Can 'deeptech' venture capital solve climate change?
Shayle Kann of Energy Impact Partners and Ramez Naam of Prime Movers Lab discuss the viability of deep tech venture capital in climate, arguing that the 'wrong model' lesson from the CleanTech 1.0 bust no longer holds. They analyze four key arguments against hard tech investment—capital intensity, commodity competition, long timelines, and exit landscapes—concluding that current market conditions, policy support, and proven winners like Tesla make deep tech investable today. The conversation highlights specific sectors like steel, cement, and battery technology, noting that while a bust may eventually occur, the current infrastructure turnover creates massive opportunities.