> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://content.konfab.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Talking Climate Tech 001 redux - URL: https://content.konfab.io/talking-climate-tech-001-redux/ - Published: 2024-11-29T11:39:36.000Z - Updated: 2025-03-14T16:07:02.000Z - Description: Farming, Agtech Startups, my 3 picks from Hack Summits 17 x VC watch list, and Pylon of the Month! - Author: Kane Watkinson - Tags: Newsletter, AgTech, Farming, Geothermal, Grid, Battery, Konfab News, Transport *Issued to subscribers 22nd November 2024.* Here we go with the weekly newsletter - there has to be a first-time! Straight down to business - what's in store? πŸ’Έ Startup News πŸ”Ž Deeper Dive 🏑 Konfab News πŸ˜ƒ Other Stuff Farming has been in the news this week here in the UK, specifically inheritance tax on farming. You can dive into that [here](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czj71zyy934o?ref=content.konfab.io) if you want, including Jeremy Clarkson squirming just a little bit on his tax avoidance strategy, which may or may not amuse you πŸ“½οΈ. In climate tech, the future of sustainable farming and agtech are key enablers in mitigating climate change and delivering food security - some timely startup news then... ### Startups to Watch πŸ‡©πŸ‡ͺ[Klim](https://www.klim.eco/en?ref=content.konfab.io) \- Agtech for regenerative agriculture platform, [raised](https://tech.eu/2024/11/12/klim-raises-22m-in-germanys-largest-agritech-series-a-of-2024?ref=content.konfab.io) **$22m** in Series A funding from BNP Paribas, Achmea, AgFunder, Ananda Impact Ventures, Earthshot Ventures, and other investors. Why it matters \- regenerative farming will help us use fewer chemicals, restore soil, and sequester carbon. 🌱 πŸ‡§πŸ‡ͺ [BiocSol](https://www.linkedin.com/company/biocsol/about/?ref=content.konfab.io), microbial-based crop protection, has secured **€5.2m** in seed funding led by Agri Investment Fund (AIF) and VIVES IUF, the round also included Belgian investors Invest.BW and IMBC Spinnova. Why it matters \- [fungal and oomycete pathogens](https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-020-0075-0?ref=content.konfab.io) destroy [20–40% of annual crop yields worldwide](https://www.mpg.de/23545750/plants-fungal-diseases?ref=content.konfab.io), threatening food security. By providing farmers with reliable, cost-effective biopesticides, BiocSol seeks to mitigate these losses and support the transition to sustainable agriculture. ♻️ πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ [Nukoku](https://www.nukoko.co.uk/?ref=content.konfab.io) has previously raised **$1.5m** in seed funding to scale up its technology to produce cocoa-free chocolate from fava beans. Now, it's scaling up with [Dohler](https://vegconomist.com/food-and-beverage/sweets-snacks/dohler-invests-nukoko-launch-first-cocoa-free-chocolate-from-fava-bean-2025?ref=content.konfab.io) as a partner for pilot-scale to industrial-scale production in 2025, utilising 10,000-litre fermentation batches to increase output efficiency. Why it matters \- we all love chocolate, right? πŸ˜‹ Rising prices \[89% in 2023\], climate change, crop yields, and socio-economic challenges impact our favourite sweet treats. The upside? It has 40% less sugar and more protein, fibre, and antioxidants without compromising on taste, apparently. And it uses the famous fava bean, which can be grown in the UK - so there is a huge reduction in transport emissions. 🍫 ![Hannibal Lecter enjoying fava beans and chianti](https://media.tenor.com/KIN7ZDb0mWwAAAAC/silence-of-the-lambs-anthony-hopkins.gif) Fava bean chocolate and a nice bottle of Chianti ### Deeper Dive Got some more time? Jump into these climate tech resources: There are over [72,000](https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-tools/energy-start-up-data-explorer?utm%5Fsource=hacksummit.beehiiv.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=59-energy-startups-to-watch-according-to-vcs) energy-related startups worldwide, according to IEA ⚑ Global investments in low-carbon energy transition technologies increased [17%](https://www.statista.com/topics/3001/clean-technology-investments/?utm%5Fsource=hacksummit.beehiiv.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=59-energy-startups-to-watch-according-to-vcs) YoY to a record high of 1.8 trillion US dollars last year. πŸ’° [Hack Summit](https://hacksummit.beehiiv.com/p/energy-startups-to-watch?ref=content.konfab.io) asked 17 VCs for their picks on startups to watch in this space - take a look for yourself and see what you think. πŸ€” Plenty of very good ones missed - perhaps a longer post for another day. Here are three that caught my interest: #### πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡ͺ [****PlexiGrid**](https://plexigrid.com/?utm%5Fsource=hacksummit.beehiiv.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=59-energy-startups-to-watch-according-to-vcs) \- SaaS Reinventing electricity grids for the energy transition by combining data analysis and optimization technology in a platform. Why? Large-scale electrification needs grid optimisation. ⚑ #### πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡° [****GA Drilling**](https://www.gadrilling.com/?utm%5Fsource=hacksummit.beehiiv.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=59-energy-startups-to-watch-according-to-vcs) **\-** Hardtech Novel plasma drilling technology for deep geothermal energy access and reduced costs. Why? We need large-scale global deep and high temp. geothermal for heat and power, to supplement variable renewable energy. ♨️ #### πŸ‡±πŸ‡Ί [Circu Li-ion](https://www.circuli-ion.com/?utm%5Fsource=hacksummit.beehiiv.com&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=59-energy-startups-to-watch-according-to-vcs) \- Circular Reuse and recycling of batteries by focusing on diagnosis, disassembly and second-life applications. Why? We have a lot of batteries to deal with, and plenty more to come - lots of life in them for extended and alternative applications. πŸ”‹ ### Konfab News Our first guest contributor article is now live, dive on in, thanks to Jack Lewis; > "**Energy System Modelling for UK Industrial Decarbonisation**" [Energy System Modelling for UK Industrial DecarbonisationTo deliver the low-carbon UK energy network, we need to move beyond isolated static plans and utilise new innovative technologies.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/icon/Icon-2.png)konfabJack Lewis![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1610552254818-d1e3ee1de0fb-1)](https://content.konfab.io/energy-system-modelling-for-uk-industrial-decarbonisation/) ### Other Stuff The automotive is amid its greatest ever shake-up. VW is certainly feeling the heat - challenging sales numbers, outdeveloped by China, factory closures, and having to stump up for Rivian - gulp, some big numbers; > Rivian announced on Wednesday a $5.8 billion investment from German automaker Volkswagen as part of a joint venture, driving the Amazon-backed electric truck maker’s stock up over 15% on Wednesday. > The funding is a much-needed boost after Rivian posted a $1.45 billion loss in the first quarter of 2024, widening from a $1.35 billion loss in the same period in 2023\. The cash infusion comes as Rivian’s cash burn rate remains high, and billions more will be needed to keep operations on track. --- Our future is all about electrification, let's celebrate with last month's sexy snap, '[Pylon of the Month](https://www.pylonofthemonth.org/?ref=content.konfab.io)' πŸ₯° ![Pylon between Zurich and Rapperswil - 132/110 kV line + 5G](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/2024/11/pylon-2-1-1.png) Somewhere between Zurich and Rapperswil - 132/110 kV line + 5G --- That's it for this week, see you next Friday! Kane 🌱