Can Deep Tech & Hardware Solutions Decarbonize Our Planet? (ft. Nadav Steinmetz - Climate First)

In today's show, I'm welcoming Nadav Steinmetz an early stage climate tech investor based in London, UK. Nadav is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Climate First. Nadav delves into he critical role of deep tech in combating climate change and the challenges and opportunities faced within this niche. The discussion is particularly relevant given the backdrop of heightened climate awareness and the pressing need for sustainable solutions.

Nadav highlights the crucial role of deep tech and hardware investments in achieving decarbonization goals and generating significant returns. He emphasizes that while many investors focus on software, physical solutions like deep tech are essential for real climate impact. Despite longer development cycles, Nadav believes that these investments can lead to major disruptions in sectors like energy and manufacturing.

Battery technology is central to climate tech, with challenges in supply chains and geopolitical dependencies. Nadav discusses innovations in green mining and battery recycling as critical solutions. He also highlights the importance of global collaboration, pointing to Europe’s climate commitment, the Middle East’s resources, and Israel’s innovation as key drivers in advancing climate tech. Nadav remains optimistic that these efforts will create a powerful, impactful ecosystem for the future.

We cover:

Strategic Deep Tech Investments
Challenges and Innovations in Battery Technology
Global and Regional Dynamics

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SHOW NOTES:

01:40 - Intro
02:27 - What is Climate First?
03:34 - Why is investing in deep tech important?
05:54 - How can we stop climate tech funds from chasing easy money?
07:20 - How can we ensure the LPs that they invest in funds that they will get greater returns?
08:59 - Why are investors shying away from climate tech's biggest solutions?
10:26 - Why should TRL be the new metric for climate tech success?
12:54 - How important are corporate partnerships for startup success?
14:17 - How will high interest rates impact the future of climate tech?
15:60 - Can M&A activity help meet the 2030 targets?
18:08 - What climate tech solutions will drive global decarbonization in the next 5-7 years?
20:02 - What are hard-to-abate sectors worth looking at?
21:02 - How will access to rare minerals influence the future of electrification?
22:30 - How can Europe and the US reduce dependence on imported rare earth minerals?
24:58 - What solutions exist for the mineral shortage?
26:42 - Can recycling existing technologies provide Europe with mineral self-reliance?
28:21 - Can recycled batteries be fully reused?
29:35 - How can green mining innovations transform lithium extraction and reduce environmental impact?
33:01 - What are the key developments in Israel’s climate tech sector?
35:42 - Will the Middle East become a major player in the global climate ecosystem?
37:04 - Is Middle Eastern investment in climate tech a strategy or just diversification?
38:54 - How important are Middle Eastern funds in the global venture capital landscape?
40:37 - Is Europe at risk of falling behind in climate tech due to over-regulation?
44:05 - How can Europe compete with US and Chinese dominance in AI and climate tech?
46:00 - Outro