Listen "Escaping the Hype: Investing in What's Real"
Episode Synopsis
What happens when venture capital escapes the echo chamber of hype? In this episode, Leaders on a Mission welcomes Irena Spazzapan, Managing Partner at Systemiq Capital, to uncover how long-term, asset-light investments are reshaping the future of energy, food, and climate tech. Irena dives into founder mindsets, infrastructure bottlenecks, and why chasing trends won’t solve systemic challenges. Learn how targeted capital and sharp strategy unlock climate solutions that scale.Tune in for a fresh look at building ventures that last, not just raise.---Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies.Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. Tune in on…YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726…to listen to the latest episodes!00:00 – Systemic change through VC01:15 – Roots of global perspective05:35 – From Goldman Sachs to climate09:00 – Systemiq’s three investment themes11:10 – Why asset-heavy doesn’t scale13:20 – Enabling the electrification wave16:40 – Startups bridging energy silos18:00 – Europe’s smart power innovators20:15 – Beyond the hype cycle24:30 – UK vs US founder mentality28:30 – The VC shakeout explained32:10 – The rise of specialist funds37:50 – Why trust builds valueUseful links: Systemiq Capital Website: https://www.systemiqcapital.earth/ Systemiq Capital LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/systemiq-capital-earth/ Irene Spazzapan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irena-spazzapan-741a53/Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/
More episodes of the podcast Leaders on a Mission
How AI Is Reshaping Sustainable Chemistry
14/10/2025
Winning Back Trust in Alternative Protein
23/09/2025
Why Biotech Needs a New Playbook
05/08/2025
Accelerating Nature: AI Meets Agriculture
15/07/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.