Heirloom Head of Climate Policy on Building Diverse, Community-Centric Climate Tech Products

How can product managers build climate tech products that truly benefit communities and the greater good? In this episode hosted Silicon Valley Bank (a Division of First Citizens Bank) Climate Tech SVP Maggie Wong, Heirloom Head of Climate Policy Vikrum Aiyer shares his insights on developing diverse, community-centric climate tech products. Vikrum discusses Heirloom’s mission to remove atmospheric CO2 through innovative direct air capture technology, the importance of engaging with policymakers and local communities, and the need for product managers to consider the broader societal impact of their work.

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Show Notes

1. Vikrum Aiyer’s diverse background in public sector, private sector, and civil society has equipped him to navigate the climate policy landscape.
2. Heirloom’s mission is to reduce fossil fuel emissions and remove existing atmospheric CO2 through its patented direct air capture technology.
3. Understanding the technology and working closely with the product team is crucial for policy professionals to effectively communicate the needs and challenges to government stakeholders.
4. The distinction between carbon capture and direct air capture is important to educate lawmakers and the public about Heirloom’s technology.
5. Government support is necessary to scale the carbon removal industry and create new customer segments through policy interventions.
6. There is bipartisan support for carbon removal policies in the US, which provides optimism for the industry’s growth.
7. The Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have provided significant funding and tailwinds for the carbon removal sector.
8. Heirloom’s “high-road principles” guide the company’s approach to building facilities in partnership with local communities.
9. Community engagement councils are crucial for gathering feedback and ensuring the facilities benefit the local community.
10. Hiring diverse perspectives, including those from different demographic, professional, and socioeconomic backgrounds, is important for Heirloom.
11. Technological and infrastructure diversity, such as building facilities in both blue and red states, is a key consideration for Heirloom.
12. Product managers should consider the public good and policy implications when building products, even if their company doesn’t have a dedicated policy team.
13. Asking questions about policy considerations and engaging with policy professionals can help product managers build better, more impactful products.
14. Government and civil society support can unlock new revenue sources and amplify the positive impact of products with a public good.
15. Community-centric climate tech products where the needs of local communities are prioritized, is crucial for climate tech companies.
16. Vikrum Aiyer encourages listeners to reach out to him on Twitter for guidance on transitioning into climate tech roles.
17. Resources like the Terra.do fellowship and Climate Base fellowship can help professionals explore opportunities in the climate space.
18. Podcasts like Maggie Wong’s Climate Tech Podcast play an important role in facilitating discussions and raising awareness about climate tech.
19. Collaboration between product teams and policy professionals is essential for building impactful climate tech solutions.
20. Addressing climate change requires a multifaceted approach, including technological innovation, policy support, and community engagement.