For “deep tech” or industrial tech investors, a captivating idea on paper doesn’t always translate into a sustainable or viable business. Even a remarkable technological breakthrough isn’t guaranteed to survive the long sales cycles of the industrial world.
So which companies are worth the investment?
Ian Rountree, founder and partner at the venture firm Cantos, wrote a bare-bones thesis on X that offers guidance on this question. In it, Rountree lays out a stark list of the companies he invests in—and the ones he passes on.
In this episode, Shayle and Ian unpack his post and explore how it applies to the current landscape of hardware and industrial startups. They cover topics like:
Why selling technology to large incumbents like automakers or utilities can be a death sentence for startups
The pitfalls of "commercializing science"
Why capital risk to sell an end-product can be better business than licensing technology
Why "weird" companies—"N of 1" startups—can generate huge amounts of talent and capital
Why selling commodities (like electrons or minerals) can actually be a safer bet than entering a new market
Real-world examples of full-stack success in the mining industry, including Earth AI and KoBold Metals
Latitude: Earth AI’s play in the hunt for critical minerals
Catalyst: Calibrating hype with Akshat Rathi
Catalyst: Climate tech startups need strong techno-economic analysis
Open Circuit: Pain, resilience, and bargain hunting for climate tech investors
Credits: Hosted by Shayle Kann. Produced and edited by Max Savage Levenson. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is our executive editor.
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ResourcesCatalyst is brought to you by Antenna Group, the public relations and strategic marketing agency of choice for climate, energy, and infrastructure leaders. If you're a startup, investor, or global corporation that's looking to tell your climate story, demonstrate your impact, or accelerate your growth, Antenna Group's team of industry insiders is ready to help. Learn more at antennagroup.com.