Simon Leich’s Post

💻 Should your climate tech startup’s website be made for target customers . . . or potential investors? That’s the million-dollar question. Early on, it feels like investors ARE your company’s main customers — especially before you’ve fully built your product, so you’re relying on them to provide critical funding. You need your investors so you can make money. Just like you’ll eventually need customers so you can make money. So you should build your website for your investors, right? Well, not exactly. Here’s the key: the right investors want to feel 100% confident that you’ve identified your target customers, started building an amazing product that addresses one of their documented problems, and verified that those target customers are willing to pay hard cash for your specific solution. It comes down to that. Even if they're motivated to some extent by a shared passion for the environment, they are making a business decision they hope will pay off. They want to see a firm foundation for your core business model. Here are a few quotes that show this mindset among climate tech investors: "If a climate tech company can’t make money, then it’s not going to scale and it’s not going to have an impact." - Yair Reem, Partner at Extantia "A business model predicated on getting money from the government isn’t a business model." - Robert Schultz, Partner at Capricorn Investment Group "The way we look at climate tech at the moment, because it’s so buzzy and trend-driven, [is] we focus much more on the fundamentals of building good companies." - Henry Philipson, Founder of ESG_VC Understanding that this is the mindset of your potential investors is crucial. And that’s where you can leverage your website to prove you get this. You’ve done that homework. Use your website to speak to your target customers, address their problems, and provide solutions. Prove that you really understand the market you're in. And when you build your website for your very specific audience of potential customers, it can help you attract the right potential investors. 🤝 #ClimateTechMarketing #ClimateTech #TechStartup || Learn more about the state of climate tech investing in PwC's "State of Climate Tech 2023" report ➡ https://lnkd.in/g-Jyeyg9. ||

Navigating the Climate Tech Winter: Strategies for Survival and Success Is a climate tech winter coming? Recent trends suggest caution, but there's still immense opportunity for those who adapt. Here's my take on thriving in this evolving landscape: 1. Focus relentlessly on unit economics. Profitability per unit matters more than ever. 2. Diversify funding beyond VC. Explore strategic partnerships, grants, and project finance. 3. Build for the long-term with a capital plan that matches your business model, not investor hype. The IRA offers a lifeline through tax credits and rebates. Use these to make your offering more attractive to customers. Consider how your tech can help other businesses meet their sustainability goals – B2B models are ripe for exploration. While software dominates VC attention, innovative hardware solutions in clean tech may find new opportunities. The key is proving tangible impact, not just potential. Don't overlook hybrid models. Combining hardware with software-driven optimization can create powerful recurring revenue streams. If this cooling trend continues, we might see industry consolidation. Could this spark more collaboration between startups and established energy players? #CleanTechInvesting #SustainableBusiness #ClimateInnovation #GreenEconomy https://lnkd.in/gbGGAA5A

When Tech Funding News asked me to talk about what it's like exiting a company and raising a US$7m seed round, I did a lot of reflection. Here's what I thought. 👇 Starting a company is really bloody hard for lots of reasons. Convincing investors you're worth backing is a big one. Here's what I've learnt. Find a problem. Define your niche. Fix it incredibly well. The world is full of problems - climate change is no exception. These challenges are opportunities to innovate, define markets, and deliver value. But trying to tackle everything often leads to doing nothing well. When Ben and I started Zevero in 2021, we wanted to tackle it all. Climate tech is a massive space, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to solve every problem. But advice from brilliant people - like Jos White at Notion VC - taught us the power of focus. 🌍 Clarity is critical: The best startups define what they do exceptionally well and, equally, what they don’t do. Dominating a niche creates defensibility, wins customers, and builds a foundation for scaling. 🛠 Build around your customers: Your most important investors are your customers. Deeply understanding their pain points and solving them better than anyone else is what makes products stick. ❤️ Be mission-obsessed: Helping tackle climate change is something I'm dedicated today - it's crucial you have a passion for tackling the problem you're solving. I had no experience starting a company, but my drive to tackle climate change gave me a foundation. You can read the article in the comments. What am I missing?

One of the biggest problems climate tech startups have adoption of their solutions. Some of their technologies have come out of the lab directly to market. So it is understandable that founders quickly enter the trap of focusing on how amazing the solution is. But People and Companies don't buy features or functionalities just for the sake of it. They buy solutions for their problems! So when communicating don't focus on features and functionalities, focus on:  » Your customer problems » How your solution might help solve those problems » What life can be if those problems don't exist Here little bit more on the topic https://lnkd.in/dx7983bg #climatetech #climatesolutions #storiesforclimate #climatesolutionsstorytelling

Understanding what works and why is key to staying ahead in the tech landscape. Our latest blog explores how leading tech hubs like Silicon Valley thrive through innovative cultures and strategic ecosystems. What lessons do you think are crucial for emerging tech regions? Share your thoughts! #TechInnovation #EconomicGrowth #MasarSaudi #InnovationLeadership #Vision2030

TheChallange - Post 1 🌍 The world is transforming faster than ever, and the changes we’re facing are unprecedented. From the rise of AI and robotics to climate adaptation and rapid shifts in human behavior, we’re navigating uncharted territory. In a world where technology advances but job security, the environment, and social stability remain uncertain, it’s our responsibility to protect not only what is but also what will be. ✨ I’m starting an open dialogue—an experiment, if you will—dedicated to exploring sustainable solutions that prioritize positive impact. My goal is to connect with companies, startups, ideators, and thought leaders who are reimagining the future of technology, mindset, and innovative solutions. Together, we can champion a vision that balances advancement with integrity, creating a legacy of resilience and opportunity for generations to come. Join me here on LinkedIn as we dive into these discussions. If you’re someone looking to make a genuine difference, let’s connect and share ideas. Whether you’re working in tech, sustainability, policy, or human-centered innovation, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s make this a place where powerful ideas and meaningful change can take root. #FutureOfWork #SustainableSolutions #Innovation #PositiveImpact #LinkedInCommunity #LetsConnect

The time for transformative action is now! ⏰ To pave the way to a sustainable future, we must develop and deploy climate tech solutions today. This is the critical mission of Earth Tech: 2050, the impact accelerator from Foresight Canada and Social Innovation Canada. Designed to supercharge breakthrough technologies, this program is seeking climate tech companies with the potential to each reduce or remove half a gigatonne of CO2e by 2050. The elite cohort of ventures will receive unparalleled support to propel their solutions to scale: 🙌 Deep dives with industry experts to identify key growth opportunities 🚀 Customized support tailored to their unique needs and goals 💰 Investor matchmaking to fuel exponential growth 🤝 Invaluable industry connections to propel your venture forward. Join us in the race against climate change. Apply by July 30: https://hubs.la/Q02xrVRK0 Earth Tech: 2050 is sponsored by the RBC Foundation, the Peter Gilgan Foundation, and Bullfrog Power.

🌍 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲? 🌱 I remember the moment when I first realized that climate innovation didn’t necessarily require breakthrough technology. It was during a meeting with a startup that had been struggling to find its place in the rapidly evolving sustainability space. They were convinced that without a major technological leap, they couldn’t contribute meaningfully to climate solutions. But as we talked, something clicked. Their existing products, combined with a reimagined business model and better deployment of low-carbon solutions, could have a huge impact. They didn't need to wait for the next big thing—the tools were already in their hands. This is where 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐯𝐚𝐬 comes into play. It helps companies see that they don't have to be inventors of the next deep-tech breakthrough to drive climate innovation. They can Reengineer, Reboot, and Reimagine what they already have to create meaningful change. Here are the key approaches: 🌿𝑹𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒓: How can you better deploy existing low-carbon solutions to move faster and create value? Innovators who embed climate action into their core strategy will not only lead the race but redefine the market. 🔋𝑹𝒆𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒕: What’s stopping your current tech from reaching its full potential? A tweak in business models or digitalization can unlock new opportunities. 🔄𝑹𝒆𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒆: Are there new ways to fulfill customer needs that avoid emissions altogether? Maybe it's not about creating new products but new experiences or services. And yes, for some, Deep Tech innovation – the 🚀𝑰𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 phase – will play a critical role in creating disruptive new markets. But for many, the key lies in thinking differently about what's already there. Ultimately, the answer isn't just out there in some new piece of tech. It starts with us. It's time we move beyond the idea that innovation is synonymous with invention. Sometimes, innovation is about seeing old things in a new way. 🌍 Are you ready to meet the challenge and unlock the full potential of climate innovation? #ClimateInnovation #Sustainability #InnovationCanvas #BusinessTransformation #LowCarbonSolutions #pantherX ___ Let's share your thoughts! Was this helpful? 👍 like & ♻️ repost it to help other entrepreneurs. Follow me Bryan Dzung Ngo for more

The untold reason most climate tech startups struggle to scale: They can't tell their story effectively. After years of working with climate innovators, I've noticed a pattern. The companies that scale successfully aren't just those with the best technology - they're the ones that master the art of storytelling. Here's what separates successful climate tech companies: 1️⃣ They translate complexity into clarity Your breakthrough solution means nothing if customers can't understand its value. The best companies make the complex simple. 2️⃣ They connect with the right networks Success isn't just about what you know - it's about who knows about you. Strategic storytelling opens doors to partners, investors, and customers. 3️⃣ They build trust through transparency Climate tech requires patient capital and long-term partnerships. Clear, consistent storytelling builds the trust needed for these relationships. 4️⃣ They focus on impact, not just innovation Leading companies don't just explain how their technology works - they show how it changes lives and transforms industries. 5️⃣ They create emotional connection The most successful climate tech companies don't just share data - they tell stories that inspire action. At Climate Hive, we help climate innovators craft and share stories that drive growth. Because great technology deserves a great story.