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🌎 Welcome back to the CleanTechies PodLetter, founder edition.
Today, we are talking to Ryan Gilliam from Fortera
In this conversation, we chat about…
How Ryan pivoted at the right time and was able to start Fortera
What is their Net-Zero Cement technology and how they scaled it
Why they are able to survive the “Startup Valley-of-Death”
And much more…
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The Guest: Ryan Gilliam
Ryan is the Co-Founder & CEO of Fortera, a company pioneering net-zero cement
He started off spending 11 years at the Calera Corporation, where he learned the fundamentals that would help him start Fortera
Ryan is also a Venture Partner at 1955 Capital, investing in technologies developed in the Americas and Europe that can help solve China’s and the developing world's greatest challenges in areas including energy & environment, food safety & supply, health & education, and sustainable manufacturing
The Startup: Fortera
Net-Zero CO2 Cement, Materials, Construction
One-liner: Fortera develops a turnkey bolt-on decarbonization solution that integrates into existing cement plant infrastructures to produce net-zero cement
Their process draws on 100,000+ hours of R&D, 100+ issued global and pending patents and 10+ years of real-world product demonstration.
The Silicon Valley-based company is backed by leading investors including Khosla Ventures and Temasek.
Fortera’s first low-carbon cement plant is nearing completion in Redding, Calif., and will be one of the world's largest carbon mineralization plants.
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📝 Show Notes:
Topics
01:44 Intro
05:08 Experience with the Cement Industry
09:40 The Problem of CO2 Emissions in Cement
13:34 Making the Technology Fit Within the Ecosystem
19:46 Changing Customer Mindsets
25:50 Integration with Cement Producers
29:56 Starting Fortera and Convincing Investors
33:55 Fundraising and Shifting Capital Stack
37:05 Raising Early Rounds and Bringing in New Investors
41:28 Transitioning to Project Financing
44:07 Project Development vs Licensing IP
46:28 Key Considerations for Commercial Projects
48:08 Importance of Planning and Preparation
48:35 Challenges in Supply Chain Management
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🙏🏽 Thanks for tuning in, and see you all next episode!
#164 Net-Zero Cement, Surviving the Startup Valley-of-Death, Timing a Pivot, & More w/ Ryan Gilliam (Fortera)