Talking Climate Tech 006 redux
Last week's newsletter - wildfires, startups, DJT, guests, the angry sea and Pylon of the Month!
3.2.1, and you're back at the desk!
And like that, it's gone, although to be fair it was a good long festive break for most people. Except those with kids. π
Has much been going on since we were last here? Well, yep, there is quite a lot going on in the world, obviously, not least of all massive climate change-induced wildfires in January [!!?] across California.
The largest of which is 31sq miles. For a bit of perspective, see the map from NBC News as of 9 Jan.
What to expect next? More of the same, this is climate change

Right, onwards, what's the format again?
πΈ Startup News
π Deeper Dive
π‘ Konfab News
π Other Stuff
Let's go, oh and don't forget to tell your friends! Give it a forward, a like, pass it on, repurpose it, recycle it, find a second home... you get the picture!
πΈ Startups to Watch
What's happening in startup land? Here are 3 I have been taking a look at recently. A pick and mix across sectors this week, all from the US coincidentally:
πΊπΈ Zanskar - AI analytics for geothermal exploration, raised $30m in May 2024 with Obvious Ventures plus Munich Re Ventures, Union Square Ventures, Lowercarbon Capital, Safar Partners, First Star Ventures, and Clearvision Ventures. Followed by a Series A $12m in August 2024 with Grantham Environmental Ventures joining.
πΊπΈ Inari Agriculture - raised $144M in funding, bringing their total raise to date to $720m, for their advanced breeding technologies to create nature-positive seeds for a more sustainable global food system.
πΊπΈ Electra - has raised $180.4 million to develop a novel electrowinning process [borrowed from copper/nickel processing] for extracting pure iron from low-grade ores, aiming to reduce carbon emissions in the steelmaking industry.
π Deeper Dive
Got some more time, well you might if you aren't fully back in the swing of things.
Interesting breakdown from data analyst Ben James who you can follow here, with his UK electricty bill breakdown. We have some of the most expensive electricity in the world - find out why.
What's Your Bill All About?
As you know I like to keep an eye on Donald J Trump in general, and his likely environmental policy changes, not least of all the pending expansion of US 'drill baby drill' - last thing we need is more oil and gas. See California Donald. π₯
Why 'drill baby drill' is not actually the sound economic policy he thinks it is here.
In the meantime, my prediction after the elcetion that DJT would bid for Greenland might be coming to fruition soon, although he might just take it, along with Panama and Canada. π€― We are in for a rocky ride people. π
π‘ Konfab News
Whats been happening at HQ? Well some eating, drinking and lounging, but beyond that, we've kept the lights on! [via 100% renewable electricity]
New colour theme on the website, to match our dark winter mood! π
Next interviews are in planning, lined up in the coming weeks;
ποΈ Jack Lewis of Ada Mode, data, AI and energy system modeling
ποΈ ex-CEO of European Thermal Energy Storage scale-up β¨οΈ
ποΈ Founder of an EU rail freight decarbonisation startup π
More guest articles on the way, next up;
Geothermal and the UK Opportunity to Decarbonise Heat -
Simon Todd of UK Geothermal specialists Causeway Energies. π‘
New Guest Post
I'm reasonably confident there aren't many market strategists and content writers out there who have both Mechanical and Chemical Engineering qualifications. π¦
Luckily we have one as friend of the show π Adam Kimmel gives us an overview on how to be seen and heard as a climate tech startup, with his overview and some snippets from me, on 'Climate Tech Engineering Marketing.'
π Other Stuff
Not all climate tech innovation is made equal. Can't see this one making the cut to be honest π

A Harry Potter Solar fashion-future?
Raising Engagement
We need to win 'hearts and minds' as they say, to raise global awareness on climate change. Like it or not, celebs resonate. Sometimes all you need is a voice...
If its Harrison Ford as the angry sea, everyone should listen π
Harrison Ford is the Ocean
Pylon of the Month
Decembers beauty is finally up! November seemed to be a rest month. More details here, in the meantime feast your eyes on this snow angel, from Yorkshire again.

That's it for this week!
Thanks as always, stay warm/cool and safe, where ever you are π
Kane π±