When the world seems so deeply divided, how can we step across barriers and preconceived notions to build avenues for conversation and collaboration? In this episode, Kaitlin Yarnall, Chief Storytelling Officer at National Geographic, argues that storytelling could hold the key. National Geographic has become synonymous with eye-opening, awe-inspiring, perspective-shifting storytelling. They have been honing the craft for well over a century, telling stories that have helped to alter perceptions, build coalitions, pass legislation, and ignite movements. Kaitlin shares the components for effective storytelling, from the narrative elements to tapping into the right emotions and having a clear understanding of your audience and how to reach them. At S2G, we consider storytelling to be one of the key ingredients for the climate transition. This episode so beautifully illuminates the potential of storytelling and how to tap into its power to move audiences and bring more people into the conversation.

Key Topics:

1. Tapping Into Awe Instead of Fear: Kaitlin shares some of the research behind which emotions drive people to action. While fear, shame, and anger can motivate someone to act in the short term, emotions like awe, wonder, and hope can get people to think and act differently in the long term.
2. Translating Science to Storytelling: According to Kaitlin, we need to bring characters into science stories, get creative with communicating scale, and maybe even do a little reframing of the scientific method.
3. Knowing your audience: As Kaitlin says, “The audience is everything.” It is not enough to say you are creating something “for the public.” We have to have a very clear understanding of who we’re speaking to and what they will relate to.
4. Communicating about Climate: Kaitlin has a very simple message for those of us trying to communicate and educate about climate: We have to try harder. Polar bears don’t move everyone. We have to reframe the conversation based on what different communities care about.
5. Storytelling Tips and Tricks: Find the visuals, know the audience, and don’t forget the humor.

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. Please note that S2G may maintain investments in some of the companies discussed on this podcast. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results.

For more important information, please see s2gventures.com/disclosures.

What do bioactives, aquaculture operations, and warehouses have in common? They can all be powered by AI. In honor of spooky season, we’re taking you on a cross-sector journey to explore a topic that can sometimes get a scary rep. We recently released a report that identifies use cases for AI across our focus sectors and evaluates the challenges and opportunities to see where AI can drive significant business value and environmental benefits. In this episode, we’ll hear from Vikram Sharma, operating partner at S2G, about the findings from the report and the opportunities for cross-sector collaboration for AI-based technologies. We also speak to some of the entrepreneurs in S2G’s portfolio about how they’re employing AI to discover plant-based bioactives to address specific health outcomes, improve the financial viability and sustainability of aquaculture operations, and make inventory management more efficient, transparent, and safe for workers. Join us as we learn about the applications and opportunities that are getting us pretty excited for the future of this much-talked-about technology.


Key Topics:

1. Cross-pollination Opportunities: One of the report's key findings is that entrepreneurs have a tremendous opportunity to share insights and lessons from similar AI use cases across non-competitive sectors.
2. Navigating AI Adoption Challenges: Vikram speaks about some of the obstacles facing adoption, such as regulatory hurdles and the energy demands of data centers. He stresses the importance of transparency and data accessibility to fully leverage AI's potential, as well as his conviction that all companies should be exploring how AI could support their businesses.
3. Revolutionizing Supply Chains with AI: Jackie Wu from Corvus Robotics details how the company’s autonomous drones are transforming inventory management, performing 10x faster scans, and improving accuracy.
4. AI-Powered Discovery Platforms: Lee Chae of Brightseed explains how their AI platform, Forager, is exploring the mysterious world of plants to identify bioactives with specific human health benefits. Forager is helping to reduce the time and cost of getting a novel product to market.
5. AI for Resource Management: Matt Zimola of ReelData shares how their AI-powered platform is enabling aquaculture companies to reduce resource-use while optimizing fish growth, helping to bolster an industry that has great potential to provide a critical and sustainable protein source.

Resources:
Thee AI Opportunity: Unlocking Climate Solutions and Productivity in a Volatile World

Please note that S2G invests in the companies discussed on this podcast.

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. Please note that S2G may maintain investments in some of the companies discussed on this podcast. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results.

For more important information, please see s2gventures.com/disclosures.

In this episode, we’re digging into successful strategies for corporate innovation with Audre Kapacinskas, Principal of Corporate Development at S2G, and Ryan Smith, Chief Growth Officer and Executive Vice President at Ajinomoto Health and Nutrition, a multinational food and biotechnology company focused on seasonings. Audre shares five takeaways from over 600 conversations with corporates about driving effective innovation in the face of significant challenges to making the kind of rapid, large-scale progress needed to meet global sustainability commitments. Audre then speaks with Ryan about how Ajinomoto encourages innovation and utilizes the company’s distinct advantages as well as novel business models to position itself for growth. We hope that these conversations can support companies in driving growth while achieving their sustainability objectives and spark broader discussions around effective corporate strategies and how we better convene groups and share best practices.

Key Topics:

1. The Importance of People, Structure, and Culture: At a time when CEO turnover is spiking, Audre highlights the importance of having the right people in the right positions to shield teams working on long-term growth initiatives from disruptions. Ryan explains that at Ajinomoto, listening to employees and customers is a key part of the company’s search for innovation.
2. The Need for Clear, Strategic Direction: Audre speaks about how having clarity and consensus around strategic objectives can help leaders build trust within their organizations and encourage widespread buy-in.
3. Leveraging Distinct Advantages: According to Audre, many companies that innovate successfully do so by taking advantage of their entire organizational structure and expertise. She uses Koch Disruptive Technologies as an example of a company that is proactively sending new products out to its different business units to enable business development opportunities while identifying new technology use cases. Ryan shares that Ajinomoto’s ability to vet startups through its internal processes gives it a leg up in conversations with potential customers.
4. Integrating Innovation Initiatives with a Long-Term View: Audre recommends setting up a strategic roadmap and enabling the people within your organization to execute against it. According to Audre, “Once you have a plan and feel good about it, empower it and fund it.”
5. Embracing New Business Models: S2G’s Corporate Development team is seeing new business models bolster innovation engines within corporations, and that creative financing and risk management can make companies more willing to experiment. Ryan speaks to Ajinomoto’s effort to surprise their customers by exploring many different angles of food production beyond just ingredients.

Resources:
Adapt or Collapse: 5 Lessons for Scaling Sustainability to Drive Growth

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. Please note that S2G may maintain investments in some of the companies discussed on this podcast. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results.

For more important information, please see s2gventures.com/disclosures.

Many cities, such as San Francisco and New York, are passing policies to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. However, one of the biggest challenges to the adoption of EVs is the lack of fast charging stations. Revel, a company formally known for its fleet of rentable electric mopeds, is currently focused on transforming the EV charging landscape in urban areas. In this episode, Chuck Templeton sits down with Revel’s co-founder and CEO, Frank Reig, to explore the company's evolution from electric mopeds to a pioneering urban EV rideshare and fast-charging network, and Revel’s strategy to tackle the chicken-and-egg conundrum of EV adoption by simultaneously expanding its electric rideshare fleet and charging infrastructure. Frank speaks to the complexities of scaling energy infrastructure in cities, the importance of strategic alliances, especially with utilities and policymakers, the need to have a thorough understanding of the market opportunity, and what the future holds for the company.

Key Topics:

1. Adapting to Industry Trends: Frank speaks to how Revel’s pivot from electric mopeds to a comprehensive EV rideshare and charging network has enabled them to align with the growing demand for clean energy technologies.
2. Seeding a Two-Sided Marketplace: To address the chicken-and-egg problem of electric vehicle adoption, Revel implemented a dual strategy of simultaneously expanding its vehicle fleet and charging infrastructure. Frank shares how this approach can help accelerate adoption rates for EV charging.
3. Scaling Energy Infrastructure in Urban Areas: The conversation highlights Revel’s approach to scaling infrastructure despite the inherent challenges to expanding the energy grid. Frank discusses these obstacles and Revel’s approach to tackling them.
4. Strategic Partnerships as Growth Catalysts: One key method Revel has used to navigate the complexities of urban energy infrastructure development is forging strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders such as policymakers and utilities. These alliances have been instrumental in expanding their fast-charging network and growing their market presence.
5. Strategic Market Positioning: Revel has taken a very targeted approach to market expansion, focusing on high-density regions with greater demand for clean transportation options. By having a nuanced understanding of the market opportunity in different geographies, Frank and the Revel team have been able to focus resources in high-potential locations.

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. Please note that S2G may maintain investments in some of the companies discussed on this podcast. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results.

For more important information, please see s2gventures.com/disclosures.

This week we launched a report called The Climate Finance Relay Race. It explores how asset owners are navigating climate investment and their rationale for their approach. We believe the most impactful and perhaps swiftest approach to designing a fit-for-purpose capital market system is partnership with asset owners. The idea of the “climate finance relay race,” is that the handoff of risk and reward across parties can better enable asset owners to underwrite more productive and less volatile economies.

To complement the report, we are excited to share this conversation between S2G managing partner Sanjeev Krishnan, Regine Clement, CEO of the CREO Syndicate, and Tom Rotherham-Winqvist, Co-founder of Featherlight Capital. They dissect the intricacies of this “relay race," emphasizing the pivotal role of asset owners such as family offices, pensions, and sovereign wealth funds in driving the climate transition. Tom and Regine discuss the challenges facing the asset owners they work with and underscore the urgent need for a robust and adaptive capital market system capable of scaling climate investments from billions to trillions. If you are looking for insight into the asset owner landscape and how it can evolve to better support climate solutions, this episode is for you.

Key Topics:

1. Strategic Role of Asset Owners: Tom and Regine discuss the role of different asset owner groups in financing the climate transition and what family offices and institutional investors bring to this effort.
2. The intersection of Climate Megatrends and Finance: Asset owners can have an enormous impact on global economic systems, and understanding what they care about is critical to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Tom and Regine discuss the role climate plays in asset owners' investment approaches and what drives those investment decisions.
3. Scaling Challenges: The transition from billions to trillions in climate investments presents formidable challenges, requiring innovative financial instruments and collaborative frameworks. Sanjeev, Tom, and Regine explore opportunities to activate that growth in investments.
4. Capital Market Adaptation: A robust, fit-for-purpose capital market system is crucial for the effective scaling of climate finance. Tom and Regine share why they believe our capital markets can become fit-for-purpose, the question is, on what time scale and how can we accelerate it?

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. Please note that S2G may maintain investments in some of the companies discussed on this podcast. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results.

For more important information, please see s2gventures.com/disclosures.

What if we can have it all? According to Katlin Smith, Founder and CEO of Simple Mills, eating in a way that’s healthy for our bodies and the planet shouldn’t be about compromise. In this episode, Katlin takes us through her journey of building a good-for-you food brand that would not only compete in flavor with other health companies but with the status quo. Katlin was pretty green when she started Simple Mills, and, through savvy, sheer determination, and a bit of luck, she figured out how to bootstrap a food business, navigate product development, marketing, and fundraising, hire the right people, and scale the company to what it is today: The number one baking mix, natural cracker, and natural cookie brand. A few years ago, the company also tacked on a bold environmental mission, and they are currently working to support not only their agricultural supply chain in adopting more sustainable practices but the broader ecosystem. If you’re looking to learn the ins and outs of building a food brand, or just hear from a founder who has navigated it all and come out swinging, this episode is for you.

Key Topics:

1. Casting a Wide Investor Net: The sheer volume of people Katlin spoke with ended up securing the company their first angel investor. But Katlin also speaks to the importance of being selective about who you take money from and the terms of the investment.
2. Prioritizing Product Taste: A key takeaway is the necessity of prioritizing taste in product development. Katlin emphasizes that regardless of health benefits, a product must taste exceptional to succeed.
3. The Importance of Hiring Wisely: Establishing a team with diverse and complementary skills is crucial. Katlin's approach to hiring illustrates the benefit of surrounding yourself with individuals with the skills you are looking for and whose strengths balance your own, creating a robust foundation for sustained business growth.
4. A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats: The company's dedication to regenerative agriculture showcases a forward-thinking strategy that not only supports environmental health but also enhances long-term supply chain resilience. This commitment illustrates the potential for businesses to drive significant ecological impact and serve as an example to help shift the agricultural sector towards greater sustainability.
5. Maintaining a Long-Term Vision: Katlin's commitment throughout her journey to making healthful food mainstream without compromising taste or quality reflects the importance of a long-term vision.

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. Please note that S2G may maintain investments in some of the companies discussed on this podcast. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results.

For more important information, please see s2gventures.com/disclosures.

If you’re looking for insights into developing a go-to-market strategy, this episode is for you. Chuck Templeton sits down with the team at Sentera, a company that uses remote data collection to empower growers and agribusinesses to make real-time decisions to help improve farm profitability. Sentera's CEO Brian Wenngatz and CTO Eric Taipale take us through their journey to launching Aerial WeedScout, which enables the rapid detection of weeds so farmers can reduce herbicide use and maximize equipment efficiency. To launch this product, the team had to understand how they could best use their expertise in aerial imagery and computer vision to improve farm outcomes. Chuck also talked with S2G’s Cristina Rohr about her perspective on the market opportunity for Sentera’s technology. From offering a clear and differentiated value proposition to designing an innovative business model to get the product to farmers at the right price point, there are so many aspects of this conversation that are relevant to entrepreneurs in the world of agtech and beyond.

Key Topics:

1. Understanding Core Differentiators: Brian and Eric highlight the importance of understanding the company’s “unfair advantages” to ensure they continue to stand out from the competition and provide the best possible product to farmers.
2. Offering a Clear Value Proposition: The team shares what they’ve learned about not only developing a product that addresses both economic and environmental challenges in modern farming but also about how to message those benefits to customers.
3. Finding the Right Sales Channel: Sentera determined that working with ag retailers and trusted advisors would generate more traction than going directly to farmers. Strategic partnerships with leading seed, chemical, and equipment companies have been pivotal for Sentera's market penetration and scalability.
4. Business Model Innovation: Sentera’s technology offers the opportunity for a no-upfront-cost approach, which addresses financial constraints and risk aversion among farmers, enabling easier adoption of advanced technologies.
5. Taking a Systems-Based Approach: Understanding the role their technology can play not only on farms but in the broader stakeholder ecosystem has helped Sentera build partnerships and bring together stakeholders to improve opportunities for scale.

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. Please note that S2G may maintain investments in some of the companies discussed on this podcast. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results.

For more important information, please see s2gventures.com/disclosures.

The rapid growth of reshored manufacturing, AI data centers, industrial decarbonization technologies, and electric vehicles are driving unprecedented demand for electricity. Many of the companies with the greatest energy demands have also committed to net zero emissions targets which will require them to use renewable power sources. While the renewable energy sector has grown tremendously, developing the capacity to meet the energy demand increase will face numerous challenges. In this episode, we’re featuring a panel our S2G Summit in which Frank O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Energy at S2G spoke with Ernie Moniz, Former US Secretary of Energy and current CEO and President of the EFI Foundation, Grant van Rooyen, CEO of Tract, and Ben Pratt, President at Nova Clean Energy. They discuss the broader system needs to fully “close the loop” on clean energy spanning from generation, transmission, and interconnection, to PPA structuring, asset positioning, and beyond.

Key Topics:

1. Private Capital Dynamics and Clean Energy Transition: A significant gap exists between available capital and investable opportunities in the clean energy sector. Financing the "missing middle" remains a crucial challenge for translating new technologies into scaled clean energy solutions.
2. Overcoming Grid Interconnection Hurdles: The process of grid interconnection for new energy projects poses challenges, with prolonged approval wait times hindering progress. Panelists discuss the need for robust expansion and optimization of physical grid infrastructure to efficiently meet the escalating demand for renewable energy sources.
3. Strategic Data Center Development: Panelists make the case that we can’t just put data centers anywhere. Strategic location choices near skilled labor pools and existing infrastructure are essential for successful data center establishment due to their scale and complex demands.
4. Navigating the Regulatory Landscape in Energy Markets: Ongoing discourse revolves around the efficacy of regulated versus competitive energy markets in supporting the energy transition journey. Panelists discuss the merits of each system.
5. Fostering Long-Term Collaboration for Clean Energy: The panelists discuss that long-term planning spanning a decade or more is essential for utilities and developers to effectively manage the surging demand for clean energy sources. Collaborative efforts involving project stakeholders and utilities are key to building trust and aligning proposals with regulatory frameworks for sustainable energy advancements.

Resources:
Video: Frank O'Sullivan and Bala Nagarajan on the Missing Middle
Missing middle paper
Tract
Nova Clean Energy
EFI Foundation

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. Please note that S2G may maintain investments in some of the companies discussed on this podcast. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results.

For more important information, please see s2gventures.com/disclosures.