Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, threatening the very fabric of our planet's ecosystems and human civilization. But what if we already possess 80% of the solutions needed to combat this crisis? Ravi Kurani sits down with Ryan Kushner, co-founder of Third Derivative, a climate technology accelerator, to explore the future of clean energy, carbon capture, and how startups are driving innovation in the fight against climate change.
Ryan Kushner brings his wealth of experience in climate tech acceleration to the table, sharing insights from his journey with organizations like Elemental Accelerator and his book, "Accelerate This: A Super Not Boring Guide to Startup Accelerators and Clean Energy Entrepreneurship." He discusses the evolution of climate solutions, from having only 60% of the necessary technologies a few years ago to now possessing 75-80% of what we need to address the climate crisis. Kushner also delves into the role of accelerators in nurturing startups and fostering partnerships between entrepreneurs, corporations, and investors to drive meaningful impact.
The conversation takes a deep dive into the structure and goals of Third Derivative, a program of the Rocky Mountain Institute, which aims to support and scale the most promising climate tech startups worldwide. Kushner explains how their 18-month program offers financial support, mentorship, and crucial connections to a network of corporate partners and venture capital firms. The discussion also touches on the challenges and opportunities in the water sector, highlighting the need for innovation in areas such as agriculture, water reuse, and decentralized water systems.
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