In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff Martin sits down with Victor Pascucci III, an accomplished venture capitalist and the driving force behind Energy Capital Ventures, the only early-stage VC fund solely focused on the sustainability, resilience, and digital transformation of the natural gas industry. With over 19 years of experience and a top-decile performance track record, Vic shares his expertise on ESG imperatives, green molecule innovation, and the evolving role of venture capital in the energy sector.

Energy Capital Ventures combines the innovation of the startup ecosystem with the scale of the energy industry, enabling game-changing companies that deliver clean, safe, reliable, and cost-effective energy for all communities. Through a unique focus on "Green Molecules™," the firm is driving decarbonization and fostering the next generation of sustainable energy solutions.

Key Takeaways:

"Green Molecules™" are a game-changer for decarbonizing the energy sector.
Energy Capital Ventures is uniquely positioned to blend startup innovation with large-scale energy solutions.
The fund focuses on building sustainable, resilient, and cost-effective energy systems.
Hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuels represent promising green molecule opportunities.
Strategic partnerships with utility companies help de-risk deep tech ventures.
Transparency, intellectual honesty, and purpose-driven leadership are critical to success.
Deep tech requires unique funding strategies and a long-term vision for scaling.
Venture capital is evolving toward pragmatic, capital-efficient investment strategies.
Building strong teams and selecting aligned investors are crucial for early-stage success.
A clear and compelling mission helps startups navigate challenges and drive innovation.

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction to Venture Challenges
1:15 - Welcome to Tech Scenes with Vic
1:36 - Energy Capital Ventures Overview
3:50 - Green Molecules Explained
5:00 - Portfolio Highlights
8:31 - Fund Structure and Investors
10:00 - Challenges in the Green Molecule Space
11:37 - Vic’s Career Journey
14:53 - The Future of Green Molecules
15:50 - Investing Criteria
19:06 - Overcoming Founder Challenges
20:00 - Scaling Deep Tech
22:06 - High Risk, High Reward
23:16 - Funding for Deep Tech Startups
25:26 - Venture Capital Market Trends
28:41 - Testing and Iterating in Venture
31:10 - Raising Capital Efficiently
32:15 - Desert Island Album

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes Unplugged.

Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #energycapitalventures #victorpascucci #greentechnology #venturecapital #sustainability #greenmolecules #deeptech #startups #innovation

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff Martin sits down with Evgeny Klochikhin, CEO and Founder of Sheeva.AI, a global innovator revolutionizing the automotive industry with in-car payments and commerce solutions. Sheeva.AI's patented geolocation technology is transforming the driver experience by enabling seamless and secure payments for fueling, EV charging, parking, and more—all from the vehicle’s in-dash screen. Evgeny shares his journey from international relations to leading a tech-driven startup, detailing the inception of Sheeva.AI, the challenges of global expansion, and the complexities of building a market for in-vehicle payments. The conversation explores the role of strategic partnerships with international automakers, the future of software-defined vehicles, and how user experience is becoming a key differentiator in the automotive space. Evgeny also reflects on his entrepreneurial challenges, the value of networking through Techstars, and the importance of balancing patience and persistence in scaling a business. Key Takeaways: Sheeva.AI enables precise in-car payments through patented geolocation technology. User experience is a growing competitive edge in the automotive industry. The future of vehicles lies in software-defined systems and seamless tech integration. Global expansion requires navigating diverse payment ecosystems and forging strategic partnerships. Strategic investors are often better suited for disruptive innovations than traditional VCs. Hustle, persistence, and networking are critical for entrepreneurial success. Leadership vision, clear communication, and team alignment drive a startup’s growth. Chapters: Introduction to Sheeva.AI and Its Origins Evgeny Klochikhin’s Career Path and Global Vision Strategic Partnerships in the Automotive Industry The Future of Software-Defined Vehicles Challenges of Creating a New Market for In-Car Payments Insights from the Techstars Network Fundraising Strategies for Startups Balancing Aggression and Patience in Business Growth Scaling a Startup with Effective Communication and Alignment Reflections on Team Dynamics and Leadership Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes Unplugged. Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie #collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #peakos #vbos #innovation #startups #SheevaAI #EvgenyKlochikhin #automotivetechnology #incarpayments #cybersecurity #entrepreneurship #softwaredefinedvehicles #fundraising #teamalignment

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff Martin sits down with Ayal Yogev, CEO and Co-founder of Anjuna Security, a company pioneering confidential computing with its Universal Confidential Computing Platform. With over 20 years of experience in enterprise security, Ayal brings a wealth of expertise in building secure, innovative solutions for industries like financial services, government, and blockchain.

Anjuna's Seaglass platform creates a zero-trust environment by intrinsically securing data in every state—at rest, in transit, and in use. This groundbreaking technology allows enterprises to isolate workloads and enforce application-level trust policies, enabling them to maintain security and privacy without compromising collaboration or efficiency.

In this engaging conversation, Ayal shares his journey through the cybersecurity landscape, lessons from his roles at SafeBreach, OpenDNS, and Imperva, and his transformative experience at Y Combinator. Topics include product management dynamics, fostering customer relationships, and the importance of quick iterations in building a successful startup. Jeff and Ayal also discuss the challenges and strategies for managing remote teams, navigating deep tech fundraising, and building a strong network for long-term success.

Key Takeaways:

• Anjuna empowers enterprises with hardware-assisted confidential computing.
• Handling sensitive data securely is vital for regulated industries.
• Listening to customer feedback is critical in product development.
• CEOs should empower product leaders and focus on strategic oversight.
• Y Combinator emphasizes the importance of customer love over competition.
• Quick iterations and agile methodologies drive startup success.
• Remote work can succeed with well-designed systems and communication tools.
• Building a supportive network of investors and advisors is crucial for founders.
• Persistence and resilience are key in fundraising and entrepreneurial journeys.

Chapters:

• Introduction to Ayal Yogev and Anjuna Security
• The Role of Confidential Computing in Cybersecurity
• Insights from Y Combinator and Early Startup Lessons
• Product Management Dynamics in High-Tech Startups
• The Importance of Quick Iterations and Customer Feedback
• Navigating Compliance and Security Challenges
• Managing Remote Teams and Building Company Culture
• Fundraising Strategies for Deep Tech Startups
• Reflections on the Entrepreneurial Journey and Personal Insights

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes Unplugged.

Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #peakos #vbos #innovation #startups #cybersecurity #AnjunaSecurity #AyalYogev #confidentialcomputing #entrepreneurship #CEOjourney #productmanagement