In this conversation, Josh Dorfman shares his journey from teaching in China to becoming a climate entrepreneur with his companies Plantd and Supercool. He discusses the lessons learned from his early career, the challenges faced in the construction industry, and the importance of media in promoting climate innovation. Josh also provides valuable advice for aspiring climate tech entrepreneurs, emphasizing the need for collaboration, understanding the market, and developing effective adoption strategies.

Takeaways

• Josh's career began in China, teaching English and working in a factory.
• He learned the importance of having a strong co-founding team.
• Books have played a significant role in shaping his worldview.
• Plantd was born out of a desire to find sustainable materials.
• The construction industry faces challenges in adopting new materials.
• Media plays a crucial role in promoting climate innovation.
• Building relationships with larger companies can ease market entry.
• Vertical integration is essential for scaling a climate tech business.
• Adoption strategies are as important as product development.
• Entrepreneurs should focus on their interests and market funding opportunities.

Chapters

00:00 Journey to Entrepreneurship: From Teaching to Business

01:49 Lessons Learned: The Hard Way of Entrepreneurship

04:20 The Birth of Plantd: Innovating with Sustainable Materials

11:00 Overcoming Challenges: Adoption and Certification in Homebuilding

18:02 Building a Vertical Supply Chain: The Path to Scale

22:14 Leadership Transition: From Founder to Advisor

27:45 Supercool: Bridging Innovation and Climate Solutions

31:27 Advice for Aspiring Climate Entrepreneurs

📩 Don’t miss future episodes. Subscribe to the AEC Tech + AI Newsletter:
👉 https://aiaecdigest.substack.com/