Welcome to Carbon13's podcast "Climate Takes" where we ask special guests for their "takes" on their industry and climate challenge, as well as setting a call to action, asking what will it take to solve the climate emergency?
In this episode, we're getting the investor's view of deeptech, how they evaluate deeptech startups, conduct due diligence, and view the endgame for exits.
Deeptech broadly refers to cutting edge solutions in engineering or science. Almost all the megatrends in 2025 involve deeptech: AI, robotics, industrialisation, energy security, dual use and biotech - and that applies to climate too.
In Carbon13's own portfolio, deeptech includes MatNex, building the world's largest supercomputer for materials science, or Nium, using nanotechnology to replace the Haber-Bosch process.
And that's a big change from the SaaS and app years - so it's vital that the investors working on early stage deeptech actually have the knowledge to make the right bets - and that's why we're talking to Dr Charlotte Kirk: PhD chemist turned industrialist innovator turned climate VC, with ultra endurance sports and armed forces experience to boot. She takes us through her journey, and what she prizes in deeptech startups - and it's far more than just the technology.
Subscribe to Climate Takes to find more content on founding and investing in climatetech, with Takes on green chemicals, innovative materials, AI, and hard won lessons in climate entrepreneurship.
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