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Request for Startups: Climate Tech

ycombinator.com

71–80 of 282 posts

Re: Request for Startups: Climate Tech

#71
post #38

I'm confused, I searched for both "crypto" and "web3" on that page and there are no results?

Then may I ask why you're shoehorning it into the conversation in such an unsubstantial way? Seems more like a cheap jab than a worthwhile opinion.

Well, if YC is positioning themselves as "helping to solve the problem" I think it's completely valid to call them out for previously "helping to create the problem", in a humorous way.

Re: Request for Startups: Climate Tech

#72

I've worked in "climate intelligence" for many years. The list overlooks one of the largest and most immediate opportunities around that market: the data infrastructure and analysis tools we have today are profoundly unfit for purpose. Just about everyone is essentially using cartography tools to do large-scale spatiotemporal analysis of sensor and telemetry data. The gaps for both features and practical scalability…

Out of curiosity, is accessing & working with large datasets a problem in your areas of work? I run a weather/climate site that makes some of this less painful, taking datasets such as GFS or ERA5/ERA5-Land much faster to access. We have some enterprise clients who really value the time-saving aspect of this but I also feel like everyone has their own data-processing set up and problems are different for everyone.

Re: Request for Startups: Climate Tech

#73
post #38

I'm confused, I searched for both "crypto" and "web3" on that page and there are no results?

Then may I ask why you're shoehorning it into the conversation in such an unsubstantial way? Seems more like a cheap jab than a worthwhile opinion.

Because YC and other VC shops wouldn't shut the fuck up about crypto, web3, and blockchain across 2020-2021 and that sort of behavior doesn't get a free pass. Now they've moved onto Generative AI.

Re: Request for Startups: Climate Tech

#74
post #66

Do people really believe we can innovate our way through climate change?

Yes, in fact I think we probably already have.

There's still some politicss to overcome, but if the cheapest source of energy is low carbon then the problem is mostly solved in the big picture. As long as we don't hit too many tipping points we should be okay.

Re: Request for Startups: Climate Tech

#76

Some thoughts: 1. We know for a fact that mangroves can mitigate tsunami damage. I've been looking into this and a lot of tree-planting programs really suck and are basically failures. Additionally mangroves are tropical plants and -- so far -- I am failing to find an alternative for colder climates. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051028141252.h... 2. We certainly need energy solutions and I'm happy to…

Kelp is an alternative for the north. Unfortunately it's been disappearing because of warming oceans.

https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/...

Re: Request for Startups: Climate Tech

#77
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would be a great disaster if Tesla or HP produced water boilers. If would be success if Brother or raspberry pi made them.

The idea of "HP Instant Ink"-like subscriptions for home appliances is vomit inducing.

"Your boiler has reached the limit of water it can warm up this month. We're sending you a new one"

Re: Request for Startups: Climate Tech

#78
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would be a great disaster if Tesla or HP produced water boilers. If would be success if Brother or raspberry pi made them.

The idea of "HP Instant Ink"-like subscriptions for home appliances is vomit inducing.

But think of the shareholder value they could accrue.

Honestly, I'm not very mad at instant ink because the printer market was so broken. A subscription for another appliance would be pretty maddening, though.

Re: Request for Startups: Climate Tech

#79

I've worked in "climate intelligence" for many years. The list overlooks one of the largest and most immediate opportunities around that market: the data infrastructure and analysis tools we have today are profoundly unfit for purpose. Just about everyone is essentially using cartography tools to do large-scale spatiotemporal analysis of sensor and telemetry data. The gaps for both features and practical scalability…

I would also love any references to existing companies, research groups, or the problems in this space if you have the time to share. I found the posted list underwhelming and more of a marketing shotgun approach to try and take advantage of the push for "climate tech" but not solve any real problems.

Re: Request for Startups: Climate Tech

#80
post #60
post #57

>Low or zero emissions concrete Feels like there's already options there. https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/green-tech/a4078516... https://cen.acs.org/materials/Chemex-goes-global-carbon-neut... Although I'm betting it's better to just radically cut demand rather than try to invent a really good carbon-neutral/negative concrete. If we could sink a whole bunch of carbon into concrete though (significant carbon…

Making the world cut demand for concrete might actually sound dramatically harder than making zero-emission concrete. (and both are extremely hard!)

Ironically, wood is starting to look like a very promising building material for tall structures that is comparatively green.
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