VCo2 | The Climate Investing Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

***

This week, we’re joined by Romain Vidal, co-founder of Teampact Ventures, a VC firm leveraging high-performance methodologies from professional sports to support climate and health startups.

In this episode, we cover:

* Why startups should learn from sports teams, not from corporates

* How delayed gratification and resilience create long-term success

* The mindset of elite athletes that founders should adopt

* The importance of team culture in driving performance

* … and more!

***

⌛TIMESTAMPS

* 00:00 - Introduction

* 01:34 - The Philosophy Behind Teampact Ventures

* 06:04 - The Importance of the Mission and Values

* 07:50 - Lessons from Elite Athletes for Startups

* 13:54 - Building Disciplines and Resilience in Startups

* 16:24 - Individual vs. Collective Performance in Startups

* 23:08 - Common Challenges For Startups

* 24:48 - Peak Performance and Startups Readiness

* 26:32 - The Value of Teamwork in Individual Sports

* 29:02 - You Need to Collaborate with Your Ecosystem

* 31:11 - The Role of Team Culture in Startups

* 34:30 - Diversity in Investor Profiles

* 39:08 - Athletes x Investors

* 41:16 - The World Needs Better Role Models

* 43:37 - Fire Questions

***

▶️ CONNECT WITH ROMAIN

* Romain Vidal – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidalromain/

* Teampact Ventures - https://www.teampact.ventures/

***

🔗 CONNECT WITH ME

* Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/

* LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/

* Email - climateventuresvco2@substack.com

* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch

***

📚 REFERENCES AND MENTIONS

* Delayed gratification (Stanford marshmallow experiment)

* Sports team models (All Blacks, Spurs, French handball team)

* Nikola Karabatic (Handball)

* Raphaël Varane (Football)

***

🎙️PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE

* Tina Dreimann on Community Investing in Climate Tech (better ventures)

* Yair Reem on The Death of The Green Premium (Extantia)

***

💚 LEAVE A REVIEW

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

* Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

***

This week, we’re joined by Yair Reem, Partner at Extantia Capital, to break down why the green premium is dead, and what’s next for climate-tech startups.

In this episode, we explore:

* The death of the green premium & rise of the green discount

* How climate startups should price & pitch their solutions

* What VCs really look for in climate investments

* The future of climate tech & the biggest investment opportunities

* … and more!

***

⌛TIMESTAMPS

* 00:00 – Introduction

* 02:15 – What is the green premium, and why did it fail?

* 06:42 – Why customers won’t pay more for green solutions

* 11:30 – The rise of the green discount & new pricing strategies

* 17:05 – Why startups must focus on industry problems, not sustainability

* 28:45 – Case study: How Magnotherm found the right value proposition

* 35:00 – The biggest investment opportunities in climate tech today

* 42:15 – AI’s role in climate startups & competitive pricing

* 48:10 – Rapid-fire questions

* 54:20 – Final thoughts

***

▶️ CONNECT WITH YAIR

* Yair Reem – https://www.linkedin.com/in/yairreem/

* Extantia Capital - https://www.extantia.com/

***

🔗 CONNECT WITH ME

* Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/

* LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/

* Email - climateventuresvco2@substack.com

* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch

***

📚 REFERENCES AND MENTIONS

* Extantia Capital – Climate VC firm

* Magnotherm – Reinventing refrigeration

* Vamo – Heat pump company focusing on cost efficiency

* Northvolt – European battery manufacturer

***

🎙️PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE

* Dr Benedikt Buchspies - How to Use LCAs for VC Investments (Planet A)

* Tina Dreimann on Community Investing in Climate Tech (better ventures)

* Tim Schumacher on selling to climate deniers (World Fund)

***

💚 LEAVE A REVIEW

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

* Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

***

Thomas Bajas, a VC at Founders Future, joins the podcast to discuss the energy market and how startups are trying to disrupt it.

In our conversation, we explore:

* The role of energy in modern economies and its link to climate change.

* Innovations driving renewable energy, electrification, and smart grid technologies.

* How to decarbonize energy and how we need to rethink the grid

* Challenges for energy startups, from funding gaps to regulatory hurdles.

* Venture capital’s role in driving innovation within the energy sector.

***

TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 05:52 The Role of the Grid08:22 Decarbonizing the Energy Mix09:13 Energy Efficiency and Smart Grids19:59 The Future of Energy Startups41:57 Venture Capital in Energy48:40 Final Thoughts and Predictions

***

REFERENCED• Vaclav Smil's "How the World Really Works"• First of a Kind (FOAK) Infrastructure• Green Premium Concept• Transmission System Operators (TSOs)• Distribution System Operators (DSOs)• Behind the Meter• Front of the Meter• V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) and V2H (Vehicle-to-Home)• Startups: Plexigrid, Ampere Cloud, Plug

***

GUEST▶️ Thomas Bajas - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-bajas/

***

If you’re new here, I'm Hugo Rauch, the founder of VCo2 media and an aspiring climate tech VC who shares insights, interviews, and research about venture capital and climate tech. I aim to help you become a better climate-tech entrepreneur and smarter impact investor.

***

CONNECT WITH ME ▶️ Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com🔗 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/📧 Email - climateventuresvco2@substack.com🔴 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch

***

PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVECarbon Removal 101 with Lisa Mangertseder (Carbon Removal Partners)Dan Bowyer on Climate Tech, Efficiency, and Sustainable Innovation

***

LEAVE A REVIEW 💜 Apple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcg 🟢 Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR

***

SUPPORT 💻 Logo and brand design - Alexander Villinsky📹 Logo animation and transitions - Timothe Lucas

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

***

Dan Bowyer, a partner at SuperSeed VC, a £50M UK fund investing in startups transforming the way the world works, joins the podcast to challenge conventional definitions of impact and climate tech.

In our conversation, we explore:

* The definition of impact and climate-tech

* Doing more with less as a way to save the planet

* How to transform industries through productivity and efficiency

* Why B2B Startups can drive meaningful climate impact

* The role of venture capital in creating scalable, sustainable change

* Aligning economic and environmental goals in startup ecosystems

* AI’s potential to revolutionize climate innovation

***

TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Dan Bowyer and SuperSeed VC01:26 Dan's Investment Philosophy and Impact Definition02:46 Exploring Climate Tech and Impact05:45 Efficiency and Productivity in Business12:31 Examples of Impactful Investments26:05 The Role of Venture Capital in Climate Tech30:41 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

***

REFERENCED• ThingTrax• Messium• AI Build• Maslow’s hierarchy of needs• Impact Reporting (sfdr 9)• GenCast by DeepMind• PACT.VC

***

GUEST▶️ Dan Bowyer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbowyer

***

If you’re new here, I'm Hugo Rauch, the founder of VCo2 media and an aspiring climate tech VC who shares insights, interviews, and research about venture capital and climate tech. My goal is to help you become a better climate-tech entrepreneur and smarter impact investor.

CONNECT WITH ME ▶️ Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com🔗 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/📧 Email - climateventuresvco2@substack.com🔴 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch

***

🏁 PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVECarbon Removal 101 with Lisa Mangertseder (Carbon Removal Partners)Jacqueline Van Den Ende (Carbon Equity)

LEAVE A REVIEW 💜 Apple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcg 🟢 Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR

***

SUPPORT 💻 Logo and brand design - Alexander Villinsky📹 Logo animation and transitions - Timothe Lucas

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

***

Lisa Mangertseder, a venture capital associate at Carbon Removal Partners, joins the podcast to explore the critical role of carbon removal in combating climate change. Carbon Removal Partners has invested in 15+ startups including Climeworks, Carbonfuture, and Heirloom.

In our conversation, we discuss:

* The carbon removal methods: from nature-based to high-tech solutions

* Measuring and verifying carbon removal effectively

* Business models and the evolving role of buyers

* The importance of venture capital in scaling carbon removal technologies

* Challenges of achieving scalability and affordability

* The significance of compliance markets in driving adoption

* The future of carbon removal as a cornerstone for net-zero goals

***

TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Understanding CO2 and Its Impact 04:34 The Rise of the Carbon Market 09:16 Carbon Removal Technologies Explained 18:53 Direct Air Capture: The High-Tech Solution 21:25 Business Models in Carbon Removal 22:16 Understanding Carbon Removal Credits 22:50 Key Players in the Carbon Removal Industry 23:21 Revenue Streams for Carbon Removal Companies 24:44 Buyers of Carbon Credits 26:05 Challenges in Carbon Removal 27:43 The Importance of Permanent Carbon Removal 30:14 Scalability and Affordability 37:27 The Role of Venture Capital43:15 Advice for Entrepreneurs and Investors 45:39 Future Milestones in Carbon Removal 46:51 Conclusion and Summary

***

REFERENCED• Kyoto Protocol (1997)• Paris Agreement (2015)• Technological Readiness Level (TRL)• CDR.fyi• IPCC Standards• Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement• Carbon Removal Resources Database

***

GUEST▶️ Lisa Mangertseder - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-mangertseder

***

If you’re new here, I'm Hugo Rauch, the founder of VCo2 media and an aspiring climate tech VC who shares insights, interviews, and research about venture capital and climate tech. My goal is to help you become a better climate-tech entrepreneur and smarter impact investor.

CONNECT WITH ME ▶️ Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com🔗 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/📧 Email - climateventuresvco2@substack.com🔴 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch

***

🏁 PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVEJacqueline Van Den Ende (Carbon Equity)

LEAVE A REVIEW 💜 Apple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcg 🟢 Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR

***

SUPPORT 💻 Logo and brand design - Alexander Villinsky📹 Logo animation and transitions - Timothe Lucas

Welcome to VCo2, a podcast for people interested in building, investing, and supporting impact startups. My goal is to help you become a smarter climate-tech entrepreneur and better impact investor.

***

I'm Hugo Rauch, the founder of VCo2, a media about climate tech and venture capital. I'm an aspiring climate tech VC who shares insights, interviews, and research to help climate tech founders and investors.

***

TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The Climate Crisis: A Tipping Point 00:21 The Role of Venture Capital in Climate Tech 00:33 Meet Hugo Rauch and VCo2 Media 00:48 What to Expect from VCo2 Media 01:16 Join the Journey Towards Sustainability

***

CONNECT WITH ME ▶️ Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com🔗 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/📧 Email - climateventuresvco2@substack.com🔴 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch

***

🏁 PAST EPISODES https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/p/mobilizing-millions-of-people-to-c74

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts https://shorturl.at/HIDcg

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify https://shorturl.at/yDTfR

***

SUPPORT 💻 Logo and brand design Alexander Villinsky📹 Logo animation and transitions Timothe Lucas

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

***

This week, we’re joined by Tina Dreimann (thank you, Tim Schumacher, for the introduction), founder and General Partner of better ventures. Instead of following a traditional VC model, better ventures operates as a community of entrepreneurs investing in and supporting the next generation of impact-driven founders.

In this episode, we explore:

* Why community investing could outperform traditional VC

* The formula: Community + Tech = Impact + Returns

* The biggest challenges for impact entrepreneurs today

* Why climate is just one piece - biodiversity, water, and soil are just as urgent

* How tech and AI help scale early-stage investing

* …and much more!

***

⌛TIMESTAMPS

* 00:00 – Introduction

* 03:45 – Better Ventures: The Origin Story

* 07:30 – The Biggest Global Risks & Where to Invest

* 12:10 – How Better Ventures Finds & Selects Startups

* 17:40 – Smart Capital: What Founders Need from Investors

* 22:50 – Why Community Investing Outperforms Traditional VC

* 27:15 – The Role of Tech & AI in Investment Decisions

* 32:40 – The Future of Impact Investing & VC Evolution

* 38:25 – Challenges in Partnering with Large Corporations

* 42:10 – Fire Questions

* 49:00 – Final Takeaways & Closing Thoughts

***

▶️ CONNECT WITH TINA

* Tina Dreimann – https://shorturl.at/ndhKS

* better ventures - https://www.betterventures.io/

***

🔗 CONNECT WITH ME

* Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/

* LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/

* Email - climateventuresvco2@substack.com

* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch

***

📚 REFERENCES AND MENTIONS

* Ocell (AI-driven forestry & carbon credit trading)

* Everdrop (Eco-friendly consumer goods, plastic-free cleaning products)

* Oxyle (Water filtration for PFAS & microplastics)

* Planetary Boundaries Framework

* World Economic Forum Global Risk Report

* En-ROADS Model by MIT

***

🎙️PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE

* Dr Benedikt Buchspies - How to Use LCAs for VC Investments (Planet A)

* Heidi Lindvall on Impact Assessments (Pale Blue Dot)

* Tim Schumacher on selling to climate deniers (World Fund)

***

💚 LEAVE A REVIEW

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

* Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

***

This week, we’re joined by Dr. Benedikt Buchspies, a scientist at Planet A Ventures, one of Europe's leading climate-tech VC funds. Benedikt has been pioneering the use of lifecycle assessments (LCAs) in venture capital for years and is showing that science + VC = impact.

In this episode, we cover:

* What an LCA is and how it measures climate impact

* Why most VCs ignore environmental data (and why they shouldn’t)

* How impact and financial returns align in early-stage startups

* The challenges of modeling long-term systemic impact

* What VCs should do to implement LCAs in their funds

* And much more..

👉 If you’re an impact investor, this is a must-listen episode.

***

⌛TIMESTAMPS

* 00:00 Introduction and the Journey from Science to VC

* 05:30 Understanding Impact Assessment in Venture Capital

* 10:20 Quantifying Environmental Impact and Systemic Change

* 15:10 Correlation Between Financial and Environmental Performance

* 20:02 Guiding Investment Thesis with Impact Assessments

* 24:15 Integrating Sustainability into Investment Processes

* 32:36 Pros and Cons of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

* 38:05 Implementing LCA in Investment Firms

* 40:23 Fire Questions and Conclusion

***

▶️ CONNECT WITH BENEDIKT

* Dr. Benedikt Buchspies – https://shorturl.at/f40rA

***

🔗 CONNECT WITH ME

* Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/

* LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/

* Email - climateventuresvco2@substack.com

* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch

***

📚 REFERENCES AND MENTIONS

* LCA - A scientific method for measuring environmental impact

* Emissions scopes – Different levels of carbon accounting for companies

* Monte Carlo Simulation – A technique for modeling uncertainty

* Systemic Impact Modeling – Assessing the broader effects of a startup

* SFDR & EU Taxonomy – Sustainability regulations that apply to impact VCs

* Scenario Analysis – A way to estimate how different variables affect an LCA result

***

🎙️PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE

* Heidi Lindvall on Impact Assessments (Pale Blue Dot)

* Tim Schumacher on selling to climate deniers (World Fund)

***

💚 LEAVE A REVIEW

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

* Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

***

While traditional VC prioritizes financial returns, makesense invest is proving that social and environmental impact can be at the core of investing, without sacrificing performance. Marion Schuppe, an Investment Director at makesense Invest, joins the podcast to discuss their unique model that integrates a VC fund inside a non-profit.

In this episode, we cover:

* How makesense balances nonprofit with venture capital

* Raising a first-time impact fund: lessons from securing LP commitments

* Why their team takes zero carried interest, and where it goes instead

* The reality of recruiting top talent without traditional VC compensation

* How to measure success beyond financial returns

* And much more..

***

⌛TIMESTAMPS

* 00:00 – Introduction:

* 02:23 Understanding Venture Capital

* 05:34 Make Sense: Mission and Model

* 09:08 Investment Strategy and Impact

* 16:02 Challenges and Innovations in Impact Investing

* 23:07 Raising and Structuring Impact Funds

* 31:10 Investment Process and Criteria

* 41:14 Future of Make Sense Invest

* 45:44 Fire Questions and Closing Remarks

***

▶️ CONNECT WITH MARION

* Marion Schuppe - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marion-schuppe-50b35345/

***

🔗 CONNECT WITH ME

* Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/

* LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/

* Email - climateventuresvco2@substack.com

* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch

***

📚 REFERENCES AND MENTIONS

* maksense – a nonprofit and impact ecosystem

* European Investment Fund (EIF) – LP backing makesense invest

* BNP Paribas – LP in makesense invest

* Serena Capital – co-managed a €90M impact fund with makesense invest

* Social & Solidarity Economy – Business models prioritizing impact over profit

* France’s Banque des Territoires – Institutional LP supporting impact VC

***

🎙️PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE

* Heidi Lindvall on Impact Assessments (Pale Blue Dot)

* Eric Gossart on Impact VCs vs Traditional VCs (Racine2)

* August Solliv on cleantech 1.0 lessons (Impact Supporters)

* Tim Schumacher on selling to climate deniers (World Fund)

***

💚 LEAVE A REVIEW

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

* Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

***

Raphaele Leyendecker, a Managing Director at Techstars Sustainability Paris, where she has invested in 70+ climate tech startups, joins the podcast to discuss early-stage impact assessment and the french ecosystem as it compares to the global landscape.

In this episode, we discuss:

* Why early-stage impact assessment is often a myth

* The biggest challenge for climate startups in France

* How investors should really measure impact

* The role of technological readiness levels (TRLs) in deep tech investing

* How France’s climate tech ecosystem compares to the US and Nordics

* Why founders should focus on revenue before certifications

* And more...

***

TIMESTAMPS

* 00:00 – Introduction:

* 01:14 – Why Impact Assessment is Overrated for Early-Stage Startups

* 04:45 – Defining Impact Metrics That Matter

* 07:32 – Revenue vs. Impact: What Should Startups Prioritize?

* 12:10 – Tools & Frameworks for Impact Investors

* 18:25 – The Role of TRLs in Deep Tech & Hard Tech Startups

* 22:40 – The Strengths & Weaknesses of the French Climate Tech Ecosystem

* 30:15 – Why France is Slow to Scale Climate Innovation

* 35:50 – Comparing France to the US, Nordics & Germany

* 40:10 – Rapid-Fire Q&A: Advice for Founders & Investors

* 48:00 – Closing Thoughts

***

CONNECT WITH RAPHAELE

▶️ Raphaele Leyendecker - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaeleleyendecker

***

CONNECT WITH ME

▶️ Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/

🔗 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/

📧 Email - climateventuresvco2@substack.com

🔴 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch

***

INVESTORS MENTIONED

* Citizen Capital

* Wind Capital

* Racine2

* Techstars Sustainability

* Bpifrance GreenTech

* Pale Blue Dot

* Planet A Ventures

* World Fund

* Revaia

* ETF Partners

* 2150 VC

* Norsken VC

ASSESSMENT TOOLS AND FRAMEWORKS

* CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive)

* SFDR Article 8 & 9 (EU impact fund classification)

* Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)

* SDGs (UN Sustainable Development Goals)

* Scope 1, 2, 3 emissions tracking

* Impact Business Model (Dutch framework)

* Mouvement Impact France (French tool)

STARTUPS MENTIONED

* Kumulus

* Miners AI

* NDB Technologies

* BiB Batteries

* Pelikan Mobility

* CarbonBright

* SustainSoft

BOOKS MENTIONED

* Ralentir ou Périr by Timothée Parrique

***

PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE

* Heidi Lindvall on Impact Assessments (Pale Blue Dot)

* Eric Gossart on Impact VCs vs Traditional VCs (Racine2)

* August Solliv on cleantech 1.0 lessons (Impact Supporters)

* Tim Schumacher on selling to climate deniers (World Fund)

***

LEAVE A REVIEW

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

🟢 Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR