Climate CEOs: Scaling Startups

Scaling carbon removal through existing supply chains, community-aligned infrastructure, and signing up JPMorgan in the process.–Barclay Rogers is the founder and CEO of Graphyte, focused on low-cost, permanent carbon removal using biomass burial. Graphyte converts agricultural waste into dense carbon blocks and stores them underground, targeting sub-$100/ton durable carbon removal with high scalability.They’re backed by leading climate investors such as Prelude Ventures, Carbon Direct Capital, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and Overture.Here’s what we discussed:Focus on execution, not recognition – Barclay said Graphyte does not chase awards; they focus on building a good business and “the scoreboard takes care of itself.” In his framing, recognition follows disciplined execution, not the other way around.Use existing systems instead of reinventing everything – Graphyte’s model borrows from agriculture, timber, mining, and landfill engineering rather than trying to invent an entirely new stack from scratch. For CEOs, that is a reminder that practical innovation often comes from recombining proven systems.Build where supply chains already exist – A key part of the company’s logic is plugging into waste biomass streams that already exist at scale, rather than creating a brand-new supply chain. That lowers cost, complexity, and time to scale.Community alignment is a strategic advantage – Their approach of turning old quarries into parks or other public-benefit assets is not just goodwill; it helps create local support and makes projects easier to advance. CEOs should hear this as: stakeholder trust can be part of the operating model.Your unique background can become a moat – Barclay’s mix of engineering and legal experience clearly shaped the company’s design, including permanence and land-use strategy. His point was that category-defining companies often come from founders combining multiple strengths, not just going deep in one lane.Start with what works now, not only with what sounds futuristic – He made a strong case that many carbon removal solutions delivering today are biomass-based, even if more attention goes to flashier technologies. For CEOs, the broader lesson is to distinguish between what is compelling in theory and what is actually delivering in the market.Stress management is leadership infrastructure – Barclay’s routine — exercise, cold plunge, family time, meditation, and delaying phone use — reflects a serious view that managing pressure is part of the CEO job. His message was clear: as responsibility grows, personal systems matter more, not less.--Join our confidential communityPrivate CEO group for VC/PE-backed climate tech founders navigating capital, strategy, and scale. Capped at 45 CEOs. → entrepreneursforimpact.comNewsletter2-min read. Climate tech finance, strategy, leadership. → entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a podcast reviewIf you got value, take 30 seconds and do the community a favor. It helps push more capital and talent toward scalable climate solutions.

Hard Choices: One decision. Why it matters. So what?Do you want to work on your idea? Or the best idea in the room?Founders are paid to have conviction. The risk is confusing conviction with correctness.------------Join EFI's CEO group — The private room for climate CEOs making nine-figure decisions Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow: a confidential peer community for VC- and private equity-backed CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. Capped at 50 CEOs and 50 investor mentors, representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet my 3-minute newsletter: Climate CEOsFor climate CEOs: 3 decisions each week in climate finance, strategy tools, and mindful leadership — based on work with 300+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a podcast review to help others discover these guests.I don't take any sponsors, so this 30-second favor really helps lot. We need millions more people to get to work on profitable climate solutions. Thanks in advance!👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the host: Dr. Chris WeddingClimate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, follow daily posts on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

MIT PhD tech to mine lithium in low-concentration domestic reserves without chemical reagents or excess water use🎧 Episode SummaryLithios is an advanced materials company developing a high-performance electrochemical platform to unlock untapped lithium brine resources, especially those previously considered uneconomic due to low concentrations.Mo earned his PhD at MIT and then became an Activate Fellow to transition from academic to entrepreneur. You’ll appreciate his strong focus on family and community, and his dual love of weightlifting and kittens. (Not related)In this podcast, you’ll learn about the following:Innovative Extraction: Lithios' technology processes brines with as low as 10 ppm lithium, redefining economic viability in resource extraction.Strategic Alignment: By focusing on US projects, Lithios supports national lithium independence and aligns with systemic priorities to enhance credibility.Supply Chain Efficiency: Lithios' method cuts costs by up to 40% and minimizes environmental impact, transforming global lithium supply dynamics.Patience in Sales: With long development cycles, Lithios balances immediate equipment sales with future royalties, emphasizing strategic patience.Entrepreneurial Mindset: Transitioning from academia, Lithios' founder leverages community support and embraces discomfort for real-world impact.Community Support: Consistent routines, such as weightlifting, provide grounding for Lithios' leadership amid technological uncertainties.Resource Innovation: Lithios' focus on US lithium supplies ties directly to economic growth and national security, beyond just environmentalism.OK, here we go!-----------Join EFI's CEO group — The private room for climate CEOs making nine-figure decisions Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow: a confidential peer community for VC- and private equity-backed CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. Capped at 50 CEOs and 50 investor mentors, representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet my 3-minute newsletter — Climate CEOsDive into three decisions each week in climate finance, strategy tools, and mindful leadership — based on my work with 300+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comIf you liked this podcast, can you do me a 30-second favor? Leave a podcast review.I don't take any sponsors, so this is my only ask. Writing reviews helps others discover these great podcast guests. We need millions more people to get to work on profitable climate solutions. Thanks in advance!👉 Here are instructions: https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the host: Dr. Chris WeddingClimate tech CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, follow frequent posts on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Investor lessons from working at three billion-dollar companies and mentoring 200+ founders.🎧 Episode SummaryTom Chi, Founding Partner of At One Ventures, is also the author of a new book: Climate Capital: Investing in the Tools for a Regenerative Future. It includes insights on:Possibilities for our collective future using science and hard evidence, avoiding the extremes of unbridled optimism or complete doom and gloomThe 4Cs (critical thinking, compassion, climate, and community) as a framework to design a sustainable, non-harmful approach to our global economyUsing nature, the best-designed system out there, instead of economic pseudoscience, as a guide to move beyond fear for our future to a place of empowerment for individuals and communities alikeAt One Ventures focuses on investing in breakthrough technologies that enable environmentally regenerative outcomes. They lead or co-lead seed and Series A investments with average company valuation around $20M.Previously, Tom held senior product and leadership roles at Microsoft, Yahoo, and Google. At Google, he was a founding member of Google X, contributing to projects including Google Glass, Waymo, and Project Loon. After leaving Google, Tom worked extensively with entrepreneurs in emerging markets, mentoring 200+ founders and advising or investing in global-impact startups. He later served as a venture partner at Hack VC and an entrepreneur-in-residence at Crosslink Capital, specializing in deep tech diligence and portfolio support.OK, here we go!-----------Join the top climate CEO peer group in North America — Entrepreneurs for Impact (EFI)Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — a confidential peer community for Series A to private equity-backed CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. Capped at 50 CEOs and 50 investor mentors, representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet my 3-minute newsletter — Climate CEOsDive into three decisions each week in climate finance, strategy tools, and mindful leadership — based on my work with 300+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comIf you liked this podcast, can you do me a 30-second favor? Leave a podcast review.I don't take any sponsors, so this is my only ask. Writing reviews helps others discover these great podcast guests. We need millions more people to get to work on profitable climate solutions. Thanks in advance!👉 Here are instructions: https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the host: Dr. Chris WeddingClimate tech CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, follow frequent posts on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

How micro power plants at homes are reducing electricity costs and removing power utility bottlenecks.🎧 Episode SummaryHaven Energy is an energy tech company that deploys distributed energy resources at residential and small C&I sites to build virtual power plants (VPPs) at scale. Through strategic partnerships with utilities, non-profits, EPCs, and government agencies, Haven is helping to lead the rebuild of America’s grid infrastructure.Prior to founding Haven, CEO Vinnie Campo served as a key leader at Bulb Energy, where he was part of the founding team that launched the U.S. arm of the then-largest renewable energy supplier in the U.K. Before that, Vinnie led growth and operations at Uber and launched their e-bike division in Texas. His experience spans strategic operations and product growth, with a consistent emphasis on scaling products and services and on building a vision customers can believe in.In this podcast, you'll learn about:How they raised $40M in December 2025 in a tough capital-raising environmentHow Hurricane Katrina inspired Vinnie to launch this company based on personal experienceHow their residential customers determine the return on investment for these residential installsWhy backup-as-a-service is key to their model succeedingHow many states have utilities where this VPP model is attractiveHow do you reduce friction for customers to get the biggest bang for their buck in residential batteriesWhy it's good not to make annual plans and hard things about hard things-----------Join the top climate CEO peer group in North America — Entrepreneurs for Impact (EFI)Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — a confidential peer community for Series A to private equity-backed CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. Capped at 100 CEOs and investor mentors, representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet my 3-minute newsletter — Climate CEOsDive into three decisions each week in climate finance, strategy tools, and mindful leadership — based on my work with 300+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comIf you liked this podcast, can you do me a 30-second favor? Leave a podcast review.I don't take any sponsors, so this is my only ask. Writing reviews helps others discover these great podcast guests. We need millions more people to get to work on profitable climate solutions. Thanks in advance!👉 Here are instructions: https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the host: Dr. Chris WeddingClimate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, follow frequent posts on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

The leading provider of wildfire and extreme weather risk mitigation solutions protecting communities and assets for utilities, insurance, and fire agencies🎧 Episode SummaryTechnosylva provides advanced AI and predictive modeling solutions to reduce wildfire and extreme weather risks for leading utilities, fire agencies, and insurers worldwide. Backed by pirate equity capital and generating over $100M of revenue, they’re meeting mission critical needs around the country.CEO Bryan Spear shapes and drives Technosylva’s global efforts to reduce wildfire and extreme weather risk through powerful, science-backed tools. Bryan focuses on long-term vision and near-term execution — building a world-class team, cultivating strategic partnerships, and ensuring Technosylva remains at the forefront of wildfire resilience innovation.Bryan brings a background in scaling innovative companies and solving complex problems through collaboration. He’s built global partnerships and led cross-disciplinary teams in industries where public safety, infrastructure, and technology intersect. Bryan believes a strong company culture is the foundation for extraordinary results — and it’s that shared ethos of passion and humility that drives Technosylva’s real-world, life-saving impact.-----------Join the top climate CEO peer group in North America.Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — a confidential peer community for Series A to private equity-backed CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. Capped at 100 CEOs and investor mentors, representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet my 3-minute newsletter: Climate CEOsFor climate CEOs: 3 decisions each week in climate finance, strategy tools, and mindful leadership — based on work with 300+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a podcast review to help others discover these guests.I don't take any sponsors, so this 30-second favor really helps lot. We need millions more people to get to work on profitable climate solutions. Thanks in advance!👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the host: Dr. Chris WeddingClimate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, follow daily posts on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

VC backing for the world's most compact, modular, and cost-effective electric powertrains without rare earth minerals risk🎧 Episode SummaryConifer has created the only rare-earth free electric motor and powertrain that is also better across power density, efficiency and cost metrics, compared to incumbents with rare-earths. Conifer’s in-wheel powertrains and NEMA compatible motors are designed to fuel the fast growing $200B electric mobility, agriculture, and industrial markets. They raised a $20M seed round last year, which is a good sign in a tough market for hardtech startups.Ankit Somani, CEO and Co-founder of Conifer, and a repeat entrepreneur and has raised $80M+ across his startups. Prior to Conifer, Ankit co-founded AllyO, an enterprise AI agent that served Fortune 500 companies like Walmart and Amazon. Following its acquisition by HireVue, he served as HireVue's Chief Product Officer. Previously, he was a part of Google’s Data Center R&D and Electrification teams, creating products that serve all of Google infrastructure.-----------Join the top climate CEO peer group in North America.Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — a confidential peer community for Series A to private equity-backed CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. Capped at 100 CEOs and investor mentors, representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet my 3-minute newsletter: Climate CEOsFor climate CEOs: 3 decisions each week in climate finance, strategy tools, and mindful leadership — based on work with 300+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a podcast review to help others discover these guests.I don't take any sponsors, so this 30-second favor really helps lot. We need millions more people to get to work on profitable climate solutions. Thanks in advance!👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the host: Dr. Chris WeddingClimate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, follow daily posts on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding