Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts
In This Episode:
The European Electrification Opportunity
Investing in Energy Software, Not Just “Climate Tech”
Hard Conversations with Founders (and Why They Matter)
AI, Grid Resilience & The Real Infrastructure Behind Clean Energy
Why Climate Messaging Needs to Sound More Like Tesla
Today’s episode features Felix Krause, founding partner of Vireo Ventures, one of Europe’s leading early-stage energy tech investors. Felix is based in Berlin and brings decades of experience across solar project development, corporate VC, and now independent fund management.
We dig deep into why electrification is the real unlock for climate, and why Felix and his team believe the software that manages energy flows—not new forms of generation—is where VC dollars can make the biggest impact.
Felix also talks candidly about:
How Vireo built a reputation as a hands-on, brutally honest investor
Why “doing good and making money” aren’t mutually exclusive
How to spot founders with true grit and fire in their eyes
Why Europe is at a critical inflection point for tech sovereignty
We also cover how AI and increasing data availability are quietly enabling new software business models in energy—from optimizing legacy boilers in multifamily buildings to managing distributed assets securely.
If you're wondering how to build (or back) meaningful energy tech in today’s shifting market, this episode is packed with pragmatic insights—and just the right amount of optimism.
Want to access all our content? Upgrade to paid today. Act fast! Annual subscriptions increase to $100 on May 1st (currently $80).
📺 Watch on YouTube | 🍎 Apple Podcasts | 🎧 Spotify | 🗣️ Join the Slack Channel
ErthTech Talent: Affordable CleanTech Search Firm
To build a successful CleanTech startup, you need the right people.
Affordable: Our search fee is 12-15% of first-year base salary (most charge 25-30%).
Specialized: We ONLY work with CleanTech startups.
Proven: 70+ placements since 2020 (Aypa Power, ChargeScape, QCells, & more).
Save time and money when you work with ErthTech Talent. Plus, Silas runs it, so you already know him. — Reach out today and tell him you saw this ad.
📝 Show Notes:
Topics
Short Version
04:36 Founding Vireo Ventures: The Transition to Investment
09:20 Building Relationships with Founders
14:20 The Importance of Honesty in Investment
17:52 Navigating the Future of Energy
22:44 Data and Cybersecurity in Clean Tech
25:12 Navigating the Go-To-Market Strategy
25:57 Investing in Early-Stage Software Companies
27:27 The Role of Data Extraction in Electrification
29:55 Understanding Business Models in Climate Tech
31:11 Evaluating Software Sales Strategies
34:13 AI's Impact on Electrification and Business Models
Premium Version
04:26 Founding Vireo Ventures: The Transition to Investment
09:09 Building Relationships with Founders
12:05 The Importance of Honesty in Investment
15:38 Navigating the Future of Energy
19:47 Data and Cybersecurity in Clean Tech
22:15 Navigating the Go-To-Market Strategy
22:59 Investing in Early-Stage Software Companies
24:29 The Role of Data Extraction in Electrification
26:57 Understanding Business Models in Climate Tech
28:13 Evaluating Software Sales Strategies
31:15 AI's Impact on Electrification and Business Models
35:50 The EU Clean Industrial Deal and Electrification
38:17 Europe's Opportunity
41:14 The Future of Climate Tech Investment
Links
Connect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedIn
This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.
Listen to this episode with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to CleanTechies to listen to this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.
