Abhi Desai (Desai Ventures): The Missing Link in Fixing Methane

Abhi Desai (Desai Ventures): The Missing Link in Fixing Methane

Author: Hugo Rauch March 17, 2026 Duration: 34:33

Subscribe to the newsletter:

New Wave | Hugo Rauch | Substack

****

🌊 The Methane Blind Spot

Why one of the most powerful climate levers stayed invisible, and what it takes to build around it.

We’re joined by Abhi Desai, Solo GP at Desai Ventures (an Indian family office), an early-stage investor focused on deep tech solutions across methane detection, satellites, and climate infrastructure.

In this episode, we dive into methane, the overlooked climate lever, and unpack what it really takes to build and invest in technologies that measure the invisible.

In our conversation, we covered:

→ Why methane is 80x more potent than CO₂ (short term), yet historically ignored

→ The real challenge: you can’t fix what you can’t measure

→ Satellites vs drones vs sensors, the stack of methane detection technologies

→ Why “naming and shaming” isn’t enough, and what actionable data actually looks like

→ The business case: lost gas = lost revenue (sometimes)

→ Where carbon credits fit, and why they’re still evolving

→ The core rule of climate VC: impact scales with revenue, not philanthropy

→ How to diligence deep tech when you don’t fully understand the science

→ Why collaborative due diligence might unlock more climate capital



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newwavenewsletter.substack.com

Hugo Rauch hosts New Wave, a podcast that lives at the intersection of business ambition and scientific reality. This isn't about distant predictions or abstract science; it's a grounded exploration of the technologies and companies being built right now to address our environmental future. Each episode focuses on the practical journey, dissecting the models, the breakthroughs, and the hard decisions that define the climate tech landscape. You'll hear from founders, researchers, and investors who are actively shaping this space, getting into the specifics of what works, what doesn't, and why. The conversations move beyond hype to examine the tangible mechanics of creating viable solutions, from energy storage and sustainable materials to carbon removal and regenerative agriculture. It’s for anyone who thinks about the climate challenge not just as a crisis, but as a complex and urgent field of innovation. By tuning into this podcast, you gain a clearer understanding of the economic forces and scientific principles driving the next generation of environmental solutions. New Wave connects the dots between the lab, the boardroom, and the impact we need to see in the world, offering a sober yet optimistic look at where substantive progress is truly being made.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 89

New Wave.
Podcast Episodes
Bridging the funding gap in biotech - Annick Verween (Biotope by VIB) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:33
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.***This week, we’re joined by Annick Verween, Head of Biotope at VIB, where she backs early-stage biotech startups working to improve planetary health. With Biotope recently name…
USA vs Europe: Who Wins In Climate? - Matthew Blain (Voyager Ventures) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:32
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.***Thank you to BioEsol for sponsoring this episode. 💚BioEsol is an AI-powered energy company bringing Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) to industrial and SME clients, enabling energy a…
How to Exit a Deep Tech Startup - Matt Jones (Syensqo) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:10
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.***This week, we’re joined by Matt Jones, Managing Partner at Syensqo, to break down one of the toughest challenges in climate tech: how to exit.With 25 years of experience and a…
Climate Change Is a Social Issue - Alina Klarner (Impact Shakers) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:14
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.***Thank you to BioEsol for sponsoring this episode. 💚BioEsol is an AI-powered energy company bringing Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) to industrial and SME clients, enabling energy a…
No One Pays for Green Anymore - Yair Reem (Extantia) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:45
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.***This week, we’re joined by Yair Reem, Partner at Extantia Capital, to break down why the green premium is dead, and what’s next for climate-tech startups. In this episode, we…
When VC Meets Nonprofit - Marion Schuppe (makesense) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:49
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.***While traditional VC prioritizes financial returns, makesense invest is proving that social and environmental impact can be at the core of investing, without sacrificing perfo…