In our latest episode of Movers & Shakers, we welcome Hugo Rauch, founder of the New Wave podcast, a VC investor at Climate Club, and one of the most insightful voices in European climate tech.
From professional skateboarding around the world to Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund and the launch of a “side-project” podcast that became a profitable media company, Hugo’s journey is a masterclass in conviction and long-term thinking.
In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to build in climate. Here are four takeaways that stayed with us:
- Labels fade, fundamentals don’t.
Many of the most powerful “climate” companies no longer use the word climate at all. They focus on energy, materials, resilience, or sovereignty.
- Curiosity is a superpower.
Asking simple questions, especially in complex systems, often lends itself to innovation.
- Consistency builds community.
Whether it’s a podcast or a startup, clarity of focus beats chasing every trend.
- Europe’s path forward lies in execution + sovereignty.
From raw materials to energy and AI, climate tech is increasingly about independence, resilience, and scale.
If you’re building, investing, or simply trying to understand where climate tech in Europe is heading, this conversation is for you.
Thank you for joining us, Hugo!
Episode co-hosted by Damien Didier (our head of ESG) & Erica Delamare