Deep Tech Investing 101

Deep Tech Investing 101

Author: Hugo Rauch November 14, 2025 Duration: 40:58

This week on New Wave Weekly:

👉 Why chip cooling is becoming a climate story

Data centers are hitting thermal limits. Nvidia says liquid cooling is inevitable. Is cooling the hidden bottleneck of the AI revolution?

👉 How to actually diligence deep tech

From techno-economic models to hyperscaler roadmaps, Maxi, Jordan, and Jake break down how investors separate real breakthroughs from nice demos.

👉 Europe’s deep tech moment

Is Europe better positioned to build the next climate mega-companies than in the software era?

***

Wave Makers:

Maxi - HV Capital

Jordan - IQ Capital

Jake - Voyager Ventures

Hugo - New Wave

***

(00:00) Introduction

(01:15) What chip cooling has to do with climate

(03:15) Corintis and the future of liquid cooling

(10:40) Selling to hyperscalers without dying

(16:49) Gen 1 to Gen 3: crossing the valley of commercial death

(18:25) How to assess “good deep tech”

(27:03) Why deep tech valuations are high

(32:29) Europe vs. the US: who wins the deep tech race?

(37:03) Advice for generalist VCs entering deep tech



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.
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