Investing for Impact with Andrew Beebe, Managing Director at Obvious Ventures | Season Seven, Episode Twelve
Welcome to Season Seven of Conversations in Cleantech! From inspiring stories and words of wisdom, to financial foresight and investment insights: in this season, you can expect to learn all about the people and companies who are propelling us towards a greener tomorrow, with a spotlight on investing in a cleaner planet. In this episode of Conversations in Cleantech, our hosts Alexa Mangeant and Hetty Lowther chat with Andrew Beebe, Managing Director at Obvious Ventures, about the dynamic world of cleantech investing. Andrew's journey began with founding his first solar company back in 2002, a time when cleantech was still emerging. He witnessed solar panel costs drop from $10/watt to an astonishing $0.15/watt, a change that surpassed all expectations. At Obvious Ventures, the focus is on companies that transform industries with a "well positive" approach. They’re backing innovations in electric vehicles, energy storage, carbon markets, and aviation. Notably, Senken, a platform facilitating the world's first public sale of carbon forward tokens, is among the impactful companies supported by Obvious Ventures. For those aspiring to enter the cleantech field, Andrew shares his insights, emphasising the growth potential when purpose meets profit. Join us for a captivating conversation, rich with insights from an experienced investor and operator, showcasing how Obvious Ventures is helping to shape a sustainable future. 02:17 - Introduction to Andrew 02:56 - Can you tell us a bit about you and your journey into the VC route? 07:03 - Are you good at spotting the big trends that are about to kick off? 07:35 - What initially drew you to solar technology? 11:18 - For those who may not be familiar with Obvious Ventures, can you share more about your mission as a business? 15:50 - What specific qualities or attributes do you look for in a company that make you believe it has significant potential? 18:41 - What are some of the key technologies or innovations in the cleantech sector that you're currently focusing on? 22:52 - Could you elaborate on the opportunities you see in the carbon market, considering its dynamic nature and the diverse range of players involved? 27:22 - What advice or wisdom would you offer to someone starting a career similar to yours? 29:13 - Do you have any final thoughts you'd like to share with listeners passionate about sustainability and cleantech, who are eager to step into this space? Connect with your hosts Alexa Mangeant and Hetty Lowther on LinkedIn. Find your guest Andrew Beebe on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith. This is a Loaded Hype production.