VCo2 | The Climate Investing Podcast
VCo2 | The Climate Investing Podcast
Microbes Are Taking Over Climate Tech - Olivier Mougenot (Wind)
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Microbes Are Taking Over Climate Tech - Olivier Mougenot (Wind)

From lab-grown foie gras to plastic-eating bacteria, why deep tech for climate is just getting started.

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.


From improving food security to decarbonizing heavy industries and even transforming human health, microbes are emerging as a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.

But could they also be the next multi-billion-dollar opportunity?
And can generalist VCs understand the space well enough to back the right teams?


In this episode, I’m joined by Olivier Mougenot, partner at Wind, a French deep-tech climate VC firm. Olivier is not a scientist. He’s not a biologist either. But he’s convinced that microorganisms will reshape our industries for the better and that biotech is now a business-first game where traditional VCs can support startups.

We discuss:

  • What VCs can learn from SaaS to back the next generation of biotech startups

  • How to evaluate microorganisms projects (hint: performance, price, scale)

  • What AI can’t do yet in synthetic biology (but might soon)

  • How the best biotech startups de-risk their business

  • … and more!

Watch this episode on YouTube. 👇


⌛TIMESTAMPS

  • 0:00 Introduction

  • 2:59 Wind: A Deep Tech VC Firm

  • 6:34 Microorganisms & Sustainability

  • 12:37 Biotech Beyond Scientists

  • 16:46 Ethics of Microorganisms

  • 21:23 Why Impact Funds Fit Biotech

  • 27:00 Wind’s Investment Thesis

  • 34:27 AI in Biotech

  • 37:45 Biotech Predictions

  • 41:54 Advice for Founders & VCs


📚 STARTUPS AND BOOKS

  • The Good Virus - A book on the positive role of viruses in biology

  • InSpek - Provides optical sensors for bioreactors

  • Phagos - Develops phage therapies for cattle

  • Gourmey - Lab-grown foie gras

  • Carbios - Plastic degradation via enzymes

  • Lanzatech - Biofuels


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