We recently completed our eighth investors roundtable working with our friends at CTLR (Cleantech Leaders Roundtable). We had a great roster that included:
We covered a wide range of topics. But no matter the question asked or answer given, these folks always impressed me with the breadth of their perspective.
I will be posting video shorts of this roundtable over the coming weeks. Below are three highlights of the conversation from each investor.
11:03 - Arash highlighted three major trends he's closely watching: The rapid rise in load growth, largely driven by AI, data centers, and the potential hydrogen economy; the funding gap for cleantech companies trying to scale up, where fewer growth equity funds are available for capital-intensive projects; and the ongoing consolidation in the industry as companies seek the scale needed to meet increasing demands.
29:49 - Ryan notes that while it's difficult to predict all the potential impacts of the upcoming election, much of the IRA funding is focused on creating manufacturing jobs, particularly in red southeastern states. Certain types of policy support, such as those for EVs or solar, might face changes, but job-related incentives are likely to remain due to bipartisan support. He believes the IRA has been successful so far, with a noticeable increase in domestic manufacturing of batteries and solar components. However, the full scale of its success depends on how much capital is ultimately raised.
36:00 - Jo believes that with capitalism, certain industries will inevitably emerge as winners. She highlights the unexpectedly rapid decline in renewable energy costs, a trend she expects to continue across the cleantech sector. While not every innovation will succeed, she stresses that a true clean revolution will only happen if it's both profitable and a sound business strategy.