Mario Gabriele

Cambridge Future Tech builds DeepTech ventures and last week we hit another milestone; we're co-founding our 15th venture 🤘 It's awesome building new ventures from the ground up. It's why we started CFT in the first place. It always feels great to be at the start of the build phase, helping founders articulate a new venture’s tech and potential, building a strong narrative. We’re collaborating closely with founders to transform groundbreaking ideas into companies. 🚀🚀🚀 More to come on this. I'm hyped to share what we're building 🤘 #venturebuilder #deeptech #startups #cambridge

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As the current co-GP of Juniper, the Climate Biotech Fund, I’ve spent the last week trying to wrap my mind around what Trump 2.0 means for climate tech. I wrote a newsletter with my thoughts. I’ve written a summary of that letter below, and if you’d like to read the full version, you can find that and subscribe to our newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/eSrHFP-3 Big picture, Trump's return to the White House isn't the end for climate tech by any means. Governmental support for some climate initiatives may shrink, but support for others may actually grow. And climate tech is poised to continue to grow regardless of governmental support. I won’t pretend that Trump’s next term will be anything but a setback for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the short term. However, it’s important to remember that bad for climate change policy does not directly equate to bad for climate tech entrepreneurs. Say you have a sustainable aviation fuel company that's able to make fuel 10x cheaper than any of its competitors. This business is using bio-manufacturing and is 100x more energy-efficient and less pollutive than anyone else in the space. This business is eager to build production-scale plants across the United States. Both the Biden administration and the Trump administration want to support this business; they just use different language to describe why they would like to do so. In the case of our hypothetical business above, the Biden administration wants to support this business because it's climate-friendly and sustainable, and the Trump administration wants to support this business because it's onshoring supply chains capacity and competing with China. The means of support might also be different – whereas Biden may support this business through a DoE loan (like the one Tesla received in 2010), the Trump administration might be more likely to use a DoD grant and advance purchase order. In Juniper’s focus area, bio-manufacturing, the first Trump Administration was especially supportive. They promoted initiatives which aimed to boost domestic bio-manufacturing. As such, many climate biotech companies are in particular very likely to receive different types of government support.  Ultimately, the best climate tech companies are those that have figured out how to make the things we need in a way that is not only more sustainable, but more affordable than the legacy alternatives they replace. These companies will continue to get funded regardless of who is in office because they are great businesses. We may see companies label themselves more as ‘deep tech’ or ‘new industrials’ rather than ‘climate tech’ but make no mistake, the way we make everything is being reformed and made not only more efficient but also more sustainable, regardless of what we call it.

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Climate People's first-ever Climate Career Boot Camp is happening next Wednesday, and it's designed for those serious about making a difference in climate tech. This fast-paced, 4-hour workshop is your one-stop shop for: - Finding your climate niche - Accessing the hidden job market (yes, it exists!) - Crafting applications that get noticed by climate-focused hiring managers - Building a network of contacts who can open doors for you This is the inside scoop, straight from the source. I talk to hiring managers in this space daily, and this is the information that will make a real difference in your job search. We're committed to making this accessible to everyone, so we've kept the price at $125. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain a competitive edge. Spaces are limited, so grab yours here: https://buff.ly/3z9hG6C Send Natalie or me a DM if you have questions!

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Prime Coalition has long taken a different tack to climate finance compared to its for-profit brethren. It makes the usual venture-style investments in startups through Azolla Ventures and also helps philanthropists direct their money to climate-related projects that it deems high impact. Trellis Climate follows the latter model with a focus on middle stages, where capital has grown scarce. #climatetech #climateVC #climatefinance

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"There's plenty of capital available in multiple flavors for Climate Tech Companies..." 🌍💸 Did you know that in 2023, 50 VC deals for climate tech companies exceeded $150 million, with nine of those surpassing $500 million? Venture capitalists are increasingly turning their focus toward startups to tackle the climate crisis, marking a significant shift in investment priorities. Despite the challenging environment for venture capital in 2023, with overall investment in climate tech falling by 14.5% to $41.1 billion, the commitment to climate solutions remains robust. Key trends and insights are shaping the evolving landscape of climate tech investment. Are you an early-stage Climate Tech founder looking to fundraise? Curious about the main drivers for the industry? ⬇ Dive into my latest Forbes article to learn more. Special thanks to Hannah Sieber & Arun Gupta for sharing your invaluable insights! https://lnkd.in/gNhe8jew #ClimateTech #VentureCapital #Forbes Artyc Skyven Technologies

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Summary: The article discusses the challenges faced by climate tech startups as they transition from the lab to commercial outfit. These companies, which work on hardware and infrastructure projects for climate solutions, struggle to raise necessary funds and often face difficulties in scaling up production. Key takeaways: The transition from early-stage startup to commercial operation is difficult, especially for hardware and infrastructure projects in the climate tech industry. The lack of financing options and specialized expertise for these types of projects creates a "commercial valley of death" that many companies struggle to overcome. Startups often fall into the trap of trying to expand their business too quickly, losing sight of their core value proposition and failing to ensure proper execution. Counter arguments: Some may argue that this "first of a kind" problem is not unique to the climate tech industry and can be seen in other industries as well. Others may argue that with the increasing focus on climate change and need for sustainable solutions, more funding and support will become available for these startups. #venturecapital #vc #startups

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This is a good and important read on #FOAK projects and the ClimateTech Valley of Death, with good insight from some very sharp investors. One often overlooks aspect of this challenge is WHO will build these early commercial projects that are smaller and don't often appeal to top tier EPCs. Developing and building these projects will be a critical, often binary factor in the outcomes. https://lnkd.in/gbedmkmt

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🌱 Behind the Scenes: The (Invisible) Work of Building Ecosystems We talk a lot about supporting founders—and we should—but there’s another side to this ecosystem: those of us working to create that support. Building programs that genuinely champion diversity, bridge funding gaps, and connect founders with crucial resources takes a huge amount of energy, strategy, and a lot of invisible work. The reality is, as program managers, advocates, and community builders, we often feel the toll. It’s the emails, the late-night, the ongoing networking, and the genuine care for each founder’s journey that makes this work so rewarding yet exhausting. Here are a few things I remind myself of to keep going (and prevent burnout): Set Boundaries with Passion Projects: The drive to create more can make it hard to switch off. Carving out time that’s “for me” lets me come back with a clearer focus and more energy. Build Your Own Ecosystem: Just as founders need networks, so do we. Connecting with fellow program managers and advocates allows us to share ideas and support each other through the unique challenges of ecosystem-building. Acknowledge the Small Wins: It’s easy to focus on program outcomes and impact metrics, but the “small wins” are the fuel to keep going. Whether it’s seeing a founder’s confidence grow or a successful pitch, celebrating these moments keeps the bigger mission in sight. To everyone out there who does this often invisible work—remember, the impact we’re creating for founders doesn’t have to come at the cost of our own well-being. Let’s build ecosystems that sustain everyone involved. 🌍💪 Shout out to Stefanie Mulder for all the work you are doing ! 🗒️ Who in your network embodies this invisible work of building founder support? Tag someone you know who’s making a difference! Let’s give them a shoutout and share the load of building resilient, inclusive ecosystems. 💪💡 #EcosystemBuilding #FounderSupport #MentalHealth #BurnoutPrevention #InvisibleWork #ImpactEcosystem

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Only 2% of VC funding goes to female founders. That needs to change. In the recent podcast I did with Sandy Tiu , I mentioned that female founders need more representation in the SEA startup space. Here’s why this matters more than ever: 1. Diversity drives innovation Research consistently shows that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones. Female founders bring fresh perspectives, different problem-solving approaches, and new insights to industries that desperately need innovation. 2. Role models matter When female founders succeed, they inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. Southeast Asia is ripe for growth, but we need more women at the forefront, showing what’s possible and breaking barriers in the B2B space. 3. Funding remains unequal Despite progress, women-led startups still receive a fraction of the venture capital funding that male-led startups do. This isn’t just a diversity issue—it’s a missed business opportunity. Investors are leaving value on the table by overlooking female founders. 4. Women spot untapped market opportunities In B2B, understanding diverse customer bases is crucial. Female founders often see market gaps others miss, creating solutions that resonate with wider audiences and drive business growth. We can’t afford to ignore half of the talent pool. I’m committed to supporting more female founders in the SEA startup ecosystem, and I encourage everyone to join in. I'd love to talk to more female founders. Can you recommend some in the comments?

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A really interesting read by Caroline Busta, that replaces the way "AI" operates in the perspective of the paradigm shift we are currently experiencing as a society in our way to communicate (and to think, more generally). In a nutshell, she shows that the way our current experience of the world is shared, is becoming less and less based on meaning (carried by texts) and increasingly on affect (carried by a digital, intersensory flow of data). As artists, i.e. dealing with affects as our main expression means, i don't think we should try and go against this–since "the reading of the shape and feel" is maybe our first skill–but we should rather see how we can contribute to find new ways of making sense of the world, and ultimately "channel [it] into a new kind of governance.” Excerpts: “What if there’s something deeper, older, even organically emergent that has been nudging us to perceive and communicate in a fundamentally different way and “machine learning neural networks” are, rather, answering that call?” “we now predominantly transmit information in ways that exceed the limits of alphabetic code, and we gained this ability so rapidly that we are civilizationally unprepared to absorb the shift.” “We are still programmed to read signs directly, to attempt a denotative decoding, but there are just too many applications and interpretations of any given sign or data point to enact actual democratic deliberation. So instead we sense, basing our decisions on the shape and feel of the content and squaring that with whatever meaning feels closest (and therefore “truest”) to our personal experience.” “Looking to the future, maybe all of this human sensing will, for better or worse, be channeled into a new kind of governance.” https://lnkd.in/eyC-AG4V

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I really hope JD Vance's anti-big tech/trust stance opens doors for innovation in heavily regulated industries. Given his background with Peter Thiel in VC and their shared belief that over-regulation stifles progress, Vance would be perfect to champion 'regulatory sandboxes' - controlled environments that level the playing field by allowing startups to compete against tech giants (who are better equipped to handle regulatory burdens) and test innovations with relaxed oversight, previously pioneered in the UK and other countries. Interestingly, I found out that the EU is already moving in this direction with their "AI Act", which includes plans for mandatory AI regulatory sandboxes across member states by 2026. These sandboxes aim to balance innovation with compliance, potentially providing a model for other regions. If implemented safely in the U.S., such sandboxes could reduce regulatory uncertainty, potentially increasing funding and innovation power for startups in critical areas like AI-driven healthcare (think drug discovery and disease diagnosis). This approach could also align with Vance's interest in spurring innovation beyond coastal tech hubs. However, the challenge lies in balancing innovation with safety, especially in high-stakes fields like healthcare. Could a similar approach in the U.S., championed by figures like Vance, help American AI startups compete globally while addressing regulatory concerns?

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Summary: The article discusses the rise of open source startups and the challenges between philanthropy and profit. With the support of OSS Capital, many open source startups have successfully raised funding and gained growth. Key takeaways: Open source companies can be successful in generating sustainable revenue outcomes while maintaining philanthropic values. OSS Capital has invested in around 80 open source startups, with notable exits such as Remix and partnerships with established companies like Automattic and Insight Partners. OSS Capital promotes the belief that capitalism is the ultimate manifestation of philanthropy and is well-suited for accelerating open source innovation. Counter arguments: Some may argue that the pursuit of profit goes against the ethos of open source and could lead to the commercialization and privatization of open-source projects. Others may argue that not all open-source startups are successful and that relying on capitalism as the primary funding source could limit innovative ideas and diverse perspectives. #venturecapital #vc #venturecapital #opensource

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No insights, overview, round-up, just a big shout out to an incredible team that brought Startup Discovery School Climate Fest to life at Impact Hub London in London. So much discussion concerning climate (tech), often feels abstract. We talk of the problem without reference to those currently facing the impact of climate change...right..now. Tech demo days are great, but we needed something more. Something that brings people together who view the challenge from different angles—entrepreneurs, investors, activists, curious folk, and anyone else interested. Climate Fest was the first attempt at convening this diverse group of people and long may it continue. A Shout Out 📣 A big shout out to Farrah Rainfly, who highlighted the great work Lifeafterhummus Community Benefit Society has done mobilising resources to retrofit community housing in Somerstown, London. Thanks to Kieron Boyle CEO of the Impact Investing Institute, who gave insights on *how* money can work better in supporting what is called 'the only transition' to net zero. Reuben Christian for leading us in 'Dream Rehab' session alongside our own Taz Latif. Another thanks goes to Radhika Srinivasan, who led us in a conversation around driving equitable transitions to net zero. And finally Margarita Skarkou, Nikki Gaddo FRSA and Ann Stevenson who joined me as we discussed convenience, consumerism and the circular economy. Onwards ⏩ #climatechange #climatetech #justtransition #team

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Llama 3.1 Impact Grants ( up to $100,000) Recent breakthroughs in AI, and generative AI in particular, have captured the public’s imagination and demonstrated they have the potential to help communities create a new era of economic and social opportunity, and provide individuals, creators, and organizations new ways to express themselves and connect with people. Building off a legacy of open sourcing our products and tools to benefit the global community, we introduced Meta Llama 2 in July 2023 and have since introduced two updates – Llama 3 and Llama 3.1. These models demonstrate state-of-the-art performance on a wide range of industry benchmarks and offer new capabilities, including support across eight languages and a 405B parameter version —the world’s first frontier-level open source AI model. https://lnkd.in/dBfrhp6w

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This post by Sid Radhakrishna is packed with so much good information for climate-motivated job seekers. Down selecting sectors and market mapping is such a critical component in your search. Follow Sid's approach! To the Founders and hiring leaders in: → Industrial decarbonization, ex: cement, steel, plastics → Sustainable fuels, ex: aviation (SAF) → EV supply chain, ex: critical minerals, production Run...don't walk to connect with Sid! He is "game-changing" talent for your team.

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I don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that one of the reasons we are in an existential polycrisis of climate, inequality, trust, geopolitical tension and institutional collapse is due to the ferocious stickiness of Adam Smith’s invisible hand meme. Smith himself was a lot more nuanced, but the bumper sticker idea that an unfettered market will magically deliver an optimal economy if we just let people maximise their self interest has a lot to answer for. That’s one of the reasons why I really like Geoff’s reformulation; acting in one’s own self interest can result in collective stupidity. He suggests that the drivers are in-built and deep: laziness (evolutionary sensible to conserve energy) and need for social validation (again, makes sense not to be kicked out of your tribe). So next time someone quotes Adam Smith at you, ask them if they think collective thriving or collective stupidity is more likely given… all of this.

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if you want to learn about how we built the company and what makes it unique, https://lnkd.in/eQS2VRKf is a really really well written article about us by Bill Kerr - better than what I have managed to put together so far!

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We've been running a #deeptech forum at Community VC for the last month as a sector centric group chat and will allow founders within a sector to ask sector relevant questions to aligned supporters who’ve opted in to hear from founders. We’ve hand selected 21 specific investors and advisors in Deeptech to participate and work with 5 founders. Each founder has been asking an AMA once a and the insights, depth, engagement and value has been insane. Off the back of the success, we're looking to scale up the Deeptech forum and also add #ESG, #Medtech / #Healthtech and #Fintech to our network. If you or anyone else have deep interest, expertise or knowledge as a founder, investor or advisor - we'd love to get you involved, please fill in the form in the comments! We're building up the waitlist and launching the new forums this month! Our endeavour is to curate the best possible aligned early relationships possible between our founders and supporters. #startups #community #angelinvesting Danin Kahn Makenzie Thomas Claire Aristides Andrew E Scott GAICD Pippa Smith Will Rosewarne Fahim Newaz Nathan Challen Gavin Preston Charlotte Connell Benjamin Wolba Aleksei Zolotarev Jo Chaturvedi- Durant John McGiffin Jason Ming Jordan Duffy Claude MICHEL

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