Inspiring Sustainability - Podcast

Clive Hall, founder of Rushlight Events and London Cleantech Cluster, chairman London Community Resource Network, and a Fellow of the RSA discusses the keys to building successful sustainability solutions and clean technologies start-ups, why he is inspired by the circular economy and the evolution of the Rushlight events. He talks passionately about why he has carried the torch for the cleantech sector as different buzzwords come and go.The conversation shares some powerful entrepreneurial advice for founders of cleantech and sustainable companies. Reminding startups to think about their route to market, Clive said that ‘its better to have a small percent of something than 100% percent of nothing.’Topics covered in this episode:Tips for cleantech entrepreneurs and how to get your startup investment‘Its not the best technology but the best business that wins’Why Clive is passionate about the circular economyThe Rushlight Show on 30th January, upcoming investor evening briefings and the Summer ShowcaseEvolution of the cleantech eventsThe reason behind the name ‘Rushlight’Useful links:Rushlight Show - https://www.rushlightevents.comClive Hall's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-hall-68740a/Rushlight Twitter: https://twitter.com/rushlightInnovate UK - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-ukBEIS - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-business-energy-and-industrial-strategyVenner Shipley - https://www.vennershipley.co.uk/Carbon Limiting Technologies - https://www.carbonlimitingtechnologies.com/Granted Consultancy - https://grantedltd.co.uk/Everoze - http://everoze.com/Flanders Investment and Trade - https://www.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com/enProva - https://provapr.co.uk/Where did the word "Rushlight" come from - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RushlightChapters:[00:38] Who is Clive Hall?[02:53] What ignited the passion of Clive?[06:30] Why Rushlight?[09:35] Evolution of cleantech[15:06] Favourite technology or companies[18:31] Focus on effective storytelling[20:48] Routes to market[22:00] Why marine energy hasn't been the vanguard of renewable energy[23:02] Advice for cleantech company[25:20] Understanding yourself as an entrepreneur[26:27] Evolution of cleantech events[28:22] What is the Rushlight Show and who attends the event?[30:58] Circular economy[38:00] Rushlight Awards, Investor briefingsPodcast host, Adam Woodhall, is an advisor to cleantech, circular economy and sustainable startups on their growth stories. Connect with him here:https://twitter.com/adamwoodhallhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall/http://www.inspiring-sustainability.com

The passionate brainchild behind Cambridge Cleantech, Hugh Parnell gives a broad and deep insight into this critical industry as it is today including; the market failings it faces and how to overcome them, the relevance of his own acronym, EECO, the three S’s for start-up success, why we need inspiration from successful cleantech heroes and the collective approach needed to resolve global environmental issues. Recorded at the start of COP24, the global climate talks, in Adam Woodhall’s #GameChanger interview we learn how after a working for two decades in the oil industry, Hugh changed course in the year 2000 and has been involved in many environmental ventures in the two decades since and has helped grow a vibrant angel network.  In addition to his stimulating insights, we go on fascinating journey through his cleantech career, including being the founder and Chairman of Cambridge Cleantech and also non-exec director of five companies, including Enval a ground-breaking circular economy solution.With the aim of supporting and promoting commercial activities to encourage environmental sustainability initiatives, Cambridge Cleantech are a proactive connector in the green and eco technology solutions space. Hugh first met Adam at the recent Cleantech Venture Day in London, run by Cambridge Cleantech in partnership with the Nordic Innovation Accelerator, where he Chaired this prestigious networking event to bring together start-up companies, larger established organisations and investors.Useful Links:Hugh Parnell - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughparnellincambridge Cambridge Cleantech - www.cambridgecleantech.org.ukEnval - www.enval.comNordic Innovation Accelerator - https://www.nordicinnovationaccelerator.comCleantech Venture Day - http://www.cleantechday.com/london/Meet The Buyer Events - https://www.cambridgecleantech.org.uk/events/greater-london-authority-meet-the-buyer-eventPodcast host, Adam Woodhall, is an advisor to cleantech, circular economy and sustainable startups on their growth stories. Connect with him here:https://twitter.com/adamwoodhallhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall/http://www.inspiring-sustainability.comChapters:[02:55] Hugh Parnell - background and career[04:15] Hugh’s version of eco – an explanation of the EECO framework[11:23] Governmental obligations and expectations[13:08] The motivation behind Hugh’s two decades years in the cleantech industry[15:47] The three S’s – scale, speed and strength: Reality in transforming ideas into business[17:42] Market failings in the cleantech space and how to overcome these[19:22] Challenges in the progression of cleantech and sustainable enterprises[21:56] Evolution of Cambridge Cleantech, their purpose and mission[24:40] How Cambridge Cleantech is supporting companies to achieve scale[28:00] Enval circular economy technology[31:40] Why we need a language that better describes the current situation[33:30] Importance of designing products with reusable and recyclable options in mind

The Solar Impulse Foundation both celebrates and promotes game changing solutions and is a game changing organisation itself. In Adam Woodhall’s Inspiring Sustainability interview with Willem van Hasselt we learn where they are on this exciting, and necessary, journey.In 2003 global adventurer Betrand Picard decided to prove that you could fly around the world without use of fossil fuel. A 16-year-old Willem saw Betrand speak about his ambitions and was inspired to follow him in delivering a more sustainable world. In 2016, flying the Solar Impulse 2, Betrand fulfilled his ambition, and then launched the Solar Impulse Foundation. In 2018, Willem fulfilled his, by joining the Foundation as Investor Relations Manager.The Foundation established ‘The World Alliance for Efficient Solutions’ and in the interview we discuss how they are bringing together the main actors involved in developing, financing and promoting products, services and technologies that can mitigate climate change, protect the environment and create clean growth.If you are an innovator, entrepreneur or investor in cleantech and environmental sustainability, and want to be a member of the Foundation, create your free account on their website. Then you can apply to become a ‘Labelled Solution’: (https://solarimpulse.com/members/subscribe)Highlights of this episode: * What was learnt from flying around the world using only solar power* The types of cleantech ventures they are working with - from re-engineered wood to acid regeneration and from maritime to the building industry* How far into the 1000 ‘Labelled Solutions’ they are* Why profitability is essential for sustainability* How Willem is inspired by the collaborative nature of sustainable entrepreneurs* The ventures the foundation are looking to partner with* Betrand’s three key things which he shared with Willem 18 years agoUseful Links:Podcast host, Adam Woodhall:- https://twitter.com/adamwoodhall- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall/Inspiring Sustainability: http://www.inspiring-sustainability.comSolar Impulse Foundation online: https://solarimpulse.com/Connect with Willem on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willemvanhasselt/Follow Solar Impulse Foundation and Bertand on Twitter:- https://twitter.com/solarimpulse- https://twitter.com/bertrandpiccardCleantech Venture Day run by Cambridge Cleantech:- http://www.cleantechday.com/london/- http://cambridgecleantech.org.uk/Cleantech startups featured:- Bound For Blue (Rigid Wing Sail System) https://solarimpulse.com/efficient-solutions/bound4blue-wingsail-system-for-fuel-efficiency-in-the-shipping-industry- REGMAX (Acid regeneration system for pickling steel) https://solarimpulse.com/efficient-solutions-design/regmax- WooDoo (Reengineered Wood) https://solarimpulse.com/efficient-solutions-design/woodooUnited World College Singapore https://www.uwcsea.edu.sg/Chapters: [0:58] What is the Solar Impulse Foundation[2:20] Examples of cleantech ventures on their platform and who they partner with[4:00] The genesis of the venture[8:38] The bigger picture of the foundation[11:03] How they review if a solution is profitable[12:20] Why it’s so important to be profitable[14:24] Dealing with people who don’t care about the environment[24:08] How Willem was inspired from a young age[30:00] Bertrand’s quote that WiIlem lives by everyday