learned, the ongoing need for collaboration, and gratitude for the community built along the way.In this episode, we cover: [1:57] Jason's early climate journey and where MCJ fits in the transition[4:15] How Jason's feelings about climate change have evolved [6:43] The nature of discussion around topics like climate change[9:19] Jason's updated role at MCJ[10:31] His hopes for the future of the firm [11:15] Advice for folks starting their own climate journeys[12:11] Jason's thoughts on the role of oil and gas in the transition [13:17] And the role of activism [14:47] Jason's thoughts on the category of climate tech and market forces[17:50] Our collective responsibility to address the systems problem [19:57] The role of the MCJ show going forwardEpisode recorded on Oct 22, 2024 (Published on Oct 31, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Joselyn Lai is the Co-founder and CEO at Bedrock Energy. Bedrock uses geothermal energy to transform the heating and cooling of buildings. We've covered geothermal on the show a few times, but Bedrock brings a unique approach. On one end of the spectrum, we've explored large utility-scale geothermal projects, which aim to drill deep to tap into underground steam vents for turbine-powered electricity generation. On the other end, we've featured companies that drill relatively shallow wells to create underground loops, providing ground-source insulation for residential heat pumps. Bedrock falls closer to this second category but goes deeper than most residential projects, using these techniques to power heat pumps for large commercial and industrial buildings.We were interested to hear from Joselyn about the technology she's developed to pursue this opportunity, what market demand looks like, and how her solution compares against the HVAC status quo and commercial-scale air-source heat pumps.In this episode, we cover: [2:24] Overview of Bedrock Energy and its geothermal approach[4:03] How Bedrock’s methods differ from other geothermal generation techniques[5:15] Joselyn's journey to founding Bedrock Energy[8:14] Focusing on the existing HVAC market[13:18] Integration of geothermal systems into commercial buildings[16:57] Overview of Bedrock's underground geothermal technology[22:18] On-site footprint of Bedrock’s geothermal solutions[29:32] Proprietary software and drilling innovations for efficient deployments[31:29] Understanding Bedrock’s early customer base[34:26] Challenges related to geology and labor shortages[38:58] Collaborating with utilities for enhanced grid benefits[43:57] Bedrock Energy’s progress and milestones so farAdditional episodes:Residential Geothermal with Dandelion EnergyStartup Series: QuaiseEpisode recorded on Oct 3, 2024 (Published on Oct 24, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Erica Nemser is CEO at Ardent, a Series A stage startup that's aiming to help drive industrial decarbonization by developing and selling membranes to perform point source carbon capture. Point source capture differs from direct air capture in that it's focused on concentrated greenhouse gas emissions coming right out of the flue of an industrial system, as opposed to direct air capture (DAC), which attempts to capture emissions from ambient air. Ardent, formerly Compact Membrane Systems, has been operating for 30 years, but its pivot to carbon capture and tech startup status is recent. In this episode, we discuss how Ardent’s technology stands out in the point source capture field, the industry's varied approaches to decarbonization, and how Erica’s leadership has guided the company's transformation.In this episode, we cover: [2:11] Rebranding from Compact Membrane Systems to Ardent[3:53] Ardent's membrane-based carbon capture solution and how it differs from other technologies [6:29] Erica's background and how it has informed her leadership at Ardent[7:37] Ardent's go-to-market strategy of partnering for scale[12:15] The company's hypothesis around facilitated transport membranes [13:05] An overview of Ardent's approach to industrial carbon capture [18:01]: Ardent’s low-energy membrane systems for carbon capture[19:50]: Overview of Ardent’s membrane system setup[23:03]: Addressing concerns about prolonging fossil fuel use with carbon capture[25:11]: Erica’s perspective on diverse solutions for industrial heat[32:06]: “Carbon Capture as a Service” explained[37:20]: Agricultural sector's interest in carbon capture[45:51]: Ardent’s global presence and talent searchEpisode recorded on Aug 1, 2024 (Published on Oct 17, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Molly Yang is CEO and co-founder of Hgen, a company that develops clean hydrogen to decarbonize heavy industry. Specifically, they are working on alkaline electrolyzer technology to make it have higher efficiency and higher power density, which they claim will allow them to produce hydrogen with a smaller footprint and lower cost, using a modular, mass-manufacturable design.Based in Los Angeles, Hgen has raised capital from Founders Fund, Fontinalis Partners, and Seven Seven Six among others. Prior to starting Hgen, Molly was on the Product team at Tesla, where she led initiatives across Tesla's industrial and residential energy products. Her co-founder and childhood friend, Colin Ho led actuation & power system for Starship and propulsion components for Crew Dragon at SpaceX.In this episode, Molly and Cody talk all about Hgen's origin story, technology and market. Toward the end of the conversation, she offers her thoughts to other climate tech startup founders and climate tech investors about how to approach a market.In this episode, we cover:[3:13] Molly’s background at Tesla and her motivation for starting Hgen[6:09] Exploring different solutions for hard-to-abate sectors[8:30] Hgen’s focus on distributed hydrogen production through alkaline electrolysis[9:24] Comparing alkaline vs. PEM electrolyzers[14:16] The challenges and advantages of alkaline electrolyzers[16:10] Targeting markets that use hydrogen today and displacing gray hydrogen[22:10] Various use cases for hydrogen[25:06] Hgen’s progress and business model[27:49] Hgen is hiring![28:08] How different investors view hydrogen[34:25] Molly's advice for entrepreneursEpisode recorded on July 11, 2024 (Published on Oct 10, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Russell Kenneth DeGraff spent 18 years as a staffer on Capitol Hill, including 12 years as the Chief Climate and Technology Advisor to Nancy Pelosi, notably during her second term as Speaker of the House. He was, as they say in the room where it happened when negotiating the landmark climate legislation of the last few years, including the Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act. This is a special conversation going deep into the backstory of how things work in Washington and how these once-in-a-generation climate policies came to be realized. In this episode, we cover: Russell's background and path to Capitol HillHis roles in congressional offices, including work with Congressman Mike Doyle and Speaker Nancy PelosiThe challenges of passing legislation in a closely divided SenateNegotiating and passing major climate policies like the Inflation Reduction Act, and the role of the House Select Committee on the Climate CrisisA case study on negotiating solar canalsDynamics of working with key senators, such as Joe ManchinRussell's current work with Stanford and HarvardReflections on January 6, the political climate, and the 2024 presidential electionAdvice for getting involved in electoral efforts to support climate actionRisks of losing recently passed climate policies if Democrats lose control of CongressWhy climate change is inherently a political issueEpisode recorded on Aug 6, 2024 (Published on Oct 7, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

This My Climate Journey podcast episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Ion during Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week. Zach Dell is the Co-founder and CEO of Base Power Company. Base aspires to build a reliable and affordable home energy service powered by distributed batteries. Their technology supports the grid during times of peak need and protects customers during outages. They claim to do this at a fraction of the cost of other solutions. Base is serving live customers in Texas and claims to be the only electricity provider to offer a home battery, monthly energy service, and installation, all in one with no requirement of rooftop solar.MCJ is a proud investor in Base via our venture capital fund. The company recently raised a $68 million Series A round via Valor Equity Partners, Thrive Capital, and others in which we participated. In this episode, we dig into Zach's journey, the origins of Base, and what he sees as the path ahead for distributed storage and home energy as he builds a vertically integrated business in this enormous space.In this episode, we cover: [2:47] Zach's background and journey into entrepreneurship, with a focus on solving energy and climate problems[7:57] How he landed on batteries and met his co-founder, Justin Lopas[14:05] Base's residential approach in Texas [22:00] The company's business model and role in the energy market [25:03] Base's ideal customer [27:30] The battery's current and future manufacturing strategy [31:00] Zach's key learnings from starting a business[32:18] Base's company culture and who they're looking to hire[36:46] How Base could grow into other energy sectors [40:00] Zach's vision for the futureEpisode recorded on Sept 10, 2024 (Published on Oct 3, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

*This My Climate Journey podcast episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Ion during Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week. Our guest is, Vicki Hollub, CEO of Occidental Petroleum (Oxy), a century-old oil and gas company employing over 12,000 people globally with a market cap near $50 billion. Recently the company has made significant investments into what they refer to as “carbon management” technologies including the acquisition of Carbon Engineering, a Direct Air Capture (DAC) company, in 2023 for $1.1 billion. Oxy is commercializing Carbon Engineering’s technology through its 1PointFive initiative and aims to deploy 70 DAC facilities by 2035. These efforts include recently receiving draft permits from the EPA for Class VI Injection wells, enabling the permanent geologic sequestration of CO₂, an advance market commitment from Microsoft to purchase 500,000 metric tons of carbon removal, and an award from the US Department of Energy for up to $500M to build a 1M ton per year facility.The conversation covers a lot of territory. Vicki acknowledges climate change and its effects on extreme weather and natural ecosystems, while also stating that Oxy does not view the energy transition as a shift away from oil and gas. Instead, she describes a future where oil and gas exploration could become carbon-negative through advancements in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), a technology that uses CO₂ to extract fossil fuels from otherwise depleted wells.This is a notable interview for MCJ as Vicki is the first oil and gas CEO we’ve had on the show. We believe it’s important to understand how a company like Oxy, which has a very large greenhouse gas emissions footprint, thinks about its future plans. We also know that many who listen to this show are interested in Oxy’s DAC efforts and their perspective on the future of the technologies and markets around it. Vicki became CEO in 2016, the first woman to lead a major American oil company. We are grateful to Katie Mehnert of ALLY Energy for connecting us with her for this conversation.In this episode, we cover: [03:28] Navigating the trust gap between O&G companies and the public[06:42] Vicki's early career path[08:32] The O&G boom in the Permian Basin in the mid-2000s[11:18] Vicki's path to becoming the first female CEO at Oxy[17:15] Changing dynamics and priorities while running a complex company like Oxy[18:00] How Vicki pitched Warren Buffet to invest in Oxy and navigated the impacts[21:11] How Oxy attracts and retains talent, plus generational differences[26:36] Challenges and opportunities Oxy sees in the energy transition[30:45] Navigating urgency relative to long-term planning[34:01] How the transition of innovation and legacy businesses could play out[44:36] Oxy's focus on carbon management, including direct air capture[49:55] Challenges in scaling DAC, including partnerships and funding[53:46] Vicki's thoughts on achieving a net-zero carbon barrel of oil[59:44] Her perspectives on the future of the oil and gas industry and its evolutionEpisode recorded on Sept 11, 2024 (Published on Oct 1, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

The election cycle can feel overwhelming for the average person who is climate-concerned, but not deeply political enough to understand where and how to plug in. If you have money to give, where should it go? If you have time to contribute, what should you do? We could think of no better group than the experts we have here to help walk us through it. Tiernan Sittenfeld is the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at LCV or the League of Conservation Voters, among many other things. LCV assigns every member of the U.S. Congress with a national environmental Scorecard, which is a handy tool for tracking their voter record on issues related to climate change. Caroline Spears is the Executive Director at Climate Cabinet, which she describes as Moneyball meets climate policy. Climate Cabinet analyzes local climate and governance data to uncover high-leverage races and candidates across thousands of local offices. Caroline joined us previously on the pod a few years ago for a deep dive about her journey and her work. Eliza Nemser is the Co-founder and Executive Director at Climate Changemakers, a modern climate advocacy network built for busy, productive people. They help individuals take productive climate action through action playbooks, issue briefings and hour-of-action co-working sessions. Eliza is also a repeat guest on the show.A few disclaimers: One, this episode tends to be pretty pro-Democrat. Some of that comes from top-of-the-ticket sentiment such as former President Trump's withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement. Some of it comes from the most recent experience in Congress where the Inflation Reduction Act faced a 51 to 50 vote in the Senate that was evenly split down party lines with Vice President Harris breaking the tie. This is not to say that all Democrats are strong on climate. The Inflation Reduction Act nearly died many times inside the Democratic Party before it passed. And if you look up and down Congress and even farther into state and local politics, there are a wide range of LCV scores for Democratic candidates and there are some Republicans who are strong on climate issues as well. The second disclaimer is that climate is a huge topic. We didn't take time in the episode to talk about what it means to be a "climate voter."We've learned one thing over the years, that you should never assume that climate-concerned people always agree on solutions. We intentionally didn't spend time going deep into the pros and cons of different policy platforms. And yes, there is an argument to be made that natural gas is a bridge fuel and that replacing coal aggressively with gas will help our emissions problem. But this episode is meant for people who already know they want to see progress around clean energy deployment across our economy and want some ideas on how to get involved in the election cycle. *Watch the MCJ Collective member hub for a special Ask-Me-Anything session with Climate Changemakers. In this episode, we cover: [5:00] Intro to Tiernan and LCV[6:16] Intro to Caroline and Climate Cabinet[7:30] Intro to Eliza and Climate Changemakers[9:02] Climate stakes in this election[15:30] House and Senate race importance[21:30] Climate's political divide[28:45] House stakes this cycle[34:30] Texas election outlook[39:20] Key states to watch[42:17] Climate champion governors[44:13] LCV candidate scoring[47:15] Supporting candidates financially[57:22] How to participate and engage[1:08:21] Improving accessibility and outcomesEpisode recorded on Aug 30, 2024 (Published on Sept 16, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Doug Bernauer is the CEO and Co-founder of Radiant. Radiant is developing a portable nuclear micro-reactor to replace diesel generators. They raised a $40 million Series B in 2023 led by a16z, after previously raising capital from investors including USV, Founders Fund, and DCVC. They're targeting the development of a portable, mostly self-contained, one-megawatt nuclear reactor that is roughly the size of a shipping container.We've been focusing more on nuclear energy lately, exploring whether the US could reclaim its position as a global leader. With bipartisan support reflected in recent legislation like the ADVANCE Act signed into law by President Biden, there are signs of progress, but significant challenges remain.In this episode, Doug discusses these challenges and delves into Radiant’s technology, use cases, fuel, and more.In this episode, we cover: [02:28]: Radiant's micro-reactor technology and applications [04:21]: Use cases for one-megawatt reactors, including disaster relief [06:36]: Description of Radiant’s reactor[10:26]: Cooling technologies used by Radiant[12:20]: Radiant's connection with Idaho National Lab's Pele design [13:40]: DOE and DoD funding for Radiant's nuclear technology[17:02]: Customer models and sales strategies for nuclear reactors [20:43]: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approval processes for operating reactors [21:57]: Doug’s hopes for future regulatory parity with diesel generators [24:18]: Supply chain for High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel [28:38]: Challenges of NRC processes for micro-reactors [32:24]: Demand signals from remote and military applications for micro-reactors [35:31]: Current financing status and future fundraising plansEpisode recorded on Aug 8, 2024 (Published on Sep 12, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Jeff Chapin is the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Haven Energy. Haven aims to make it easier for homeowners to install home battery systems, including choosing the right battery, permitting and installation, tax credits, and virtual power plant setup. Haven recently began offering bundled installation of solar and batteries. Jeff has seen scale before as he and his co-founder, Philip Krim, previously co-founded and grew the one-time darling, direct-to-consumer mattress company, Casper. Jeff has a long-time background in design at IDEO and credits this experience with training him for the context switching that's allowed him to move across very different industries, sectors, and technologies.In this episode, we talk about consumer demand for batteries, how Haven works, the wonky and esoteric net metering regulations in California where Haven is prioritizing their go-to-market, and why Haven added solar to their offering recently. In this episode, we cover: [02:08]: Jeff's design-driven journey from IDEO to Casper[06:18]: Applying design thinking to home energy[08:45]: Retrofitting batteries to existing solar systems[11:30]: Challenges in the battery installation market[15:28]: Customizing battery options and customer incentives[21:35]: Installation process and energy management[26:03]: Financial benefits and tax credits[28:15]: Changes in net metering for rooftop solar[34:46]: Growing demand for solar and battery setups[41:06]: Series A funding and growth strategy for HavenEpisode recorded on Jul 23, 2024 (Published on Aug 29, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Matt Soule is the CEO and Co-founder of Parallel Systems. Parallel Systems is re-imagining how goods can be transported via rail by building automated battery-electric freight rail vehicles. These vehicles resemble box cars that can drive independently and form on-the-fly connections with each other to create mini trains. According to Matt, the goal is not to upend existing rail freight use cases but to rethink what’s possible on current rail infrastructure to address use cases traditionally managed by trucking. Before founding Parallel Systems, Matt spent 13 years at SpaceX as an engineering leader in avionics. Parallel Systems has raised around $50 million from investors, including Anthos Capital and Congruent Capital. The conversation begins with a 101 primer on railways, a topic not previously covered on the show.In this episode, we cover: [2:31] Matt's background in rocket engineering[6:14] Energy efficiency: rail vs. trucks[7:31] History of US rail transportation[9:22] Rail industry ownership and subsidies[11:21] Rail transportation's environmental impact[14:44] Rail's challenges, especially for short trips[17:23] Industries using rail transport[18:53] Rail for non-critical and luxury use cases[23:05] Overview of Parallel Systems' self-assembling trains[28:37] Benefits of battery electrification in rail[31:21] Cost comparison: Parallel Systems vs. traditional rail and trucking[34:14] Current pilots and safety considerations[39:08] Expansion plans for new geographies[40:29] Business model: selling vehicles to railroads[44:08] Future of locomotives in the rail industryEpisode recorded on July 30, 2024 (Published on Aug 22, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Katie Siegel is CEO and Co-founder at Flipturn. Flipturn is an EV charging management platform for fleets and we're diving into the electrification of trucking.At the beginning of 2024, the Advanced Clean Fleets law came into effect in California creating a number of mandates for zero emissions vehicle adoption in the trucking space. And the law impacts any fleet doing business in California, so there are nationwide implications.Cody and Katie dig into this as well as the impacts on various types of trucks and routes. As fleet managers begin to anticipate compliance, they're realizing that understanding and managing charging will need to become a core competency for them. All of a sudden, things like power procurement and efficient energy usage will become a huge part of the equation for running a business that moves goods around. Flipturn raised a seed round in 2023 from Accel and Katie brings hands-on experience into the company after having previously grown her career through IPO at Samsara, a leader in telematics and Internet of Things, connectivity services for trucking and logistics. In this episode, we cover: [01:48]: Flipturn’s mission to electrify trucking and enhance fleet management[02:28]: Katie's journey from Samsara to founding Flipturn[03:39]: From telematics to EV infrastructure innovation[05:14]: Transportation's role in pollution and the shift to electrification[07:19]: Focus on electrifying last mile delivery and drayage[10:25]: Differences in EV charging needs for delivery vans vs. drayage trucks[17:23]: Flipturn’s software for efficient fleet charging[19:00]: Strategies for setting up fleet charging stations[22:21]: Challenges and solutions in vehicle electrification[27:32]: Integrating truck OEMs with charging networks[30:06]: How fleets choose charging software[33:23]: Hydrogen vehicles in new zero-emissions law[35:12]: Evolving challenges in the trucking industryEpisode recorded on Jun 27, 2024 (Published on Aug 15, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Julia Strong is the Executive Director of Symbiosis Coalition. Announced in early 2024, Symbiosis Coalition is an advanced market commitment from Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Salesforce to purchase up to 20 million tons of nature-based carbon removals. The forestry credit space has faced challenges over the last couple of years, prompting interest in how Julia and these large tech companies collaborated to stimulate activity in the sector. Conversations about forestry should be relatively straightforward, considering forests, along with oceans and soil, are natural carbon sinks. Preserving and restoring forests is crucial, yet the complexity surrounding forestry credits always brings new insights. We’re grateful to Julia for sharing more about the formation of Symbiosis Coalition, criteria for high-quality credits, barriers to bankability, and more. In this episode, we cover: An overview of Symbiosis CoalitionThe formation of the coalitionJulia's background in nature-based solutionsCriteria for high-quality forestry carbon removal projectsCounterfactuals in forest protection vs restorationRegions for reforestation effortsMotivations for landownersThe role of project developersBarriers to bankability and how Symbiosis is approaching themPotential financing and perceived riskSymbiosis' quality criteria: conservative accounting, durability, social and community benefits, ecological integrity, and transparencySymbiosis' mangrove restorationWorking with local and indigenous communitiesGoals for Symbiosis' transparencyJulia's podcast Solving Climate NaturallyEpisode recorded on July 9, 2024 (Published on Aug 12, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Joe Daniel is a Principal on the Carbon-Free Electricity Team at RMI.Our topic today is coal, specifically the "non-economic dispatch" of coal. This phenomenon occurs when coal-fired power plants deliver power to electricity grids even when their electricity is not the most cost-effective option, thereby disrupting the "merit order" of electricity dispatch. This complex topic is explored with Joe's help, as he provides insights into this intricate issue. The US electric grid is notoriously difficult to understand, and there may be moments when the conversation becomes challenging. However, Joe and Cody consistently strive to make the concepts clear and accessible.The complexity of the system contributes to the problems Joe highlights. Information asymmetry creates economic friction, which disadvantages renewables, despite their general economic superiority. Joe's work at RMI involves developing and deploying quantitative tools, such as RMI's Economic Dispatch Hub, which he will discuss. These tools aim to accelerate affordable and equitable utility de-carbonization pathways.In this episode, we cover: [2:42] Joe's background and work at RMI[4:25] Seasonality and cyclical trends in coal usage[6:20] Operation and flexibility of coal plants[10:05] Merit order and prioritizing resources based on cost[12:25] Types of resources and their cost ranking[16:01] Dispatching resources and electricity sources[21:03] Non-economic dispatch of coal and cost impacts[25:02] Public utility commissions' role in regulation[29:23] Need for transparency and market price signals[33:31] Smooth energy transition and coal's future role[39:09] RMI's role in providing expertise and assistance[40:30] Cost implications and solutions for non-economic dispatch[43:49] Public engagement in utility commission hearings[46:16] Policy and local engagement in clean energy adoptionEpisode recorded on July 18, 2024 (Published on Aug 4, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Siva Yellamraju is the Co-founder and CEO at Fourier. Fourier's mission is to make hydrogen universally accessible with on-site and on-demand production. Fourier is not Siva's first startup, it's his fourth. He sold his last company to Apple the one before that to Google and the one before that to Polycom, so he knows a thing or two about entrepreneurship.Fourier is barely two years old and they raised a seed round in mid-April led by General Catalyst. They've largely operated in stealth. In fact, there's nothing on their website at fourier.earth other than their thesis statement for starting the company, so we were excited to learn from Siva about why he transitioned from a very successful entrepreneurial career in software to tackle a business in the energy sector. We were also eager to learn specifically about what Siva’'s building in distributed hydrogen and what he's learned from the process thus far. In this episode, we cover: [2:01] Siva’s entrepreneurial background[4:46] His decision to work on climate and energy [7:35] Customer pain point understanding [12:44] Potential use cases for distributed hydrogen, including power backup solutions and data centers[15:04] Approaching hydrogen production as a data problem[21:47] Customers working with Fourier as part of a broader movement around clean energy [24:01] Potential use cases for distributed hydrogen, including power backup solutions and data centers[27:14] Advantages of hydrogen over batteries for long-term storage and heavy transportation [33:20] Geographic markets for hydrogen deployment; the US, Germany, India, and Indonesia[35:33] Fourier's success to date and plans for commercial rollout [37:12] The goals for Fourier's pilots in the US and India [40:16] Siva's learning curves in building an energy company [42:29] Potential for India to become a leader in hydrogen[44:21] The name behind Fourier [45:34] Fourier's current capital and hiring needsEpisode recorded on July 25, 2024 (Published on Aug 1, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Japan is important to consider on the global energy stage. The country’s emissions footprint is considerably smaller than China and the U.S. While Japan's energy footprint isn't growing as rapidly as India's, it’s still the fifth-largest emitter of any country globally, with emissions representing roughly three to 4% of the global total. Japan's energy system is heavily fossil fuel-based, especially after it cut nuclear power generation from roughly one-third to zero in the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima incident. Today we're diving into the Japanese energy economy and decarbonization efforts with Isshu Kikuma. Isshu has been with Bloomberg New Energy Finance since 2018, and up until last month his role there was Japan Energy Analyst. He just switched his focus to the energy storage world, but clearly brings a wealth of knowledge on Japan, energy, and decarbonization.We've been doing these geo tours on the pod for a while, covering countries like China, India, Brazil, and Kenya. Just check out our pod archives at the links below.In this episode, we cover:Japan's current power mix and heavy reliance on fossil fuels Decrease in nuclear power generation after the Fukushima incidentThe country's share of renewablesChallenges and potential of offshore wind in JapanPrograms and initiatives to encourage emission reductions, including the feed-in tariff schemeThe structure of Japan's power grid and interconnections between regionsThe role of industry in energy use and emissions reductionJapan's emissions targets Market-based levers and consumer programs in Japan, including the RE-100 initiative and EV subsidiesJapan's funding of coal power plants in other Southeast Asian countriesClimate change impacts on Japan and resiliency efforts The role of battery energy storage in Japan's power gridGeothermal and more✈️ Travel With Us:China’s Role in the Global Energy TransitionNarendra Taneja on India’s Energy PoliciesDr. Carlos Nobre’s Roadmap for Brazil’s Climate FuturePowering Up KenyaEpisode recorded on June 4, 2024 (Published on July 22, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Max Jamilly, CEO and Co-founder at Hoxton Farms. And today, we're talking about fat. Hoxton Farms, a London-based startup, grows and sells animal fats without animals. They aspire to be an ingredients provider; cultivating fats via bioreactors and selling cruelty-free and sustainable fats to other food brands, starting with meat alternatives. It's been a challenging time for the alt-meat space, and we were eager to hear how Max feels the industry will develop and the role Hoxton Farms can play therein. He's also got a vision for how Hoxton Farms can expand beyond that initial market over time. Hoxton raised a series A led by Fine Structure Ventures and Collaborative Fund in late 2022, in which MCJ is proud to have participated. So grab a plate and let's dig in.In this episode, we cover: [1:37] Intro to Hoxton Farms[2:36] Founders' background: Max Jamilly and Ed Steele[5:51] Meat alternative industry: Challenges and opportunities[9:00] Expansion potential beyond meat alternatives[12:56] Cost parity with traditional animal fats[17:08] Scalability, production, and commercialization plan[18:51] Consumer appetite for meat alternatives[24:49] Regulatory environment and labeling requirements[32:56] Hoxton Farms' pork fat cultivation process[34:48] Potential for genetic engineering in cultivation[40:18] Overview of Hoxton's facility[42:48] Capitalization and financing history[46:13] Importance of branding and merchandise[47:21] Hoxton Farms is hiring!Episode recorded on June 26, 2024 (Published on July 18, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Julia Reichelstein is the CEO and Co-founder at Vaulted Deep, a carbon removal company that injects carbon-rich waste slurries deep underground into permanent geologic storage. They've come onto the scene quite fast recently securing just north of a $58 million order from Frontier to sequester over 152,000 tons of carbon between now and 2027, which is Frontier's largest commitment yet. They're one of 20 finalist teams still in the mix for the $100 million Carbon Removal Xprize, and one of 24 semi-finalists of the DOE's Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchase Pilot Prize. Try saying that three times fast.They also recently announced an $8 million seed round led by Lowercarbon Capital with participation from Earthshot, Woven Earth, Collaborative Fund and others. We got to know Julia and her co-founder Omar Abou-Sayed as they set up Vaulted as a spin-out of Omar's waste disposal company, Advantek. Vaulted is a complex set of operations based on a relatively simple construct: Humans have been sucking geologically stored carbon in the form of oil out of the ground for 150 years now. What if we could put it back? In this episode, we cover: Backgrounds of Vaulted's co-founders and the company's missionHow Vaulted turns organic waste into carbon storageJulia's shift from venture capital to carbon removalAdvantek's history and technological contribution to VaultedTechnical details of Vaulted's sequestration wellsTypes of wells used in Vaulted's processCommunity and environmental benefitsVaulted's business model and financial sustainabilityThe rigorous process for selecting and processing waste for carbon removalComparison of carbon removal strategies and Vaulted's unique approachFinancial and ecological benefits of Vaulted's methodologyHutchinson Kansas facility's role and historical significanceVaulted's partnership with Frontier for carbon removalVaulted's participation in the $100 million Carbon Removal Xprize competitionPotential global health impact of Vaulted's technologyOpen roles and opportunities at Vaulted for furthering its missionEpisode recorded on Jun 17, 2024 (Published on Jul 11, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Mish Thadani is the CEO and Co-founder of Rhizome. Rhizome helps utilities plan for resilience. It's an AI-powered software platform that helps electric utilities identify vulnerabilities from climate threats to quantify risk and to measure the economic and social benefits of grid enhancing investments. In our discussion, we delve into how utilities address vulnerabilities arising from extreme weather and other climate change impacts. We also explore how they balance preventive investments to avoid disaster-related outages with strategies to rapidly recover after incidents. In this episode, we cover: [2:42] Exploring the definition of resilience[6:26] Vulnerabilities of utilities to climate and weather extremes[10:02] Data-driven balancing of utility investments[14:15] Enhancing decision-making in utilities with Rhizome's software[16:43] Comparing physical asset and capacity risks[18:07] Reconductor technology as a resilience strategy[22:53] Regulatory challenges in resilience investments[25:50] The impact of proactive resilience investments[29:42] Inside look at Rhizome's software platform[33:35] Rhizome's market strategy and achievements[36:07] Federal initiatives on resilience: expectations and realities[39:53] AI in resilience: challenges and opportunities[42:34] Where Rhizome needs helpEpisode recorded on May 23, 2024 (Published on June 27, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's conversation is all about how the US is trying to onshore manufacturing of key clean energy supply chains, things like EV, battery metals, and the like. Giulia Siccardo is the Director of the US Department of Energy's Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains or MESC. We start out with a bit of a history lesson on why manufacturing somewhat intentionally moved offshore from the 1980s through the 20-teens and the implications of this move on the American workforce. We then talk about how and why MESC was formed and the initiatives and programs that MESC is undertaking to swing manufacturing back within America's borders. To give you a bit of the detail before we start the conversation, MESC was established as a new office in the DOE in 2022 with the aim of strengthening and scaling America's clean energy supply chains through investments in manufacturing capacity, workforce development, and data analysis of America's supply chain vulnerabilities. Giulia joined the DOE after many years with McKinsey, including having led McKinsey's green growth service line and having co-created Frontier, the advanced market commitment to buy over a billion dollars of carbon removal.In this episode, we cover: [2:55] History of offshoring manufacturing[6:08] U.S.-China tensions in clean energy manufacturing[9:57] Energy supply chain and workforce intersection[15:14] AI as a blue-collar workforce generator[17:33] Evolution of the manufacturing workforce and training[22:08] Overview of DOE's Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC)[29:42] MESC's non-dilutive equity efforts[35:03] Critical minerals and materials for energy transition[37:18] MESC's global collaboration portfolio[42:04] MESC's 48C tax credit program[47:05] Considerations for companies approaching MESC during an election year[48:47] Giulia's background at Frontier[54:04] Data analysis on U.S. supply chain vulnerabilities[58:00] MESC's plans to publicly share data and insightsEpisode recorded on May 31, 2024 (Published on June 17, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Dr. John Wagner is the President of Battelle Energy Alliance and Director of the Idaho National Laboratory or INL. INL is one of 17 national labs in the United States and leads the nation in work on advanced nuclear research. INL boasts a rich legacy in the narrative of nuclear energy, marked by its pivotal role in producing the inaugural usable electricity from nuclear sources on its premises. Dozens of reactors have been built at INL during its decades of operation. Dr. Wagner has been with INL since 2016 and has been director of the lab since 2020. Prior to that, he was the division director at the Reactor and Nuclear Services division at Oak Ridge National Lab. He has a PhD in nuclear engineering from Penn State University and has spent his career working to advance nuclear energy innovation. In our conversation, we cover the history of INL, its key priorities, current projects under development, and Dr. Wagner’s vision for our nuclear future.In this episode, we cover: [2:00] DOE National Labs Overview[5:24] Introduction to Idaho National Laboratory[12:14] Current projects & reactors at INL, including Advanced Test Reactor (ATR)[14:10] INL's upcoming projects: MARVEL, PELE[15:39] How INL supports private firms in nuclear tech development[18:40] End-to-end reactor devolment cycle, e.g., MARVEL[26:57] How entrepreneurs can collaborate with INL[31:17] Collaboration with NRC, support for regulatory development and training[33:07] INL's involvement in fusion research[34:19] John's focus on nuclear fission, U.S. rebuilding[36:05] Future reactor mix: large-scale, modular, advancedResources Mentioned:Admiral Rickover's 'Paper Reactor' memoThe Most Important Nuclear Reactor (You’ve Never Heard of)Episode recorded on May 17, 2024 (Published on June 10, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Christina Yagjian leads global renewable energy strategy and origination at Cargill. According to Forbes, Cargill is the largest private company in the USA by revenue with $177 billion in the fiscal year ending in May, 2023. Before Cargill, Christina managed the renewable energy footprint at Meta, the parent company to Facebook and Instagram and one of the world's largest corporate clean power purchasers. Our topic today is all about clean power purchasing, why large companies have started buying power directly, how they prioritize their needs across factors like cost and emissions, and how they structure their agreements. This is one of the more complex topics in the climate space, combining carbon accounting with power grid economics and a whole lot of wonk. Cody and Christina keep the conversation accessible to folks who are just trying to understand the role of power consumption, emissions and large companies in the first place. Special thanks to Christina for balancing the need to help explain the overall landscape along with articulating some of Cargill's specific initiatives and focus areas.In this episode, we cover: [2:41] Christina's background and journey in renewables[9:53] Reasons behind corporate power purchases[11:19] The difference between renewable energy certificates (RECs) and power purchase agreements[16:08] The role of additionality in power purchase agreements[22:32] Balancing emissions footprints with the cost of power[26:07] Role of storage in balancing intermittent renewable resources[30:12] Challenges and barriers to clean power procurement, such as cost, timing, and market uncertainties[33:24] Considerations in choosing power generators and negotiating PPAs[36:51] An overview of virtual power purchase agreements[43:29] Managing clean power procurement and the need for robust data systems[45:52] Definition of success in clean power procurement for CargillRecorded May 15, 2024 (Published June 3, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Cyrus Wadia is the CEO of Activate, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers scientists to bring their research to market. Having supported nearly 200 scientists in founding around 150 companies, including notable names like Fervo, Twelve, Sublime Systems, and Antora Energy, Activate offers selected fellows a unique blend of financial support, business capital, and access to a vast mentorship network. With hubs in Berkeley, Boston, New York, Houston, and a remote program, Activate nurtures the path from scientific discovery to entrepreneurial success.Cyrus recently joined Activate after stints in sustainability leadership roles at Amazon, Nike, and the White House. This extensive experience, combined with his PhD in energy and resources from UC Berkeley and chemistry degrees from MIT, equips him uniquely for this role.While the path from computer science to entrepreneurship is well-trodden, Activate champions the less common path from life sciences, chemistry, and physics to entrepreneurship. As we transition our energy systems, it seems inevitable that many new science-based businesses will become iconic industry-defining companies of the 21st century. And for this to be realized, we need to nurture the pathway for scientist-entrepreneurs. Our MCJ venture funds have invested in multiple companies founded by Activate fellows, and we were eager to hear from Cyrus about Activate and his vision for where it's headed.In this episode, we cover: [03:49]: The gap Activate fills between academic research and commercialization[05:44]: Transition challenges for scientists becoming entrepreneurs[10:42]: The role of tech transfer offices and the gap in supporting hard tech entrepreneurship[16:34]: Activate's unique approach in supporting fellows through licensing and entrepreneurship[22:52]: The ideal Activate fellow: ready to jump into entrepreneurship head-first[24:57]: Selection criteria for Activate fellows[31:26]: Overview of Activate's program, including support and community involvement[34:03]: Financial and strategic support provided to Activate fellows[37:52]: Cyrus Wadia's background and journey to becoming CEO of Activate[42:04]: Future directions and impact goals for ActivateEpisode recorded on Mar 6, 2024 (Published on May 30, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Dr. Seonghoon Woo is CEO and co-founder at Amogy. Amogy is building technology to unlock ammonia's potential as a clean energy fuel source for transportation and beyond. About a year ago, they raised a Series B of funding led by SK Innovations, with backers including Temasek, Aramco Ventures, Mitsubishi, DCVC, Amazon Climate Pledge Fund, Mitsui OSK Lines, and others.Ammonia is a workhorse chemical in modern society. It's one of the most produced chemicals in the world today, and it's used primarily as the foundation of the nitrogen fertilizer industry, as a transport vessel for nitrogen. Chemically, ammonia is NH3, so in addition to nitrogen, it contains hydrogen. And hydrogen as we know has a strong potential as a low to zero emissions fuel source, depending on how it's produced.But hydrogen is challenging to transport. Ammonia, therefore, also has the potential to be a transport vessel for hydrogen as a power source, and ammonia supply chains are already mature today. Amogy's unique innovation lies in cracking ammonia into hydrogen at the point of power generation and then powering vehicles via hydrogen fuel cells. They are targeting ocean shipping as most major companies seek solutions to decarbonize their supply chains. In this episode, we cover: [02:21]: Dr. Woo’s background and journey to founding Amogy[05:16]: Co-founder roles and decision-making at Amogy[07:16]: The company’s impressive Series B funding round and key investors[09:45]: Overview of Amogy and its technology: converting ammonia to energy[11:14]: Importance of ammonia in global food production and fertilizer[15:07]: Ammonia as a hydrogen carrier and its applications beyond fertilizer[17:03]: Ammonia production processes, challenges of transportation and storage[19:47]: Amogy’s innovation to use ammonia as a fuel without combustion[24:35]: Ammonia compared with other renewable fuels like methanol and batteries[29:21]: Process and efficiency of converting ammonia to hydrogen on ships[31:32]: Safety considerations for storing and transporting ammonia on ships[34:40]: Amogy’s current traction and building the world's first 100% ammonia-powered vessel, a tugboat[38:57]: Where Amogy is looking for help today[42:07]: Future expansion of ammonia adoption in East Asia and globallyEpisode recorded on May 9, 2024 (Published on May 23, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Adam Stein is the Director of Nuclear Energy Innovation at the Breakthrough Institute, where he focuses on the technology, policy, risk and economics of nuclear energy. The Breakthrough Institute is a global research center that identifies and promotes technological solutions to environmental and human development challenges. Among its many projects, the Breakthrough Institute recently launched Build Nuclear Now, a national campaign to mobilize Americans in targeted states to call for regulatory and legislative change to accelerate the licensing and deployment of new, advanced nuclear reactors in the United States.Adam brings a pro-nuclear perspective to this conversation; and given that, Cody and Adam focus the majority of the discussion on the history of nuclear power in the US and potential paths forward, rather than debating the merits of nuclear (which could of course be a full episode by itself). Adam has a particular interest in advanced nuclear reactors, which represent a broad class of new technologies currently under development and review. This conversation covers these advanced reactors and so much more. Episode recorded on Apr 15, 2024 (Published on May 13, 2024)In this episode, we cover: [02:39]: Launch of 'Build Nuclear Now' to boost public support for nuclear energy[03:45]: Shift in public opinion on nuclear energy post-Three Mile Island incident[05:03]: Contrast between post-WWII and current energy policies focusing on efficiency[09:30]: Decline of nuclear energy due to increased natural gas from fracking[10:48]: Challenges in revitalizing the stagnant US nuclear industry[13:02]: Future projections for nuclear load growth by 2050 [15:14]: Why renewables and storage alone cannot meet future energy demands[19:39]: Additional benefits of nuclear energy[21:33]: The role of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the need for reform[25:00]: Challenges with traditional nuclear reactor approval processes [29:23]: Vogtle reactors and challenges for deploying nuclear plants in the US[32:27]: The potential of advanced nuclear reactors and their smaller, adaptable designs[39:32]: Strategic focus on Appalachia for repurposing coal plants for nuclear projects[42:38]: Recent legislative efforts to modernize nuclear energy regulation and innovation[52:12]: The process and challenges of nuclear fuel management, from enrichment to waste[01:01:12]: National focus on nuclear innovation, highlighting Idaho's MARVEL reactor development[01:05:31]: Role of the Breakthrough Institute in addressing and implementing solutions for nuclear energy barriers Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

In today's episode, recorded live during San Francisco Climate Week, we delve into the critical intersection of climate policy and carbon removal. Joining us are two distinguished guests: California Senator Scott Wiener, the author of the recent landmark climate legislation known as California's SB 253 or the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, and Shashank Samala, the CEO and Co-founder of Heirloom, a pioneering carbon removal company. Shashank was a previous guest on the show in 2021, and we're excited to have him back to weigh in on this important conversation. Senator Wiener sheds light on the legislative landscape driving climate action, while Shashank offers insights into the technologies transforming carbon removal. Together, we explore the convergence of policy and innovation, examining how regulatory frameworks catalyze the adoption and scaling of technological solutions. We pack a lot into this conversation, and we hope you enjoy it! In this episode, we cover: [2:15] Senator Scott Wiener's background and personal climate journey[6:04] Shashank's entrepreneurial background and transition to carbon removal[8:38] An overview of Heirloom[10:20] An overview of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions[12:59] SB 253, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, authored by Senator Wiener[17:46] California's cap and trade system[20:22] The importance of carbon accounting and measurement, reporting and verification (MRV)[25:32] How the Senator's team worked with startups to verify compliance challenges[31:48] Heirloom's categories of carbon buyers[34:25] SB 308, Carbon Market Development Act, authored by Senator Josh Becker[36:17] The role of geography in carbon removals[40:14] How startups can engage with local policymakers[45:11] The benefit of representing San Francisco as a climate tech hub[46:29] Senator Wiener's wishlist for climate policy, including dense housing and world-class public transportation[47:06] Shashank's wishlist for climate policy, including SB 308 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Dr. Sarah Kapnick serves as the Chief Scientist at NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which plays a critical role in understanding and predicting changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts. Bringing a unique mix of science and finance to NOAA, Dr. Kapnick's background includes a stint as a senior climate scientist at JP Morgan Chase, a leadership role at NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, and an early career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs. She holds a PhD in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences from UCLA and an AB in Mathematics from Princeton.In our conversation, Dr. Kapnick touches on a wide range of topics, including NOAA's extensive work, the importance of resilience and adaptation in today's changing climate, and the challenges of planning for a future that deviates from past assumptions of a stable climate. Highlighting NOAA's efforts in supporting community resilience and innovation, she underscores the agency's commitment to aiding stakeholders in navigating the complexities of our evolving environmental landscape, emphasizing the critical need for investment and focus on adaptation for the remainder of the 21st century.In this episode, we cover: [03:08]: An overview of NOAA and its departments, focusing on climate, weather, ocean, and coasts[05:16]: The six line offices within NOAA, including the National Weather Service and Oceanic Research[09:26]: NOAA's management of marine resources and the Great Lakes[12:18]: How scientific priorities are set within NOAA, driven by mission and funding[15:06]: Kapnick's background in climate science and finance[20:23]: The intersection of climate change and finance[22:45] The need for bipartisan support for resiliency and adaptation measures[31:13]: NOAA's role in funding and supporting coastal resilience and climate-ready fisheries[36:34]: NOAA's focus on adaptation and resilience in response to climate change[48:19]: Opportunities for startup innovation and government funding in adaptation and resiliency[54:00]: The state of the world's ocean and atmospheric circulation, including AMOC slowdown[59:17]: Climate change impacts on the Midwest and the variability of the Great LakesEpisode recorded on Mar 13, 2024 (Published on Apr 15, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Ning Mosberger-Tang is the founder and president at 1.5 Climate Strategies Group, alongside a host of other climate and civic organizations. As one of the pioneering female engineers at Google, Ning played a crucial role in the development of Google's initial advertising platform. Transitioning from Google in 2006, her focus shifted towards combating climate change. Presently, she spearheads multiple organizations dedicated to instigating change. This discussion spans her endeavors in political and electoral advocacy, civic engagement, and climate tech investing. With the 2024 election on the horizon, the opportunity to converse with Ning offered invaluable insights into the critical issues at stake, her priorities for the election cycle, and her strategic approach.Episode recorded on Mar 19, 2024 (Published on Apr 8, 2024)In this episode, we cover: [01:47]: Ning's background, her experience at Google and transition to climate advocacy[06:28]: Founding Innovo Foundation for conservation work and climate change mitigation[07:23]: Ning's various initiatives, from tech investments to democracy reform[10:00]: The importance of policy and electoral work for climate action after the 2016 election[11:23]: Starting Blue Wave Postcard Movement to increase voter turnout[16:27]: 1.5 Climate Strategies Group's mission and member pledge[19:16]: Supporting investigative reporting on climate via Capital & Main and Grist[20:20]: Focus on the 2024 elections for climate policy impact[24:25]: Importance of state and local elections for climate action implementation[29:39]: Ning's wishlist for future climate policies, highlighting the need for transmission reform[30:20]: Deep dive on 501(c)(3) vs. 501(c)(4), PAC money, and the many ways elections are funded[35:00]: The importance of building a strong ground game for elections[39:47]: Ning's invitation to join 1.5 Climate Strategies Group[40:06]: The Blue Wave Postcard Movement's effort to register voters in Pennsylvania[40:59]: Oath.vote and closing words Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Dr. Peter Fiske is the Executive Director at the National Alliance for Water Innovation or NAWI. NAWI is a collection of 19 universities, four national labs and 190 plus US water companies committed to developing new technologies to enable distributed desalination and water reuse. They're a five-year, $110 million research program supported by the US Department of Energy in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources and the California State Water Resources Control Board. They're headquartered at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab in Northern California. Peter joined Berkeley lab in 2017. Prior to that, he was the Chief Executive Officer at Pax Water Technologies from 2008 until January 2017, when it was acquired by UGSI Incorporated. Peter holds a PhD in geochemistry and material science from Stanford and an MBA from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. Our conversation today starts with a deep dive into desalination before broadening out into Peter's vision for our water system. Shout-out to former podcast guest Tom Ferguson at Burnt Island Ventures for connecting us with Peter. We've been wanting to learn about desalination and Peter helps us gain a much better understanding of that and so much more.In this episode, we cover:[3:11] Peter's work at the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI)[5:56] Overview of desalination and its various applications, including ocean desalination and water reuse[9:19] Desalination challenges and opportunities, including energy usage and brine disposal[14:33] Small-scale desalination systems and water reuse in buildings and cities[20:09] The water-energy nexus and the impact of water usage on power generation[27:30] NAWI's ongoing projects, including ultra high recovery desalination and recovery of valuable materials from wastewater[32:16] Status of water innovation in the U.S. and other countries[34:43] Water economics and the need for companies to consider their consumption[36:49] The federal policy landscape for water in the U.S.[38:30] Water as a national security[40:45] Peter's background and careerEpisode recorded on March 18, 2024 (Published on April 2, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Eric Law is the CEO and co-founder of Urban Machine. Urban Machine develops robotics and AI to reclaim lumber from construction and demolition for re-use. They claim that 37 million tons of wood goes into landfills annually, and much of that wood could be reused. Their robotic machines specialize in the necessary steps to prep wood for reconditioning. In 2022, Urban Machine successfully secured a seed funding round, spearheaded by Lower Carbon Capital and supported by GV (Google Ventures).With a career rooted in the construction and contracting industry, Eric has extensive experience in large construction projects and has been involved in creating and selling software targeted at this sector. We start our conversation with an overview of the construction industry, highlighting the main players, their challenges, including considerations around emissions and sustainability. The discussion touches on challenges Urban Machine aims to address, the innovative technology they employ, and their aspirations for the future.In this episode, we cover: [3:08] Overview of the construction industry and its challenges, including labor shortages and sustainability concerns[5:52] Key stakeholders in construction[13:41] Urban Machine's mission to reclaim lumber from construction and demolition for reuse[17:91] The importance of deconstruction in reducing wood waste[19:30] Urban Machine's tech and processes for preparing wood for reconditioning[21:38] Benefits of using reclaimed lumber in construction projects[23:58] Economic considerations of using reclaimed lumber and competing with virgin lumber prices[26:19] Urban Machine's progress to-date, funding and future vision [30:00] Eric Law's motivation for starting the company and its positive reception from the industryEpisode recorded on Mar 14, 2024 (Published on Mar 28, 2024) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant