Why I Left Banking for Climate Innovation: Deanna Zhang

Why I Left Banking for Climate Innovation: Deanna Zhang

Author: collide. October 10, 2024 Duration: 55:33

Jeremy sits down with Deanna Zhang, CEO of V1 Climate Solutions, to talk about her jump from banking into the fast-moving world of climate tech. Deanna shares how her Houston roots and Yale background shaped her view on global energy challenges, the “missing middle” in funding for early-stage hard tech, and how AI and industrial innovation are helping bridge that gap as the energy landscape continues to evolve.


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Click here to view the episode transcript.

00:00 - Intro
00:53 - Who is Deanna Zhang
03:41 - Growing up in Houston
08:53 - Attending Yale University
12:52 - College Experience
18:38 - First Job After College
23:13 - Working for TPH During COVID
27:00 - TPH Energy Tech Practice Overview
30:05 - Starting EnergyTech Ventures
35:30 - B1 Climate Solutions Introduction
38:00 - What B1 Climate Solutions Does
39:10 - Acquiring Business Clients
40:50 - Current Market Trends
46:00 - Advice to Younger Self
49:20 - Personal Insights
53:34 - Where to Find Deanna Zhang

https://twitter.com/collide_io

https://www.tiktok.com/@collide.io

https://www.facebook.com/collide.io

https://www.instagram.com/collide.io

https://www.youtube.com/@collide_io

https://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.social

https://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters


Jeremy Funk hosts What The Funk?, a podcast that moves past the standard industry headlines to find the human pulse of the oil and gas sector. This isn't about market forecasts or technical jargon, but the lived experiences of the people who make this complex world turn. Each conversation delves into personal journeys, the unexpected challenges faced on and off the rig, and the distinct personalities that shape this global industry. You'll hear from engineers, field operators, executives, and innovators as they share stories of problem-solving, career pivots, and the realities of working in a field that powers modern life. Produced by collide., these discussions explore the intersection of business and personal career paths in a way that's rarely highlighted. Tune in for candid, often surprising narratives that reveal the resilience, humor, and ambition driving one of the world's most critical industries. This podcast connects listeners to the voices behind the pipelines, offering a genuine look at the careers and characters defining energy today.
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