Capturing CO2 for a Cleaner Future with Carla Glassl, Co-Founder and CTO at Ucaneo Biotech | Season Seven, Episode Seventeen

Welcome to Season Seven of Conversations in Cleantech! 

From inspiring stories and words of wisdom, to financial foresight and investment insights: in this season, you can expect to learn all about the people and companies who are propelling us towards a greener tomorrow, with a spotlight on investing in a cleaner planet.

In this episode of Conversations in Cleantech, our hosts Michael Axe and Alexa Mangeant are joined by Carla Glassl, Co-Founder and CTO of Ucaneo Biotech, to dive into the cutting-edge world of direct air capture technology.

Curious about what it takes to revolutionise CO2 removal from the atmosphere? Carla shares her journey from academia to the startup world, detailing how Ucaneo Biotech is creating modular, cost-effective, and upgradable technologies to address one of the most pressing climate challenges, and how their innovative approach aims to transform CO2 into valuable resources while contributing to global decarbonisation efforts.

Carla opens up about the hurdles of launching a groundbreaking cleantech startup, emphasising the importance of collaboration and resilience in navigating industry challenges. She also shares her broader vision for a thriving planet and the practical steps required to achieve it.

Discover Ucaneo’s bold ambition to have their first industrial unit up and running by 2025, and hear about the recent milestones and the passion that fuels Carla and her team’s relentless drive.

Join us for a compelling discussion on the future of CO2 removal technology and the impact of innovative thinking in the fight against climate change.

01:13 - Introduction to Carla
01:59 - Can you tell us a little about Ucaneo Biotech and its history?
02:38 - Can you give us a brief overview of your company’s technology, what you’re working on, and why it’s important today?
03:52 - What is different about your technology in relation to other companies within your field?
04:44 - Was there a particular event or experience that inspired you to pursue a career in this field? If so, what was it?
06:20 - What has been your experience in this specific industry so far?
07:34 - Given the collaborative nature of the climate tech industry, how can we empower others to make a positive impact, and what inspired you to start your own company rather than joining a larger organisation?
08:55 - What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in building your company, and how have you overcome it?
10:34 - Is there a specific moment during the company-building process that stands out as particularly rewarding and aligns with your overall vision?
12:16 - As a leader in the climate tech industry, how do you continue to motivate yourself and your team to achieve your goals?
13:20 - What has been your experience with securing investments for your UK-based company?
14:27 - Have you encountered any challenges due to the different types of investors interested in your company?
15:21 -  What is your take on the financial outlook overall for the industry?
16:08 - What's the most exciting thing that you see in the future from an investment point of view?
16:41 - What is your vision for the future of the clean tech industry, particularly in terms of fostering collaborations?
17:47 - What are your short-term goals for Ucaneo?
18:24 - What advice would you give to those starting out in the climate tech industry, and do you have any final thoughts that you'd like to leave our listeners with?

Connect with your hosts Michael Axe and Alexa Mangeant on LinkedIn.

Find your guest Carla Glassl on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening to Conversations in Cleantech brought to you by Brightsmith.