💥 De-Risking FOAK: Dancing on the Minefield Building a first-of-a-kind (FOAK) project is the ultimate test of resilience—where unproven technology meets market uncertainty, and investors demand answers to every imaginable risk. In the latest solo episode of Watt’s Up with Startups, host Emin Askerov shares firsthand insights from scaling high-stakes projects. From convincing skeptical committees to navigating billion-dollar decisions, he breaks down what it really takes to secure FOAK financing. And here’s a spoiler: it’s not just about raising money—it’s about mastering execution, de-risking technology, and proving commercial viability. This episode is a must-listen for anyone building the next gigafactory or launching a climate tech breakthrough! 🎧 Tune in now! #WattsUpWithStartups #ClimateTech #FOAK #ScaleUp #StartupSuccess #BatteryIndustry #RiskManagement

🚀 Three critical steps before scaling up🚀 Scaling up isn’t just about great tech—it is about nailing down the process, securing customers, and building a supply chain from scratch. It’s a wild ride, and for hardware startups, it’s nothing short of “production hell.” But how do you know when your startup is truly ready to go big? Tune into our new series of solo episodes in Watts Up With Startups where Emin Askerov breaks down the 3 critical steps to scaling up: ✅ Mapping your manufacturing process (because no battle plan survives first contact!) ✅ Securing your first customers (commitments = confidence) ✅ Aligning with your suppliers (without them, you’ve got nothing to ship) Want to know if your startup is scale-up ready or just daydreaming? Tune in for real-world lessons, pitfalls to avoid, and insights from Emin’s own journey scaling wind turbine production. 🎧 Ready to scale? This episode is your blueprint. Listen now! Check out our website and social networks: NEAH Website https://neahub.net/ NEAH Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nea_hub/ NEAH LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/nea-hub Emin Askerov LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ask-emin-greentech/ #StartupScaling #HardwareStartups #ManufacturingTips #ScalingUp #StartupJourney #FirstCustomers #SupplyChainManagement #StartupLessons #WattsUpWithStartups #RenewableEnergy #CleanTech #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Innovation

🌍 2024 in Review: Lessons from Climate Tech’s Most Defining Year This year, climate tech had it all—big wins, hard lessons, and game-changing moments. But as the dust settles, one question lingers: Are we finally learning how to scale? In this special episode of #WattsUpWithStartups, we reflect on the highs, the lows, and the surprises that shaped 2024. From the rise of FOAK projects to the shifts in investor behavior and the lessons every founder must heed, this year has been nothing short of transformative. 🔍 What went wrong? What went right? And what’s next for climate tech in 2025? 🎧 Tune in for insights, reflections, and a look ahead that you won’t want to miss. Catch the episode now! ________ 1) Epitaphs on climate tech companies in 2024: https://www.askerov.pro/post/arrival-what-happened https://www.askerov.pro/post/halloween-horror-story-the-rise-and-fall-of-redflow https://www.askerov.pro/post/universal-hydrogen-a-20-min-or-100m-lesson 2) CTVC article on climate tech finance in 2024: https://www.ctvc.co/a-slimming-stack-of-86bn-in-dry-powder-for-climate-2/ 3) On the “missing middle” in climate tech financing https://www.askerov.pro/post/navigating-the-capital-stack-from-lab-to-noak 4) Podcast Episode 6 with Duke Oh, JR Energy Solution: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wyEtF60GMWSDtkm247eRh?si=9frKaNY0SMWRS_dBOb2_Ng 5) My best post on scaling battery manufacturing: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ask-emin-greentech_batterymanufacturing-cleantech-innovation-activity-7249331066287644672-bPNH 6) Why SMR’s are the Fad of the year: https://www.askerov.pro/post/_____ 7) “The Innovator’s Dilemma” book review: https://www.askerov.pro/post/facing-the-innovator-s-dilemma 8) Climate Insiders Podcast on Hydrogen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/08dEn1yNXNoHMBujtwbMRp?si=ymD5RUYpTROEEkYBffAuwA 9) My review of the Climate Insiders podcast: https://www.askerov.pro/post/be05694d 10) My dedicated blog section to Scaling Up Climate Tech: https://www.askerov.pro/blog/categories/scale-up 11) New Energy Advancement Hub website: https://neahub.net/ #ClimateTech #ScaleUp #FOAK #EnergyTransition #startup #podcast #greenenergy

Join us for the new episode of Watt’s Up With Startups with Emin Askerov (https://www.linkedin.com/in/emin-askerov-8b592846/) — now available as a podcast on Spotify. In this episode, Emin invited Jonathan Stokely (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stokelyj/), co-founder of Coventure (https://coventure.io/). Take a peek outside the startup box – in this episode, Emin talks with an investor and accelerator founder. What is the role of accelerators in startup growth? How do they select startups to work with? And why is having a kid likely to make you care more about climate change? In this episode: 🚀 Accelerators can offer conflicting advice and be inefficient during scaling-up 👥 Scaling up = building processes and operations. Why is investing in the right people vital for this? 💰 Can founders protect their shares from dilution – and is it even worth it? Hear from Jonathan Stokely, co-founder of Coventure, an investor and founder who is now taking the startup accelerator to the next level. Strategic thinker with a passion for operations who manages cross-divisionally from engineering, finance, sales, and marketing to C-suite. Jonathan solves problems using data, KPIs, and OKRs and implements valuable processes to save time and money, and grow organizations. Check out Episode #11 to see startups from an investment & acceleration perspective and gain insights into securing support and financing. Stay updated - follow us and watch the hashtag #WattsUpWithStartups to learn about the next episodes! Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast on YouTube Music or Spotify and listen to energy transition startup success stories on the go! #WattsUpWithStartups #NEAH_events #GreenGeeksTalk #EnergyTransition #StartupGrowth #Accelerators #VentureCapital #Sustainability #StartupSuccess #Innovation #CleanTech #EnergyInnovation #Entrepreneurship #Investing

Join us for the new episode of Watt’s Up With Startups with Emin Askerov — now available as a podcast on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4F270jZ8ZdGIzJjs4pIe06?si=e9793d83a3c14f87) and YouTube (https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZWnvmqHFxpiVyB68D9RbObEvUhSX-yTG&si=erqu39pqrw8SR_nH)! In this episode, Emin invited James Hannah (https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-hannah-15348331/), Managing Director, US at Parity (https://www.paritygo.com/). It’s no secret that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are among the biggest energy consumers. However, with constant monitoring and control, significant cost savings and energy waste reduction are within reach. Enter Parity, a startup operating in the U.S. and Canada that’s so confident in its solution that it guarantees utility cost savings. This confidence stems from refining its product and focusing on a specific market: multi-family dwellings. Join us to learn how Parity grew by mastering the sale of a complex software product, chose focus over scaling, and how they’re now preparing for expansion. Learn from James Hannah, Managing Director, US at Parity. His career has been concentrated on accelerating the adoption of clean energy solutions within the real estate sector, especially for multifamily investors and property managers. He’s worked closely with many of the largest real estate companies in the country and has advised governments, utilities, and other stakeholders on energy-related policy matters. James holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Here are a few key takeaways: - Simplify complex solutions to boost sales - Focus on customer ROI – and outperform competitors - Scale down (!) for faster growth - Educate investors about your market’s potential - Perfect your core product before scaling up - Startup advice: Keep your value proposition clear and focused #WattsUpWithStartups #NEAH_events #GreenGeeksTalk #HVACOptimization #EnergyEfficiency #SaaS #SmartBuildings #TechInnovation #EnergyManagement #StartupGrowth #SustainableSolutions #RemoteMonitoring #BuildingAutomation #CustomerROI #CleanTech #ParitySolutions #SmartTech #GreenEnergy

Join us for the new episode of Watt’s Up With Startups with Emin Askerov (https://www.linkedin.com/in/emin-askerov-8b592846/) — now available as a podcast on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4F270jZ8ZdGIzJjs4pIe06?si=e9793d83a3c14f87) and YouTube Music (https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZWnvmqHFxpiVyB68D9RbObEvUhSX-yTG&si=erqu39pqrw8SR_nH)! In this episode, Emin invited Maxine Cronier (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxine-cronier/), Head of Global Partnerships and Sales at SmartHelio (https://smarthelio.com/). Although solar photovoltaics are reliable, they are not fail-safe. Improper maintenance can lead to significant power output losses. Excessive maintenance can also be detrimental, causing unnecessary downtime and even damaging the equipment. To achieve the perfect balance and do maintenance exactly when it’s needed, predictive analytics is key. However, convincing solar farm owners that they need predictive systems can be tricky. SmartHelio, a predictive analytics startup, has faced exactly this problem in its first year of operation. Now in their fifth year of work, SmartHelio comes packed with insights and lessons for both their customers and fellow startups. As the solar industry gains momentum, proper equipment maintenance powered by predictive analytics is key to mitigating losses and optimizing efficiency. SmartHelio’s story sounds like a perfect candidate for a TV show. From an African non-profit to a multinational company with offices in Switzerland, India and the US, SmartHelio was always dedicated to accelerating clean energy adoption. How did they manage to survive customer doubt and expand into different geographies? Maxine Cronier, Head of Global Partnerships and Sales at SmartHelio, shares exclusive insights on how SmartHelio overcame its early challenges to scale globally. - Making clients your advocates - Switching from hardware to SaaS for scalable success - Balancing automation with human touch - Hiring motivated, inexperienced people: Is it worth the risk? - Don’t automate mindlessly - Get out of the lab and listen to feedback to scale up Discover how a startup is reshaping a growing industry with cutting-edge technology and software, aiming to become “the brains of clean energy”. #WattsUpWithStartups #NEAH_events #GreenGeeksTalk #SmartHelio #PredictiveAnalytics #SolarEnergy #CleanEnergy #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #SolarPV #TechInnovation #Sustainability #EnergyEfficiency #StartupSuccess #GreenTech #SolarMaintenance #EnergySolutions #Podcast #InnovationLeadership #Podcast #YouTube #Spotify

Join us for the new episode of Watt’s Up With Startups with Emin Askerov — now available as a podcast on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4F270jZ8ZdGIzJjs4pIe06?si=e9793d83a3c14f87) and YouTube Music (https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZWnvmqHFxpiVyB68D9RbObEvUhSX-yTG&si=erqu39pqrw8SR_nH)! In this episode, Emin invited Vlad Batkhin, Founder and CEO of Voltcore. According to the IEA (International Energy Agency), space and water heating emissions account for over 80% of direct CO2 emissions in the buildings sector. Heating also contributes to emissions from industry and transportation. How can we revolutionize heating to reduce energy consumption and lower our carbon footprint? The answer lies in innovative materials and smart technology that can make heating systems more efficient and environmentally friendly. Hear from Vlad Batkhin, Founder and CEO of Voltcore, a company that aims to manufacture innovative conductive polymer filaments to enhance energy efficiency. Here’s a summary of this conversation: - Going from petrochemical R&D and business development to Greentech startups - How conductive polymers make heating more energy-efficient - From 0 to TRL5 in 3 years - How to decide whether you need a FOAK plant - Finding and dealing with bottlenecks - Startups and work-and-life balance Vlad and his team have developed a proprietary conductive polymer filament that enhances heating efficiency, reduces CO2 emissions, and provides a cost-effective solution for both residential and industrial applications. Vlad brings a wealth of experience from his background in corporate petrochemical R&D and business development, and his dedication to sustainable technology is driving Voltcore’s mission to combat climate change through smarter heating solutions. Stay updated - follow us and watch the hashtag #WattsUpWithStartups to learn about the next episodes! Check out our website and social networks: NEAH Website https://neahub.net/ NEAH Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nea_hub/ NEAH LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/nea-hub Emin Askerov LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ask-emin-greentech/ Vlad Batkhin https://www.linkedin.com/in/vlad-batkhin/ #WattsUpWithStartups #NEAH_events #GreenGeeksTalk #EnergyTransition #Podcast #EnergyInnovation #ClimateTech #SustainableHeating #GreenTechnology #EnergyEfficiency #CO2Reduction #CleanEnergy #SmartHeating #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #StartupSuccess #TechForGood #HeatingSolutions #EnergyTransition #Podcast #YouTube #Spotify 0:50 — What does Voltcore do? How does the conductive filament function? 2:40 — Some examples of the application of Voltcore products in households. Vlad is talking about the new generation of eco-friendly heating. 8:30 — How and why did Vlad decide to develop such a new technology? 11:00 — What was the driving force behind the development of this technology? 13:15 — The moment Vlad decided that this idea should be turned into a start-up. 15:10 — Which markets is Voltcore's product focused on? 17:15 — What is Voltcore's stage now? 23:16 — Safety certifications are a cornerstone. 27:50 — Vlad on the scale of the team. How does Voltcore hire people? 30:50 — Vlad's approach to assessing if employees fit your business perfectly. 33:30 — What are Voltcore's capital sources? 37:10 — Vlad's strategy and tips for negotiating with investors. 39:39 — What is Voltcore's main challenge to start growing this year? 46:00 — What would Vlad have done differently if he had been a year ago? 49:10 — A little bit about hobby mindset. 50:05 — What would Vlad recommend people who are thinking about starting a startup?

Join us for the new episode of Watt’s Up With Startups with Emin Askerov — now available as a podcast on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4F270jZ8ZdGIzJjs4pIe06?si=e9793d83a3c14f87) and YouTube Music (https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZWnvmqHFxpiVyB68D9RbObEvUhSX-yTG&si=erqu39pqrw8SR_nH)! In this episode, Emin invited Lisandro Kaunitz, CEO of Energy Renovation Studio. According to the IEA, buildings’ operations account for 30% of global final energy consumption and 26% of global energy-related emissions. According to a recent @UNEP report, the buildings and construction sector is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases by far. How do you decarbonize such a significant emitter? The change should come from large players as well as individuals. What can you, as an individual, do to reduce your home's energy consumption and carbon footprint? Learn from Lisandro Kaunitz, CEO of Energy Renovation Studio, how a startup can help solve this problem and enable homeowners to switch to heat pumps and solar energy. Here’s a summary of this conversation: - How to go from being a neuroscientist to a hardware Greentech founder - You just can’t decarbonize with software. You need hardware, and you need people - Heat pumps are ten times more difficult to install than rooftop solar. So you need to start with your employees and get the installation process right - How to get 10000 plumbers to work - System designers are a bottleneck to growth - Watch out for “Tarpit” ideas - When starting, have a plan for scaling your business Lisandro is the CEO of Energy Renovation Studio, a company that helps homeowners and businesses reduce their carbon footprint and energy bills. He obtained a PhD in Trento and then worked in the research and development of assistive technologies in the UK, Australia, and Japan. Since 2021 he has been dedicating himself to electrification and decarbonisation in Trentino. Learn how a startup can help solve the problem of significant energy consumption and emissions from buildings and enable homeowners to switch to heat pumps and solar energy. 00:00 Introduction 00:52 How to go from a neuroscientist to a hardware Greentech founder 03:02 Installing heat pumps and rooftop solar 03:50 Customer’s experience with the heat pump 09:18 You can’t decarbonize with software 12:35 How to start out in a different, new sphere - hardware and people 15:03 How to create a hardware startup? Heat pumps are 10 times more difficult to work with than rooftop solar 19:33 Two models of scalability, to get 10000 plumbers to work 23-02 Training and culture 29:00 Bottlenecks, and how to deal with them 34:20 What investors do you need? 35:44 Models to bring together system designers, installers, salesmen in a local area 41:10 How to scale a locally based business? 47:50 Lessons learned 50:25 Recommendations to new-comers-startups - being aware of tar pit ideas and other tips