Episode Overview
Can climate technology compete on price, not just on good intentions? Eric Rubenstein, Founding Managing Partner of New Climate Ventures, joins Rachel on Business Unmasked to explain why a climate company only wins when its product is better and pays for itself. A former commodities trader at Citigroup, Eric moved into venture capital after seeing major brands like Coca-Cola and Pepsi struggle to source enough recycled plastic to hit their own targets. He shares how customer demand drives every investment he makes, why a solar panel that produces 50% more power can be priced on its output instead of the panel, how a next-generation window cuts building energy use and street noise, and why he looks for scaling risk rather than science risk.
He also explains how investors help startups beyond the cheque and where the best deal flow really comes from. In this episode: • From commodities trading to climate venture capital • Why customer demand comes before the technology • Pricing on performance: 50% more power from the same land • Windows that cut energy use, noise and condensation • Engineering risk vs. science risk in climate investing • What a good investor does beyond writing the cheque • How founders, accelerators and other funds bring the best deals Guest: Eric Rubenstein Host: Rachel Should climate tech have to beat traditional technology on price? Share your take in the comments and subscribe to Business Unmasked for more conversations with founders, investors, and business leaders. #BusinessUnmasked #ClimateTech #VentureCapital #Investing #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #Entrepreneurship.
"This episode dives deep into the real strategies behind building something meaningful — no fluff, just actionable insights from someone who's been in the trenches."
Key Takeaways for Founders
1. Focus on the fundamentals. The strategies discussed in this episode aren't shortcuts — they're the foundational principles that separate successful founders from everyone else.
2. Distribution matters as much as product. Building something great isn't enough. How you get it into people's hands determines whether your company thrives or dies.
3. Non-obvious backgrounds create unique advantages. The most interesting founders often come from unexpected places — and that's exactly what gives them their edge.
4. Speed compounds. Moving fast isn't about being reckless — it's about learning faster than your competition.
