The CEO Sabbatical Test

I discuss insights from recent discussions with EFI Climate CEO peer group on sabbaticals, burnout, and building companies that can thrive without the founder in every decision.Plus, why utilities spend roughly $8 billion annually managing vegetation near power lines, yet many still rely on manual inspections and limited visibility. Wait, can't AI do this?--1️⃣ Join our confidential CEO community.Private CEO group for VC/PE-backed climate tech founders navigating capital, strategy, and scale. Capped at 45 CEOs. → entrepreneursforimpact.com2️⃣ Join 40,000 professionals who get our newsletter.Climate tech finance, strategy, leadership. 2-min read. → entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com3️⃣ Leave a podcast review.If you got value, take 30 seconds and do the community a favor. It helps push more capital and talent toward scalable climate solutions.

Aalo Atomics is developing modular nuclear power plants designed for factory production. They seek to make nuclear energy scalable enough to support AI infrastructure, industrial heat, desalination, and synthetic fuels.Matt Loszak, founder and CEO of Aalo Atomics, discusses how his team is moving from software to nuclear, scaling from 2 to 165 employees in three years, raising $300M+, and pursuing a vision of abundant energy for AI, industry, and beyond.Prior to returning to his nuclear engineering roots, he founded Humi, a payroll and HR software company that grew to process roughly $10 billion in payroll.Here's what we discussed:Project to product – Why nuclear's biggest opportunity may be moving from custom megaprojects to mass-manufactured energy systems.Designing around logistics – The team constrained reactor size to what can be shipped on a truck, enabling factory production and modular deployment.Speed as a competitive advantage – Going from company formation to first reactor in under three years while scaling to 165 employees.The economics of abundance – Why sub-10¢/kWh is a critical milestone and how 3¢/kWh could fundamentally reshape global industry.Building the nuclear talent stack – Recruiting leaders from SpaceX, Tesla, Bloom Energy, and advanced reactor programs to accelerate execution.--1️⃣ Join our confidential CEO community.Private CEO group for VC/PE-backed climate tech founders navigating capital, strategy, and scale. Capped at 45 CEOs. → entrepreneursforimpact.com2️⃣ Join 40,000 professionals who get our newsletter.Climate tech finance, strategy, leadership. 2-min read. → entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com3️⃣ Leave a podcast review.If you got value, take 30 seconds and do the community a favor. It helps push more capital and talent toward scalable climate solutions.

Industrial emissions make up roughly a quarter of global CO₂ emissions, yet many of the most promising climate tech companies remain largely unknown outside specialized circles. This episode explores 95 startups attacking some of the hardest decarbonization challenges across steel, cement, chemicals, heat, fuels, mining, and manufacturing.In addition, I cover one startup turning solar into a 24/7 firm, clean power.Industrial heat is becoming a major battleground — Companies are replacing fossil-fuel-fired boilers and furnaces with thermal batteries, electrified heat systems, and long-duration energy storage solutions.Cement and concrete innovation is scaling — Startups are reducing process emissions through alternative chemistries, carbon mineralization, supplementary cementitious materials, and low-carbon production methods.24/7 solar and clean power are emerging as a new category — Companies are combining solar, storage, and dispatchable energy systems to deliver around-the-clock clean electricity rather than intermittent renewable generation.Steel and metals are entering a new era — Entrepreneurs are commercializing green hydrogen, electrolysis, scrap optimization, and novel production pathways to lower emissions from some of the world's most carbon-intensive industries.Chemicals and fuels are being reinvented — Companies are developing sustainable feedstocks, e-fuels, carbon utilization technologies, and alternative chemical manufacturing processes.The winners may not be the most obvious companies — Industrial markets reward reliability, economics, and operational simplicity, meaning some of the biggest future climate tech successes may emerge from sectors receiving far less attention than AI, EVs, or consumer technologies.--1️⃣ Join our confidential CEO community.Private CEO group for VC/PE-backed climate tech founders navigating capital, strategy, and scale. Capped at 45 CEOs. → entrepreneursforimpact.com2️⃣ Join 40,000 professionals who get our newsletter.Climate tech finance, strategy, leadership. 2-min read. → entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com3️⃣ Leave a podcast review.If you got value, take 30 seconds and do the community a favor. It helps push more capital and talent toward scalable climate solutions.

Embedding batteries into appliances to bypass big bottlenecks: home electrical upgrades. Instead of rewiring buildings, Copper turns induction stoves into distributed energy assets that can also support the grid.Copper is building appliances with integrated energy storage, starting with Charlie, a 30” induction stove with a built-in battery. The company focuses on making electrification cheaper, faster, and easier for multifamily buildings and older housing stock.They've received $60M in equity funding and government contracts so far.Before co-founding Copper, CEO Sam Calisch helped launch Rewiring America, was an Activate Fellow, co-authored Electrify, and previously founded Elmworks. He earned his PhD from MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms.Here’s what we discussed:Installation arbitrage that changes adoption economics – Traditional induction stoves often require expensive 240V upgrades and panel work, while Charlie plugs into an existing 110V outlet behind most gas stoves using an onboard 5kWh LFP battery to deliver high-power cookingMultifamily as the wedge market – Buildings facing costly gas infrastructure repairs can avoid six-figure retrofit costs, with some projects saving over $100k by switching directly to Copper’s battery-enabled electric appliancesAppliances as grid assets – Aggregated stoves participate in California’s DSGS virtual power plant program, providing dispatchable capacity during peak demand and potentially offsetting future appliance costsLicensing instead of building everything alone – Copper is pursuing partnerships with incumbent appliance manufacturers rather than vertically integrating every product category itselfFounder operating system – Weekly written goals, deliberate “play time” for experimentation, outdoor activity, and separating business problems from personal identity to sustain long-term decision quality--1️⃣ Join our confidential CEO community.Private CEO group for VC/PE-backed climate tech founders navigating capital, strategy, and scale. Capped at 45 CEOs. → entrepreneursforimpact.com2️⃣ Join 40,000 professionals who get our newsletter.Climate tech finance, strategy, leadership. 2-min read. → entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com3️⃣ Leave a podcast review.If you got value, take 30 seconds and do the community a favor. It helps push more capital and talent toward scalable climate solutions.

Women founders receive just 2–3% of venture capital. So why do they consistently outperform on capital efficiency, revenue generation, and exits?Six climate tech leaders share the hard-earned tactics they use to navigate bias, build authority, and scale companies in an ecosystem that still underfunds women entrepreneurs.This episode draws lessons from six women EFI Climate CEO Fellows and Mentors, including founders, operators, investors, and nonprofit leaders who have raised over $100M, built and exited private-equity-backed companies, secured billion-dollar commercial agreements, and led organizations representing hundreds of thousands of professionals.Pre-selling authority — using LinkedIn, podcasts, and public presence so credibility enters the room firstOwning the first 60 seconds — naming your role and credentials before others define youUsing silence as leverage — responding to bias without over-explaining or softeningDiligencing investors — reference-checking failed portfolio founders, not just winnersScaling beyond expertise — moving from technical expert to strategic architect with stronger hires and allies--1️⃣ Join our confidential CEO community.Private CEO group for VC/PE-backed climate tech founders navigating capital, strategy, and scale. Capped at 45 CEOs. → entrepreneursforimpact.com2️⃣ Join 40,000 professionals who get our newsletter.Climate tech finance, strategy, leadership. 2-min read. → entrepreneursforimpact.substack.com3️⃣ Leave a podcast review.If you got value, take 30 seconds and do the community a favor. It helps push more capital and talent toward scalable climate solutions.

Eric Ries is the author of Lean Startup (millions of copies sold), serial founder, ex-EIR at Harvard, and author of a new book: Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Companies Stay Great.Why is this relevant? Most climate startups optimize for growth and capital, not governance. That’s how mission-driven companies get sold, diluted, or pointed in the wrong direction over time.From the book summary: “Drawing on two decades of work with founders, CEOs, investors, and institution builders, Ries shows how these failures arise predictably, and how they can be prevented. He reframes corporate governance not as bureaucracy or compliance, but as a creative and strategic act at the heart of building enduring, mission-controlled companies.”Why it mattersMost climate founders focus on product, capital, and growth. Almost none design governance early. That’s how companies built to solve climate problems end up owned by actors working against them.In this episode:The Lean Startup breaks at mission scale – MVPs and rapid iteration work early. But mission-driven companies need a long-term philosophical foundation to survive the “flat part of the curve.”Success creates a dangerous new asset: trust – Mission-driven companies generate outsized trust with customers, employees, and society. That trust becomes exploitable as companies scale.The system is designed to extract, not protect – Delaware C-Corps are legally oriented toward shareholder value maximization. Over time, this pressures companies to trade mission for liquidity.The Revlon Doctrine is the forcing function – Once a company is for sale, boards must choose the highest bidder. Even if it destroys the original mission.Real example: mission failure at scale – A UK therapeutics company was sold to a tobacco firm offering a slightly higher bid. Within ~3 years, ~$900M in value was wiped out.Quick fix most founders ignore – Converting to a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) can be done with a simple filing. It allows balancing mission and shareholder value. Only ~5–10% of climate companies have done this.Advanced structures for long-term control -  Foundations, trusts, and employee ownership models preserve mission across decades. Data across ~54,000 companies shows better growth, retention, and resilience.Investor objections are often weak - “It’s unusual” or “others won’t like it.” But climate investing is already a non-consensus bet. Governance should be, too.--Join our confidential CEO community.Private CEO group for VC/PE-backed climate tech founders navigating capital, strategy, and scale. Capped at 45 CEOs. See if you're a fit → entrepreneursforimpact.comJoin 40,000 professionals who get our newsletter.Climate tech finance, strategy, leadership. 2-min read. → entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a podcast review.If you got value, take 30 seconds and do the community a favor. It helps push more capital and talent toward scalable climate solutions.

The discussion draws on insights from leading climate investors, including Voyager Ventures, Decarbonization Partners, MassMutual Ventures, SOSV, SJF Ventures, Energy Impact Partners, Spring Lane Capital, Climate Insiders, and Tailwind.Examples of what we discussed:Clarity beats complexity – If a non-expert cannot explain your differentiation after one conversation, your positioning still needs workLead with the risks – Founders who proactively surface weaknesses build trust faster than those who hide themDesperation is visible – Targeted fundraising and calm execution outperform broad outreach and forced urgencyAnd also...The $1T Industrial Heat Problem Most Startups Underestimate | TempoIndustrial heat is one of the largest decarbonization opportunities in the world. This second portion explores how to commercialize hard-tech infrastructure without falling into the common traps that slow adoption.Pasquale Romano is the CEO of Tempo and a four-time CEO with multiple successful exits. He shares lessons from building and scaling industrial energy businesses.Examples of what we discussed:Avoid rip-and-replace projects – Technologies that integrate with existing infrastructure face dramatically lower adoption barriersDesign for logistics first – Shipping, installation, and transport constraints often determine scalability more than technology performanceStart with narrow deployments – One successful plant can become the proof point that unlocks broader adoption--Join our confidential CEO community.Private CEO group for VC/PE-backed climate tech founders navigating capital, strategy, and scale. Capped at 45 CEOs. See if you're a fit → entrepreneursforimpact.comJoin 40,000 professionals who get our newsletter.Climate tech finance, strategy, leadership. 2-min read. → entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a podcast review.If you got value, take 30 seconds and do the community a favor. It helps push more capital and talent toward scalable climate solutions.

This limestone battery can achieve 100+ hour heat storage without lithium and zero standby losses.Industrial heat is a $1T+ problem, but most solutions ignore storage, especially those using ancient chemistry.Arpit Dwivedi is the founder and CEO of Cache Energy, building thermal storage systems for industrial decarbonization.Cache uses calcium oxide chemistry to store and release heat, targeting sub-1,000°F processes that represent ~75% of global industrial demand, with modular systems designed for rapid deployment and low cost.Here’s what we discussed:Unit economics anchored in materials, not breakthroughs – Limestone feedstock at <$500/ton, 95% off-the-shelf hardware, and a small proprietary binder that enables pellet durability and repeat cycling without degradation typical of lime powdersOperational performance that mimics baseload fuel – 100+ hour discharge with effectively zero standby losses over 6–9 months, allowing customers to arbitrage cheap off-peak electricity into constant, gas-like heat outputDeployment speed as wedge – Containerized 2MW systems installed and operational within hours (e.g., University of Minnesota), eliminating long EPC timelines and specialized on-site laborProven industrial ROI, not pilots – Single-process retrofit at a Fortune 500 Midwest manufacturer reduced natural gas consumption ~98%, with expansion to additional plants based on measured performanceFinancing unlocks adoption – Leasing model with flat monthly pricing, uptime guarantees, and full O&M removes capex friction while enabling transition to $150–200M project finance-backed scaling--Join our confidential CEO community.Private CEO group for VC/PE-backed climate tech founders navigating capital, strategy, and scale. Capped at 45 CEOs. See if you're a fit → entrepreneursforimpact.comJoin 40,000 professionals who get our newsletter.Climate tech finance, strategy, leadership. 2-min read. → entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a podcast review.If you got value, take 30 seconds and do the community a favor. It helps push more capital and talent toward scalable climate solutions.

When expansion feels like productivity, climate CEOs often drift into adjacent markets, new products, and endless “opportunities” that quietly dilute execution.This episode breaks down three strategic traps: timid visions, distraction disguised as growth, and rebuilding too late. Here’s what we discussed:Manifestos vs. marketing decks – Why some climate companies raise billions by selling an inevitable future, not just a product roadmap or pilot projectOpportunity overload – How “adjacencies” like new geographies, EV charging, or development capital can become strategic debt instead of growthFocus as competitive advantage – Why the best operators often win by doing fewer things deeper while competitors chase every inbound requestWhen to rebuild from scratch – Signals that your startup is compounding organizational debt instead of improving actual outputThe 80/95 rule – Why “80% good in 3 months” often beats “95% perfect in 12” in hardtech and climate markets where timing matters--Join our confidential CEO community.Private CEO group for VC/PE-backed climate tech founders navigating capital, strategy, and scale. Capped at 45 CEOs. See if you're a fit → entrepreneursforimpact.comJoin 40,000 professionals who get our newsletter.Climate tech finance, strategy, leadership. 2-min read. → entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a podcast review.If you got value, take 30 seconds and do the community a favor. It helps push more capital and talent toward scalable climate solutions.

Biomass waste is one of the largest unmanaged carbon flows, yet most climate solutions ignore it. This founder is turning landfills into carbon sinks using decentralized pyrolysis and biochar.Andrew Jones is the founder and CEO of Carba, a waste-to-value company converting biomass into permanent carbon removal. He studied catalytic fast pyrolysis and earned a PhD in chemical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.Carba builds modular, decentralized systems that process biomass waste near aggregation points, producing biochar for landfill burial, methane reduction, and potential industrial uses.Here’s what we discussed:Site strategy that actually works – Targeting 10k–100k ton/year biomass hubs co-located with landfills to eliminate transport cost and preserve unit economicsLandfill use case, not theory – Biochar used as daily cover to (1) store carbon underground, (2) stimulate methanotrophs that oxidize methane, and (3) adsorb PFAS and other contaminantsReactor advantage – Custom molten-salt pyrolysis system vs rotary kilns, enabling tighter temperature control, higher carbon yield, and more consistent biochar quality at throughputCarbon permanence bet – Converting cellulose/lignin into stable aromatic carbon structures that resist microbial decay, especially in anaerobic landfill conditionsRevenue stack reality – Tipping fees exist but small; real upside is durable carbon credits, with optionality in steel, concrete, asphalt, tires, and filtration depending on local demand--Join our confidential CEO community.Private CEO group for VC/PE-backed climate tech founders navigating capital, strategy, and scale. Capped at 45 CEOs. See if you're a fit → entrepreneursforimpact.comJoin 40,000 professionals who get our newsletter.Climate tech finance, strategy, leadership. 2-min read. → entrepreneursforimpact.substack.comLeave a podcast review.If you got value, take 30 seconds and do the community a favor. It helps push more capital and talent toward scalable climate solutions.