Sébastien Léger's path to venture capital began with nearly two decades at McKinsey, advising on cleantech and building decarbonization scenarios. Around 2020, driven by curiosity about the "next 40%" of technologies not yet at economic parity, he shifted focus toward startups. This exploration led to the co-founding of Slate Venture Capital, alongside two seasoned entrepreneurs and another investor, with a mission to fund and support the next generation of climate innovators.

From clothing to electronics, materials are everywhere—and they’re central to climate challenges. Léger sees advanced materials as pivotal in reducing emissions, increasing circularity, and enabling innovation in key sectors like batteries, wind turbines, and construction. Slate’s fund targets startups that help reduce, replace, or repair environmental impact, with materials playing a critical role across all three.

Slate focuses on Series A and B investments, writing checks between €4–15M and typically taking a 10% stake. Beyond capital, they offer strategic support through a unique network called the Collective Brain—a group of 80–100 experts in industrial scaling, manufacturing, and supply chains. Their investment decisions are based on:

• Climate impact: CO₂ and resource reduction potential.
• Commercial traction: Real (not R&D-subsidized) revenues and customer validation.
• Exit potential: Clear pathways to scale and acquisition.
• Team strength: Experienced founders solving real, validated problems.

Europe is home to around 2,000 climate startups, and Slate accesses them through a mix of inbound outreach, referrals, and direct participation in events like JEC World. Léger stresses the importance of long-term visibility, often engaging with startups well before they’re ready for investment.

While terms like “circularity” and “sustainability” are widely used, Léger emphasizes the need for substance over slogans. He encourages founders to frame their value proposition not just around technology, but around tangible customer and environmental impact—highlighting how their solution improves resilience, reduces waste, or supports biodiversity.

One of the key takeaways for startup founders? Focus on the problem, not the product. Léger advises against diving deep into technical details like "the best membrane or algorithm." Instead, founders should clearly articulate the problem they solve, the measurable impact they create, and their path to scale. Climate VCs want to hear about outcomes, not just engineering.

Regulation can accelerate climate innovation—but it’s not always reliable. Léger notes that while government support (especially in Europe) has driven demand in sectors like solar and wind, startups should aim to create business models that are sustainable with or without policy tailwinds.

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Revolutionizing Sustainability in Deep Tech: Ben Saada of FAIRMAT

In this episode of the Selected podcast, host Ben Costantini interviews Ben Saada, the founder and CEO of FAIRMAT, live from JEC World 2025.

Ben Saada, a pioneer in sustainable materials and deep tech, discusses his journey from inventing the world's lightest aircraft seat to leading FAIRMAT, a startup focused on recycling carbon fiber composites. Saada explains the challenges of recycling advanced materials, his company's innovative mechanical processes, and the importance of creating sustainable and economically viable solutions. He also talks about raising funds, the significance of being a certified B Corp, and his vision for the future of FAIRMAT.

Tune in to learn more about material innovation and sustainability in the tech industry.

00:00 Introduction to the Selected Podcast

00:30 Meet Ben Saada, Founder of FAIRMAT

01:33 Journey Before FAIRMAT

02:46 The Birth of FAIRMAT

04:59 Challenges and Innovations in Recycling Carbon Fiber

05:58 FAIRMAT's Unique Recycling Process

08:34 Growth and Funding of FAIRMAT

12:14 FAIRMAT's Market and Applications

14:05 Sustainability and B Corp Certification

16:28 Global Presence and Future Vision

20:42 FAIRMAT at JEC World 2025

21:28 Conclusion and Farewell

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Julija’s journey into PR wasn’t intentional—she originally planned to become an investigative journalist. A chance conversation with a top journalist led her to explore public relations, a field she knew little about at the time. This unexpected pivot eventually shaped her career, proving that seizing opportunities and networking can lead to new and exciting paths.

Unlike large corporations, startups don’t have an established reputation to manage—they need to build it from the ground up. This requires a different PR strategy, one focused on storytelling and visibility. Julija realized there was a gap in the market for PR agencies that understood startups' unique challenges, which led her to launch Black Unicorn PR. Her agency helps founders navigate media relations, positioning them in top-tier publications.

Not all PR agencies are the right fit for startups. Julija emphasizes that founders should look for agencies that manage expectations realistically and prioritize long-term brand building over quick media hits. A good PR agency will be honest about what’s achievable and won’t promise instant results. Chemistry between the founder and the agency is also key—without trust, effective collaboration is impossible.

With AI tools becoming more common, many feared that PR professionals would be replaced. However, Julija believes AI can enhance productivity but can’t replace human creativity and relationship-building. While AI can help with grammar checks and basic content generation, PR remains a deeply human-driven industry, relying on authentic storytelling and journalist connections.

Julija’s career highlights the importance of networking—not just for sales, but for long-term opportunities. She advises founders to attend industry events with an open mindset, rather than a transactional approach. Building relationships naturally, rather than aggressively pitching, often leads to valuable connections that can pay off years down the line.

PR is a long game, and startups that approach it strategically—by focusing on storytelling, authenticity, and the right partnerships—can build a strong reputation that supports their growth.

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One of TechChill’s main goals is to inspire and support new startup founders in the Baltic region. With over €60 million in new funding available, there’s never been a better time for entrepreneurs in Latvia and beyond to launch their ideas. TechChill is positioning itself as a key player in guiding these founders by providing expert-led content on business growth, funding, and scaling strategies.

While TechChill has always prioritized startups, the event has refined its focus on delivering content that directly benefits founders. From sales and marketing to tech and funding, each aspect of the event is designed to help early-stage companies grow. By packaging these insights into accessible sessions, TechChill ensures that attendees leave with actionable knowledge.

TechChill is more than just a once-a-year event. Throughout the year, the organization promotes Baltic startups internationally, helping them gain exposure in key markets like San Francisco and Helsinki. By connecting founders with investors and global tech leaders, TechChill plays a crucial role in strengthening the region’s startup ecosystem.

TechChill’s attempt to expand into Milan was an eye-opening experience. While the event was well-received, it highlighted the importance of having strong local partners to build a lasting community. Cultural and business differences also played a role, making it clear that successful ecosystem building requires deep local engagement. This experience reinforced TechChill’s commitment to focusing on the Baltics while selectively exploring high-impact collaborations.

TechChill has also taken an active role in supporting Ukraine’s startup community. Recognizing Ukraine’s strong talent pool and growing entrepreneurial spirit, TechChill has facilitated connections between Baltic and Ukrainian founders, investors, and community builders. Their efforts, including trips to Kyiv and partnerships with local stakeholders, aim to create meaningful opportunities for Ukrainian startups despite ongoing challenges.

TechChill’s evolution reflects a broader mission: to make the Baltics a thriving hub for innovation. By fostering new startups, offering hands-on learning, and expanding international connections, it continues to shape the future of the region’s tech ecosystem.

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PlanA was created to bridge the gap between climate science and actionable business strategies. In 2017, few businesses understood the importance of sustainability, and there were minimal regulations to guide them. PlanA emerged as a platform that helps companies align their growth with environmental responsibility, demonstrating that sustainable practices can drive success.

PlanA’s platform uses extensive data analysis to offer businesses tailored sustainability strategies. The software not only identifies opportunities for improvement but also provides actionable steps to implement changes. Advanced AI technology ensures that even when data is incomplete, accurate projections and recommendations are made to guide companies in their decarbonization efforts.

The concept of the carbon bubble highlights the overvaluation of fossil fuel companies due to changing legislation and increasing climate costs. This poses risks for businesses and financial institutions relying on outdated assets. PlanA works with its clients to reduce these risks by providing financing and tools to transition toward more sustainable operations.

PlanA goes beyond helping businesses meet regulatory requirements by fostering a culture of sustainability that drives innovation. The platform enables companies to identify cost-saving opportunities while improving their environmental performance. It demonstrates that sustainability is not just about compliance but also a pathway to long-term growth and competitiveness.

PlanA’s approach to sustainability showcases the transformative power of innovation and the urgency of addressing climate challenges through actionable solutions. Its commitment to aligning business strategies with environmental goals is a blueprint for a sustainable future.

Find Lubomila on:

LinkedIn: Lubomila Jordanova

Twitter/X: @PlanAearth

Find Ben on:

LinkedIn: Ben Costantini

Twitter/X: @bencostantini

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After years as a venture capitalist, Marta Sjögren transitioned into climate tech to make a direct, positive impact on the environment. She used her experience in scaling businesses to co-found Paebbl, aiming to address the pressing challenges of climate change by focusing on innovative materials for construction.

Paebbl’s technology fast-tracks the natural process of mineralization, transforming CO2 gas into rock-like materials that can be used in construction. This method relies on crushed minerals, biogenic CO2 sources, and environmentally friendly accelerants, offering a scalable solution to reduce emissions in the built environment.

The company’s team brings together expertise from various industries, emphasizing diversity in skills and perspectives. By leveraging cutting-edge tools like generative AI, Paebbl enhances productivity while maintaining a lean workforce capable of meeting global scaling demands.

Paebbl works with leading construction and materials companies to drive the adoption of sustainable practices. Through these partnerships, the company integrates its products into the construction value chain, enabling large-scale decarbonization of projects worldwide.

Paebbl exemplifies how innovative technology and strategic collaboration can drive meaningful change in the fight against climate change. By transforming CO2 into sustainable building materials and fostering partnerships across the construction industry, the company is not just reducing emissions but actively contributing to a future where construction can help restore the planet’s carbon balance. Their work serves as a blueprint for how industries can align profitability with sustainability, paving the way for a greener, more resilient world.

Find Marta on:

LinkedIn: Marta Sjögren

Twitter/X: @martasjogren

Find Ben on:

LinkedIn: Ben Costantini

Twitter/X: @bencostantini

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Tom Henriksson, a seasoned venture capitalist and General Partner at OpenOcean, began his career in the 1990s when Finland’s startup ecosystem was in its infancy. At the time, the region had limited global tech presence, but it has since grown into a leader in STEM education and data-driven innovation. Today, the Nordics are known for producing companies that excel in analytics and automation, leveraging their strong foundation despite a relatively small population.

OpenOcean, a venture capital firm founded in 2010, specializes in supporting data-intensive business software startups in Europe. With its origins tied to the success of MySQL, the firm emphasizes helping entrepreneurs turn small-scale ideas into globally scalable enterprises. The team has built its reputation on fostering innovation in industries that rely heavily on data.

The podcast highlighted the challenges enterprises face in adopting artificial intelligence technologies. OpenOcean supports startups that simplify AI integration by creating tools and solutions that streamline processes and reduce the need for specialized expertise. One example discussed was a company leveraging AI to improve product launches by predicting success and optimizing strategies.

An annual poker tournament hosted by OpenOcean during the Slush conference has become a memorable tradition. This informal event combines networking with a relaxed environment, fostering connections within the global startup ecosystem. While it adds a playful twist to the conference, it also serves as a platform for meaningful professional interactions.

By blending a focus on data-intensive startups with a deep commitment to the Nordic ecosystem, Tom Henriksson and OpenOcean continue to shape the future of venture capital. Whether helping enterprises navigate AI or hosting iconic events like their poker tournament, their mission remains clear: empowering entrepreneurs to build scalable, impactful businesses.

Find Tom on:

LinkedIn: Tom Henriksson

Twitter/X: @openoceanvc

Find Ben on:

LinkedIn: Ben Costantini

Twitter/X: @bencostantini

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Mikayel’s background in engineering played a crucial role in shaping his approach to business and product development. His technical expertise enabled him to identify and implement scalable solutions that drive Picsart’s growth. This foundation allowed him to transition seamlessly into leadership roles, where strategic decision-making was informed by a deep understanding of technology.

Picsart’s success stems from its commitment to quick iterations and adaptive strategies. The team focuses on delivering new features to users at speed, prioritizing action over extensive pre-planning. This approach has not only kept Picsart competitive but also fostered an environment of continuous learning and improvement.

Competition is viewed as an opportunity for growth at Picsart. The company actively explores partnerships and acquisitions to enhance its offerings while staying ahead in the creative tech space. Recently, they launched new tools, like an AI Logo Maker, designed to address emerging needs in the market, particularly for small businesses and independent creators.

The journey of building Picsart underscores the importance of patience and persistence. Business success often takes years of consistent effort, and Picsart’s growth trajectory reflects this reality. The company continues to evolve by staying focused on user needs, reinvesting in marketing, and reactivating its vast user base.

Mikayel Vardanyan’s leadership highlights the importance of a strong technical foundation, rapid innovation, and strategic resilience in scaling a global platform. Picsart’s story serves as inspiration for startups navigating competitive industries while striving for long-term impact.

Find Mikayel on:

LinkedIn: Mikayel Vardanyan

Twitter/X: @picsart

Find Ben on:

LinkedIn: Ben Costantini

Twitter/X: @bencostantini

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Be sure to follow Sesamers on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X for more cool stories from the people we catch during the best Tech events!

Be sure to follow Sesamers on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X for more cool stories from the people we catch during the best Tech events!