Welcome to our podcast with The Impact Venture, featuring in-depth interviews with LP-GP institutional investors, angel investors, and faculty members at UC Berkeley.
Ciaran Quinn is a globally experienced senior executive, entrepreneur, angel investor, and advisor with four decades of leadership across energy, digital media, sports tech, SaaS, and venture acceleration. Based in Europe, he is currently engaged with a number of innovative companies across Europe and North America as Seed investor, board member and Board Chair. Ciaran is also a Key Advisor and LP at Berkeley SkyDeck, UC Berkeley’s flagship startup accelerator.
In this episode, Ciaran shared his insights about
The Impact Venture (www.theimpactventure.com/) invests in climate tech and renewable energy projects via venture capital and project finance, leveraging our proprietary AI Due Diligence Copilot - where AI meets VC. We also designed a VC Deal Fellowship Training Program for fellows to gain deal experience.
Welcome to our podcast with The Impact Venture, featuring in-depth interviews with LP-GP institutional investors, angel investors, and faculty members at UC Berkeley.
Today’s guest is Joshua Posamentier, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Congruent Ventures. He recently closed their third fund, with consistently growing assets under management over the last 10 years. They are actively investing in energy transition, smart cities and mobility, food and agriculture, and sustainable consumption and production.
In our conversation, Josh shares his journey from a corporate executive to an entrepreneur and an investor. He also shared three essential qualities he looks for in a startup: a compelling idea with a sizable market, a team with either deep expertise or the ability to get smart and move quickly in a new domain, and a valid market channel strategy.
Whether you are already an entrepreneur building in cleantech or an MBA student exploring startups, this episode is packed with insights.
The Impact Venture invests in cleantech, sustainability, and renewable energy projects via venture capital and project finance, leveraging our proprietary AI Due Diligence Copilot - where AI meets VC. We also designed a Cleantech Deal Fellowship Training Program for fellows to gain deal experience.
Welcome to our podcast with The Impact Venture , featuring in-depth interviews with LP-GP institutional investors, angel investors, faculty members at UC Berkeley, and all of our friends, focusing on impact investing, cleantech venture capital and project finance.
In this episode, we're joined by Charles Hudson, Founder & Managing Partner of Precursor Ventures, a trailblazing early-stage firm known for backing nearly 500 startups led by first-time and underrepresented founders. Charles explains why he built Precursor to fund ambitious entrepreneurs at the idea stage—people who may lack credentials but possess clarity, courage, and a willingness to take risks.
We explore how Charles evaluates founder-market fit, the importance of lived experience over polished resumes, and why co-founder dynamics, resilience, and risk-taking are critical signals of success.
This episode is packed with insights for founders, fund managers, and anyone passionate about building an inclusive and imaginative venture ecosystem from the ground up.
The Impact Venture invests in climate tech and renewable energy projects via venture capital and project finance, leveraging our proprietary Due Diligence AI Copilot - where AI meets investors. We also designed a VC Deal Fellowship Training Program for fellows to gain deal experience.
Welcome to our podcast with The Impact Venture , featuring in-depth interviews with LP-GP institutional investors, angel investors, faculty members at UC Berkeley, and all of our friends, focusing on impact investing, cleantech venture capital and project finance.
In this episode, we’re joined by Raymond Zheng, Sr. Managing Director of Honda Xcelerator Ventures, where he leads corporate venturing and open innovation initiatives. With a career spanning engineering, M&A, and startup collaboration—from Cisco to Honda—Raymond shares how corporate venture capital drives impact across safety, mobility, and sustainability.
We explore Honda’s investment thesis around carbon neutrality and zero-fatality vehicles, his approach to deep tech due diligence, and how startups can build meaningful, strategic partnerships with corporates. A valuable listen for founders and investors focused on cross-border collaboration and strategic synergy.
The Impact Venture invests in climate tech and renewable energy projects via venture capital and project finance, leveraging our proprietary Due Diligence AI Copilot - where AI meets investors. We also designed a VC Deal Fellowship Training Program for fellows to gain deal experience.
Welcome to our podcast with The Impact Venture , featuring in-depth interviews with LP-GP institutional investors, angel investors, faculty members at UC Berkeley, and all of our friends, focusing on impact investing, cleantech venture capital and project finance.
Today, we're joined by Justin Burden, a seasoned investor and Managing Director at Industry Ventures, one of the most prominent firms in the venture capital ecosystem. Since joining Industry Ventures in its early days, Justin has been instrumental in building and shaping the firm's pioneering approach to secondary direct investments and secondary limited partnership interests, primary venture fund commitments, direct venture rounds, and technology buyout funds.
With over two decades of experience in venture capital, Justin brings a unique perspective on market cycles, fund structures, and the evolving role of secondary markets in fueling the liquidity of capital. Justin holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley. We’re excited to have Justin here to share his insights on unlocking the liquidity of venture capital, the art of secondary and primary investing.
The Impact Venture invests in climate tech and renewable energy projects via venture capital and project finance, leveraging our proprietary Due Diligence AI Copilot - where AI meets investors. We also designed a VC Deal Fellowship Training Program for fellows to gain deal experience.
Welcome to our podcast with The Impact Venture , featuring in-depth interviews with LP-GP institutional investors, angel investors, faculty members at UC Berkeley, and all of our friends, focusing on impact investing, cleantech venture capital and project finance.
In this episode, we’re joined by Andrew Chang, Chief Growth Officer at New Energy Nexus, one of the world’s leading ecosystem builders for clean energy entrepreneurs. Andrew drives growth and business development by leading a cross-border team and expanding into emerging climate ecosystems and new markets. He previously spearheaded the organization’s expansion into Asia—including China, Thailand, and Indonesia—and launched innovation programs with LG Energy Solutions, Hyundai, Kia, and Hub71 in Abu Dhabi. We explore how New Energy Nexus supports early- and growth-stage startups through non-dilutive funding, testbed access, and global collaboration—and why cross-border innovation is essential to accelerating climate solutions at scale.
The Impact Venture invests in climate tech and renewable energy projects via venture capital and project finance, leveraging our proprietary Due Diligence AI Copilot - where AI meets investors. We also designed a VC Deal Fellowship Training Program for fellows to gain deal experience.
Welcome to our podcast with The Impact Venture , featuring in-depth interviews with LP-GP institutional investors, angel investors, faculty members at UC Berkeley, and all of our friends, focusing on impact investing, cleantech venture capital and project finance.
Today on the show, we're joined by Xan Wood, investor at Canvas Prime, where he focuses on Seed to Series B investments. A strong supporter of UC Berkeley’s innovation ecosystem, Xan brings a sharp eye for transformative technologies and a track record of backing ambitious founders early. He also curates the newsletter "Built-by-Berkeley," which highlights exceptional founders emerging from the UC Berkeley community.
The Impact Venture invests in climate tech and renewable energy projects via venture capital and project finance, leveraging our proprietary Due Diligence AI Copilot - where AI meets investors. We also designed a VC Deal Fellowship Training Program for fellows to gain deal experience.
Welcome to our podcast with The Impact Venture , featuring in-depth interviews with LP-GP institutional investors, angel investors, faculty members at UC Berkeley, and all of our friends, focusing on impact investing, cleantech venture capital and project finance.
Today on the show, we’re joined by David Bloom, Principal at The House Fund—Berkeley’s flagship pre-seed and seed-stage venture capital fund backing startups founded by students, faculty, and alumni. A community builder at heart, David brings a sharp eye for innovation and a deep commitment to empowering builders from day one.
In this episode, we dive into the evolving role of co-founders in the GenAI era—where non-technical founders can now rapidly build MVPs and validate ideas faster than ever. We also explore how to plug into The House Fund’s vibrant ecosystem through events designed to connect builders, founders, and creators. The House Fund Event Calender. If you’re thinking about starting something, this conversation is a must-listen.
The Impact Venture invests in climate tech and renewable energy projects via venture capital and project finance, leveraging our proprietary Due Diligence AI Copilot - where AI meets investors. We also designed a VC Deal Fellowship Training Program for fellows to gain deal experience.
Welcome to our podcast with The Impact Venture (www.theimpactventure.com/) , featuring in-depth interviews with LP-GP institutional investors, angel investors, and faculty members at UC Berkeley.
Can you be both an investor and an entrepreneur? Can you take the leap—giving up something stable in pursuit of something bigger? Can you keep progressing and honoring the promise you made to yourself, no matter what?
The answer is yes—and today’s guest, Rob Caliento, proves it. His story is one of bold transitions, calculated risks, and the relentless pursuit of building something meaningful—driven by long-term passion and a commitment to creating that fundamentally matters. Follow Rob on TikTok: @ElbertStreetETA
The Impact Venture (www.theimpactventure.com/) invests in climate tech and renewable energy projects via venture capital and project finance, leveraging our proprietary AI Due Diligence Copilot - where AI meets VC. We also designed a VC Deal Fellowship Training Program for fellows to gain deal experience.
Today’s guest is Valerie Bertele—a San Francisco-based venture capital investor, two-time founder, and LinkedIn Rising Star with a following of over 15,000. As a global citizen, Valerie brings a distinctive perspective shaped by her experiences living and working across seven countries. In this episode, she shares insights about
- How does she create value through strategic partnerships between governments, large tech corporations, and her portfolio companies?
- How does her own company bring more value than just capital to startups?
- How does she approach building a powerful personal brand in today’s digital world?
Welcome to our podcast with The Impact Venture, featuring in-depth interviews with LP-GP institutional investors, angel investors, and faculty members at UC Berkeley, focusing on climate tech, impact investing, and clean energy. Come join us at Net Impact of the UC Berkeley Chapter.
Today’s guest is Tim Schwichtenberg, Senior Investment Manager at Bloomhaus Ventures AG, the venture arm of a Swiss family office investing in early-stage B2B startups across IndustryTech, ClimateTech, and software. With a strong background in corporate venture at Deutsche Bahn Digital Ventures, Tim shares insights into how both family offices and corporates are fueling innovative industrial transformation across Europe and the U.S.
The Impact Venture (www.theimpactventure.com/) invests in climate tech and renewable energy projects via venture capital and project finance, leveraging our proprietary AI Due Diligence Copilot - where AI meets VC. We also designed a Cleantech Deal Fellowship Training Program for fellows to gain deal experience.
We’re excited to welcome Jinki (Paul) Hong from the Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) — South Korea’s $200 billion sovereign wealth fund! As a senior manager of KIC’s San Francisco office, Jinki leads GP fund commitments and direct investments — from early-stage startups all the way to pre-IPO rounds. Over the past several years, he’s executed more than 20 transactions — including venture capital and growth equity commitments, as well as direct and co-investments — bridging Korean capital with innovation hubs around the world.
In this episode, we dive into
- How Limited Partners (LPs) evaluate both emerging and established General Partners (GPs) and what metrics truly matter.
- How fund size can impact return profiles.
- The growing role of AI in LP-GP matching.
Whether you're an aspiring fund manager or curious about how institutional capital flows, this episode offers special insights into the evolving dynamics of venture and growth investing.
For more research on cleantech investment theses and insights into climate tech and clean energy investing, visit our website: https://www.theimpactventure.com/insights.
Huge thanks to Net Impact at UC Berkeley for the support. Come join us at the UC Berkeley Chapter:
Welcome to our podcast with The Impact Venture (https://www.theimpactventure.com/), featuring in-depth interviews with LP-GP institutional investors, angel investors, and faculty members at UC Berkeley. And come join us at Net Impact of the UC Berkeley Chapter.
Today we’re honored to be joined by Professor Jerome Engel, a pioneering force in entrepreneurship education and venture capital. As Adjunct Professor Emeritus at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Professor Engel founded the renowned Lester Center for Entrepreneurship and has spent over three decades shaping how innovation is taught and funded. Professor Engel teaches Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Haas, as well as the Venture Capital Executive Program at UC Berkeley, where his impact resonates across generations of founders, investors, and innovation leaders.
Beyond academia, he is the co-founder and General Partner at Monitor Ventures. Prior to that, Professor Engel was the Managing Partner of Entrepreneurial Services at EY in the San Francisco Bay Area. During his career, Mr. Engel has helped many ventures through their entire cycle of birth, growth, and maturation. IPO's of note include AutoDesk and FICO.
In today's episode, we will discuss
How can the Venture Capital Executive Program (VCEP) connect you with the venture ecosystem in the Bay Area?
How can AI facilitate “half the job of a VC” — fundraising and the other half of investment evaluation?
What role does venture capital play in today’s volatile public market?
Please check more details via https://executive.berkeley.edu/programs/venture-capital-executive-program
Today’s guest is someone who sits at the intersection of deep science, venture capital, and impact. We're thrilled to welcome Robert Ethier, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Impact Science Ventures - The investor in Fervo Energy, Antora Energy, and Twelve, just to name a few. Robert leads investments in groundbreaking scientific innovations tackling the world’s most pressing challenges—from decarbonizing heavy industry to reinventing energy storage and quantum infrastructure.
He is also a member of the Activate Leadership Council, where he supports visionary scientists transitioning from lab to market. Robert is an EMBA alumnus of the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.
In today's episode, we unpack the following questions
🌍 Why does the cleantech sector attract huge capital today?
📉 What were the return and loss rates from Cleantech 1.0?
📊 What valuation considerations help de-risk early-stage investments?
🧭 How did their first fund’s venture model and strategy stand out?
🏗️ Who will be the future LPs beneficial from their second fund focused on deep tech and heavy industry?
🎓 How did Haas support his journey into venture capital?
🚀 How can professionals without a finance background break into VC?
For more research on cleantech investment theses and insights into climate tech and clean energy investing, visit our website: https://www.theimpactventure.com/insights.
Welcome to our podcast with The Impact Venture, featuring in-depth interviews with LP-GP institutional investors, angel investors, and faculty members at UC Berkeley, with a focus on climate tech, impact investing, and clean energy. A huge thanks to Net Impact at UC Berkeley for their support.
In today's episode, we are honored to welcome Nils Hellmer, a former Executive Director at Goldman Sachs, specializing in Tech M&A. He later led finance at Ibotta as a Senior Vice President, where he played a key role in preparing the company for its successful IPO, followed by CFO leadership at Coterie. He teaches the Private Equity Leveraged Buyout class this semester at Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley.
If you're interested in learning more about the role of AI in corporate finance, private equity, and venture capital, visit the Insights section on our website, https://www.theimpactventure.com/. There, we've summarized our investment experience with AI and the development of our tech stack within our firm, where AI meets venture capital.
