Martijn Lopes Cardozo (Regeneration VC): Circular Economy VC Playbook

Martijn Lopes Cardozo (Regeneration VC): Circular Economy VC Playbook

Author: Hugo Rauch January 19, 2026 Duration: 53:19

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🌊 Why Circularity Is the Real Climate Lever

Why staying within planetary boundaries demands a rethink of how we design, use, and reuse everything.

We’re joined by Martijn Lopes Cardozo, Partner at Regeneration.VC, one of the world’s leading investors in the circular economy.

In this episode, we dive into why climate alone isn’t enough, and unpack what it really takes to build venture-scale companies that protect biodiversity, water, materials, and supply chains, not just CO₂. Martijn argues that even at 1.5°C, we can still lose the planet, unless we radically rethink how products are designed, consumed, and regenerated.

In our conversation, we covered:

→ Why circularity impacts 90% of biodiversity loss, not just emissions

→ The real VC opportunity hiding in design, use, and reuse phases

→ Why competing on a “green premium” is a losing strategy

→ How brands like IKEA, and H&M pull circular startups through the supply chain

→ What Martijn looks for in a “big seed” (late-seed) circular startup

→ How better measurement could unlock capital

→ The rise of asset-utilization models (and why sharing beats owning)



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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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 89

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