Lessons from cleantech 1.0 - August Solliv (Impact Supporters)

Lessons from cleantech 1.0 - August Solliv (Impact Supporters)

Author: Hugo Rauch January 28, 2025 Duration: 52:33

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

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August Solliv, a former climate VC, and author of the newsletter Impact Supporters joins the podcast to dive into the learnings from the first wave of cleantech startups and what it means for today’s climate-tech companies.

In our conversation, we explore:

* The reasons behind the rise and fall of Cleantech 1.0

* The lessons learned for Climate Tech today.

* The future of Climate Tech investments

* ...and more! ⁠​

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

01:15 Defining Cleantech 1.0

06:24 Case Study: Solyndra's Failure

20:21 Success Stories from Cleantech 1.0

27:38 The Emergence of Climate Tech

29:30 Differences Between Clean Tech and Climate Tech

38:26 The Future of Climate Tech Investments

41:12 Is Climate Tech Dead?

45:47 Rapid Fire Questions

50:31 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations

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STUDIES

* MIT Study on Cleantech 1.0 (2011)

* John Doerr’s Cleantech Reflections

* "Impact" by Sir Ronald Cohen

STARTUPS AND FUNDS

* Solyndra

* Tesla

* Northvolt

* Kleiner Perkins

CONCEPTS

* Evergreen Funds

* Cleantech 1.0 (2006–2011)

* Climate Tech 2.0 (Post-2010s)

* Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)

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GUEST

▶️ August Solliv - https://www.linkedin.com/in/augustsolliv/

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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)

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LEAVE A REVIEW

💜 Apple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcg

🟢 Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR

***

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: 89

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