$7 Trillion on Data Centers by 2030 + VC Lessons from $220M Across 36 Companies [💡 5 Ideas]

Here are today’s five topics on climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI for entrepreneurs, and mindfulness in leadership:1. 📊 CLIMATE DATA50 million miles of transmission lines are needed by 2040 to achieve climate goals.2. 💡 CEO TO KNOWCam Halliday @ Mantel ($32M for carbon capture)3. 💸 INVESTOR SPOTLIGHTDave Kirkpatrick @ SJF Ventures ($435M for impact startups)4. 🤖 AI INSIGHTAI as speechwriter for critical moments (in a rush)5. ⛰️ MINDFUL MOMENTMisery or strength: same workload, different ROI------------Join my EFI Climate CEO Peer Group:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet my 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick ideas on climate data, CEOs to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from lessons working with 400+ climate CEOs and investors, plus 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast Review. (All the cool kids do it.)No sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the Host:Dr. Chris Wedding is a climate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding--Cover image credit: BloombergNEF, 2023. (Note: Their projections for transmission lines go out to 2050, not 2040 as IEA does.)

Here are today’s five topics on climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI for entrepreneurs, and mindfulness in leadership:1. 📊 CLIMATE DATA$7 trillion on data centers by 20302. 💡 CEO TO KNOWTod Hynes @ Maigent & MIT3. 💸 INVESTOR SPOTLIGHTKareem Dabbagh & Joe Goodman @ VoLo Earth4. 🤖 AI INSIGHTAI as “Cognitive Reframing Coach”5. ⛰️ MINDFUL MOMENT“Despair is a failure of imagination.”------------Join my EFI Climate CEO Peer Group:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet my 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick ideas on climate data, CEOs to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from lessons working with 400+ climate CEOs and investors, plus 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast Review. (All the cool kids do it.)No sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the Host:Dr. Chris Wedding is a climate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding--Cover image source: McKinsey & Company, 2025.

Ex-Tesla engineers raise $60M for solar and battery-powered RVs, creating tomorrow's camping today and relevant for 1 in 10 Americans.🎧 Episode SummaryBen Parker is the Co-Founder of Lightship, an electric RV company that’s reimagining how we hit the road sustainably.Lightship builds aerodynamic, all-electric travel trailers with onboard solar and battery systems that can provide 5-7 days of clean power.Before founding Lightship in 2020, Ben was an EV engineer at Tesla. He and his co-founder Toby Kraus (also ex-Tesla) have raised over $60 million from investors like our friends at Prelude Ventures, Congruent Ventures, and Obvious Ventures.In short: Parker and 120 + team members are building the Airstream of the net-zero era: sleek, solar-powered, and silent.-----------Join my EFI Climate CEO Peer Group:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet my 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick ideas on climate data, CEOs to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from lessons working with 400+ climate CEOs and investors, plus 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast Review. (All the cool kids do it.)No sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the Host:Dr. Chris Wedding is a climate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Here are today’s five topics on climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI for entrepreneurs, and mindfulness in leadership:1. 📊 CLIMATE DATARobots: Building a net-zero future (not just stealing jobs)2. 👏 CEO TO KNOWBill Flederbach @ ClimeCo (45M tons of CO2e reduced, avoided, or removed)3. 💸 INVESTOR SPOTLIGHTHoward Fischer @ Gratitude Railroad (from hedge fund to impact investor)4. 🤖 AI INSIGHTPeople are OK with AI taking 58% of our jobs.5. ⛰️ MINDFUL MOMENTBelieve it or not, data shows the world is getting better.------------Join my EFI Climate CEO Peer Group:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet my 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick ideas on climate data, CEOs to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from lessons working with 400+ climate CEOs and investors, plus 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast Review. (All the cool kids do it.)No sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the Host:Dr. Chris Wedding is a climate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding--Cover image source: Friis and Riley at Harvard University. 2025.

Discover why Shell, Eni, and MCJ invested in this molten borate carbon capture tech led by an MIT PhD.🎧 Episode SummaryMantel Capture is a Boston-based climate technology company developing the first molten-salt (molten borate) carbon capture system designed to operate at the high temperatures found inside boilers, kilns, and furnaces. Their technology cuts the energy penalty of carbon capture by recovering useful heat (steam or electricity) and can reduce costs by roughly half compared with conventional systems. Mantel raised $30 million in Series A funding, led by Shell Ventures and Eni Next, to deploy a demonstration plant at a pulp & paper mill that will capture around 1,800 tons of CO₂ per year.Cam Halliday holds multiple degrees from MIT, including a PhD in Chemical Engineering, an MS in Chemical Engineering, and an MBA from MIT Sloan. Originally from the UK, he co-founded Mantel in 2022 after years of carbon capture research in MIT’s Hatton Lab. You’ll also be lulled into submission by his very sophisticated British accent, especially in contrast to my Southern drawl. 😅------------Join my EFI Climate CEO Peer Group:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet my 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick ideas on climate data, CEOs to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from lessons working with 400+ climate CEOs and investors, plus 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast Review. (All the cool kids do it.)No sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the Host:Dr. Chris Wedding is a climate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Here are today’s five topics on climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI for entrepreneurs, and mindfulness in leadership:1. 📊 CLIMATE DATA$7 trillion on data centers by 20302. 💡 CEO TO KNOWTod Hynes @ Maigent & MIT3. 💸 INVESTOR SPOTLIGHTKareem Dabbagh & Joe Goodman @ VoLo Earth4. 🤖 AI INSIGHTAI as “Cognitive Reframing Coach”5. ⛰️ MINDFUL MOMENT“Despair is a failure of imagination.”------------Join my EFI Climate CEO Peer Group:Become an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet my 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick ideas on climate data, CEOs to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from lessons working with 400+ climate CEOs and investors, plus 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast Review. (All the cool kids do it.)No sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the Host:Dr. Chris Wedding is a climate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding--Photo credit: McKinsey & Company. "The cost of compute: A $7 trillion race to scale data centers." 2025.

Learn from two climate tech VC investors sharing startup lessons in energy, buildings, mobility, and industry.🎧 Episode SummaryVoLo Earth Ventures is an early-stage climate tech venture capital firm that invests in scalable innovations in clean energy, mobility, built environment, and industry. They provide returns-first catalytic capital and hands-on leadership to help founders decarbonize global systems. They raised two funds and invested in 36+ companies.Kareem Dabbagh and Joe Goodman are the co-founders and Managing Partners.Kareem has over 15 years of experience in renewable energy and clean technology, spanning startups, project finance, and grid modernization. Prior to VoLo Earth, Kareem held leadership roles at SolarCity, Sunrun, and Aurora Solar, and supported early-stage ventures through Rocky Mountain Institute and Cleantech Open. Joe brings two decades of experience in energy markets, carbon policy, and sustainability finance. Prior to VoLo Earth, Joe worked at the Rocky Mountain Institute, the U.S. Department of Energy, and multiple advisory roles advancing decarbonization strategies for utilities and governments. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and loves connecting rigorous climate science with pragmatic venture investment.------------Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow — North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet Our 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick ideas on climate data, CEOs to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from lessons working with 400+ climate CEOs and investors, plus 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast ReviewNo sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a climate CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Here are today’s five topics on climate & clean energy, startup investment, AI for entrepreneurs, and mindfulness in leadership:1. CLIMATE DATAWhich cities have the most startup funding? 2. CEO TO KNOWToussaint Wattinne @ Upway — $60M for sustainable mobility3. INVESTOR SPOTLIGHTTim Krysiek @ Climate Technology Fund of MassMutual Ventures4. AI INSIGHTDon’t be scared: “100 million jobs erased by AI in the USA in 10 years.” 5. MINDFUL MOMENT“Don’t feel sorry for yourself. Only assholes do that.”--------Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet Our 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast ReviewNo sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Serial entrepreneurs, MIT professors, and climate tech experts share their blueprint for building startups in this new book.🎧 Episode SummaryTod Hynes is the Co-founder and CEO of Maigent, Board Chairman at Woodwell Climate Research Center, and Senior Lecturer at MIT.He has co-founded several organizations and companies and has raised over $500 million. He has also helped hundreds of teams of students launch their own climate and energy companies through the MIT Climate & Energy Ventures (CEV) class and MIT Climate & Energy Prize.Tod helped the Woodwell Climate Research Center raise matching funds and win a $41 million grant through the Audacious Project for their Permafrost Pathways Project. Only 18% of IPCC Earth Systems models include emissions from permafrost, which is like leaving out a Japan or even the U.S. worth of emissions. His newest venture, Maigent, leverages AI to accelerate climate solutions by turning us into super connectors to the right investors and partners needed for scale.I could try to summarize his other 44 “Experiences” on LinkedIn or how we have 364 mutual connections, but you get the idea!Learn more:MIT Course: https://www.climateandenergyventures.comNew Book Website: https://www.de4cev.comMaigent Website: https://maigent.aiWoodwell Website: https://www.woodwellclimate.orgBook coauthors include veteran entrepreneur Bill Aulet, climate tech expert Ben Soltoff, and the additional faculty behind MIT's Climate & Energy Ventures course, Francis O'Sullivan, and Libby Wayman.--------Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.comGet Our 4-Minute Newsletter: Climate CEOsFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments — drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a Podcast ReviewNo sponsors — just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewsAbout the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. For more on climate tech startups and leadership, connect on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding

Tackling superpollutants, carbon insetting, digital carbon, and ESG strategy consulting before climate tech was cool.🎧 Episode SummaryClimeCo is an award-winning leader in decarbonization and an Inc. Best Workplaces Company. Since 2009, they have evolved from a pioneer in nitrous oxide abatement projects to a global leader in the environmental commodities market. Bill Flederbach is a Sustainability Hero Award Winner 2025, a former executive with MGM and AgCert, and an active member of the Rotary Club, implementing their four guiding principles across ClimeCo: Is it the truthIs it fair to all concernedWill it build goodwill and better friendshipsWill it be beneficial to all concerned🌎 Join EFI’s Climate CEO Peer GroupBecome an EFI Climate CEO Fellow—North America’s top invite-only peer community for growth-stage CEOs in climate tech and sustainability. 100 CEOs and Mentors representing $40B in market value or investment assets.👉 https://www.entrepreneursforimpact.com📨 Get Our 4-Minute NewsletterFor entrepreneurs and investors: 5 quick points on climate data, CEO to know, investor spotlights, AI insights, and mindfulness moments—drawn from 400+ climate CEOs and 25 years of meditation practice.👉 https://entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com/⭐ Leave a ReviewNo sponsors—just real conversations with climate leaders. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review to help others discover it.👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews🎙️ About the HostDr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. Follow daily insights on climate tech startups and leadership on LinkedIn:👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding