Activate’s new CEO, Cyrus Wadia, featured on climate-tech focused podcast

Activate's new CEO, Cyrus Wadia, spoke with journalist Molly Wood on her climate-tech-focused podcast, Everybody in the Pool. During the show, Wadia shared his passion for bridging the gap between scientific innovation and entrepreneurial success.

Wadia discussed how Activate uniquely supports scientist entrepreneurs, a group that is often overlooked in the traditional venture capital ecosystem. He emphasized three crucial ingredients for innovation: the right idea, the right incentives, and, importantly, the right people. This triad forms the cornerstone of Activate's philosophy, which invests in people—specifically, the scientists who are pivotal in generating groundbreaking ideas. 

He highlighted Activate's people-centric approach, which fosters trust and authenticity and prioritizes community, one of the most valued aspects of the experience for Activate Fellows. Activate’s support extends beyond financial backing to include mentorship and an environment where science and business intersect seamlessly. Activate’s effort to provide a holistic support system for brilliant minds, according to Wadia, sets the fellowship apart, creating a unique and powerful value proposition.

Wadia also highlighted the success stories of Activate's alumni, showcasing the tangible impact of their work, including Tim Latimer and Jack Norbeck (Fervo Energy, Cohort 2018) who recently launched their next-generation geothermal plant backed by Google and Cody Finke (Brimstone, Cohort 2019) whose company recently received third-party certification that its reduced-carbon cement meets or exceeds ASTM C150 standards for ordinary Portland cement. These stories demonstrate the power of supporting the right individuals who combine scientific prowess with business acumen to address global challenges, including climate change. 

Reflecting on the broader picture, Wadia spoke about the importance of leadership in science and innovation. The problems of today and tomorrow are complex and require scientific literacy across many disciplines in business, politics, education, nongovernmental organizations, and more. The conversation provided our new CEO with an opportunity to share his vision and belief in the power of science-driven entrepreneurship. We’re excited by this vision, and how it will impact our world going forward. We hope you’ll tune in!