#158 Product-Led ClimateTech, Exiting to Big Tech TWICE, Being a Climate Papa, & More w/ Ben Eidelson (Stepchange, Climate Papa)

CleanTechies Podcast

In this episode, I chat with Ben Eidelson, Co-founder & GP of Stepchange, an early-stage venture fund that invests in product-led companies that will make a “step change”, pun intended, I’m guessing?, impact on climate.

When editing the episode, Alex, our executive producer, told us he could already tell one of our best episodes yet. I very much agree. This turned out to be the VC meets product meets content special I was hoping it would be. We discuss all things product in climate, Ben being a 2 time exited founder to big tech, starting a climate fund in this environment, and why his kids changed his life.

A huge shoutout to Ben for coming on the episode. This started out as me fan-boying to one of his episodes and here we are.

As always, thanks so much for listening and enjoy the episode!

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Topics:
**3:10 What is a Product-Led Company?
**8:49 Why PMs are not Thinking about Climate
**14:45 The Importance of Active Listening
**16:03 Identifying Founder Potential
**18:29 The Role of Vulnerability in Relationships
**20:35 The Origin and Impact of Climate Papa
**25:41 The Product-Focused Thesis of Step Change
**27:41 Product Meets Hardware and Deep Tech
**34:35 Bullish Industries in Climate
**42:45 Lessons from Being a Founder
**44:59 Building Deep Co-Founder Relationships
**47:32 Tips for Product-Market Fit in Climate

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Links:
**Ben Eidelson | Stepchange | Climate Papa
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**@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X

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Chapters

1. What is a Product-Led Company? (00:03:10)

2. Why PMs are not Thinking about Climate (00:08:49)

3. The Importance of Active Listening (00:14:45)

4. Identifying Founder Potential (00:16:03)

5. The Role of Vulnerability in Relationships (00:18:29)

6. The Origin and Impact of Climate Papa (00:20:35)

7. The Product-Focused Thesis of Step Change (00:25:41)

8. Product Meets Hardware and Deep Tech (00:27:41)

9. Bullish Industries in Climate (00:34:35)

10. Lessons from Being a Founder (00:42:45)

11. Building Deep Co-Founder Relationships (00:44:59)

12. Tips for Product-Market Fit in Climate (00:47:32)