Hosted on March 10, 2025, this Founder's Panel brought together industry pioneers Pinar Akiskalioglu (TAKK), Sushma Shankar (Deep Planet), and James Regan (Oriole Networks) to share their insights on launching and accelerating a career in climate tech. Co-hosted by Oxbridge-AIx, OSFSS, Oxford Founders, Oxford Entrepreneurs, Oxford Seed Fund, and ZERO Founders Network, this session shed light on how to make an impact in a rapidly evolving industry. Amrutha Nandakumar, a member of the OSFSS Events team, moderated the engaging panel discussion.
Defining a Career in Climate Tech
Each panelist entered climate tech from diverse backgrounds, yet they shared a common drive to create meaningful change. James, CEO of Oriole Networks, was motivated by a sense of responsibility to contribute to a more sustainable future. His career has been shaped by the recognition that time is limited, and he wanted to use it to make a meaningful impact.
Sushma, with a background in software engineering, found her path into climate tech through her MBA, where she met her co-founder. Her interest in leveraging technology for environmental risk assessment led her to Deep Planet, where she now focuses on addressing sustainability challenges through satellite imagery and data analysis.
Pinar approached sustainability from a different angle, integrating innovation with responsible consumption in the consumer goods sector. She has sought to challenge traditional business models by promoting mindful consumption and sustainability-driven entrepreneurship.
Finding a Niche in a Broad Industry
The climate tech space encompasses a wide range of industries, requiring founders and professionals to align their skills with market needs. James focused on reducing power consumption in networking infrastructure, ensuring that Oriole Networks' solutions were both commercially viable and impactful. His approach emphasized the necessity of rigorous research to confirm feasibility before scaling.
Sushma's work at Deep Planet revolves around leveraging satellite data for environmental risk assessment, particularly in agriculture. Rather than confining the company to a specific sector, she has emphasized adaptability while remaining true to the core mission of creating a positive environmental impact.
The Funding Landscape: Opportunities and Challenges
Venture capital interest in climate tech has increased significantly, but raising funds remains a challenge. James observed that while Oriole Networks successfully secured funding, the structure of venture capital means that general partners often struggle to attract investment from limited partners, making fundraising more complex.
Sushma highlighted the importance of demonstrating financial viability, as many investors require clear evidence of strong return on investment before committing to sustainability-focused businesses. Pinar, having worked with angel investors and family offices, pointed out that structural issues in the investment ecosystem often pressure smaller businesses into aligning with larger corporations, which can present challenges to maintaining independence.
Alternative Funding and Scalability
Beyond venture capital, other sources of funding such as government grants, impact investment funds, and corporate partnerships provide opportunities for climate tech startups to scale. Each panelist emphasized the importance of financial sustainability alongside environmental impact.
James underscored the need for extensive research to determine whether solutions could scale effectively. Sushma emphasized the value of pilot projects to assess cost and revenue potential before expanding. Pinar took a broader perspective, focusing on shifting consumer mindsets and adapting business models to ensure long-term viability.
Navigating Future Challenges
Evolving climate policies will shape the future of climate tech businesses. Sushma pointed to increasing regulations in agriculture, noting the varying pace of policy changes across regions, with the EU making some adjustments and the US being relatively slow to implement changes.
Pinar stressed that socioeconomic factors influence how sustainability is prioritized, particularly for individuals from lower-income backgrounds, where environmental concerns may not be a primary focus. She emphasized the role of wealthier nations in leading by example and driving sustainable practices at scale.
Advice for Aspiring Climate Tech Professionals
For students and early-career professionals interested in climate tech, the panelists emphasized the importance of taking risks and learning from failures. James encouraged newcomers to explore different ideas and embrace mistakes as part of the learning process. Sushma advised focusing on innovation and experimenting with different projects, particularly in smaller companies where agility is key. Pinar reinforced the idea that it is never too late to pursue a business in sustainability, as the global shift toward environmental consciousness presents ongoing opportunities for meaningful work.
Conclusion
The climate tech industry is at a pivotal moment, offering immense opportunities for innovation and investment. However, navigating funding challenges, scalability concerns, and evolving regulations remains crucial for success.
For those looking to enter the field, the key takeaway is to balance environmental impact with commercial viability, remain adaptable, and take advantage of emerging opportunities in the sustainability space. As climate concerns continue to influence global priorities, the demand for effective, scalable solutions will only grow.
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