Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
***
This week, we’re joined by Matt Jones, Managing Partner at Syensqo, to break down one of the toughest challenges in climate tech: how to exit.
With 25 years of experience and a front-row seat to both successful and failed exits, Matt shares:
How to recognize the right window for exiting
The biggest red flags in corporate partnerships
How CVCs think about alignment, strategy, and exits
What founders get wrong when they pitch to corporations
How to make deep tech exits work
… and more!
***
⌛TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction to the episode
0:54 Climate Tech Exits 101
02:22 Understanding Exit Strategies for Investors
04:55 How to assess the exit environment?
05:47 The IPO Dream: Are Startups Ready?
07:33 Taking a company public as a CVC?
08:38 Navigating Acquisitions: Finding Potential Buyers
11:23 The Role of Corporates in Exit Strategies
13:53 Is it important for founders to have an exit strategy?
15:37 Common Mistakes in Engaging with Corporate VCs
17:35 Rapid Fire Questions: Insights and Advice
***
▶️ CONNECT WITH MATT
Matt Jones – LinkedIn
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🔗 CONNECT WITH ME
Newsletter - https://climateventuresvco2.substack.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugorauch/
Email - climateventuresvco2@substack.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@VCo2_HugoRauch
***
📚 REFERENCES AND MENTIONS
The Lean Startup – Startup playbook on building fast & learning from customers.
Syensqo Ventures – Corporate VC backing climate and materials startups.
Breakthrough Energy Ventures – Climate tech fund backed by Bill Gates.
M&A – Mergers & acquisitions as startup exits.
IPOs – Taking a private company public.
SPACs – A faster alternative to IPOs via shell companies.
EBITDA & Accretive – Key financials in exit deals.
Corporate VC (CVC) – Corporates investing in startups.
Exit Windows – Timing matters for exits.
***
🎙️PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE
Founders Should Operate Like Athletes – Romain Vidal (Teampact Ventures)
Solving the Energy Crisis with Software - Jan Lozek (Future Energy Ventures)
Climate Change Is a Social Issue - Alina Klarner (Impact Shakers)
***
💚 LEAVE A REVIEW
Apple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcg
Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR
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