Alex Bakir (Norrsken Evolve): Fixing the Pre-Seed Sophistication Gap

Alex Bakir (Norrsken Evolve): Fixing the Pre-Seed Sophistication Gap

Author: Hugo Rauch November 26, 2025 Duration: 36:50

We’re joined by Alex Bakir, Partner at Norrsken Evolve, an operator-turned-investor who has built and scaled companies across Silicon Valley and Europe before launching one of the continent’s most distinctive early-stage climate funds.

In this episode, we dive into why Europe’s climate tech story needs a new foundation, one rooted in productive capacity, supply-chain sovereignty, and operator-led support for founders, and what it really takes to convince LPs in today’s market.

In our conversation, we covered:→ Why climate cycles repeat, and why this one is different→ What Alex actually sold to LPs (and why he was oversubscribed)→ The real gap at pre-seed: sophistication, not capital→ Momentum as the new signal: how Norrsken Evolve picks winners→ Why resilience ≠ defense, and what Europe misunderstands→ The role of regionalization and the end of “global by default.”



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…
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…