Shows
Activation Energy51. Robert Stoner (Kendall Square Project) on translating academic research into businessesRobert Stoner of Kendall Square Project and previously of MIT Energy Initiative speaks about licensing as a way to bring academic and scientific research to the market.OUTLINE(00:00) Introduction(00:39) Education and career path(07:58) Financing mechanisms for deeptech ventures (12:45) Role of universities(15:34) Licensing (23:11) Role of government(31:03) Scientists turning entrepreneurs(34:31) Translating science into business(38:36) Energy technologies, demand and supply2025-04-1747 minActivation Energy50. David Heller (C16 Biosciences) on biomanufacturing and palm oil alternativesDavid Heller of C16 Biosciences speaks about biomanufacturing technology and products and business strategy. Adam Lawrence co-hosts.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:32) Career path
(03:13) Origin of C16 Biosciences
(07:12) Palm oil agriculture
(10:06) C16 Bio’s core technology
(11:14) IP strategy
(16:22) Products
(18:50) Competitors
(21:02) Value ecosystem
(24:05) Positioning
(25:32) Criticisms of precision fermentation
(28:56) Technoeconomics and cost drivers
(33:25) Resources and inputs
(35:27) Capital costs
(38:31) Challenges
(41:29) GMO
(42:15) Regulatory landscape
(45:08) Risks
(51:17) Vision
2025-02-0653 minActivation Energy49. Joško Bobanović (Sofinnova Partners) on industrial biotech and biomanufacturingJoško Bobanović of Sofinnova Partners speaks about bioeconomy, industrial biotech, and biomanufacturing. Adam Lawrence co-hosts.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:34) Education and career path
(02:21) Sofinnova Partners
(04:28) Investment strategy
(06:34) Terminology
(08:45) Industrial biotech history and evolution
(14:06) Competitive strategies for bio startups
(16:55) End applications – fuels, food, pharmaceuticals, materials
(21:23) Value ecosystem and participants
(24:57) Drivers
(27:15) Business models, platforms, products
(33:05) Success stories
(36:17) Future of industrial biotech and bioeconomy
2025-01-2139 minActivation Energy48. Lee Vinsel (Virginia Tech) and Andrew Russell (SUNY Polytechnic Institute) on the innovation delusionLee Vinsel of Virginia Tech and Andrew Russell of SUNY Polytechnic Institute speak about innovation, hype, and the importance of investing in maintenance.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:29) Eduction and career paths
(02:20) Origin of and motivation of writing The Innovation Delusion
(04:15) True innovation vs. “innovation speak”
(08:42) Higher education and tech transfer/licensing offices
(14:59) Clayton Christensen’s discredited research
(22:07) True progress and impact
(27:00) Pitfalls of disruption for disruption’s sake
(32:09) Importance of focusing on maintenance
(37:16) Balancing innovation with maintenance
(40:01) Impact of neglecting maintenance
(45:54) Vision of the future
2024-12-2749 minActivation Energy47. Adrien Côté (Velocity) on scientist-entrepreneursAdrien Côté of the Velocity discusses translating science and research into business ventures.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:43) Education and career
(03:17) Velocity Incubator
(07:50) Successfully incubated ventures
(09:30) Commercialization challenges
(11:44) What distinguishes successful entrepreneurs from others
(13:20) “Not all founders are entrepreneurs”
(15:49) Challenges of transitioning from scientist to entrepreneur
(17:02) Communication
(18:57) Group dynamics
(21:15) Leadership
(23:15) Role of academia in training scientists to lead
(24:48) Evolution of scientific leadership
2024-12-2327 minActivation Energy46. Adam Lawrence (AGL.BIO) on bioeconomy and biomanufacturingAdam Lawrence of AGL.BIO speaks about bioeconomy and biomanufacturing.
OUTLINE
(0:00) Introduction
(00:38) Education and career
(03:23) Challenges and barriers in biomanufacturing
(04:46) Bioeconomy terminology
(08:52) Value of biomanufacturing and comparative advantage
(14:18) Actual and potential mpact
(18:12) Chemical companies
(19:38) Drivers
(20:37) Value ecosystem and participants
(23:08) Financing mechanisms
(25:17) Mergers and acquisitions
(26:08) Subsegments – fuels, chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals
(32:01) Waste stream valorization
(34:05) Sentiment, stigma, and media
2024-12-1637 minActivation Energy45. Charla Triplett (Spine by Design) on medtech entrepreneurshipCharla Triplett of Spine by Design speaks about medtech entrepreneurship and investing.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:42) Education and career
(03:00) Suncoast VC
(04:45) Investment thesis
(05:44) Portfolio
(11:41) Spine by Design
(21:39) Medtech innovation and trends
(30:22) Regulations and regulatory strategies
(36:53) Advice for medtech entrepreneurs
2024-12-0941 minActivation Energy44. Jason Jay (MIT Sloan School of Management) on sustainability and systemic investingJason Jay of MIT Sloan School of Management speaks about sustainability endeavors and systemic investing.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:33) Career
(04:27) MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative
(10:29) Modeling climate change impact (EnROADS)
(15:30) Emissions and warming
(21:04) Optimizing economic, social, and environmental objectives and trade-offs
(29:03) Public sector’s role in innovation
(37:44) SBIR
(41:17) Impact of academia2024-12-0348 minActivation Energy43. Aleksandra Gosiewski (Keel Labs) on biopolymersAleksandra Gosiewski of Keel Labs talks about harnessing the ocean to create biobased materials.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:50) Education and career path
(01:39) Origin of Keel Labs
(03:45) Sustainability
(05:37) Offshoring
(07:23) Technology and product
(08:14) Manufacturing
(13:47) Material performance
(15:38) Biodegradability
(16:46) Economics
(17:50) Traction
(18:46) Value ecosystem
(20:53) Impact
(24:11) Suppliers
(25:02) Challenges
(27:06) Risks
(28:55) Vision and exit strategy
2024-12-0131 minActivation Energy42. Tanya Ramond (Sapienne Consulting) on deeptech commercializationDr. Tanya Ramond of Sapienne Consulting talks about deeptech ventures and commercialization strategies.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:45) Career path
(03:50) Transitioning from academia to industry
(05:17) Transitioning from corporation to startups
(08:06) From PhD to MBA
(13:15) Definition of deeptech
(14:56) Dual opportunities – ROI and impact
(16:57) Risks and uncertainties
(19:26) Mitigating risks
(23:53) Quantifying returns and impact
(26:00) Resources
(28:02) Colorado deeptech ecosystem
(31:55) Product-Market fit
(34:17) Traps founders fall into
2024-07-0137 minActivation Energy41. Fred Rostami (GreenLIB) on battery materials recoveryFred Rostami of GreenLIB talks about recovering and recycling materials from lithium batteries.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:33) Fred’s career path
(01:21) GreenLIB’s elevator pitch
(01:55) Common and state-of-the-art battery materials recovery tech
(03:42) Technical and economic challenges associated with materials recovery
(04:43) Recovery vs. recycling
(05:16) Recovery/Recycling vs. extraction of new materials
(07:06) Innovations in improving efficacy and efficiency of materials recovery
(08:14) Factors that make innovation slow
(08:58) GreenLIB’s technology
(12:52) Regulatory environment
(14:29) Commercialization
(17:26) GreenLIB’s team
(20:52) Entrepreneurial journey
(22:03) Challenges, uncertainties, risks
(23:58) Mistakes
(26:01) Fun aspects of being an entrepreneur
2024-06-0927 minActivation Energy40. Jaehee Sweeney (BEI) on energy storage and batteriesJaehee Sweeney of BEI talks about battery technologies, including BEI's products.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:26) Career path
(04:12) Energy storage
(07:38) Lithium-based batteries
(10:17) Lithium metal batteries
(11:39) Ideal battery
(12:32) BEI technology
(13:32) Distinctiveness and stage of BEI batteries
(15:59) Comparison with current solutions
(16:04) Charging characteristics of BEI batteries
(17:38) Safety characteristic
(18:55) Scalability of manufacturing
(19:05) Commercialization and adoption
(20:30) Prohibiting factors
(20:52) Battery value ecosystem
(22:53) Market opportunity
(23:24) Uncertainties and risks
(23:44) Risk mitigation
(24:25) Impact
2024-06-0226 minActivation Energy39. Jeff Rosedale (BakerHostetler) on deeptech and IPJeff Rosedale of BakerHostetler speaks about how deeptech entrepreneurs can navigating the IP landscape and integrate IP with business strategy.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:25) Jeff’s professional background
(04:10) Dialogue between scientific advancements and legal frameworks
(07:22) How law firms are addressing evolving technologies
(09:05) Emerging trends
(11:13) Integrating IP and business strategy
(14:59) How startups can effectively maneuver IP landscape
(16:52) Valuing IP
(20:07) Examples of how valuation affects growth and outcome
(21:56) Collaboration and IP assignment
(25:23) Logistics of licensing IP
(28:19) Factors that determine licensing fees
(30:08) Pitfalls during licensing and managing conflict
(32:05) Advice for entrepreneurs
2024-05-0634 minActivation Energy38. Bryce Meredig (Citrine Informatics) on the intersection of science and businessBryce Meredig of Citrine Informatics talks about leadership and the business of science.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:28) Career path
(02:06) Academia vs. business
(03:15) Deeptech startups vs others
(04:48) Integrating science and business
(06:08) How to overcome challenges with integration
(07:27) Scientific leadership
(10:00) Group and organizational dynamics
(11:20) Leadership qualities
(13:10) Interaction between scientists and non-scientists
(15:42) Managing conflict and fostering cohesion
(22:10) Effective communication
(29:10) Mistakes
(33:05) Future
2024-04-2034 minActivation Energy37. Pavle Jeremić (Aether Bio) on protein engineering and lithium extractionPavle Jeremić of Aether Bio talks about protein engineering, lithium extraction, and advanced polymers.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:29) Pavle’s professional background
(01:12) Motivation for founding Aether
(04:31) Aether’s technology and product lines
(06:45) Uniqueness of Aether’s technology
(13:08) Importance of Aether’s technology
(14:45) Monetization strategy
(16:22) Failed strategies
(19:41) Market segments
(21:14) Value of market opportunity
(22:45) Capturing value
(24:41) Challenges and risks
(27:53) Long-term vision of Aether
2024-03-1729 minActivation Energy36. Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza (Elysium Robotics) on roboticsRodrigo Alvarez-Icaza of Elysium Robotics talks about actuation, movement, and robotics.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:39) Rodrigo’s professional background
(03:04) Motivation for founding Elysium
(04:17) Elysium’s technology
(05:45) Limitations of current robotic systems
(07:02) Suite of robotic technologies
(08:09) Actuation
(10:19) Technical performance metrics
(12:06) Target applications
(14:38) Traction
(15:50) Milestones
(16:20) Economics and affordability
(17:45) Market opportunity
(19:20) Scalability
(20:17) Challenges
(21:26) Long-term implications
(23:40) Vision
2024-02-1725 minActivation Energy35. Mahmood Shirazy (Calogy Solutions) on thermal management of EVsMahmood Shirazy of Calogy Solutions discusses thermal management systems of electrical vehicles (EV) systems, transitioning from scientist to entrepreneur, and the state of the deeptech ecosystem.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:36) Mahmood’s career
(02:32) Calogy’s technology
(04:09) Value proposition and uniqueness of technology
(06:45) Examples
(09:02) Broader impact
(11:39) Value of opportunity
(12:58) Go-to-market and monetization strategy
(15:21) Traction
(16:44) Challenges and barriers
(18:43) Growth and expansion plans
(20:45) Anticipated risks
(23:26) Journey from scientist to entrepreneur
(25:44) Fundamental differences between academia and business worlds
(28:15) State of deeptech ecosystem
2024-02-0532 minActivation Energy34. Chad Wasilenkoff (Helicoid Industries) on advanced composites for automotive and aerospace marketsChad Wasilenkoff of Helicoid Industries talks about commercializing advanced, proprietary composites for sporting goods, automotive, and aerospace applications.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:33) Chad’s professional background
(05:25) Helicoid’s technology
(07:42) Significance and potential impact of Helicoid’s technology
(10:17) Trends in composites industry
(13:04) Applications in sporting goods, automotive, and aerospace markets
(15:56) How Helicoid captures value it creates
(17:27) Helicoid’s monetization and pricing strategies
(19:47) Helicoid’s traction
(21:53) Challenges and barriers to commercialization and common mistakes entrepreneurs make
(26:09) Regulation
(27:41) Anticipated risks and uncertainties
(29:49) Long term vision of Helicoid
2024-02-0132 minActivation Energy33. Angela Tsetsis, Nathaniel Jackson, Taka Kamezawa (TrueAlgae) on algae-derived metabolitesThe team behind TrueAlgae – Angela Tsetsis, Nathaniel Jackson, Taka Kamezawa – talks about commercialization of algae-derived metabolites, which have potential impact across multiple fields, including medicine and health, food and nutrition, and materials science and biofuels.
OUTLINE
(0:00) Introduction
(0:33) Angela Tsetsis
(02:05) Taka Kamezawa
(03:12) Nathaniel Jackson
(04:08) Origin of TrueAlgae
(05:15) Core technology and product
(08:31) Production and manufacturing
(09:31) Quality and safety
(11:10) Value proposition of product and target market
(16:16) Commercialization and monetization strategies
(18:36) Value ecosystem and market participants
(20:36) Traction and partnerships
(21:12) Value creation and capture
(22:56) Challenges, risks, and uncertainties
(25:59) Barries moving forwards
(29:24) Incumbents and disruption
(30:11) Long-term vision of TrueAlgae
2024-01-1331 minActivation Energy32. Martin Mulvilhill (Safer Made) on investing in safe chemistryMartin Mulvihill of Safer Made, a VC firm, talks about investing in startups that eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals in consumer products and supply chains.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:40) Marty’s career path
(03:10) Motivation for becoming a VC
(04:38) Safer Made’s origin, mission, and vision
(05:40) Safer Made’s investment thesis
(06:05) How Safer Made thinks about and measures impact
(07:02) Safer Made’s portfolio companies, including P2Science and Repurpose
(08:58) How Safer Made sources and evaluates investment opportunities
(10:46) Safer Made’s value add beyond capital
(12:01) Safer Made’s LPs
(12:27) What makes an excellent deeptech VC
(14:07) Safer Made’s risk appetite an...2023-10-2433 minActivation Energy31. Philip Taynton (Mallinda) on commercializing new materials out of universitiesPhilip Taynton of Mallinda talks about a new class of plastic materials and the journey of spinning out university research.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(00:39) What Mallinda is commercializing
(01:09) Vitrimers
(02:25) Applications
(04:07) Negative impact of non-recyclable materials
(05:39) Barriers to making vitrimers ubiquitous
(08:07) Gorilla glass
(09:17) Commercialization of vitrimers, Mallinda’s business model
(11:40) Market opportunity
(12:25) Market segments
(14:12) Challenges in the startup journey
(16:14) Assistance from the deeptech startup ecosystem
(18:32) Vision of Mallinda’s future
2023-09-3020 minActivation Energy30. Robert Creighton (Windlift) on offshore wind energy generationRobert Creighton of Windlift, a startup commercializing an airborne wind energy system, talks about harnessing wind to generate energy.
OUTLINE
(00:00) Introduction
(01:44) Rob’s professional journey
(04:06) History of wind energy
(05:28) Wind vs. traditional sources of energy
(06:27) Challenges with offshore wind energy
(07:57) Advantages of offshore wind energy generation
(09:35) Origin of Windlift
(12:02) Windlift's airborne wind energy system
(14:48) How Windlift addresses challenges associated with traditional wind energy systems
(16:27) Examples of Windlift’s system’s versatility
(18:25) Makani and Google X Moonshot Factory
(21:23) Windlift’s collaborations
(22:40) Windlift’s partnerships with government agencies
(24:35) Future of Windlift in defense and civilian sectors
(26:27) Wind energy and regulat...2023-09-2032 minActivation Energy29. Ben Schrag (NSF) on government's role in deeptech and innovationBen Schrag of the National Science Foundation talks about deeptech and how the government helps advance innovation.
OUTLINE:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:56) Ben’s career path
(02:39) NSF’s mandate regarding commercialization of scientific invention
(04:39) SBIR and STTR programs
(06:31) Origin of SBIR/STTR
(08:33) Inventions that SBIR/STTR programs funded
(09:55) Disruption
(11:00) Statistics and criteria
(13:25) How decisions about funding are made
(15:10) Successful companies that NSF funded
(19:29) Successful chemical startups that NSF funded
(22:22) Collaboration
(23:50) Trends as seen from the front row seat to innovation
2023-09-0927 minActivation Energy28. Tyler Ellison (ChemDirect) on digitalization of the chemical supply chainI speak with Tyler Ellison of ChemDirect about disrupting and digitalizing the chemical supply chain and logistics.
OUTLINE:
(00:34) Tyler’s background
(01:07) Nova Molecular
(01:25) Chemical supply chain and logistics
(02:48) Fragmentation
(03:26) Challenges within chemical supply chain
(05:19) Barriers to digitalization of chemical supply chain
(07:01) Regulation
(07:19) ChemDirect
(09:29) Motivation for founding ChemDirect
(10:41) Financing
(10:55) Target markets
(11:51) Suppliers
(11:55) Barriers startups face
(13:16) Opportunities
(14:14) Use of AI/ML
(16:51) ChemDirect’s differentiation and competitive advantage
(18:03) Future of ChemDirect
2023-07-2019 minActivation Energy27. DC Palter (CAN and Tech Coast Angels) on cleantech investingI speak with DC Palter of Tech Coast Angels and Chemical Angel Network about investing in clean technologies.
OUTLINE:
(00:00) Intro
(0:55) DC’s interest in Cleantech and motivation for investing in Cleantech
(4:49) Current trends in Cleantech investing
(10:43) How DC evaluates startups
(13:33) Difference between Cleantech and software investors
(16:24) Difference between entrepreneurs with and without technical training
(21:24) Resources and ecosystem for Cleantech startups
(24:30) DC’s book “To Kill a Unicorn”
(25:36) DC’s blogs
(27:09) Troubled companies and frequency of occurrence
(33:10) Hype and charismatic entrepreneurs
(33:28) What DC hopes to accomplish by publishing a mystery novel about startups
2023-03-2941 minActivation Energy26. Bahruz Mammadov (BERKM) and John Standish (Association of Plastic Recyclers) on plastic packagingThis episode features Bahruz Mammadov, CEO of BERKM, and John Standish, Technical Director at the Association of Plastic Recyclers, who share their views on the history, current state, and innovation in plastic packaging.
OUTLINE:
(00:00) Intro
(01:02) State and scale of plastic packaging
(02:49) Plastic recycling
(04:03) Factors that promote and limit collection of plastic
(05:36) Technical and economic limits to recycling
(07:28) Greenpeace
(09:31) Association of Plastic Recyclers
(10:34) Regulation
(12:36) Innovation
(16:06) BERKM technology
(17:56) Application and market potential
(18:44) Current state of BERKM’s technology
(20:53) Vision for BERKM’s future
(22:02) Financing
2023-02-2022 minActivation Energy25. Mark Vreeke (Chemical Angel Network) on investing at the chemical frontierThis episode features Mark Vreeke, the co-founder of the Chemical Angel Network, who shares his views about investing in deep tech ventures. Aaron Santos, co-founder of DNP123, joins me as co-host.
OUTLINE
(0:00) Introduction to Mark and Aaron
(1:16) Definition of deep tech
(2:12) What is fueling investment into deep tech
(3:21) Misconceptions about deep tech
(4:04) Challenges in deep tech investing
(4:35) Risk mitigation
(5:12) Deep tech ecosystem
(6:58) Academia to entrepreneurship
(8:47) Mark’s background
(11:17) Advice about starting a chemical venture
(12:24) Why Mark started Chemical Angel Network
(14:50) Chemical Angel Network’s mission, investment philosophy, and portfolio companies
(18:50) How to evaluate early stage deep tech...2022-12-2225 minActivation Energy24. John Sears (Innovators Legal) on startups and intellectual propertyI speak with John Sears of Innovators Legal about intellectual property, business strategy, and deep-tech startups partnering with corporations to co-create value.
(0:00) Introduction
(0:43) Role of IP in early stage companies
(4:31) Common types of IP
(7:28) When to protect inventions by patents vs. keeping trade secrets
(10:03) Challenges when protecting IP
(16:37) Logistics of protection
(19:47) Fast track examination
(23:01) Valuation of IP
(25:16) Best way for startups to work with strategic partners
(32:47) Challenges encountered during strategic alliances
(43:11) Consequences of failing to protect inventions properly
(48:51) Innovators Legal
(50:28) Combining IP and business strategies
2022-10-1353 minActivation Energy23. Alexis Bazzanella (Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, DECHEMA) on sustainable chemistryI speak with Alexis Bazzanella of the Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (DECHEMA) and the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) about sustainable chemistry and multinational collaboration.
(0:49) Definition of sustainability
(2:25) Holistic approach to sustainable chemistry
(5:06) Adoption of sustainable chemistry principles
(8:07) Role of legislation and regulation
(9:57) Role of private sector and the public
(11:14) Technologies that enable sustainable chemistry
(13:48) Approach chemical companies take to achieve sustainability
(16:09) International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre
(20:02) Projects supported by ISC3
(22:37) Challenges
(26:55) Future of ISC3 – hubs
2022-09-1929 minActivation Energy22. Jane Melia (Harvest Thermal) and DC Palter (Chemical Angel Network) on heating and the electrical gridI speak with Jane Melia of Harvest Thermal and DC Palter of the Chemical Angel Network, Tech Coast Angels, and Pitching Angels blog about how changing the way we heat our homes and buildings can help mitigate climate change.
(1:25) Heating, energy, and emissions
(3:05) Regulations
(6:08) Heat pumps and Harvest Thermal
(9:09) How heat pumps tie to the resiliency of the electrical grid
(11:20) Harvest Thermal’s target market
(12:42) Harvest Thermal’s progress and commercialization stage
(15:52) Why DC invested in Harvest Thermal
(20:35) Current state of Cleantech investing from entrepreneur’s perspectives
(22:51) State of Cleantech investing from investor’s perspective
2022-07-2627 minActivation Energy21. Craig Kasberg (Tidal Vision) and Tony Sun (GC Ventures) on biopolymers and investingI speak with Craig Kasberg of Tidal Vision and Tony Sun of GC Ventures about biopolymers, applications chitosan, building and investing in science-based startups.
(0:47) Biopolymers
(1:37) Chitosan
(3:05) Tidal Vision’s manufacturing
(4:46) Applications and markets – water treatment, textiles, agriculture
(8:29) Tidal Vision’s progress as a company
(9:55) Challenges while building a company
(12:20) Future of Tidal Vision
(13:53) GC Ventures and why Tony invested in Tidal Vision
(15:19) Investment criteria and decision making
(17:25) Duration of due diligence
(18:00) Investing in deep tech during economic downturns
2022-07-1721 minActivation Energy20. Morgan Lehtinen (RXN Hub) on Canadian cleantech ecosystemI speak with Morgan Lehtinen of RXN Hub about the Canadian cleantech entrepreneurial ecosystem.
(0:53) What RXN Hub is
(1:40) Gap in the entrepreneurial ecosystem
(4:09) Cleantech ecosystems across North America
(6:14) Startups eligible for RXN Hub
(7:17) RXN Hub partners
(9:10) Business model and services offered
(13:16) Impact
(15:17) Definition of success in short and long terms
(17:36) Vision for RXN Hub in 10 years
2022-07-1619 min
Activation Energy19. Ginger Rothrock (HG Ventures) on investing in industrial techI speak with Ginger Rothrock of HG Ventures about investing in industrial technologies.
(0:00) Introduction
(0:43) Industrial tech defined
(1:33) Examples of current innovations with industrial use cases
(3:07) How novel industrial tech will impact existing value chain/ecosystem
(4:49) The promise and potential of industrial tech in averting the climate crisis and achieving sustainability
(7:26) Regulatory environment (EPA, SEC)
(9:28) Investing in industrial tech, flow and allocation of capital
(11:44) Investment landscape
(13:24) How VCs make money by investing in industrial tech
(15:44) Risks and challenges when investing in industrial tech
(17:58) Current state of economy and impact on early-stage investment activities
(18:59) What investors look for
(20:50) HG Ventures – mi...2022-05-3125 minActivation Energy18. Mitch Krauss on sustainability in apparel, semiconductor, and beverage industriesI speak with Mitch Krauss about sustainability, circularity, environmental and health safety in textiles, semiconductor, and beverage industries.
(0:00) Introduction
(0:39) Apparel and textile industry
(1:32) UN Project
(2:42) Apparel industry value chain
(4:29) Perfluorochemicals
(7:45) Sustainability in apparel industry
(9:47) Apparel production’s impact on environment
(14:24) Semiconductor industry
(15:42) RoHS Directive
(18:53) How semiconductors are made
(21:43) Use of water in semiconductor manufacturing
(27:05) Beer industry and brewing beer
(29:41) Norfork Brewing2022-05-2834 minActivation Energy17. Gabriel Thoumi (Responsible Alpha) on plastics and sustainabilityI speak with Gabriel Thoumi of Responsible Alpha, a consultancy whose mission is to support businesses and communities in securing a low-carbon, sustainable, and equitable future.
(1:24) Production and consumption of plastic
(2:53) Plastic industry’s carbon budget
(3:59) Reconciling fact that plastic is useful in our society and economy with the fact that it is damaging to the environment
(8:35) What the plastic industry is doing to mitigate the plastic problem and the pressure companies feel to change their behavior
(11:58) The role of investors
(15:40) The role of governments
(20:25) Ramification of projected increase in demand for plastic
(25:43) New technologies
(31:11) Circularity and points of...2022-05-1845 minActivation Energy16. Tina Tosukhowong (TDK Ventures) on investing in deep tech startupsI speak with Tina Tosukhowong of TDK Ventures about investing in deep tech startups.
(0:00) Introduction
(0:49) Defining deep tech
(1:21) Distinction from clean tech
(3:00) What drives investment in deep tech
(5:35) Risks in deep tech ventures and their investors
(9:07) Challenges faced by startups and investors
(12:36) Characteristics of successful deep tech startups
(15:53) Deep tech ecosystem
(18:27) Traditional vs. Corporate venture capital
(21:32) TDK Ventures
2022-04-2026 minActivation Energy15. Rajiv Banavali (WestRock) on innovation and sustainabilityI speak with Rajiv Banavali, the senior vice president of science and innovation at WestRock, the second largest American packaging company.
(0:00) Introduction
(0:44) Definition of innovation
(1:28) Distinction between breakthrough and incremental innovation
(3:53) Identifying opportunities for innovation
(5:32) Figuring out what customers and their customer want
(8:10) Predicting which products will be successful and which ones will fail
(10:27) Setting an innovation strategy
(12:42) Role of science at WestRock and drivers of new ideas
(17:51) Designing products for sustainability
(20:25) Resources needed for innovation
(23:37) Creating a culture of innovation
(26:23) Innovation killers
(28:38) Sustainability as a value driver
(30:29) What drivers sustainability
(34:56) Circular economy in packaging industry
(37:03) Innovation in...2022-04-1648 minActivation Energy14. John Warner (Zymergen) on sustainabilityI speak with Dr. John Warner of Zymergen and Beyond Benign about sustainability in the chemical industry.
(0:00) Introduction
(1:03) Chemical industry as an actor in society and economy
(4:31) Green chemistry
(5:54) Teaching chemistry skills
(10:50) Beyond Benign
(20:11) Marketing and public relations in the chemical industry
(22:24) Communication
(24:03) Financing sustainability efforts
(30:59) Numbers and narratives in startups
2022-01-2538 minActivation Energy13. Nikhil Kalane (PwC India) on state of the chemical industryI speak with Nikhil Kalane of PwC India about the current state of the global chemical industry.
(0:00) Introduction
(0:42) Management consultancies for chemical industry
(1:42) Nikhil’s expertise and role
(2:34) State of the chemical industry and pandemic’s impact
(6:22) Pandemic’s impact by region
(10:20) Examples of sustainability and circular economy principles in the chemical industry
(12:22) Innovation in the chemical industry
(13:41) Cost structure
(14:44) Factors influencing innovation
(15:46) Approach to growth
(17:00) Open innovation
(17:46) Indian chemical industry
2022-01-1720 minActivation Energy12. William Provine (The Innovation Space) on innovationI speak with Dr. William Provine of The Innovation Space about innovation in the chemical industry and the support ecosystem that exists for chemical startups.
(0:00) Introduction
(0:48) Invention vs. innovation
(4:55) How chemical companies identify opportunities for innovation
(8:41) Rate of success across innovation efforts
(10:23) Need for new materials
(13:18) Chem vs. Pharma spending on R&D
(18:42) How chemical giants interact with startups
(21:16) The Innovation Space and startups it supports, including Prelude Therapeutics and Versogen
(27:31) Challenges chemical startups face
(29:51) Origin of The Innovation Space
(31:25) Future of The Innovation Space
2021-12-1434 minActivation Energy11. Judy Giordan (ecosVC) on talent and diversityI speak with Dr. Judy Giordan of ecosVC about education, talent development, and diversity in the chemical industry.
(0:00) Introduction
(0:42) Chemistry majors
(4:42) Talent acquisition and development
(10:34) Diversity, inclusion, equity
(19:26) Sociology vs. Technology
2021-10-2020 minActivation Energy10. Sebastian Alamillo-Falkenberg (KPM Accelerate) on innovationI speak with Sebastian Alamillo-Falkenberg of KPM Accelerate about the tough-tech ecosystem and resources available for science-based startups.
(0:39) Innovation, invention, design
(1:51) Example: The Metals Company
(3:05) Example: Li-Cycle
(4:29) Science vs. software startups
(7:41) Risks in science-based startups and steps to mitigate risks
(9:11) Techno-economics
(11:52) Resources and ecosystems
(13:36) Incubators
(14:30) Accelerators
(16:13) KPM Accelerate and how it supports startups
2021-10-0326 minActivation Energy1. Greg Newbloom (Membrion, Inc.) on green chemistryI speak with Dr. Greg Newbloom, the founder and CEO of Membrion, about his career, company, and interest in green chemistry.2021-09-2106 minActivation Energy9. Judy Giordan (ecosVC) on innovation in the chemical industryI speak with Dr. Judy Giordan about innovation.
(0:00) Introduction
(0:46) Invention vs. Innovation vs. Diffusion
(5:05) Innovation in large chem corporations
(7:50) Different stakeholders driving innovation
(8:47) How innovation influences chem industry’s dynamics and evolution
(13:51) Current innovations in the chem industry
(16:26) Interfacing with startups: Chem vs. Pharma
2021-09-2118 minActivation EnergyTopic 3: Innovation in the Chemical IndustryIntroduction to Topic 3: Innovation in the Chemical Industry2021-09-2101 minActivation Energy8. Frank Slejko (Tall Oaks) on intersection of water and chemistryI speak with Dr. Frank Slejko about water treatment in various industries, incumbent technologies, and innovations.
(0:00) Introduction
(0:50) Significance of water treatment and water as universal solvent
(3:28) Industrial applications that require clean water
(6:15) High purity water for semiconductor and microelectronics industry
(9:54) Types of contaminants
(10:36) Removal of contaminants
(11:09) How ion exchange works
(13:32) Logistics of water treatment
(14:56) Four main water treatment technologies
(17:04) Room for improvement
(19:42) Exciting innovations and startups
2021-08-2621 minActivation Energy7. Anders Hallsby (Mazarine Ventures) on intersection of water and chemistryI speak with Dr. Anders Hallsby of Mazarine Ventures about water treatment technologies and trends.
(0:00) Intro
(0:42) Anders Hallsby's expertise
(3:49) Wastewater and system-level treatment of it
(5:16) Applications requiring clean water and typical contaminants found in water
(6:53) Wastewater treatment processes
(7:37) Energy consumption of water treatment
(9:12) Trends and innovations in water industry
(13:32) Most promising water treatment technologies
(15:43) Mazarine Ventures’ investment thesis
(19:02) Portfolio companies: SimpleLab and Conservation Labs
2021-08-2024 minActivation EnergyTopic 2: Intersection of Water and ChemistryIntroduction to Topic 2: Intersection of Water and Chemistry2021-08-2001 minActivation Energy6. Nilesh Shah (Dow Chemical) on sustainabilityI speak with Dr. Nilesh Shah, the former Global R&D Director at Dow Chemical about sustainability and circular economy.
(0:00) Nilesh Shah’s biography
(1:02) Defining sustainability and circular economy
(3:20) The impact of chemical products on greenhouse gas reductions
(7:00) Incongruity between plastics’ net positive impact on the world and the media’s portrayal of plastics
(12:08) Responsibility of various players in the plastics ecosystem
(15:45) Achieving circular economy via incremental and breakthrough solutions
(18:16) Examples of short term incremental solutions
(20:53) Economic viability of short term solutions
(22:29) Role of legislation and regulation in sustainability efforts
(25:12) Process of removing harmful chemicals off the market
(27:54) When re...2021-08-0531 minActivation Energy5. Judy Giordan (ecosVC) on sustainabilityI speak with Dr. Judy Giordan, managing director of ecosVC, about sustainability in the chemical industry.
(0:00) Introduction
(0:51) Definition of sustainability and origin of Judy’s interest in sustainability
(5:30) What drives sustainability in the chemical industry
(10:26) Chemical industry working hard to promote sustainability
(11:32) Examples of sustainability in the chemical industry
(14:15) Barriers to achieving sustainability
(19:14) Importance of non-technical factors to commercializing sustainability solutions
2021-07-0322 minActivation Energy4. Scott Gietler (ChemTalk) on chemistry educationI speak with Scott Gietler, the founder of ChemTalk, a non-profit organization whose mission is to make chemistry fun and easy to learn for everyone.2021-06-2133 minActivation Energy3. Boyd Davis (Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc.) on green chemistryI speak with Dr. Boyd Davis, a metallurgy and process development expert, about green chemistry’s impact on various industries.2021-05-1912 minActivation Energy2. Tina Tosukhowong (GC Ventures America) on green chemistryI speak with Dr. Tina Tosukhowong of PTT Global Chemical’s corporate venture arm about her career and stance on sustainability.2021-05-1412 min