Consensus in Conversation

Manik Suri is implementing smart technology into cooling, ushering in the era of Cold Chain 2.0. Before founding GlacierGrid in 2020, Manik finished top of his class at Harvard, went to Cambridge for a masters in international relations, returned to Harvard for a law degree, co-founded the Governance Lab, with stops at storied institutions like DE Shaw and the White House Economic Council along the way. Cooling technology has lagged behind other industries in the clean energy transition, but GlacierGrid’s all-in-one management platform is using smart technology to bridge that gap and build a more sustainable, advanced, and efficient cold chain.Hear Manik share how he’s pursuing dual passions for entrepreneurship and positive impact, why cooling technology is vital for the modern world, and how smart technology can decarbonize an entire industry. Episode Highlights:00:00 Manik Suri on the planet’s cooling crisis00:57 Conor Gaughan introduces Manik and GlacierGrid07:00 Academic upbringing, Harvard, and international internships16:03 Law school, The White House, and path to entrepreneurship23:25 GlacierGrid’s rebrand, the hidden economy, and the cold chain33:34 Pitching investors, aligning profits with impact, and future scale 40:09 Exciting innovations, long-term thinking, and staying positive48:07 Where to learn more 49:03 Conclusion and end credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Nick Whitman of Divert on Food Waste, Renewable Energy, and Impact TechnologyMore on GlacierGrid and Manik Suri:glaciergrid.com linkedin.com/company/glaciergridlinkedin.com/in/maniksuriConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

Stanford rocket scientist and fintech entrepreneur Karthik Balakrishnan is integrating high-tech infrastructure modeling with video game interface design to create a software platform that allows businesses to virtually test their plans for maximum sustainability and bottom-line impact. In 2018, Karthik co-founded software startup ACTUAL based on a unique premise: what if you could plug your business idea into a science-backed simulation that operates like a computer game? The software platform allows users to choose a sustainability strategy, map out its various permutations, and compare those simulation results, enabling businesses to explore the full range of possibilities for their capital and implement the most impactful without real-world risks.Hear ACTUAL president and co-founder Karthik Balakrishnan talk about how SimCity influenced their approach, combining user interface with data visualization, and why gamifying decision making is so important for the future. Episode Highlights:00:00 Karthik Balakrishnan on making specialist knowledge more accessible00:53 Conor Gaughan introduces Karthik and ACTUAL05:45 Growing up on the coasts and aerospace engineering at Stanford 10:45 Rocket science, entrepreneurial spirit, and the generalist mindset17:43 Fintech, founding Coin, and risk-taking versus reliability 27:24 Angel investing, the Pioneer Fund, and an impact-based framework 32:55 The origin of ACTUAL, the elevator pitch, and de-risking innovation 42:49 Real world variables and misconceptions about sustainable software  49:15 Exciting innovations, defeating defeatism, and staying positive53:40 Where to learn more and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Peter Godart of Found Energy on Aluminum Fuel, NASA, and Engineering Impact at ScaleMore on ACTUAL and Karthik Balakrishnan:actualhq.comlinkedin.com/company/actualhqlinkedin.com/in/kbalakriConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

This week, we’re proud to share a special episode of the CLIMB by VSC podcast with Jay Kapoor, featuring his interview with Sunil Nagaraj. CLIMB is a weekly podcast where Jay and VSC Ventures co-founder Vijay Chattha speak with leading investors, founders, and industry experts about lessons and perspectives on company-building in the world of climate tech and climate adaptation. From CLIMB by VSC:We're honored to host Sunil Nagaraj, a visionary investor in the intersection of deep tech and climate innovation, and founding partner of Ubiquity Ventures. Nagaraj's unique perspective on "software beyond the screen" and his commitment to supporting early-stage, tech-driven startups are at the forefront of our discussion. We dive into the essence of nurturing technologies with disciplined financing and the strategic scaling of startups to mitigate climate change.Our conversation spans a variety of topics, from the complexities of venture capital in the climate tech space to the pivotal role of startups in driving substantial change. Sunil shares insights on the importance of focusing on high-impact areas and the potential pitfalls in the startup ecosystem, particularly emphasizing the significance of avoiding the "moonshot culture" that often hinders the progress of deep tech ventures.About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in early-stage startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSC.Links discussed in this episode:Moonshot Culture is Strangling Deeptech article: https://www.ubqt.vc/p/moonshot-culture-is-strangling-deeptech Ubiquity University: https://university.ubiquity.vc/Episode Highlights00:00 Conor Gaughan introduces CLIMB by VSC02:42 Trailer 03:17 Introduction04:01 What defines a startup as truly 'Nerdy and Early'?"07:11 What’s the first question investors make?11:30 How do investors navigate unfamiliar markets?16:17 The pros and cons of a singular investment strategy21:49 How do 'crazy' ideas become genius investments26:45 The 'Don't Repeat Yourself' mantra in Venture Capital29:35 The cost of keeping secrets in Venture Capital31:57 How trust accelerates organizational velocity39:30 Should investors be more involved in early stage startups?42:47 How can startups become better companies47:19 The dangers of Moonshot Culture in Deep Tech52:39 What's the one thing your startup should focus on?55:07 Can technology truly turn the tide against climate change?We’ll be back next week with a brand new episode of Consensus in Conversation. In the meantime, make sure to follow the CLIMB by VSC podcast for more great perspectives on company-building. Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comConsensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

Frank Heidinger believes that lots of small improvements over time can create a huge impact, and he’s using that concept to electrify the recreational boating industry, responsible for 1% of global carbon emissions. Frank is the founder and CEO of HALEVAI, a cutting-edge company making high-performance, fully electric recreational boats that will reduce the industry’s environmental footprint, shorten supply chains, and bring more manufacturing jobs to the U.S. A hospitality industry veteran and lifelong ocean advocate, Frank shares how  prioritizing customer experience, committing to incremental improvement, and embracing a “We Will” vision of the future can truly make all the difference. Hear Frank talk about the idea that led him to launch HALEVAI, combining materials sciences, design, and engineering to build boats, and the exciting future for (water-based) electric vehicles. Episode Highlights00:00 Frank Heidinger on energy, hospitality, and the natural environment00:39 Conor Gaughan introduces Frank and HALEVAI04:10 Brooklyn beginnings, creating experiences, and sustainable hospitality in the Maldives13:58 The idea for electric boats, initial obstacles, and developing a design20:30 The recreational boating market and marginal improvements29:10 Pitching to investors, the spirit of innovation, and creating impact36:30 Sustainability in luxury, open sourcing, and prioritizing customers41:22 Frank’s vision for a sustainable future and where to learn more45:43 Wrap up and end credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Ben Bressler of Natural Habitat Adventures on Nature, Travel, and Pursuing Your Passion More on HALEVAI and Frank Heidinger:halevai.cominstagram.com/halevaipower/ linkedin.com/company/halevai linkedin.com/in/frank-heidinger-halevai Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

Jay Kapoor believes there is massive opportunity in climate automation and that identifying hidden economies is key to building a more sustainable future. Jay is co-founder and general partner at VSC Ventures, a storytelling-focused VC firm investing in early stage climate tech and automation startups. In part two of our conversation with Jay, we dive into the nitty gritty: Jay shares how hidden economies inform his investing thesis, why automation is key to our climate tech transition, how early startups are already tapping into this opportunity, and what a sustainable future could really look like. If you missed last week’s episode, listen first to Jay Kapoor of VSC Ventures on Finding Purpose, Startup Storytelling, and the Founder with 1000 Faces. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Jay Kapoor on investing in climate automation00:58 Conor Gaughan introduces Jay Kapoor and VSC Ventures02:57 Looking for hidden economies as an investor10:22 Using analogies to boost storytelling 15:03 The huge potential in climate automation31:34 Exciting innovations in the tech industry 37:47 VSC’s portfolio companies46:51 Envisioning a sustainable future with nuclear energy 50:04 Where to learn more51:35 Conclusion and end credits More on VSC Ventures and Jay Kapoor:vscventures.com/portfolio linkedin.com/company/vsc-ventures linkedin.com/in/jaykapoor/twitter.com/JayKapoorNYCJay’s podcast: CLIMB by VSCConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and instagram.com/ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

Jay Kapoor is combining venture capital and storytelling to help visionary founders achieve maximum impact. Jay noticed that while it was easier than ever to start a business, that made it harder than ever for individual companies to get noticed. How could founders get the world to see their unique vision for a better future? The answer was simple, but not easy – tell a compelling story. So, he and co-founder Vijay Chattha created VSC Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage climate tech and automation startups, using the power of storytelling to help them stand out. Hear Jay talk about the importance of curiosity and empathy, what the NFL’s international games can teach us about growing a brand, and why every good business starts with a really good story. As you’ll hear, we had so much fun talking with Jay, we convinced him to do a second episode, so stick around for part two next week. Episode Highlights:00:00 Jay Kapoor on the importance of asking “Why now?” in storytelling 00:52 Conor Gaughan introduces Jay Kapoor and VSC Ventures06:37 Multicultural background and perspective on sustainability23:23 Finance, NFL Europe, and marketing funnels31:31 The idea for VSC Ventures and crafting a good pitch44:53 Optimism, return on investment, and defining impact54:03 What’s next – part two of our conversation 56:38 End credits More on VSC Ventures and Jay Kapoor:vscventures.com/portfolio linkedin.com/company/vsc-ventures/ linkedin.com/in/jaykapoor/ OR twitter.com/JayKapoorNYC Jay’s podcast: CLIMB by VSCConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and instagram.com/ckgone Here’s the link to Joseph Campbell’s book, which both Conor and Jay mention: The Hero With A Thousand Faces.If you liked this episode, listen next to Matt Rogers of Mill Industries on Food Waste, Impactful Product Design, and InnovationAlso check out these episodes featuring folks Jay and Conor mentioned in their conversation:Rick Fox of Partanna on Sustainable Construction and Creating Winning TeamsRoger McClendon of Green Sports Alliance on Green Sports Day and Sustainability In SportsHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

The data gap in women’s healthcare is a big problem. Four out of every five women in America with female-specific medical conditions will go undiagnosed and 70% of medical residency training programs exclude fertility from their core curriculums.  Tech wizard and veteran entrepreneur Juan Carlos (JC) Riveiro, and business and marketing expert Liya Sharif co-founded Cercle in 2021 to address this very gap. The tech startup uses AI machine learning to generate smarter, more equitable women’s health data, giving doctors the information they need to make decisions specific to each of their patients. Hear how CEO JC, and board member Liya are using their technological and entrepreneurial expertise to give doctors direct access to better data, improve fertility outcomes with individualized treatment plans, and revolutionize the future of healthcare for all.  Episode Highlights:00:00 Liya on the exclusion of women in medical studies00:42 Conor Gaughan introduces Liya Sharif and JC Riveiro of Cercle04:30 Backgrounds, college degrees, and careers leading to Cercle16:12 JC and Liya's idea for Cercle27:12 Medicine 3.0, systemic inequity in healthcare, and women's health32:49 Finding investors, caring for customers, and the future of health40:06 Where to learn more41:42 End creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Allison Wolff of Vibrant Planet on Beneficial Fire, Sustainable Software, and Nature-Based Climate SolutionsMore on Cercle, Liya Sharif, and JC Riveiro:cercle.ailinkedin.com/company/cercleailinkedin.com/in/lshariflinkedin.com/in/jriveiroHere’s the link to the McKinsey study on the women’s medical data gap referenced by both Conor and Liya during the episode: “Closing the data gaps in women’s health.”Here’s the link to Hannah Ritchie’s book, which Conor mentions in his intro: Not the End of the World. Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and instagram.com/ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

Caron Proschan, founder and CEO of Simply, believes that simple ideas can change the world, and she’s out to prove it with… chewing gum.One fateful day Caron reached for a piece of gum and realized it was made of plastic. When she looked for natural options, there were none. So she took her Harvard Business degree and launched Simply, a food startup focused on healthy natural gum and snacks. From cooking up gum in her kitchen and selling it to her local Whole Foods, to challenging billion-dollar brands, Caron is a small business - big industry success story.   Hear Caron share Simply’s unusual beginnings, the secret power of tree sap, and why simple doesn’t mean easy, on this episode of Consensus in Conversation.Episode Highlights00:00 Caron realizes there is plastic in traditional chewing gum00:44 Conor Gaughan introduces Caron Proschan of Simply03:52 Background, Harvard Business School, and early entrepreneurship08:14 Simply’s start, bootstrapping a brand, and finding a market18:52 Scaling up, raising capital slowly, and sustainability in natural food27:10 Building trust, social impact, and pursuing your passion34:38 What’s next and where to learn more 36:57 End creditsHear the episode Conor mentioned, Andrew Gibbs-Dabney of LIVSN on Recovery, Sustainable Design, and Intentional OuterwearWatch the Made In America episode Conor references in the introduction, Can Regenerative Farming Revive the Earth and Feed the World on YouTube.com/consensusdigitalmediaMore on Simply Gum and Caron Proschan:simplygum.comlinkedin.com/company/simplygumlinkedin.com/in/caronproschanConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and instagram.com/ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

50% of the global food supply relies on nitrogen fertilizer, which emits tons of greenhouse gasses. But startup Nitricity is making electrified climate-smart fertilizer by literally capturing lightning in reactors. Co-founder and CEO Nicolas Pinkowski joins the podcast to share the startup’s remarkable origin story from a make-shift lab in a Stanford backyard, to a full-fledged company revolutionizing agriculture and the future of our food supply.Hear how Nico went from engineer to entrepreneur, testing ideas on lemon trees and destroying a few toasters in the process, on Consensus in Conversation streaming now wherever you listen to podcasts. Episode Highlights00:00 Nicolas Pinkowski destroys a toaster in the name of science00:51 Conor Gaughan introduces Nico Pinkowski and Nitricity 03:49 Growing up, Stanford engineering, and Silicon Valley13:00 Nitricity’s origin, capturing lightning to decarbonize fertilizer26:26 Pitching and scaling decarbonized nitrogen fertilizer35:03 Working with farmers, potential impact, and future growth 44:06 What’s next and where to learn more45:33 End creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Matt Rogers of Mill Industries on Food Waste, Impactful Product Design, and InnovationMore on Nitricity and Nicolas Pinkowski:nitricity.colinkedin.com/company/nitricity linkedin.com/in/nicolaspinkowski https://ifdc.org/ (the International Fertilizer Development Center) Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and instagram.com/ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.