Inevitable

• How Euclid Power Streamlines Clean Energy Development at Scale

  Jacob Sandry is the CEO and co-founder of Euclid Power, a platform for renewable energy project development, financing, and operations—with AI-enabled services layered on top. MCJ is proud to be an investor in Euclid, having joined the company’s seed round in mid-2022.Jacob has worked in renewable power his entire career, starting at Generate Capital right out of college, where he worked under Jigar Shah. He then spent several years on the investment team at Goldman Sachs' Renewable Power Group before having the a-ha moment that led to Euclid—and left to start it with a couple of his fellow Goldman teammates.Jacob and Cody discuss how he’s seen the renewables industry evolve over the past decade, his theory of change, the insights that led to founding Euclid, and the company’s current product and traction. We also touch on his thoughts on AI, power demand curves, and more. As we see it, Jacob is riding two massive waves with Euclid: the inexorable growth of solar and storage, and the curve-bending potential of AI and workflow automation.In this episode, we cover: [1:59] Jacob’s early career and background[3:34] Working with Jigar Shah at Generate Capital[8:26] Time on the Goldman Sachs Renewable Power team[9:24] The origin story of Euclid Power[15:23] Challenges in building renewable energy projects[19:15] From internal Goldman tools to the Euclid platform[20:29] Client spotlight: UBS[21:57] Transitioning from project development to a software company[26:07] The role of AI in Euclid’s platform[31:49] Business growth and market traction[33:35] Building Euclid as a multiplayer platform[37:10] Balancing software automation with hands-on services[40:41] Current limitations of AI and automation[42:50] Jacob’s outlook on the future of renewable energy[46:05] Powering data centers and emerging demand[47:30] Where Euclid is looking for help[48:18] The meaning behind the name “Euclid”Episode recorded on April 25, 2025 (Published on May 5, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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• Building the Future with Patrick Maloney, CIV

  Patrick Maloney is the Co-founder and CEO at CIV, and this episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the UCLA Anderson School of Management as part of LA Climate Week.Patrick's firm, CIV, is a new venture capital investment firm based in Venice, California, that backs and builds companies at the nexus of industry and technology. Patrick has had a long, successful career in clean tech. Before CIV, he founded and led Inspire, a clean energy technology company acquired by Shell in 2021. And for his work at Inspire, he was named Ernst & Young's 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner for Clean Tech and Renewables. Before Inspire, Patrick co-founded Independence Energy and was on the founding team of Energy Plus, both of which were acquired by NRG. Patrick is also co-founder of The Nuclear Company, in which we are proud investors via our venture funds at MCJ.In this episode, we cover: [1:39] How the LA wildfires shaped Patrick’s outlook[4:12] Why energy ties into philosophy, economics, and politics[7:01] Patrick’s early steps as an energy entrepreneur[10:05] The founding story behind Inspire[10:59] Lessons for CEOs and startup founders[14:59] Why Patrick sold Inspire to Shell[17:39] Entering venture capital and what came next[20:32] What CIV is and how it got started[22:30] CIV’s first fund and core motivation[27:12] How The Nuclear Company came to be[31:31] CIV’s approach to measuring impact[32:53] Patrick’s take on “climate tech” today[35:17] Navigating today’s tariff and policy shifts[36:26] What CIV looks for in investments[39:12] The future of energy and who will lead itEpisode recorded on April 8, 2025 (Published on April 24, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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• How a $4 B Deep‑Tech Fund Tackles Emissions with DCVC

  Zack Bogue is co‑founder and co‑managing partner at DCVC, a $4 billion deep‑tech venture firm spanning 13 funds. In late 2024, DCVC launched DCVC Climate, a dedicated vehicle backing technologies that slash emissions in heavy industry, hasten the energy transition, and bolster climate adaptation. In this episode, Zack unpacks how the firm’s strategy evolved, how his journey—from Colorado outdoors‑kid to Harvard environmental‑science major to Silicon Valley deal‑maker—shaped his worldview, and what it takes to build a capital‑efficient deep‑tech portfolio that moves the climate needle.In this episode, we cover: [01:53] What DCVC is and Zack’s role[02:41] Why DCVC focuses on deep tech[04:04] Zack’s path from Harvard to VC[12:34] DCVC’s playbook: applied AI, capital-light, climate-aligned[15:01] Launching a climate-only fund[20:06] Measuring impact beyond CO₂[25:55] Navigating policy shifts and returns[31:41] Bridging the Series B funding gap[32:56] Solving FOAK financing challenges[37:57] DCVC’s bets: geothermal, micro-reactors, SAF, and moreEpisode recorded on March 28, 2025 (Published on April 17, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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• Underground Nuclear Reactors? Inside Deep Fission’s Energy Solution

  Liz Muller is the CEO and Co-founder of Deep Fission, a company pioneering a new approach to the traditional light-water nuclear reactor. Rather than using concrete and constructed containment, Deep Fission places the reactor one mile underground, fundamentally changing the design paradigm.Liz was on the show over five years ago when she was building a company focused on storing nuclear waste deep underground—a related concept. Now, she’s back with a fresh vision and a new venture. Deep Fission recently raised a pre-seed round led by Eight VC, and we wanted to catch up with her to hear how the idea came together and how she’s approaching the challenge this time around.In this episode, we cover: [1:37] Liz’s previous venture: Deep Isolation and lessons learned[4:19] The origin story of Deep Fission and the core insight that sparked it[9:37] Cost comparison between underground and traditional above-ground nuclear reactors[12:17] Deep Fission’s modular, scalable reactor design[19:10] Plans for maintenance, refueling, and long-term waste disposal[22:25] Regulatory engagement with the NRC and path to licensing[23:24] Initial commercial partnership with Endeavor Data Centers[25:07] Advantages of Deep Fission’s approach vs. traditional nuclear plants[28:23] Funding milestones and capital raised to date[29:10] Liz’s vision for the future of nuclear energy[35:03] Who Deep Fission wants to hear from—and how you can helpEpisode recorded on March 27, 2025 (Published on April 10, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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• Building a Real-Time Wildfire Alert Platform with Watch Duty

  John Mills is the Co-Founder and CEO of Watch Duty, the leading app for real-time wildfire alerts in the U.S.In this episode of Inevitable, John shares how Watch Duty became a vital public safety tool—rising to #1 in the App Store during the recent Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Watch Duty delivers live updates on fire spread, evacuations, and recovery efforts. While historically funded by donations and memberships, the platform now also offers a pro version for first responders, utilities, and emergency managers.John discusses his vision for building a mission-driven tech company that serves the public while scaling to meet growing demand in an increasingly wildfire-prone world.In this episode, we cover: [4:00] Introduction to Watch Duty [07:39] Gaining trust and overcoming initial resistance from fire departments[09:06] How first responders are using Watch Duty [09:57] Inside the “war room” during the Palisades Fire response[13:24] How Watch Duty reporters gather and vet real-time radio traffic[17:28] Nuance and restraint in sharing emergency information [20:50] The origin story of Watch Duty [21:11] John’s journey from Silicon Valley to off-grid life and nonprofit founder[36:44] Operating as a nonprofit and scaling into new disaster zones[52:58] Why private innovation is outpacing government tech [57:22] Advice for founders building in disaster response and recovery [01:00:12] Final thoughts on mission, trust, and what’s next for Watch DutyEpisode recorded on March 12, 2025 (Published on April 3, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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