#145 Climate x Industrial Automation, Climate Storytelling, Changing Cap Table Construction, & More w/ Jay Kapoor (VSC Ventures)

CleanTechies Podcast

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On this episode, we interview Jay Kapoor, General Partner at VSC Ventures. VSC Ventures is a Seed-stage VC fund focusing on climate adaptation and industrial automation. Their central thesis is that although starting a company is becoming easier, its becoming harder and harder to get noticed. Their solution? Storytelling. Confused? Listen to this episode – you won’t be disappointed.

Jay needs no introduction – he has a podcast himself, comes from a VC and media background, and left a lasting impression on us as one of the most well-spoken guests we've ever had.
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Topics:
**5:50 Focus on Industrial Automation
**9:39 The Intersection of Industrial Automation and Climate
**15:26 Augmentation vs Replacement in Automation
**17:23 The Importance of Good Storytelling in Automation
**20:03 Jay’s Accidental Transition to Climate Investing
**25:40 Engaging with Government and Incumbents
**34:28 Founder/Market Fit: Founders from The Industry
**40:24 Impact on Fundraising and Time Horizons; Fund Size
**47:50 The Importance of Choosing the Right Investor
**50:47 Changing Cap Table Construction
**58:28 The Evolution of VCs' Value Prop
**1:02:20 The Role of PR in Climate Investing
**1:06:43 Founder vs Company Journey; Paint Jet's Story
**1:11:53 The Power of Storytelling in Pitch Decks
**1:17:06 Hiring and Building a Team
**1:20:53 Identifying Founders Willing to Adapt

Links:
**Connect with Jay | VSC Ventures
**Connect with Somil | Connect with Silas
**Check out our sponsor, NextWave Partners, for all your Climate, Renewables, and Sustainability recruitment needs.
**This podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast.

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1. #145 Climate x Industrial Automation, Climate Storytelling, Changing Cap Table Construction, & More w/ Jay Kapoor (VSC Ventures) (00:00:00)

2. Intro & Background (00:02:23)

3. Focus on Industrial Automation (00:05:50)

4. The Intersection of Industrial Automation and Climate (00:09:39)

5. Augmentation vs Replacement in Automation (00:15:26)

6. The Importance of Good Storytelling in Automation (00:17:23)

7. Jay’s Accidental Transition to Climate Investing (00:20:03)

8. Engaging with Government and Incumbents (00:25:40)

9. Founder/Market Fit; Founders from The Industry (00:34:28)

10. Impact on Fundraising and Time Horizons; Fund Size (00:40:24)

11. The Importance of Choosing the Right Investor (00:47:50)

12. Changing Cap Table Construction (00:50:47)

13. The Evolution of VCs' Value Prop (00:58:28)

14. The Role of PR in Climate Investing (01:02:20)

15. Founder vs Company Journey; Paint Jet's Story (01:06:43)

16. The Power of Storytelling in Pitch Decks; (01:11:53)

17. Hiring and Building a Team (01:17:06)

18. Identifying Founders Willing to Adapt (01:20:53)