Brigitte Baumann Gervais

Participating in Active Membranes seed round may be one of the most impactful investments Echo River Capital will ever do. The potential to provide more fresh drinking water, to more people, in more places, has never been more crucial. Thanks Arian Edalat and Eric M.V. Hoek, Ph.D. for pursuing this innovation.

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Election years bring economic uncertainties. That's why, on July 23rd, Strategex and economic firm ITR Economics will present a webinar "Navigating Through a Changing Global Landscape" hosted by Manufacturers Alliance. ITR will present their economic trends/forecast report, and Strategex will provide strategic insights to help you plan for various business cycles. All our welcome to join! We will be covering the hot topics on every leader's mind as they make plans for 2024 and beyond ... interest rates, inflation, labor, military conflicts, and, of course, the presidential election. https://lnkd.in/g68mzAsE

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#Apple #iPhone_16 Apple released its Product Environmental Report for its new iPhone 16 lineup, highlighting some of the key sustainability attributes of its new products, and the progress the company is making towards its climate and sustainable materials goals in the manufacturing and use of its products. The report indicated that Apple has achieved lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions of 30% for its new iPhone 16 Pro 128 GB and iPhone Pro 16 Max 256 GB models, against a business as usual scenario which models no use of clean electricity beyond that available on the grid, Apple’s carbon intensity of key materials on the 2015 baseline used for its 2030 climate goals, and its average mix of transportation modes by product lines across 2017-2019. According to the report, the greatest contributor to date to the reduced GHG footprint of the new iPhone, which now stands at 74 kg for the iPhone 16 Pro Max compared to a 105 kg baseline, is the increased use of low carbon electricity in Apple’s supply chain, with the company noting that low carbon solutions implemented by suppliers reduced product emissions by more than 20%.

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A great The Angel Nest Podcast episode recorded yesterday with Thomas Wisniewski of newark venture partners! Really insightful conversation around trends in Seed stage investing, how metrics matter in communicating traction, and important aspects of financial modeling for early stage startups. Many thanks for your time Tom and thanks David Hemenway as always for hosting. Look out for the release of the episode soon! #angelinvesting #seedstage #startups #financialmodeling #venturecapital #startups

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We are at PEI London this week and let’s discuss how we create differentiated value for your portfolio companies, leveraging technology, and operations. #ebitdar #valuecreation #operatingpartners #technology #businesstransformation #digital #zerobasedesign

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The Corporate’s Guide to #VC Best Practice. Following a highly successful launch webinar, the #CVC Consortium is pleased to announce the second webinar in the #CVC series, entitled: Date: Monday, 12 August from 12:00 to 14:00 (GMT +2) A snap survey of attendees held during the first webinar found that 67% believed that the main reason corporations begin the venture capital journey is to diversify resources and development efforts, while 45% felt that it was to pursue financial returns. The greatest challenge was perceived to be a lack of understanding or appreciation within the company, of the potential that venture capital investments or start-up investments can provide. Webinar 2 will focus on the crucial role that Corporates have to play in the venture capital space and will unpack the requirements of setting up a CVC from a technical perspective. Register here: https://lu.ma/7g3z2b36 Saskia Nysschens Mark Kleyner Sam Mokorosi Davis Cook Buntu Majaja

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We had the pleasure of speaking to the inimitable Gordon Sanghera, co-founder and CEO of Oxford Nanopore Technologies, valued at around $6.8bn in 2021. Gordon somewhat accidentally ended up as an entrepreneur, breaking the conventional VC wisdom around 'born founders'. The technology is wild - democratising access to genomic sequencing giving us a new understanding of living organisms. In the episode of Riding Unicorns, we cover: 00:00 Defining Entrepreneurship 00:55 Understanding Oxford Nanopore's Technology 06:10 Gordon's Journey to Founding Oxford Nanopore 12:09 Commercialization Challenges and Strategies 16:27 Building a Strong Founding Team 20:55 Navigating the Ups and Downs of Deep Tech 25:54 Innovative Applications of Nanopore Technology 28:57 Company Culture and Operational Insights 35:05 Attracting Talent in a Competitive Market 37:22 The IPO Experience and Future Outlook https://lnkd.in/eQZVSGeK

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The global significance of the electric vehicle (EV) revolution lies in its potential to reshape transportation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and drive economic growth. Despite recent challenges like high prices and consumer concerns about charging infrastructure, the EV market is accelerating. 2023 global EV sales surged, particularly in China, Europe, and the U.S., indicating a solid shift towards sustainable mobility. As significant automakers invest heavily in EV technology and governments implement stricter emissions regulations, the transition to electric vehicles is inevitable. This shift is crucial for achieving climate goals, mainly as EVs are set to dominate the automotive market by 2035, potentially surpassing traditional gasoline vehicles much sooner than expected. The ongoing advancements in battery technology and infrastructure development will further enhance the affordability and convenience of EVs, making them accessible to a broader audience worldwide. #CleanEnergy #PINCommunityAdvocate #EVCharging

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Massachusetts has firmly established itself as a leader in innovation, with three standout sectors fueling its tech-driven economy: biotech, robotics, and cybersecurity. Here’s a look at why the state excels in these fields: 🔬 Biotech: Massachusetts is at the forefront of biotech, thanks to world-class research institutions and a thriving startup ecosystem. With companies like Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc.—Massachusetts continues to shape the future of healthcare, from groundbreaking vaccines to genetic therapies. Robotics: Home to pioneers like Boston Dynamics, Massachusetts has become a hub for robotics innovation. From autonomous robots to robotic prosthetics, the state’s ecosystem supports advancements that push the boundaries of human-machine interaction, transforming sectors from healthcare to logistics. Cybersecurity: Massachusetts is also a leader in cybersecurity, providing critical solutions to protect data and infrastructure in an increasingly digital world. With companies like Rapid7 driving research and product development, Massachusetts is at the heart of cutting-edge cybersecurity innovation. Together, these sectors position Massachusetts as a global tech powerhouse. #MassachusettsInnovation #Biotech #Robotics #Cybersecurity #TechEconomy #InnovationEcosystem #FutureTech #BostonTech

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Over 3,000 US companies with significant operations in the EU will be required to comply with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) over the next few years. Learn how to navigate the upcoming requirements in this webinar from experts at Arcadia and SWEEP. https://ow.ly/wzK150TgCAv

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"The last 18 months have been brutal. Many startups that received high valuations during the 2021 boom are now struggling to survive." says Gina Domanig, Managing Partner at Emerald Technology Ventures in this Forbes Austria article. Yes, 2024 has been a tough year for many fledgling companies. But I am encouraged by some of the startups scaling disruptive technology and business models in service of accelerating the energy transition in India and across the Asia Pacific and Middle East. They will survive and thrive - with the support of a growing investor community who have come to appreciate that the global south possess truly innovative solutions. One of the highlights for me this year was the first Asia Climate Tech Venture Fair, held in Singapore in October. The brainchild of Gina and her team, it brought together a critical set of VCs, CVCs and PE firms to share insights and leads on startups in the region. Looking forward to more conversations in 2025. Read now: https://lnkd.in/dhEtFTbV #Cleantech #Venturecapital #Innovation #Startups #energytransition #Corporates #Climatetech #Entrepreneurship #Sustainability #Futureoftech #Cleantechventures #Startupgrowth #Corporatecollaboration #Techinvestment

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Massachusetts in 2024 is home to the most climate tech startups per capita in the country. They thrive at institutions like MIT and Greentown Labs, turning big ideas into tangible solutions. But we struggle to keep them here. States from coast to coast are wooing away entrepreneurs and employers. These places facilitate demonstration programs, connect companies to trained workers, and provide access to real estate for manufacturing. The Mass Leads Act rebalances these incentives, directing capital investments and tax benefits that keep these innovators in Boston for the long term and encourages others to join them. #climatetech #climateVC #venturecapital

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To all #climatetech #founders and #funders in NYC and beyond, please join us on June 5th for an evening of #breakthrough #decarbonization #innovation at the ReGen Accelerator #DemoDay! 🎉 Get ready to be inspired by our cohort of #earlystage startups: ​ ▶ aich2 is engineering a novel #hydrogen ecosystem, built around Solid Hydrogen carriers. ​​ ▶ carbogenics produces sustainable #carbon adsorbents from difficult-to-recycle organic waste, including coffee cups and wastewater screenings ​​ ▶ TeamStack.ai is driving better performance by harnessing #AI, data, & the collective intelligence of teams. ​ ▶ Tesleon LLC uses compelling characters and #storytelling to instill compassion for communities and our planet in the next generation. ​ ▶ Tolam Earth is a trusted #marketplace for high-quality, high-impact carbon offsets. Don't miss out! Secure your spot below. Big thank you to Brown Rudnick LLP for hosting this event, our partners at ClimateHaven for their hard work and dedication during the entire program, and to our incredible network of #mentors and #facilitators, each of whom have dedicated time to working with these incredible founders this spring, including Jason Ambrose, Marina Rakhlin, Lauren Zujkowski, Stuart DeCew, Matt Puccini Andy Rooks, Nina Raab, and Bill Stephney. And of course Shai Tamary, Lars Korby and Sarah Cleveland, without whom we would not be able run such a #program. #innovation #sustainability #climateaction #accelerator

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https://lnkd.in/d-QCBzz9 "AI Futurist Ray Kurzweil invented the law of accelerating returns which states that the rate of progress is increasing at an exponential rate over time. If the past few months are any indication, this law is alive and well. In just the last few weeks, we've seen context windows expand by leaps and bound with Gemini and Supermaven. We've seen minute long videos thanks to developments like Sora. We’ve seen LLM models reach new heights with Claude 3. And developers are adopting AI at an ever increasing pace. From healthcare and bio to government to cybersecurity to consumer applications, no sector is immune to the power of AI.  Virtually every net new startup we see at Bessemer is using or leveraging AI in some capacity."

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So interesting for anyone working at the intersection of drinking water and health.

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An excellent post by 🌱🤝🌍 Nicolas Sauvage from TDK Ventures showing how #USelections are going to cause the tectonic shifts in the #sectors and how the money would flow in early stage ventures and #startups. 🚀 The 2024 #USElection & the Future of #VentureCapital 🚀 As the 2024 election draws near, significant changes loom for the #venture and startup worlds. Both significant candidates signal starkly different futures: 1️⃣ #AI & #Regulation: Consider AI regulation a flashpoint. While Harris supports guardrails on innovation, Trump aims to roll back these regulations, advocating for self-regulation to fuel growth. 2️⃣ #Tariffs & #Trade: Trade policies could reshape costs and markets. A potential 20% tariff on imports, especially from key markets like #China and #Mexico, might strain startups relying on international #supplychains. 3️⃣ #CleanEnergy & #EVs: Policies on clean energy vary significantly. Harris backs the Inflation Reduction Act, favoring renewable energy, while Trump promises to reduce support for renewables, targeting rapid approvals for nuclear projects and rare-earth mineral production. In a pivotal #election, #founders, #investors, and #policymakers are aligning closely. Will this lead to a sustained venture presence in #political influence? #Election2024 #VentureCapital #Startups #USElection https://lnkd.in/d8Mdz3cb

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Last week, I had the pleasure of moderating a discussion on navigating FOAK in climate tech at the Greentown Labs Summit in Boston (which had >600 people!!). Here’s a quick rundown of what was shared by Katherine St. James of Spring Lane Capital, Paris Smalls, PhD of Eden GeoPower, and Hannah Friedman of Planeteer Capital: 🌱 What is the definition of FOAK? We discussed how the term can be controversial - it's almost too general because it doesn't identify what kind of "First" FOAK refers to - first team project? First geography? First of a technology in a sector? First time for the integration of a system? It's also too specific because it has the word "first" in it, which can be anathema to later stage / project finance investors. 💰 Partnerships for Funding FOAK Projects We discussed how important it is to build a blended capital stack & use off-balance sheet capital for a project so you're not using the most expensive equity dollars to fund an infrastructure project with low-ish IRR. We also talked through being creative about using corporate partners to provide in-kind services or ink some agreement (at least an LOI) to attract this funding. 🏛 Role of Government We talked about how government capital is seen by investors & how it can be catalytic for FOAK. Government capital can provide validation that a startup has passed a rigorous diligence process by a third party - and incentives like grants or credits can help improve returns for the first project- but it's important to be doing this in conjunction with getting customer validation and to be able to present line of sight to competitive economics without concessionary capital. 👥 Advice for FOAK startups The panelists offered some very specific pieces of advice for startups going through FOAK: how to get creative with things like revenue sharing agreements or convertible notes, getting smart with project development early on (like with DeveloperU), being careful about using FOAK too liberally with certain investor groups, getting the right commercialization / FOAK talent in and around you early Huge thanks to the panelists and the team at Greentown Labs (Jill Kirkpatrick, Julia Travaglini, Aisling Carlson, etc you rocked it!!) for hosting this discussion on bridging the FOAK gap. Also immensely enjoyed the rest of the agenda. Check out the full recap & videos here: https://lnkd.in/d9ApYe9Y #ClimateTech #FOAK #ClimateFinance #ProjectDevelopment #GreenTech #CleanEnergy

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NY Climate Tech Founders! 1) YES PLEASE save the date to join us at #techweek (6/3!), and 2) YES PLEASE share your top NY resources to complete our NY INSIDER GUIDE, in collab with NYCEDC!

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A close collaboration between academia and industry is crucial to addressing the climate crisis. Transferring technology from academia to industry, supported by incubators, accelerators, and VCs, can contribute to climate resilience. On June 24th, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and EnergyCom - the Energy Innovation Community in Israel, will hold a conference focusing on the relationship between academia and industry, under the theme "From Nano Materials to Macro Applications." I'm honored to join a panel alongside other leading investors in the energy sector: Gideon Friedmann from NetZero Tech Ventures Karina Rubinstein from InNegev and Shani Zanescu. Our panel discussion, moderated by Glenn Yago, will focus on investing in renewable energy technologies and how we can work together to create a sustainable energy future. Please join us for an engaging discussion. #ClimateCrisis #AcademiaIndustry #VentureCapital #ClimateResilience #HebrewUniversity #Energycom

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