Maex & Philip: 2x Unicorn Founders, Now Climate Investors

Maex & Philip: 2x Unicorn Founders, Now Climate Investors

Author: Hugo Rauch November 12, 2025 Duration: 45:52

How two founders turned a decade of building too-early ideas into a climate investment thesis for the next industrial wave.

We’re joined by Maex Ament and Philip Stehlik, co-founders of two unicorns (Taulia and Centrifuge) and now founding partners at Earth, a new European climate fund investing across the industrial stack.

In this episode, we dive into how being “too early” became their edge, what it really takes to sustain a 20-year co-founder relationship, and how ex-founders think differently when they start backing the next generation of climate entrepreneurs.

In our conversation, we covered:→ Why great co-founder relationships are like marriages (and how to make them last)→ Why being too early can be a founder’s superpower, if you can survive it→ How ex-founders approach venture investing differently→ Why climate investing is the new industrial revolution (not just a cause)→ What “climate dynamism” really means, and why green premiums are dead

***

Supported by:

Climate Coffee:

Max Bray

and his co-founder have been building a fast-growing community and series of meet-ups connecting founders, investors, operators, and scientists in climate tech across Europe. Read more here.

***

Connect with Maex & Philip:

Maex Ament

Philip Stehlik

earth.now

Or ask me for an intro!



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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