How Climate Tech Builds Europe’s Resilience - Craig Douglas (World Fund)

How Climate Tech Builds Europe’s Resilience - Craig Douglas (World Fund)

Author: Hugo Rauch June 6, 2025 Duration: 49:04

From COVID-19 to the war in Ukraine, recent shocks have exposed a hard truth, Europe isn’t resilient yet. With the climate crisis accelerating, can we upgrade our infrastructure, economy, and innovation systems in time? To explore this topic, today we’re joined by Craig Douglas, founding partner at World Fund, one of Europe’s largest climate-tech VC.

⌛TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction

1:05 Craig’s VC Path

4:17 What Is Resilience?

10:20 Europe’s Weak Spots

19:19 VC Lens on Resilience

24:40 Case Study: Cylib

31:06 The European Bottleneck

39:52 Predictions for Europe's Resilience

42:14 Fast Fire Round

📚 REFERENCES

STARTUPS

Cylib – battery recycling

InstaGrids – portable power units

FUNDS

World Fund

Scottish Equity Partners

Set Ventures

NATO Innovation Fund

EIB (European Investment Bank)

PROGRAMS AND POLICIES

European Commission energy policy

IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) – U.S.

SFDR Article 9

Germany’s “Debt Brake” removal

DOE Loan Program (US)

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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.
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