#155 Supporting Underrepresented Founders, Hardware MVP & Scaling, Partnering w/ Corporates, & More w/ Ryan Jeffery (Gener8tor)

CleanTechies Podcast

Silas speaks with Ryan Jeffery, Sr. Managing Director of the Sustainability Accelerators at Gener8tor, a collection of Accelerators that serve the rest of the country outside of SF, NYC, and Boston, where the majority of VC dollars go.
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Ryan started as a founder. Later, he became a VC and eventually ended up in Gener8tor running the sustainability-focused accelerators because of his desire to be closer to the founders and more involved.
He shared a lot of great data on where funding goes, his story, why investing in underserved founders is, beyond being the right thing to do, also leads to better returns.
Enjoy the episode! 🌱🌎
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Topics:
**4:00 Joining Gener8tor
**7:40 Biz Model, Challenges, & Financing an Accelerator
**8:56 Partnering w/ Corps
**11:35 Focus on Underserved Areas
**13:54 The Role of Non-Silicon Valley States in Climate Transition
**22:00 Value Add of an Accelerator
**34:13 Collab in Non-Tech Hub Areas
**40:27 Gap for These Founders
**42:03 Role of AI in Solving Climate Change
**49:40 Milestones for Hard Tech Companies
**57:46 Hiring & Building a Team
**59:57 Raising Tips
**1:06:44 Advice to Investors
**1:08:19 Getting into VC

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Links:
**Ryan Jeffery | Gener8tor
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**@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X

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Chapters

1. Introduction and Background (00:02:17)

2. Motivation for Joining Generator (00:04:00)

3. The Business Model of an Accelerator (00:07:40)

4. Challenges of Financing an Accelerator (00:08:28)

5. Partnerships with Corporations (00:08:56)

6. Focus on Underserved Areas (00:11:35)

7. The Role of Non-Silicon Valley States in Climate Transition (00:13:54)

8. Value Add of an Accelerator (00:22:00)

9. Program Duration and Lifelong Support (00:24:46)

10. Perception of Accelerators by VCs (00:25:31)

11. Generator's Business Model (00:27:33)

12. Partnerships with Corporates for Pilot Projects (00:28:16)

13. Focus on Underserved Areas in Climate Transition (00:31:52)

14. Collaboration in Non-Tech Hub Areas (00:34:13)

15. Biggest Gap in Supporting Founders Outside of Main Hubs (00:40:27)

16. Role of AI in Solving Climate Change (00:42:03)

17. Success Story of a Hardware MVP (00:44:04)

18. Unique Considerations for Hard Tech Companies (00:47:30)

19. Milestones for Hard Tech Companies (00:49:40)

20. Areas of Interest in Climate Startups (00:53:47)

21. Advice for Hiring and Building a Team (00:57:46)

22. Pitching and Fundraising Tips (00:59:57)

23. Networking with VCs for Series A (01:05:14)

24. Advice for Investors in Climate (01:06:44)

25. Advice for Getting into VC or Investing (01:08:19)