Investing €300M in climate-tech that can sell to climate deniers - Tim Schumacher (World Fund, Ecosia)

Investing €300M in climate-tech that can sell to climate deniers - Tim Schumacher (World Fund, Ecosia)

Author: Hugo Rauch February 4, 2025 Duration: 58:18
New Wave.
BusinessScience

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

***

Tim Schumacher, General Partner at World Fund, joins the podcast to share insights on building Europe's largest climate-tech VC and what it takes to back companies that even climate deniers would buy from.

In our conversation, we explore:

* World Fund's investment and fundraising strategy

* Assessing startups with the climate performance potential (CPP)

* Climate-tech that can sell to climate deniers

* The founding of Ecosia

* … and more!

***

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

01:22 Tim's Journey from Software to Climate Tech

06:18 Ecosia: A Climate-Friendly Search Engine

14:57 World Fund's Investment Strategy

20:11 The Importance of CO2 Reduction

26:03 Assessing Climate Performance Potential (CPP)

31:12 Defining the Ideal Founder

33:42 Global Applicability and Market Fit

37:32 Due Diligence in Climate Tech Investments

40:51 Selling to Climate Deniers

43:55 Future Outlook for Climate Tech

48:05 Rapid-Fire Questions

54:52 Closing Thoughts and Final Words

***

FRAMEWORKS

* Climate Performance Potential (CPP) - A methodology developed by World Fund to assess how much carbon a technology can save over time.

STARTUPS

* Ecosia – A search engine that uses ad revenue to plant trees.

* Planet A – chocolate alternative made from oats and precision fermentation.

* Anaphite – Developing new battery production methods for electric vehicles.

* Aedifion – AI-powered energy optimization for buildings

FUNDS

* European Investment Fund (EIF): A major LP in World Fund.

* World Fund – Europe's largest climate-tech VC.

* Better Ventures – An impact-focused angel investment group.

* Energy Impact Partners (EIP) – A later-stage climate-tech fund.

***

GUEST

▶️ Tim Schumacher - https://www.linkedin.com/in/timschumacher/

🔗 World Fund - https://www.worldfund.vc/

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If you’re new here, I'm Hugo Rauch, the founder of VCo2 media and an aspiring climate tech VC who shares insights, interviews, and research about venture capital and climate tech. I aim to help you become a better climate-tech entrepreneur and smarter impact investor.

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CONNECT WITH ME

▶️ Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com

🔗 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/

📧 Email - climateventuresvco2@substack.com

🔴 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch

***

PAST EPISODES

* Heidi Lindvall on Impact Assessments (Pale Blue Dot)

* Eric Gossart on Impact VCs vs Traditional VCs (Racine2)

* August Solliv on cleantech 1.0 lessons (Impact Supporters)

***

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***

SUPPORT

💻 Logo and brand design - Alexander Villinsky

📹 Logo animation and transitions - Timothe Lucas



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: 91

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