Sky NRG is revolutionizing aviation with sustainable fuel to tackle climate change and decarbonize the skies.

In this episode, Philippe Lacamp, CEO of SkyNRG, delves into the challenges and opportunities of transforming the aviation industry through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

He shares the incredible journey of SkyNRG, from its early efforts to create demand for SAF to its role in building a global infrastructure for cleaner aviation. Learn how waste oils, fats, and emerging technologies like power-to-liquid are powering green jet fuel and decreasing plane emissions.

All you need to know about Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – Philippe breaks down the complexities of scaling SAF production, from navigating feedstock limitations to collaborating with governments and corporations on ambitious mandates and incentives. 

Hear about Sky NRG’s groundbreaking projects in the Netherlands, US, and Nordics, and how they are leading the charge in meeting global decarbonization targets.

--

 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! 

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? 

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. 

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. 

Tune in on…

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

00:35 Journey into sustainable aviation

02:58 Early efforts to promote SAF

04:26 Challenges in decarbonizing aviation emissions

06:48 Sky NRG’s role in SAF development.

09:10 What makes SAF different from fossil fuels

09:46 Feedstock use for SAF production

13:13 Alcohol-to-jet and power-to-liquid processes

15:16 Comparing SAF mandates in Europe and US

18:39 Cost challenges of sustainable aviation fuels

22:26 Scaling SAF production and infrastructure

23:46 Sky NRG’s new facilities and projects

27:35 Importance of partnerships in SAF industry

29:29 Scaling production as the biggest challenge

33:02 Sky NRG’s growth and talent recruitment

Useful links: 

SkyNRG’s website: https://skynrg.com/ 

SkyNRG’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skynrg/ 

Philippe Lacamp’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippe-lacamp-2087a11/ 

Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/ 

Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

Is nuclear energy a dinosaur from the past? Ed McGinnis talks about exciting new nuclear energy innovations that are leading the path for clean energy transition, as well as solving nuclear waste issues.

The CEO of Curio shares his unique journey from working in high-level government nuclear policy to leading Curio, a fascinating company transforming clean nuclear energy. 

He explains how Curio’s new recycling technology can drastically reduce nuclear waste and make the most of the energy from fuel. This innovation could help nuclear energy become a key player in the global clean energy transition. 

Ed also talks about the challenges of public opinion and regulations, and how Curio’s approach could change the future of clean nuclear power.

Ready to uncover if nuclear is the green energy of the future? Tune into the podcast to find out more!

--

 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! 

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? 

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. 

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. 

Tune in on…

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

00:00 Introduction to Ed McGinnis & Curio

01:23 Ed's Career Highlights in Nuclear Energy

03:33 Transitioning from Government to CEO of Curio

09:53 Current State of Nuclear Energy in the U.S.

17:33 The Explanation of Nuclear Waste Problem

23:47 Curio’s Revolutionary Recycling Process

29:24 How Curio’s Technology Fits into the Nuclear Industry

35:33 Biggest Challenges Facing Nuclear Recycling

39:38 Impact of Scaling Nuclear Recycling on Clean Energy

44:32 Curio’s Vision for the Future of Nuclear Energy

Useful links: 

Curio LV’s website: https://curio.energy/ 

Curio LV’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/curiolv/ 

Edward McGinnis’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-mcginnis-05121813/ 

Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/

Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/ 

CEO Rory Brown explains how Airhive are using CO2 capture technology to reduce the carbon footprints of major brands like Coca-Cola.

The UK-based green tech company is revolutionizing the world of direct air capture. Airhive has developed a cutting-edge fluidized bed system that can efficiently removes CO2 from air on an industrial scale.
 
🥤But the story doesn't stop there. Airhive has forged a groundbreaking partnership with global beverage giant Coca-Cola, using its carbon capture technology to carbonate drinks. This innovative approach not only reduces the company's carbon footprint but also provides a sustainable, recycled source of the gas essential for their fizzy beverages.
 
Hear Rory's inspiring journey, from his background in conflict resolution to his passion for tackling climate change through the removal of carbon dioxide from atmosphere. Learn how his carbon capture company is scaling up its operations, exploring international markets, and navigating the challenges of building a pioneering carbon removal startup. 

This episode offers a captivating glimpse into the future of carbon removal technology and its potential to transform industries and combat global warming.

🎧 Make sure to catch this episode if you’re excited as we are about the development of direct air capture technology!

--

🌿 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! 

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? 

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. 

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up, their journey and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. 

Tune in on…

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:34 Rory Brown’s career path
03:57 From conflict resolution to climate advocacy
07:13 Founding Airhive
09:40 Building a team of chemical engineers
11:55 Direct carbon capture technology
17:12 Innovation in CO2 capture technology
20:49 Carbon catcher development
23:20 Vision and key milestones
26:38 Scaling and international expansion
30:05 Carbon credits
31:59 Partnering with Coca-Cola
36:18 Innovation, investment, and leadership

Useful links: 👇
Airhive’s website: https://www.airhive.earth/
Airhive’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airhive/
Rory Brown’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-brown-621b975/

Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/
Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

In todays episode I am joined by Jim Flatt, CEO and Co-founder of Brightseed, a company with a revolutionary science and technology platform, enabling the discovery and commercialization of novel plant compounds that support health and nutrition.
Jim talks about the influence growing up in San Francisco and his early love of computer science. He talks about the importance and influence of his key mentors, who inspired him with power and promise of systems and synthetic biology. Jim outlines some of the key discoveries he  has  commercialized and the impact these discoveries have had within human health.  He touches upon why he co-founded Brightseed, and the global health issues he is hoping to solve. He explains about the relationship with his two cofounders, and gives insights into the qualities that underpin work and partnership. He speaks about the building of there artificial Intelligence discovery engine, and about the journey from discovery to commercialization, highlighting some of their work with key partners.  He speaks about his vision for the company, and his personal learning journey, as well as his preference for working within start-up environments.

In todays episode I am joined by serial entrepreneur Alan Hahn, CEO of Mycotechnology, an innovative food ingredients company leveraging the power of mushroom technology to bring about a new generation of sustainable, great tasting and healthy food ingredients.
Alan talks about his love of science and experimentation and how he was heavily influenced  by his father, who  was textile chemist. 
Alan reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, which involved building a series of successful companies which he led to exits across the technology  and communications industry. He draws some of the parallels to success through his journey.  Following a  diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and a significant lifestyle change, he explains how he came across the Mycotechnology, and what led him to join the organization. He speaks about the mission, vision, and plans for the company, outlining how the technology works, and how they are able to make great tasting and healthy products that offer new alternatives to consumers. He talks about the plans for the future, and offers 3 key snippets of advice to all entrepreneurs. 

In todays episode, I was joined by Pam Marrone, a thought leader in regenerative agriculture and a true entrepreneur having founded 2 pioneering technology companies, one leading to a successful exit and the other to an IPO.

We explore Pam’s early influences, and trace her love of agriculture back to experiences as a young girl helping her parents with organic gardening, and how even over the shelf pesticides caused unnecessary damage to local ecosystems . 

She reflects on the challenges of being a young female finding a job within agriculture, and how she landed her dream job, leading an insect biology group at Monsanto.  She speaks about passion for biological and microbial solutions, and how this category of solutions has evolved over the years, with advanced in sciences and consumer awareness. 

We  discuss her entrepreneurial drive  and the challenges of raising financing back in the 90’s and how she “dialled for dollars”  in a very different investment landscape. compared with today.  Pam speaks about the stigma and  challenges she has faced as a female CEO, and her work mentoring other female leaders. She reflects on leading the company she founded to an IPO, and in dealing with some of the challenges that came her way. 

In todays episode I was joined by Jon McIntyre, CEO of Motif Food Works, a venture backed ingredient innovation company dedicated to reshaping the landscape of food using cutting edge science and technology.

Jon talks about his early influences, his love of food, sport and science. We explore how he moved from the pharma world where he was working with specific metabolic disorders, into the world of health and nutrition, where he was   working with disruptive protein technologies in the  early 90’s.

We explore his opinion on modern day innovation cycles, and the importance of delivering new product concepts into the hands of the customer quickly. We speak about his love of taking innovative technologies and finding addressable markets for them. Jon talks about the difference between working for large and small companies, how his curiosity to keep learning is something has helped him adapt to new environments, positions and challenges. He speaks about his mission and vision for Motif Foodworks, and about creating the holy grail of great tasting plant based foods that can truly compete on taste and texture with their meat counterparts. 

In todays episode I was joined by Philippe Lavielle, Chairman and CEO of
Fermentalg, a French based biotechnology company creating innovative
ingredients and solutions for the health and nutrition industry.

Philippe discusses how he came across opportunities within industrial
biotechnology in the late 80’s, and how this led to him forming and leading a
Joint Venture, utilising novel technologies to improve the sustainability of the
pulp and paper industry. Philippe talks about joining Genencor, in its early
stages, and his role in creating the culture and impacting on the success of a
high growth biotech company over the following 20 years.  Philippe talks about
his excitement and drive in the mission to revolutionize industries, and the
opportunities he has had to commercialize novel technologies for a healthier
world across the industrial biotechnology space.

Philippe talks about transitioning into a venture backed CEO position, and the
differences and challenges of leading a venture backed business in the San
Francisco bay area. He speaks about his transition back to France, and the
opportunities to lead Fermentalg, evolving the company from a research
foundry to an organization focused on commercializing products across the
nutritional lipids space. He talks about the growth and near term plans to
commercialize alternative protein products, as well as their C02 carbon
capture technology and it’s implications for reducing pollution in busy city
centres.

He reflects on leading Fermentalg on a mission to improve both health and
wellness, with regret that his generation has not done more to combat climate
change.

In todays episode I was joined by Patrice Selles, CEO of Biotalys, an innovative
Biotech based out of Ghent, Belgium, developing sustainable novel crop
protection solutions that are better for the planet.

Patrice talks about his early passion for science, and the reasons why he
moved from drug discovery to more industrial applications, and how he was
seduced by the opportunity for innovation and impact within the agricultural
industry at Syngenta. He speaks about how he broadened out his interest and
experience, with a career shaping move to Boston, that gave him much
broader exposure to the challenges and solutions within agriculture, working in
the VC world and establishing Syngenta’s corporate venturing group. He
speaks about the risks, him and his 8 months pregnant wife took moving to
Boston in 2008 at the time of the global financial crisis.

He reflects on the impact development  programmes that he was part of at
Syngenta, that honed his love of collaboration, and allowed him to extend his
network across the agricultural ecosystem. He speaks about the move from
Syngenta to Biotalys; embracing the risk and challenge of leading a company
driven by a really exciting mission to improving the tools for farmers, impacting
right across the food chain.

He speaks about the vision, mission for Biotalys’, and the alternative
sustainable solutions and products it is commercializing. He outlines the
hurdles and challenges that are in front of the company, and the challenges in
moving from a start up to a revenue generating organization, as well as  the
progress to date on their first bio fungicide product. He talks openly about the
challenges he didn’t expect as a first time CEO, and about how the support of
the board has been critical in helping him make this transition successfully.

In todays episode I was joined by Jordi Ferre, CEO of Agrofresh, a US publicly listed mission driven organization deploying cutting edge technology to reduce food waste by extending shelf life for the most common fruits and vegetables we consume. 

Jordi talks about the challenges and unexpected positives of the recent lockdown and how this has enabled him to spend more time with his family, and look to a more balanced future related to international business travel.

Jordi speaks of the great influence his father had on his life and career, how his Catalan upbringing taught him to be respectful of different cultures. He reflects on how going to international school broadened his view of the world and allowed him to flourish living and working in different countries and cultures over the course of his career. 

Jordi talks through his earlier career, and explains his motivations for moving from the CPG world into the B2B ingredients industry, and the levels of complexity within the B2B world. He outlines how important it is for him to connect with a mission and purpose, and outlines the challenges in global food waste and the technologies and solutions that Agrofresh look to solve. Jordi talks about a CEO’s need to build a new culture, following the spin out of Agrofresh, and about the challenges of being a CEO of a publicly listed company. 

In todays episode I was joined by Dexter Paine III, Chairman and Co-founder of Paine Schwartz + Co, a preeminent Private Equity firm investing in sustainable food and Agriculture systems. 

Dexter manages to combine the love of his day job with that of an avid sports and ski enthusiast, serving as chairman of the US Winter Olympics governing body. He talks of his passion for the sport and how he effectively manages these competing time consuming commitments. 

Dexter outlines his career prior to co-founding Paine Schwartz, and the huge influence Jerry Kohlberg (Founder, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.) was on his professional career and how he approaches the Private Equity industry today. He talks about the historical barriers to entry in the food Agriculture markets and how these have changed in recent years. He explores the attraction of the complexity of the food and ag value chain, and the rationale for co-founding the firm with his partner Kevin Schwartz.  He talks about Paine Schwartz’s  approach to deal flow and sustainable investing, as well as the current view on valuations within the marketplace.  He explains about the current Fund , and some of the recent investments, as well as outlining what they look for when deploying capital from their current fund of $1.45 Billion, as well as their approach to hiring talent.

I launched the leaders on a mission podcast to share the inspiration and journey of leaders, who are creating impact and  contribution to humanity by creating a healthier world.

In today’s episode I was joined by Charlie Dimmler, CEO and Co-founder of Checkerspot, an innovative high performance materials company using biotechnology to create sustainable and performance enhancing materials. Charlie exudes empowerment and impact, and is clearly living out his dreams and aspirations in making the world a healthier place. This is more of a personal calling than a job, and Charlie combines a down to earth humility, with thoughtful, reflective and caring charm.

Charlie reflects on his early influences, his passion and love for science, and for outdoors exploration. Charlie talks about finding purpose and connection by  playing an active role as a Bay Area mountain rescue expert. He outlines his earlier career working at Geron Corporation and Solazyme, and the breadth of experience he gained through working in dynamic and high growth environments. Charlie talks about how Co-Founding  Checkerspot was a  calling, and how with a young family, he  was supported to take this bold leap forward. Charlie talks about the sense of sacrifice people made in joining the mission and working in the “build the plane whilst flying” environment.

Charlie talks about Checkerspots mission, and how  the technology provides an alternative to the carbon economy, outlining the current products they are able to manufacture.   

Charlie talks about how before incorporating Checkerspot, he and cofounder Scott Franklin, devised the operating principles for Checkerspot; the values based system that underpins the heartbeat of the company.

I launched the leaders on a mission podcast to share the inspiration and journey of leaders, who are creating impact and contribution to humanity by creating a healthier world.

In today’s episode I was joined by Rick Greubel to launch our first leaders on a mission podcast.  Rick is testament to good guys do win, with his warm, engaging, and down to earth approach. He has a unique background, having worked globally across the food value chain in both multinational and start up environments living and working in; Argentina, Brazil, Singapore, Switzerland, US and Israel.

Rick reflects and shares the leadership philosophies and value systems which were heavily influenced by his immigrant parents who came to the US with no money and not being able to speak the language.  Rick explains about the perceived nature of risk, and whenever faced with difficult career decisions, that on first glance, looked risky, was able to rationalise through the eyes of his father, who had taken “real risk”.

Rick talks about how on moving to Brazil, for a high-profile job whilst not speaking the language, helped create a paradigm shift in his communication and listening skills. He talks about the real mission and personal drivers to bring sustainable and healthy food and nutritional products to the marketplace and improving the lives of farmers. Rick discusses the differences and transition challenges between working for global multinationals, to a cash strapped start-up venture.

Rick was a fantastic first guest, and a real pleasure to talk with.

Robert Fryers’ company, Spotta, are shaking up the pest control world with some seriously cutting-edge tech. In this episode, I chat with him about their not-so-secret methods of eco friendly insect control. 

Robert takes us on his journey from the medical devices field to becoming a leader in pest control solutions, tackling a $400 billion problem head-on!

He shares how his insect control company’s AI-powered sensors are delivering smart, eco-friendly pest solutions—from alerting hotels about bed bugs to bug solutions for forests.

Tune in to hear Robert’s take on the challenges, the growth of Spotta, and his forward-thinking vision for the future of pest control solutions and services. 

This episode is packed with insights for anyone curious about how technology and sustainability are changing professional pest control, insect monitoring, and humane rodent control.

So, if you’re looking for a smart, environmentally-friendly solution to those pesky bugs, this one's for you!

Tune in to find out more!

--

Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! 

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? 

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. 

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up, their journey and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. 

Tune in on…

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

--

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:41 The career path of Robert Fryers, CEO of Spotta

05:48 Insect monitoring technology for agriculture and eco insect control

07:11 The company’s innovation in the pest control technology

10:23 Using technology to control bedbug infestations in hotels

14:40 Using technology to control insect infestation in challenging environments

17:13 Precise targeting of pests, reducing chemicals, and lowering costs

22:09 The importance of actionable change

25:17 Scaling and visions and goals for the future

28:45 Business growth and investment strategies

31:09 The best business model from an investor viewpoint

36:05 The biggest challenges and future plans

Useful links:

Spotta’s website: https://www.spotta.co/

Spotta’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spottacambridge/

Robert Fryers’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-fryers/

Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/

Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! 

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? 

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. 

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up, their journey and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. 

Tune in on…

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:32 Peter’s career development, failure, and personal growth

08:58 TemperPack and its sustainable packaging solutions

14:48 What drew Peter to TemperPack?

16:48 Plastic displacement and cold chain engineering

21:24 The environmental impact of Styrofoam

24:09 The importance of learning for a CEO

26:59 Peter’s experience in the renewable energy industry

33:22 Running a mission-driven company with sustainability at its core

38:05 Company's innovative culture and values

Useful links: 

TemperPack’s website: https://www.temperpack.com/

TemperPack’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/temperpack/

Peter Wells’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petergwells/

Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/

Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

Harshal Chokhawala, the CEO of ZymoChem, breaks down their exciting solutions to microplastics. In this episode, we explore ZymoChem’s groundbreaking efforts to decarbonize the production of everyday materials, providing real solutions to microplastics in the ocean, our bodies and the earth.
 
🧪 Harshal takes us on his journey from a young chemist fascinated by the magic of chemistry to a pioneer in using enzymes and microbes as nature’s own catalysts. He shares how ZymoChem is crafting bio-based, biodegradable innovations designed to replace harmful materials like superabsorbent polymers, offering a promising alternative that can significantly reduce microplastic pollution and even help in ending microplastics altogether.
 
You'll be inspired by Harshal's passion for entrepreneurship, his strategic insights on scaling a startup, and his dedication to fostering a strong, mission-driven company culture.

🎧 This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of sustainable materials and the visionary leaders who are creating effective solutions for microplastic pollution.

--

🌿 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts!

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability?

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions.

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up, their journey and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact.

Tune in on…

YouTube:    / @leadersonamissionnet0 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubd...
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

…to listen to the latest episodes!

--

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:40 Harshal Chokhawala education and career journey
06:40 How ZymoChem is ending fossil fuels
09:56 Developing biodegradable diapers
12:25 What to understand before investing
16:06 Entrepreneurship challenges and learnings
25:11 Commercializing the product and bringing it to the market
30:22 How carbon-saving technology scales businesses
32:08 Decarburization in the chemical industry
37:09 Building a strong c

Imagine turning everyday trash into a sustainable alternative to plastic. In this episode, I sit down with Albert Douer, CEO of UBQ Materials, to explore how his company is revolutionizing waste management and tackling the global plastic crisis. Albert shares the journey behind UBQ’s innovative approach, from overcoming skepticism to building trust in new technologies. Learn how UBQ is transforming household waste into valuable materials, creating a ripple effect that could reshape industries worldwide. Join us for a deep dive into the future of sustainable solutions and the challenges of pioneering new technologies.

Tune in to discover how UBQ is making the world a greener place, one ton of waste at a time.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:00 Albert Douer’s journey in addressing plastic waste

05:36 Transforming polystyrene foam into school supplies

07:44 UBQ Materials: Recycling 100% of black bag waste

13:07 Revolutionary recycling technology

17:03 The UBQ Matrix: How it works

21:24 UBQ’s plastic alternatives in various industries

26:31 Scaling sustainable tech: Challenges and lessons

32:30 New Holland facility processing 110,000 tons of waste

33:59 The value of strong partnerships and investors

38:08 Educating potential customers on UBQ’s impact

42:18 Economic competitiveness and growth potential

Ever wondered what it takes to scale a battery manufacturing company from one gigawatt to five in just five years? In this episode of Leaders on a Mission, I sit down with Priyadarshi Panda, CEO of the International Battery Company, to explore the transformative power of energy storage technology.

Priyadarshi shares his vision of leading the global energy transition through manufacturing excellence and innovation. We delve into the company's ambitious goals, including scaling from one gigawatt to five gigawatts within five years, and their roadmap to reach up to 20 gigawatts in the next decade.

We also discuss the critical role of patient and collaborative capital in building long-term tech giants, and the importance of strategic, step-by-step execution in achieving these monumental goals. Tune in to hear how the International Battery Company is setting the stage for a sustainable future and revolutionizing the way we think about energy storage.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro 

00:43 Priyadarshi Panda’s Education and Career Journey 

06:40 Vision and Goals of the International Battery Company 

10:12 Designing for an Ignored and Neglected Customer Base

 16:18 Limitations of Current Battery Technology and New Approaches 

 23:00 Major Influences Shaping Priyadarshi’s Thinking 

 26:49 Pilot Facility in South Korea 

 29:58 Plans to Build a Gigafactory in India and Future Plans 

 33:07 Key Factors Contributing to IBC's Success

Is 3D-printed meat the future of our food? In this episode of Leaders on a Mission, I sit down with Arik Kaufman, CEO and Founder of Steakholder Foods, to delve into the fascinating world of cultured meat. Arik shares his insights on the industry's rapid evolution, from its nonexistence just a few years ago to the cutting-edge technology driving it today.

We explore the significant hurdles faced in scaling cultured meat production, including the high costs inherited from the pharmaceutical industry and the technological challenges of 3D printing a steak that tastes just like the real thing. Arik also discusses the financial strategies required to survive in the market, comparing public and private funding, and the crucial role of government support in ensuring the industry's growth and sustainability.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of food, sustainability, and innovation. Don't miss it!

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

02:04 Arik’s professional journey

04:01 Starting a company to create 3D meat

07:15 Vision and goals for the Steakholder Foods

09:31 Developing cost-effective cultured meat technology

13:57 Challenges of a cultured meat producing company

17:21 Pros and cons of being a public company

20:20 Culture meat industry requires mature support

22:34 Countries that are supported of cultured meat production

23:25 The fear of a potentially disruptive technology

27:26 What would Arik do differently when he started?

28:59 Commercializing 3D food printing technology

31: 15 Future plans and strategic partnerships

33:11 From B-to-C to B-to-B business model

34:16 Easy integrations with the factories

36:15 Competition and challenges of being a CEO

39:35 The industry's potential, improved products, and market evolution

How can technology solve the wildfire crisis and save our forests?

In this episode of Leaders on a Mission, I talk with Allison Wolff, CEO of Vibrant Planet, about leveraging technology to tackle the wildfire crisis and preserve our forests. Allison shares insights into her team's innovative strategies, from AI-driven wildfire management to conserving biodiversity and water sources.

We also explore the history and current state of Western US woodlands and the role of top tech experts from companies like Meta in addressing climate change.

Don't miss this inspiring conversation on the power of technology in forest conservation.

#TechForGood #ForestConservation #WildfireManagement #ClimateAction

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

03:15 - Allison Wolff's career journey

10:45 - Tech-driven solutions for wildfire management

20:30 - The rise and fall of the Western US woodlands

30:00 - Transforming bureaucratic systems with top tech experts

40:45 - Future goals and vision for Vibrant Planet

How is AI and innovation transforming the mining industry?

In this episode of Leaders on a Mission, I'm joined by Corrado De Gasperis, CEO of Comstock, a trailblazer in the mining industry who is leveraging AI and cutting-edge technologies to drive sustainability and efficiency. Corrado shares his insights on pioneering breakthrough innovations that have the potential to make a global impact.

We dive into Comstock's rigorous selection process for high-impact technologies, focusing on those that promise both technological readiness and economic feasibility. From renewable water treatment generating clean hydrogen to advancements in material sciences and AI, Comstock is at the forefront of transformative innovation in mining and beyond.

Corrado also highlights the crucial criteria for successful innovation, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative and logical approach over hierarchical and rigid structures. He provides a fascinating glimpse into the future, discussing the potential revolutions in quantum computing and neural computing that could drive unprecedented progress.

Tune in to hear Corrado De Gasperis's optimistic vision for the future and learn how Comstock is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in climate tech and the mining industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, sustainability, and global impact.

 
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:22 Two key factors that shaped Corrado professionally
04:53 Fixing and transforming industrial companies
10:17 Committing to de-carbonization
15:04 Three different businesses within Comstock
18:49 Cooperation with Gen Matt in launching a satellite
21:44 Using AI to analyze satellite data for geological exploration
23:43 The Company's exceptional team of experts
27:29 Investing in early-stage tech companies with potential for global impact
31:18 Evaluating the technology readiness and economic feasibility before investing
36:05 Future innovation and de-carbonization goals for Comstock
40:57 Attracting public and private equity investors

Hydrogen's potential is vast, but so are the hurdles. Baruch Halpert, CEO of Electriq Global, joins me on this week’s Leaders on a Mission to dive into their cutting-edge innovative hydrogen carrier, which acts like coffee powder for a coffee machine. This groundbreaking solution simplifies the storage, transport, and use of hydrogen in off-grid applications, making green hydrogen more accessible and practical.

Baruch shares his unique analogy of starting a business being like leveling up in a video game, where each challenge becomes more complex. Electriq is currently focusing on gaining commercial traction and achieving product-market fit, specifically in replacing diesel generators for backup power in critical sectors like data centers and hospitals.

Emphasizing the importance of practicality, Baruch advises against falling in love with technology itself, but rather focusing on its reliability and cost-effectiveness. Electriq ensures their systems meet the critical needs of users who depend on dependable emergency power solutions.

Tune in to hear how Baruch Halpert and Electriq are leading the way in sustainable energy innovation. Discover the insights and strategies driving their success in the green hydrogen market.

Timestamps:

01:56 Baruch Halpert and his career path

06:29 Getting very early or very late into the game

08:46 Investing in hydrogen energy

15:35 Electriq Global and benefits of storing hydrogen as powder

21:19 Developing technology for releasing hydrogen from the powder

25:36 The challenge of getting commercial traction

27:41 Data centers as a good product market fit

32:44 Scaling the technology - market demand and geopolitical factors

37:13 The challenge of hiring talent for innovative projects

Explore how Zenobē Energy has raised over 1 billion pounds with their innovative energy storage and electric vehicle technology.

Steven Meersman, Founder Director of Zenobē Energy, is leading the clean energy revolution, tackling grid challenges, scaling electric mobility, and shaping the future of sustainable energy.

From financing breakthroughs to revolutionizing public transport such as electric buses, Zenobē is transforming the energy landscape with their new electric battery technology.

You'll hear how their unique design-build-finance model is overcoming key barriers to widespread adoption. Steven also dives into the challenges of international expansion and maintaining company culture in a rapidly growing industry. 

 Tune in to discover how their bold strategies are driving the transition to a greener, more sustainable future!

---

 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! 

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? 

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. 

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. 

Tune in on…

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

00:00 Intro

00:37 Steven’s journey from consulting to co-founding Zenobē

04:33 Key problems in energy storage and sustainability finance

06:13 Grid-scale storage, EV battery, and portable power

10:50 Growth in battery storage - from megawatts to gigawatts

13:58 Policy catching up with technology

16:19 Storing energy from sources like solar and wind

20:05 UK grid capacity and challenges with demand distribution

23:11 Zenobē’s design-build-finance model and first international projects

25:46 Overcoming challenges in the value chain

27:13 Funding challenges: Raising equity and debt

29:36 Key challenges in scaling the business

33:30 Expanding internationally into new markets

35:59 Managing culture and communication in a growing company

39:07 What can Zenobē’s offer to its employees

40:22 Long-term goals and aspirations of Zenobē

42:57 Closing thoughts: Inspiring the next generation of clean energy leaders

Useful links: 

Zenobē’s website: https://www.zenobe.com/

Zenobē’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zenobe-energy-ltd/

Steven Meersman’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevencgmeersman/

Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/

Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

How can we tackle the urgent challenge of global food waste, where every minute, we waste enough food to feed over one million people.

 Tune in to this episode of Leaders on a Mission  with Moody Soliman, CEO of Ryp Labs for an inspiring conversation on innovation and sustainability in the fight against food waste.

Moody explains how Ryp Labs is addressing this colossal issue with a simple yet powerful solution: a natural, food-grade bioactive sticker. This sticker can be applied anywhere along the supply chain, extending the shelf life of fresh produce without interfering with its natural ripening process. Whether it's blueberries or strawberries, Ryp Labs' technology ensures that one sticker can protect an entire container of fruit, making it a versatile and scalable solution.

Moody also shares insights on the importance of choosing the right investors and exploring diverse funding sources to maintain leverage and freedom in their mission.

#FoodWaste# Innovation #Sustainability #Leadership #PodcastInterview

Timestamps:

01:49 Introduction to Moody Solomon, CEO of Ripe Labs

06:40 Reducing waste with a new technology

11:31 Key milestones and challenges so far

15:08 Belgium facilities and communication challenges

18:43 Developing new technology with the right people and mindset

23:05 How does this new technology work?

26:03 The efficiency and advantages of this new technology

30:45 The vision of the company

33:39 Who are the customers of this technology?

35:50 Fundraising strategies - timing and investor selection

42:01 Building a culture of passion and drive

Have you ever imagined that bacteria could revolutionize the protein in your next burger? This may soon be a reality thanks to one pioneering start-up.

In this episode, meet Bryan Tracy – the CEO of Superbrewed Food and an entrepreneur developing the world's first commercial bacterial food ingredient. Through fermentation, his company cultivates microbes into a protein-packed biomass.

 Through fermentation, Brian cultivates microbes into an 85% protein-rich biomass. But the journey from lab to grocery stores has not been easy

Hear how Brian overcame regulatory hurdles to gain FDA approval for this unprecedented ingredient. Discover the challenges of partnering with big food brands and finicky investors.

Now, Bryan is partnering with leading food companies to incorporate his microbial macronutrient into everyday products. Soon, you might find it enhancing your snacks, beverages, and meat alternatives.

Tune in to discover how one entrepreneur is on a mission to turn microbes into a mainstream nutrition source. Explore Bryan's ambitious vision to produce this sustainable protein on a global, industrial scale. Don't miss this fascinating conversation on Leaders on a Mission.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:24 Bryan’s professional journey

05:39 Making a microorganism a valuable product

09:12 Selling bacteria biomass as a nutritional food ingredient

11:05 Superbrewed Food and its vision

14:51 The challenge of developing a market for a product

18:01 Postbiotic cultured protein as macronutrient ingredient

21:06 How can postbiotic cultured protein be used?

22:42 Partnerships to bring the product to the market

26:51 Challenges in partnering with big corporations and investors

30:52 Innovation and growth in the food industry

35:28 Plans for the next 10 years

Nigel Sharp, a serial entrepreneur with a social conscience created Aquagga to solve a great contamination issue. PFAS ( (Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are highly toxic man-made “forever” chemicals that have migrated into the air, soil, and water. 

Today, nearly all Americans have PFAS in their blood, with over 200 million people potentially drinking PFAS-impacted water
 
Nigel’s small team is battling PFAS - "forever chemicals" contaminating communities everywhere. Tune in to hear how their pressure-cooker technology is destroying PFAS at an industrial scale, completing the largest treatment project to date.
 
From early milestones to partnerships with the EPA and DOD, discover Aquagga's story of innovation against all odds. Uncover how they're scaling up to remediate pollution and protect billions from this trillion-dollar contamination crisis.
 
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:34 Nigel’s career development
03:21 A trip to Armenia and TUMO project
06:00 Building businesses to make an impact
07:26 The beginnings of Aquagga
10:50 PFAs chemicals, their dangers, and global impact
16:48 Legal actions against corporations
18:54 Developing technology that destroys PFAS
23:31 Scaling as a company – key milestones
29:00 The biggest challenges as a CEO
33:36 The most liked and disliked parts of being CEO
36:47 The impact in the next 10 years

Through a pioneering process of microbial fermentation, David Henstrom and Unibio are harnessing the power of nature's alchemists - microbes - to produce protein. No land needed, their breakthrough technology utilizes methane in a novel "gas-liquid brewing" approach.
 
But scaling challenges loom large. Hear how David overcame the valley of death after 27 years as a biotech intrapreneur. Discover his journey of commercializing this planet-friendly nutrition source through global partnerships.
 
Learn how Unibio plans to transform the future of food production through its boundless microbial protein. Tune in now!
 
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:19 The main forces that shaped David
04:08 David’s career path and 27 years in Cargill
10:32 Unibio and finding the boundless source of protein
13:40 The challenges and future goals of the company
16:13 The importance of aquaculture
18:44 The process of fermentation and growing of protein
20:05 The journey from Cargill to Unibio
25:59 The future of precision fermentation technology
28:11 Cultural aspects of working in a Danish company
30:08 A mission-driven company requires passion
31:56 How to create a great company culture

Marc Washington, a health entrepreneur, was inspired by his sister's tragic passing to help others live healthier. Now, his startup Supergut is riding the wave of interest in appetite control to promote natural solutions.

You'll discover how Supergut has evolved its vision from gut health to leveraging the "Ozempic conversation". Learn how the founder reinvented operations to break even after a difficult period. Find out their plans to raise capital and expand distribution nationwide.

Gain insights into iterating a company's focus and products for increased accessibility. Get a behind-the-scenes look at iterating, fundraising, and honoring a legacy at this health startup striving to transform lives.

Tune in now!

Timestamps:

04:27 Marc Washington’s story

11:02 Entrepreneurship, experience, and resilience

14:20 Starting a company and rebranding it

19:26 Decision-making as an entrepreneur

24:21 SuperGut and its prebiotic products

26:39 GLP-1 hunger resisting, insulin response hormone

31:47 Where to buy?

33:28 Company’s vision and aspirations

37:16 Scaling and growth of the company

41:44 Building a team and creating a company culture

Our guest today is Scott May, the Head of MISTA, a unique innovation platform bringing food companies and the startup ecosystem together. Scott has seen the challenges in our food system up close and is on a mission to transform how we eat and farm. After discovering his passion for food science, he has dedicated his career to innovating sustainable solutions as a food tech pioneer.

Hear Scott's inspiring journey - from his early days in university to founding innovation hub MISTA. Discover the model he's developed to help startups and big companies collaborate on tackling issues like health, environment, and affordability.

You will learn:

• Scott's journey from chemical engineering to founding MISTA and his mission to transform our food system through science and sustainability.
• How MISTA helps startups commercialize new technologies by connecting them with big companies and spinning off new ventures.
• Practical tips for food entrepreneurs on navigating industry challenges with resilience and self-care.

Don't miss Scott's predictions on what's ahead in 2024 either. This is a must-watch for anyone interested in the future of food.

Timestamps:

04:21 Introduction to Scott May

05:35 What fuels Scott’s passion?

07:00 Working for Givaudan, a global leader in flavors and fragrancies

09:07 The launch of MISTA, an innovation platform for the food industry

13:31 What’s wrong with our food system?

15:47 Plant-based food innovation and evolution

21:31 Attracting consumers and engaging with younger generations

24:17 Regenerative Innovation in MISTA

29:53 The strategic membership model of MISTA

32:26 Spinning off new brands outside the corporate structure

35:02 Communicating with the market

37:24 The advice to startups for 2024

40:56 Mental health and burnout

44:51 Predictions for 2024

Cambrium CEO Mitchell Duffy is on a mission to reduce our dependence on petrochemicals and animal-derived products through the power of biology. In this episode, Mitchell discusses his journey from PhD researcher to entrepreneur, and his vision to create sustainable innovation by creating biobased  high performance molecules 

Learn how Cambrium produces sustainable vegan collagen at scale to replace animal byproducts. Also, discover their plans to design revolutionary new biomaterials that outperform existing chemicals.

For anyone interested in the potential of biotech and synthetic biology to solve our biggest environmental problems, this interview provides an inspiring look inside one startup's work to create a truly circular economy through the most advanced manufacturing process on Earth - biology.

Timestamps:

09:16 Introduction to Mitchell Duffy and Cambrium

10:23 Mitchell’s major influences

13:04 Career path in science and entrepreneurship

16:28 Cambrium and the problems it wants to solve

18:31 Reducing waste material in the meat industry

20:50 PhD work on collagen and production of vegan collagen

29:03 Investors and growth of a company

31:12 The mission, vision, and scaling

39:22 Company culture and team integration

42:09 Startup ecosystem in Europe

44:37 Communication and the reality of remote work

49:45 The benefits of mentors and advisors

51:15 Mitchell’s wildest hopes and dreams

In this episode, we have an interesting conversation with Johan Cardoen, a Biotech executive who started his career in 1988, with Plant Genetic Systems which was the first biotech company in Belgium. Since then, he played a very important role in the growth and the evolution of the Belgium biotech ecosystem.

Johan Cardoen shares how he grew Crop Design into an acquisition target through strategic deal-making. Tune in to hear how he led a young startup through an acquisition process in just 10 weeks after creating multiple exit options. Get insider tips for navigating challenges in sustainable agriculture commercialization.

Learn how regulatory hurdles stifle innovation and what it takes to succeed as an ag-tech entrepreneur. Discover the untapped potential of biologicals and new breeding technologies to build a resilient food system.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:31 Highlights of Johan Cardoen’s career

06:41 Creating options for a company's exit strategy

11:46 VIB's role in developing Belgium's life science ecosystem

18:51 Agriculture vs. Non-agriculture in VIB

22:38 The greatest need for agriculture innovation

25:53 The challenges of innovative start-ups

28:57 Regulatory challenges and European debates

31:59 A message for start-up companies

Today, I sit down with the one and only Henrietta Moon, CEO and Co-founder of Carbo Culture, a climate technology company pioneering for scalable biochar carbon removal solution.

Henrietta’s passion for the environment was ignited during her time as a scout and sailing trips, witnessing the deterioration of natural environments. Originally on track for international relations, she found herself drawn to entrepreneurship, co-founding Carbo Culture after participating in NASA's Singularity University program.

With a team of passionate individuals, Carbo Culture fosters a culture of trust, independence, and innovation. Having recently closed a Series A round of funding, the company prepares for expansion while staying true to its mission of making a tangible impact on climate change. Henrietta’s dream? To witness Carbo Culture’s pivotal role in reshaping the carbon management landscape.

Let’s build the future we want to live in. Tune in for the full conversation!

What you’ll get out of this episode:

● Learn how biochar technology offers a powerful solution for carbon removal, contributing to global climate efforts.

● Henrietta's journey from a background in international relations to becoming a leader in climate technology entrepreneurship.

● Explore Carbo Culture's mission to achieve gigaton-scale carbon removal and revolutionize the carbon management landscape.

● Gain insights into the innovative technology behind Carbo Culture's biochar carbon removal process and its potential impact.

● Learn how biochar technology offers a powerful solution for carbon removal, contributing to global climate efforts.

● Henrietta's journey from a background in international relations to becoming a leader in climate technology entrepreneurship.

● Explore Carbo Culture's mission to achieve gigaton-scale carbon removal and revolutionize the carbon management landscape.

● Gain insights into the innovative technology behind Carbo Culture's biochar carbon removal process and its potential impact.

Learn more about Carbo Culture:
Website: https://carboculture.com/

LinkedIn: Carbo Culture

X: @carboculture

Connect with Henrietta:
LinkedIn: Henrietta Moon

X: @PiaHenriettaM

Instagram: piahenriettamoon

Follow us for more riveting conversations like this:
Simon Leich LinkedIn | Simon Leich

CS Partners Website | www.cs-partners.net

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

00:00 - Introduction

02:01 - Henrietta's background and influences leading to her role in Carbo Culture

04:48 - Early days of the startup ecosystem in Finland

05:52 - Meeting the co-founder and the inception of Carbo Culture

07:24 - Starting Carbo Culture in late 2016 and the journey since then

09:53 - Research origins and scaling up of the technology

13:10 - Carbo Culture's vision and mission for carbon removal

16:28 - Funding and partnerships for deploying Carbo Culture facilities

16:51 - Potential for carbon credits and marketplace development

17:10 - Business model and revenue streams for Carbo Culture

18:03 - Potential regulatory changes in carbon removal markets

19:29 - Benefits and applications of biochar in soil

Qorium is revolutionizing the leather industry with lab-grown, animal-free leather that's sustainable, cruelty-free, and set to reshape the future of fashion.

In this episode, Michael Newton, CEO of Qorium, takes us on an exciting journey through the groundbreaking world of sustainable leather.

He explains how Qorium pioneered the creation of real leather without harming animals, using innovative technology and synthetic biology.

From tackling the environmental issues caused by the traditional leather production process to exploring the immense market potential of animal-free leather, Michael dives deep into the future of fashion. 

He also explains the potential of Qorium’s innovative product to change industries like fashion while maintaining the quality and luxury associated with traditional leather.

Leather and sustainability can be one! If you're curious about innovation, sustainability, and how artificial leather could make a difference, this episode will give you a great insight into these topics.

--

 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! 

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? 

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. 

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up, their journey and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. 

Tune in on…

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

00:00 Intro

00:29 Michael Newton and Qorium's sustainable leather innovation

01:20 The difference between vegan leather and Qorium’s approach

02:17 Michael Newton’s journey to becoming CEO of Qorium

05:31 Leather industry’s environmental challenges and supply chain issues

08:35 Leather market size and global trade of leather

09:51 Innovation in the leather industry and Qorium’s progress

12:04 Synthetic biology and cellular agriculture in manmade leather

15:26 Regulatory differences between food and leather industries

16:49 The role of science and technology in ethical leather

19:46 Commercialization challenges and consumer excitement

24:27 A global team and European business environment

28:16 Fundraising and the investment landscape

32:37 The biggest challenge in the transition from Nike to Qorium

Useful links:

Qorium’s website: https://www.qorium.com/

Qorium’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/qorium/

Michael Newton’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelanewton/           

Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/ 

Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

Summary:

In this episode of Leaders on a Mission, CEO Shely Aronov discusses how her company InnerPlant is revolutionizing agriculture through real-time plant stress detection. By giving crops a way to optically signal when under attack from fungi and other threats, Inner Plant is transforming farming from an industry of guesses into one powered by data.

Tune in to hear how their technology means farmers can pinpoint problems within days instead of weeks, helping boost yields and reduce waste. Shely also shares her entrepreneurial journey and the challenges of scaling an AgTech startup while maintaining focus on the customer. It's a fascinating discussion on empowering plants to share secrets that can supercharge farming as we know it.

Timestamps:

01:10 Early influences, military, and Stanford

04:53 World Bank funded project in Columbia

06:15 Building a team, gaining trust, and avoiding biases

09:33 Starting a hummus brand regret

12:13 Bio sensors and communicating with plants

18:20 The importance of early stress detection

19:28 Pathogens and overuse of pesticides

21:43 The benefits of this technology for farmers

26:22 What does the future hold?

30:50 The challenges to overcome

Ever wonder what happens to all the leftover corncobs and wheat stalks after harvest? For most farms, it's waste. But for The Supplant Company, it's the key ingredient in a revolution.

Founded by scientist Tom Simmons, this food tech startup is developing sustainable sugar replacements from agricultural byproducts. Hear how their unique process creates healthier ingredients that mimic sugar's texture while slashing calories.

Discover the challenges of scaling up production and partnering with major brands to cut sugar in everything from muffins to cookies. Get an inside look at their journey from university labs to Silicon Valley pitches.

Most intriguing, learn how harnessing one of our most abundant yet overlooked resources could transform farming and our food system. If you want your future sweets to be less sweet on people and the planet, this story of academic innovation turned industry disruption is one you won't want to miss.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:23 Tom’s background, family, and academic career

07:10 Using corncobs as agricultural waste for making sugar

11:36 Reducing bulk ingredients' impact on health and climate

18:57 Academic research and starting a company

21:39 Scaling up a sustainable food tech company

22:45 The biggest challenges as CEO

27:07 Marketing and branding for a food tech company

31:10 Fundraising and team dynamics in a food tech startup

 In this episode, AgroSpheres CEO Payam Pourtaheri discusses how he tackled pesticide issues using RNA technology for crop protection. He shares challenges, including target specificity and scale-up. Payam learned to voice disagreements and focused on encapsulation for potent biomolecules, differentiating from microbial approaches. Transitioning from a student project to a startup, Payam stresses the importance of funding, technology validation, and building credibility. He highlights the difficulty of gaining trust from major AgTech players, emphasizing it's tougher than securing venture capital.

Key successes include scaling up, obtaining field trial data, developing new products, and forming partnerships. Payam emphasizes making technology easily assimilable, production plans, and the challenge of building a diverse, collaborative team and inclusive company culture.

Payam aims to establish AgroSpheres itself as a leader in sustainable agriculture. He mentions that the company strives to pioneer the transition from chemicals to biologicals, seamlessly integrating them for a more sustainable future.

Are you ready to explore the world of AgroSpheres? Listen and help create better industry demands using safer solutions. 

Episode Highlights:
Formation of AgroSpheres
Development of RNA Technology for crop protection
Payam shares his journey from a Student Project to a Startup
Partnerships with major players in the industry
Payam shares about challenges related to integrating the technology into existing practices, regulatory approval, and plans. 
The importance of buy-in and collaboration within the team
The future of the company and enhancements

About our Guest: 
Pourtaheri leads business development, oversees day-to-day operations, and directs regulatory and IP strategies for AgroSpheres. He graduated from UVA in 2016 with a background in nanomedicine, materials science, and chemistry. Payam is responsible for business development, daily operations, and guiding the company's regulatory and IP strategies. Additionally, he serves on the Board of CvilleBioHub and Venture Central.

He is the CEO and founder of AgroSpheres, an innovative AgTech company developing the next generation of environmentally friendly crop protection products.

Links Supporting This Episode:
AgroSpheres Website | www.agrospheres.com
Payam Pourtaheri LinkedIn | Payam Pourtaheri
AgroSpheres LinkedIn | AgroSpheres
Simon Leich LinkedIn | Simon Leich
CS Partners Website | www.cs-partners.net

From a KTH student to a visionary in green technology, Karim is changing the game to revolutionize eco-friendly chemical engineering for mass production. 

In this episode, Karim Englemark Cassimjee, CEO and co-founder of EnginZyme. A Swedish startup with the vision to make the chemical industry green by unlocking the potential in enzymes. Karim opens up about the growing opportunities in the biotech sector, juxtaposed with the fundraising difficulties that companies often face. Karim provides a glimpse into EnginZyme's groundbreaking technology, centered around self-biomanufacturing using enzymes. The technology aims to transform chemicals into greener alternatives, offering catalysts, processes, and end products that surpass traditional methods in terms of both cost-effectiveness and sustainability.

Karim discusses the challenges in scaling up operations and finding reliable partners, while EnginZyme remains dedicated to reducing CO2 emissions. He also talks about the company's aim to replace fossil-based products with bio-based alternatives, aspiring to become a go-to partner in the chemical industry for biosolutions.

Karim and EnginZyme are taking actionable steps to bring their vision to fruition. Listen and be inspired by the potential of EnginZyme's biosolutions in reshaping the future of the chemical industry and advancing sustainability goals.

Episode Highlights: 

• The main forces that have shaped Karim's business trajectory
• The challenges and difficulties faced by EnginZyme in raising funds in the capital market
• The novelty of EnginZyme's technology and its ability to transform the chemical industry
•  The current stage of progress in the world of industrial biotech and enzymes
• The ultimate vision of EnginZyme to have a significant impact on reducing CO2 emissions by replacing fossil-based products with bio-based alternatives is emphasized.
• The tangible action items for Karim, including continuing to scale up technology, focusing on commercialization, identifying reliable manufacturing partners, and working towards reducing CO2 equivalents.

About our Guest: 

Karim is the inventor of EnginZyme’s foundational technology and co-founded the company in 2014. He holds a PhD from KTH and a Postdoc from Stockholm University.

Links Supporting This Episode:

• EnginZyme Website | www.enginzyme.com
• Karim LinkedIn | Karim Engelmark Cassimjee
• Simon Leich LinkedIn | Simon Leich
• CS Partners Website | www.cs-partners.net

Episode 76:In this episode, Rob van Straten, CEO of Skytree, a cutting-edge climate technology company revolutionizes carbon capture using solid-state sorbent materials. Rob discusses the challenges Skytree addresses, emphasizing the urgency of carbon capture in combating climate change. He details the company's two innovative products: Cumulus, and Stratus. Skytree's vision includes the deployment of decentralized direct air capture systems strategically placed where CO2 is needed, disrupting the traditional method of transporting captured CO2.

Rob also touches on Skytree's journey, from finalizing tech designs to bringing them into production. Rob shares insights into the challenges of talent acquisition and their recognition and grants from the European EIC fund.

Rob and Skytree are dedicated to a purpose-driven impact through innovation. Tune in to learn about their commitment to revolutionize carbon capture and make a lasting difference.

Episode Highlights:
Rob shares his background and how he got involved with Skytree
Challenges in the climate technology sector addressed by Skytree
Skytree's foundation through the European Space Agency incubator program
CO2 utilization in industries like food production, agriculture, and transportation
Skytree aims to provide decentralized systems, Cumulus and Stratus
The tech development process at Skytree and its growth structure
Future expansion into sustainable aviation fuels and protein production

About our Guest: 
As CEO of Skytree, Rob van Straten is driving the implementation of Skytree's strategy to build and deliver Decentralized Direct Air Capture products for Carbon Utilization and Removal to global markets.

As an experienced global executive, Rob has a track record of leading high-growth companies from scale-up to enterprise level in both publicly traded and private business environments. Rob's background across the sustainability spectrum includes e-mobility as well as governance, risk, and compliance solutions for operational risks and workplace health and safety as well as compliance and ethics education to millions of workers worldwide.

Rob is committed to making a positive societal impact by developing companies and products that provide strong economic value while helping to reduce carbon footprints and combating climate change.

Links Supporting This Episode:
Skytree Website | www.skytree.eu
Rob van Straten LinkedIn | Rob van Straten
Simon Leich LinkedIn | Simon Leich
CS Partners Website | www.cs-partners.net

When Barbara Mazur, finished her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics, Agricultural Biotech did not exist. Barbara was working in a central research group at Dupont, before the opportunity of developing a research and application group for biotechnologies in the commercial crop space.  Barbara loved working with science and was initially reluctant to assume management and leadership responsibility for the group, thinking she may miss the day-to-day hands-on scientific input.  She thrived in her role and made a name for herself as one of the most respected Ag Biotech scientific leaders with a lifetime of achievements.  It was a  real pleasure to have her as a guest on the Leaders on a Mission podcast where we discussed her career within Agriculture, and I appreciated hearing her views and opinions on a variety of different topics. 

When Aether Bio raised USD 49 mio in a Series A a few months ago, it provided much-needed good news across the synbio sector. I was so curious about the technology and the differentials between companies like Gingko. I wanted to understand how they built a novel material that could theoretically improve lithium production in the US by 30 times. Thanks so much to Pavle Jeremić, CEO and Founder of Aether Bio, for coming onto this week's Leaders on a Mission podcast and sharing his incredibly vibrant and passionate journey. We covered so much ground, including how he created Aether's revolutionary nanoscale platform to deliver cheaper, faster, and greener solutions than any current technology or process on the market. The challenges of fundraising in the current environment, how he was weeks away from running out of cash, and his vision in helping Synbio address scarcity challenges by engineering enzymes to create novel products for a sustainable future

 

Thanks to Todd Rands, CEO of Elo Life Systems for coming onto this week’s leaders on a mission podcast. Todd emphasized Elo’s mission and vision to solve big global health issues, such as the obesity crisis, and how he is growing a next-generation ingredient company that can take rare sugars that exist in nature, and re-create them naturally, leveraging modern advancement in biotechnology and breeding. Todd shared some great perspectives and learnings about building a great culture, the differences and challenges of working for a start-up, and how his breadth of experience helped him to thrive in early-stage environments.

Thanks to Maria Cho, CEO of Triplebar, for a great discussion on this week's leaders on a mission podcast. As the CEO of an early-stage venture-backed Synthetic Biology Company, Maria spoke about her entrepreneurial journey and the excitement and uniqueness of early-stage environments building high-performance teams aligned with a mission to help provide solutions for a healthier world. With Triplebar developing solutions for nutrition and healthcare, using cutting-edge bioengineering tools, Maria outlined how AI and machine learning coupled with high throughput screening enables them to test millions of potential world-changing molecules in the time it usually takes to search mere thousands.

I feel inspired after talking with Ali Wing, CEO of Oobli, on this week's Leaders on a Mission podcast. Oobli is on a mission to change the world with sweet proteins and has created a breakthrough precision fermentation platform to unlock the power of sweet proteins in foods. Ali shares her vision and mission for the company, discussing the future of sweet-tasting foods without the chronic disease and obesity associated with excess sugar consumption. Ali shares the insights from a varied career across the intersection of consumer goods, retail, and technology and shares the value in having experience from outside of the industry you are disrupting, as opposed to being an industry expert.

Bart Biebuyck, CEO and founder of Green Energy Park, discusses how they are driving the transition to affordable, renewable hydrogen.

From his early career with Toyota to leading Europe’s largest hydrogen research program, Bart shares his passion for hydrogen energy and its potential to revolutionize the global energy landscape. 

Bart explains how his personal concerns for climate change led him to focus on green hydrogen as a key part of the global energy mix. He shares insights into the challenges of scaling hydrogen technology, the importance of finding the right location for low-cost renewable energy, and the innovative use of ammonia to transport hydrogen globally.

The episode delves into the complexities of international regulations and the need for investor confidence to drive de-carbonization efforts. Bart also highlights the importance of collaboration between governments, technology providers, and the private sector in building the hydrogen economy of the future.

 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! 

Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? 

Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. 

Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.

Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up, their journey and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. 

Tune in on…

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726

…to listen to the latest episodes!

00:00 Intro

00:26 Ben’s career journey and Green Energy Park

03:30 The origin of Ben’s passion for hydrogen

04:44 Hydrogen’s role in clean energy

08:10 Hydrogen’s importance in the universe

09:51 Green Energy Park’s vision and mission

12:05 Brazil's renewable energy infrastructure

14:43 Selecting efficient electrolysers

16:52 The cost structure of hydrogen production

18:53 Using ammonia as a hydrogen carrier

23:27 Navigating regulations across countries

28:53 Educating the public and investors

33:09 The challenges of being a CEO of a startup

36:18 Governments, industry, and investor funding

Useful links: 

Green Energy Park’s website: https://www.airhive.earth/

Green Energy Park’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airhive/

Bart Biebuyck’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-biebuyck-4750b86/     

Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/

Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

With over 70% of the world’s wild fish stock depleted due to overfishing, Aquaculture has become a necessity, ensuring demand for fresh fish consumption is met. On this week’s episode of leaders of a mission, I discussed with Stian Rognlid, CEO of Aquaticode, his vision for innovation using Artificial Intelligence to solve significant Aquaculture challenges, whilst providing cost-efficient alternatives to subjective models and manual processes. Artificial Intelligence can recognize patterns with incredible accuracy in the blink of an eye, and Stian talks through his vision and mission for how this can help the food system feed the worlds growing population  

Thanks so much to Josh March, CEO and co-founder of SCiFi Foods, for coming onto this week’s Leaders on a Mission podcast to share his unique journey. Josh has been obsessed with cultivated meat since he read about it in a science fiction book over fifteen years ago. Using a unique scientific approach, SCiFi Foods is the first company in the world to successfully grow beef cells in suspension, allowing it to reduce the cost of cultivated beef by 1000 x. As a serial entrepreneur from a Tech background, we delve into the differences and challenges in running a Biotech company and adopting to the steep learning curve. As the industry grapples with a challenging cost profile, Josh outlines his vision and strategy to bring great-tasting cultivated beef to the marketplace.

Congratulations to Ari Melamud, and the Incredo team (formerly Doumatok) on their recent Series C investment. I had the great pleasure of hosting Ari on this week’s episode of Leaders on a Mission, where we discussed the company’s unique approach and technology in making great-tasting foods whilst curbing the overconsumption of sugar. Ari reflects on his responsibility, deep purpose, and fulfillment in working for a mission-driven company and the challenges and differences in working for a start-up. Ari highlights the health and sustainability challenges caused by our sugar addiction and how he sees the company commercializing great-tasting, healthier-for-planet products.

Thanks to Dr ilan Samish, CEO and Founder of Amai Proteins, an Israeli Foodtech start-up that has developed the first sugar substitute that tastes just like sugar by redesigning sweet proteins found in the jungle and producing them for mass consumption. As an expert in computational protein design & genetics with a stellar academic career, he followed his heart and passion moving into the start-up world, with a mission of helping ween the world off its addiction to sugar. Ilan shared many nuggets of great wisdom and opened up about his personal journey and mission.

I loved this week’s leaders on a mission conversation with Michelle Zhu, CEO and co-founder of Huue, a biotechnology start-up making sustainable dyes such as indigo blue – Think denim, and instead of using toxic chemicals, they turn sugar into a dye.  When Michelle met up with an old friend Tammy Hsue from their Stanford days and started learning about the usage of toxic chemicals for color production within the fashion industry, they joined forces with a vision to disrupt the fashion industry at a moment when demand for sustainability is at an all-time high. Michelle shares the journey and challenges of a first-time start-up CEO, offering some great advice