Rethinking Climate VC for Africa - Desirée Pettersson (Satgana)

Rethinking Climate VC for Africa - Desirée Pettersson (Satgana)

Author: Hugo Rauch June 19, 2025 Duration: 39:05

This week, we sit down with Desirée Petterson, Head of Impact at Satgana, to dive deep into climate investing in Africa, a region often overlooked by mainstream VC but holding the key to many climate challenges.

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Thank you to DealMaker for sponsoring this episode. 💚 

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⌛TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction3:12 Journey to Satgana 7:54 Climate Realities in Kenya 9:56 Africa’s Venture Capital Landscape 18:14 Leveraging Africa’s Unique Strengths 21:32 Rethinking VC: A New Playbook 27:41 Why Bottom-Up Investments Work in Africa 32:04 Not Investing in Africa Is the Bigger Risk 34:24 Rapid Fire Round

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📚 STARTUPS AND FUNDS

Revivo - Refurbished electronics marketplace in Kenya

Kubik - Turning hard-to-recycle plastics into low-carbon building materials

Sirona - Direct air capture startup utilizing Kenya’s geothermal energy

Satgana - Climate and frontier market-focused VC fund

Grounded Investment Company - Fund innovating in agri-value chains

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💚 LEAVE A REVIEW

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

Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR



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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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