What’s it all about?

My passion for helping cleantech start ups ot grow and scale has been a driving force behind founding and growing Hyperion Executive Search. On top of this in the last couple of years I have been working with an exploring both the cleantech VCs and global Incubators and Accelerators. You may have heard my recent podcast episode with Emily Reichart of Greentown Labs, one of the best known US Incubators. In this episode I talk to the clean energy Managing Partner at one of the best known European Accelerators, but one with a VC arm. Freerk is an amazing guy with a very storied and successful career as an entrepreneur, CEO, investor and programme manager.

About Freerk Bisschop: 

Freerk has more than 30 years of experience in energy business innovation, in various roles (science, advisory, management, entrepreneurial, funding, governance, policy). Started, managed and sold energy retailer Echte Energie, led international energy & climate consultancy Ecofys as a CEO, chairs investment committee of Amsterdam Climate and Energy Fund AKEF. Currently, Freerk is a Program director of Smart Energy Accelerator since 2016, while having been involved as a mentor & investor in earlier 2 editions. Has a degree in Physics and PhD in solar semiconductor science. Freerk is convinced that the energy transition is beyond the tipping point of becoming driven by decentralized, decarbonized energy systems, with digital tech as enabler & disruptor.

About Rockstart:

Rockstart launched in 2011 in Amsterdam as one of Europe’s first startup accelerators. Rockstart is a domain-focused accelerator-VC with follow-on growth funding that supports and empowers the best startups on their way to success across four domains: Energy, Health, AgriFood, and Emerging technologies. We provide startups with access to the capital, market, community, and expertise by connecting them to partners, investors, mentors and the wider Rockstart network.

Rockstart also creates programs that are customized to boost collaboration between startups and corporates, driving faster access to co-creation, commercial partnerships, and investment. Rockstart has experience in designing and executing programs for Maersk, Shell, Dutch Ministry of Health, and many others.

Since its inception, Rockstart has invested in more than 200 startups and supported them in their journey to raise more than €89 million and hire more than 700 people. Rockstart is an international team of 35+ professionals dedicated to support and empower startups to become scalable and change their world for the better.

Social links: 

EPISODE LINKS

The Grid: The Fraying Wires Between Americans and Our Energy Future – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grid-Fraying-Between-Americans-Energy/dp/1632865688 

Books By Vaclav Smil – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vaclav-Smil/e/B001HCXT62?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1608051684&sr=1-1 

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