by Hugo Rauch
VCo2 helps you become a better impact investor and climate tech entrepreneur. In every episode, we dive deep into the world of climate tech and venture capital to uncover what’s working today, and what we need for tomorrow. From groundbreaking innovations to the strategies fueling successful startups, you'll hear directly from the founders, investors, and leaders shaping the future. Subscribe to VCo2 if you're interested in building, investing, and supporting impact startups. 💚 <br/><br/><a href="https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">climateventuresvco2.substack.com</a>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
8/8/2023
Email Addresses
1 available
Phone Numbers
0 available
April 17, 2025
<p><strong>Listen now on </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vco2-climate-and-venture-capital/id1701643068"><strong>Apple</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2GYJiYDsTSZ9n6iMWwXEul?si=e85e31c4a66c4e72&nd=1&dlsi=52872f65637e4847"><strong>Spotify</strong></a><strong>, and </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/Eir2it8lW_U"><strong>YouTube</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>***</p><p>Thank you to <a target="_blank" href="https://bioesol.com/accueil/">BioEsol</a> for sponsoring this episode. 💚</p><p>BioEsol is an AI-powered energy company bringing Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) to industrial and SME clients, enabling energy autonomy, cost savings, and sustainability - with no upfront investment. In April, the company will open its Series A round to accelerate its expansion in France & Europe.</p><p>***</p><p>This week, we’re joined by <strong>Matthew Blain, Principal at Voyager Ventures</strong>, a climate fund investing across Europe and the US. In this conversation, we break down the key differences between Europe and America. </p><p>We discuss:</p><p>* Why Europe’s software climate startups are outperforming</p><p>* The deeptech-commercialization gap and how to fix it</p><p>* What the US loan program office got right (and why it matters)</p><p>* Lessons from academia, accelerators, and growth capital</p><p>* The cultural differences in ambition between European and US VCs</p><p>* How founders and funds can think globally from day one</p><p>* … and more! </p><p>***</p><p><strong>⌛TIMESTAMPS</strong> </p><p>* 00:00 Introduction to the episode</p><p>* 01:46 Europe has great research universities</p><p>* 02:58 Comparing Investment Ecosystems: Europe vs. US</p><p>* 05:57 The European Advantage</p><p>* 08:40 The Role of Accelerators and Government Support</p><p>* 10:50 Grant Financing: The US advantage</p><p>* 11:28 The Loan Program Office</p><p>* 12:54 The problem with European Growth Fund</p><p>* 16:21 How can investors drive change</p><p>* 19:58 Ambition and Global Mindset in European Startups</p><p>* 25:13 Europe vs America: who wins in climate tech?</p><p>* 29:59 Collaboration Between US and European Investors</p><p>* 33:51 VC to VC conversation</p><p>* 35:54 Rapid Fire Insights</p><p>***</p><p>▶️ <strong>CONNECT WITH MATTHEW</strong></p><p>* Matthew Blain - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-blain-vc/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-blain-vc/</a></p><p>* Voyager Ventures - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.voyagervc.com/">https://www.voyagervc.com/</a></p><p>***</p><p>📚 <strong>REFERENCES AND MENTIONS</strong></p><p>* Activate – US deeptech accelerator </p><p>* Loan Program Office (US DOE) – Government debt vehicle</p><p>* ARIA (UK) – Advanced Research & Innovation Agency</p><p>* SPRIND (Germany) – Government agency backing breakthrough innovation</p><p>* BPI France – State-backed French investment bank</p><p>* Atomico’s State of European Tech – Annual report on EU startup activity</p><p>* Book: Venture Deals – by Brad Feld & Jason Mendelson</p><p>*** </p><p><strong>🎙️PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/p/how-to-exit-a-deep-tech-startup-matt">How to Exit a Deep Tech Startup - Matt Jones (Syensqo)</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/p/startups-should-operate-like-sports">Founders Should Operate Like Athletes – Romain Vidal (Teampact Ventures)</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/p/climate-change-is-a-social-issue">Climate Change Is a Social Issue - Alina Klarner (Impact Shakers)</a></p><p>***</p><p><strong>💚 LEAVE A REVIEW</strong> </p><p>* Apple Podcasts - <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vco2-climate-and-venture-capital/id1701643068">https://shorturl.at/HIDcg</a> </p><p>* Spotify - <a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2GYJiYDsTSZ9n6iMWwXEul?si=e85e31c4a66c4e72&nd=1&dlsi=52872f65637e4847">https://shorturl.at/yDTfR</a> </p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">climateventuresvco2.substack.com</a>
April 10, 2025
<p><strong>Listen now on </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vco2-climate-and-venture-capital/id1701643068"><strong>Apple</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2GYJiYDsTSZ9n6iMWwXEul?si=e85e31c4a66c4e72&nd=1&dlsi=52872f65637e4847"><strong>Spotify</strong></a><strong>, and </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/2Nhb2RHhupU"><strong>YouTube</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>***</p><p>This week, we’re joined by Matt Jones, Managing Partner at Syensqo, to break down one of the toughest challenges in climate tech: <strong>how to exit.</strong></p><p>With 25 years of experience and a front-row seat to both successful and failed exits, Matt shares:</p><p>* How to recognize the right window for exiting</p><p>* The biggest red flags in corporate partnerships</p><p>* How CVCs think about alignment, strategy, and exits</p><p>* What founders get wrong when they pitch to corporations</p><p>* How to make deep tech exits work</p><p>* … and more! </p><p>***</p><p><strong>⌛TIMESTAMPS</strong> </p><p>* 00:00 Introduction to the episode</p><p>* 0:54 Climate Tech Exits 101</p><p>* 02:22 Understanding Exit Strategies for Investors</p><p>* 04:55 How to assess the exit environment?</p><p>* 05:47 The IPO Dream: Are Startups Ready?</p><p>* 07:33 Taking a company public as a CVC?</p><p>* 08:38 Navigating Acquisitions: Finding Potential Buyers</p><p>* 11:23 The Role of Corporates in Exit Strategies</p><p>* 13:53 Is it important for founders to have an exit strategy?</p><p>* 15:37 Common Mistakes in Engaging with Corporate VCs</p><p>* 17:35 Rapid Fire Questions: Insights and Advice</p><p>***</p><p>▶️ <strong>CONNECT WITH YAIR</strong></p><p>* Matt Jones – <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-jones-7576a1">LinkedIn</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.syensqo.com/en/">Syensqo | Advancing Humanity</a></p><p>***</p><p>🔗 <strong>CONNECT WITH ME</strong> </p><p>* Newsletter - <a target="_blank" href="https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/">https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/</a></p><p>* LinkedIn - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/</a></p><p>* Email - [email protected]</p><p>* YouTube - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch">https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch</a></p><p>***</p><p>📚 <strong>REFERENCES AND MENTIONS</strong></p><p>* The Lean Startup – Startup playbook on building fast & learning from customers.</p><p>* Syensqo Ventures – Corporate VC backing climate and materials startups.</p><p>* Breakthrough Energy Ventures – Climate tech fund backed by Bill Gates.</p><p>* M&A – Mergers & acquisitions as startup exits.</p><p>* IPOs – Taking a private company public.</p><p>* SPACs – A faster alternative to IPOs via shell companies.</p><p>* EBITDA & Accretive – Key financials in exit deals.</p><p>* Corporate VC (CVC) – Corporates investing in startups.</p><p>* Exit Windows – Timing matters for exits.</p><p>*** </p><p><strong>🎙️PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/p/startups-should-operate-like-sports">Founders Should Operate Like Athletes – Romain Vidal (Teampact Ventures)</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/p/solving-the-energy-crisis-with-software">Solving the Energy Crisis with Software - Jan Lozek (Future Energy Ventures)</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/p/climate-change-is-a-social-issue">Climate Change Is a Social Issue - Alina Klarner (Impact Shakers)</a></p><p>***</p><p><strong>💚 LEAVE A REVIEW</strong> </p><p>* Apple Podcasts - <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vco2-climate-and-venture-capital/id1701643068">https://shorturl.at/HIDcg</a> </p><p>* Spotify - <a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2GYJiYDsTSZ9n6iMWwXEul?si=e85e31c4a66c4e72&nd=1&dlsi=52872f65637e4847">https://shorturl.at/yDTfR</a> </p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">climateventuresvco2.substack.com</a>
April 3, 2025
<p><strong>Listen now on </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vco2-climate-and-venture-capital/id1701643068"><strong>Apple</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2GYJiYDsTSZ9n6iMWwXEul?si=e85e31c4a66c4e72&nd=1&dlsi=52872f65637e4847"><strong>Spotify</strong></a><strong>, and </strong><a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/JAnlcoWESOM"><strong>YouTube</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>***</p><p>Thank you to <a target="_blank" href="https://bioesol.com/accueil/">BioEsol</a> for sponsoring this episode. 💚</p><p>BioEsol is an AI-powered energy company bringing Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) to industrial and SME clients, enabling energy autonomy, cost savings, and sustainability - with no upfront investment. In April, the company will open its Series A round to accelerate its expansion in France & Europe.</p><p>***</p><p>This week, we’re joined by Alina Klarner, the General Partner at Impact Shakers - a fund, accelerator, and ecosystem built to back diverse impact founders. In this episode, we explore how climate and social challenges intersect, and why investing at that intersection leads to stronger outcomes.</p><p>We discuss:</p><p>* Why investing in diverse teams is a competitive advantage</p><p>* The business case for aligning climate and social impact</p><p>* Embedding systemic thinking into startup models from Day 1</p><p>* What VCs can do to make the ecosystem more inclusive</p><p>* … and more! </p><p>***</p><p><strong>⌛TIMESTAMPS</strong> </p><p>* 00:00 - Introduction</p><p>* 04:31 - Co-Founder Dating is Key</p><p>* 06:29 - Investing at the Intersection of Climate and Social Issues</p><p>* 08:52 - The Economic Rational Behind Climate + Social*</p><p>* 12:33 - Embedding Social Impact in Business Models</p><p>* 14:29 - Investment Criteria for Diverse Founders</p><p>* 16:22 - Tools for Assessing Impact</p><p>* 20:18 - Investment Criteria for Diverse Founders</p><p>* 23:58 - Access to Capital for Diverse Founders</p><p>* 25:48 - Encouraging VCs to Invest in Climate and Social</p><p>* 27:41 - Policies for Impact Investing</p><p>* 32:26 - VCs talk to VCs</p><p>* 35:24 - Fire Questions</p><p>***</p><p>▶️ <strong>CONNECT WITH YAIR</strong></p><p>* Alina Klarner – <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alinaklarner/?originalSubdomain=uk">Alina Klarner | LinkedIn</a></p><p>* Impact Shakers - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.impactshakers.com/">Impact Shakers</a></p><p>***</p><p>🔗 <strong>CONNECT WITH ME</strong> </p><p>* Newsletter - <a target="_blank" href="https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/">https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/</a></p><p>* LinkedIn - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/</a></p><p>* Email - [email protected]</p><p>* YouTube - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch">https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch</a></p><p>***</p><p>📚 <strong>REFERENCES AND MENTIONS</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.byway.travel/">Byway</a> – Flight-free travel company</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nibsetc.com/">Nibs Etc.</a> – Upcycled juice pulp into granola</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.circularlibrary.network/">Circular Library Network</a> – Hardware/software for peer-to-peer sharing</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.farcado.com/">Farcorda</a> – Aggregates secondhand product listings across platforms</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vestedimpact.co.uk/">Vested Impact</a> – Impact due diligence tool used by Impact Shakers</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://medium.com/impact-shakers/impact-readiness-levels-how-we-embed-impact-in-agile-startup-development-ed35851c73cf">Impact Principles</a> (Impact Shakers internal framework – link it)</p><p>*** </p><p><strong>🎙️PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/p/lcas-for-smarter-vc-investments-dr">Dr Benedikt Buchspies - How to Use LCAs for VC Investments (Planet A</a>)</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/p/scaling-europes-most-active-impact">Tina Dreimann on Community Investing in Climate Tech (better ventures)</a></p><p>***</p><p><strong>💚 LEAVE A REVIEW</strong> </p><p>* Apple Podcasts - <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vco2-climate-and-venture-capital/id1701643068">https://shorturl.at/HIDcg</a> </p><p>* Spotify - <a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2GYJiYDsTSZ9n6iMWwXEul?si=e85e31c4a66c4e72&nd=1&dlsi=52872f65637e4847">https://shorturl.at/yDTfR</a> </p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">climateventuresvco2.substack.com</a>
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at [email protected] for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.
