Leaders on a Mission

Hosted by Simon Leich

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Episodes

154

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Discussions with leaders with a clear mission of creating a healthier world in today’s most innovative startups across FoodTech, AgTech (Agritech), Synbio, Sustainability, Climate Tech, and Clean Tech. Learn more about precision fermentation, cellular agriculture, alternative proteins, crop protection, biologicals, protein expression systems, carbon capture, plant health, precision agriculture, bioinformatics, human nutrition and what it takes to successfully scale your business in this budding sector.

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60 recent

October 22, 202630 min

Venture Investing Before the Market Catches On

How do you spot the climate technologies that matter before everyone else does? Amy Duffuor, Co-Founder and General Partner at Azolla Ventures, unpacks what it takes to invest ahead of the market. She shares how Azolla identifies overlooked climate opportunities, why great founders need clarity beyond the technology, and what separates compelling teams from thousands of investment prospects. The conversation explores the realities of hard tech, founder resilience, CEO transitions, and why the strongest climate companies anticipate second- and third-order effects. Amy also explains why contrarian thinking, patient capital, and backing solutions before they become fashionable can unlock both outsized impact and opportunity. 🎧 Tune in to discover what it takes to invest before the market catches on. --- 🌿 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies. Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. Tune in on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726 …to listen to the latest episodes! Timestamps: 00:58 — Why Founding Is Hard 04:41 — Climate’s Investment Cycles 06:21 — The Hard Tech Reality 08:36 — Investing Before the Crowd 13:39 — What Makes Founders Stand Out 17:11 — Building Investment Conviction 19:00 — When Founders Must Evolve 21:38 — Navigating CEO Transitions 26:31 — Climate Founders Get Stronger Useful links: 👇 Azolla Ventures Website: https://azollaventures.com/ Azolla Ventures LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/azolla-ventures/home/ Amy Duffuor’s Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-duffuor-7b1a6224/ Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/ Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

September 29, 202636 min

Powering Europe’s Energy Transformation

Europe’s energy system is undergoing one of the biggest transformations in generations. Energy security, the rapid growth of renewables, rising demand from AI and data centres, and the continuing challenge of climate change are fundamentally reshaping how we generate, store and consume power. At the centre of that transformation is energy storage. Today, I’m joined by Philipp Mann, Founder of terralayr, a company building and operating battery storage infrastructure with ambitions to become a major force in Europe’s energy transition. We explore why Philipp believes the coming decades will belong to energy and infrastructure technology businesses, why Germany represents such a compelling starting point, and how terralayr has scaled rapidly while raising hundreds of millions in equity and project financing. We also get into leadership, building a high-agency culture, attracting exceptional talent, and Philipp’s ambition to build a company of generational scale and lasting impact. This is a conversation about energy sovereignty, infrastructure, technology, and what it takes to build an enduring energy business at the heart of Europe’s transformation. Tune in for an inside look at turning an ambitious student experiment into scalable energy infrastructure. --- Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies. Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. Tune in on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726 …to listen to the latest episodes! Timestamps: 01:08 — From Watches to Energy 03:36 — Solving Europe’s Storage Gap 07:06 — Why Batteries, Why Now? 10:15 — Finding Product-Market Fit 13:16 — Winning Major Energy Partners 15:45 — How Virtual Tolling Works 21:32 — Energy’s Defining Decades 25:19 — Raising €400M+ Capital 28:37 — Agency, Integrity & Culture Useful links: terralayr Website: https://www.trlyr.com/ terralayr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/terralayr/ Phillip Mann Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippman/ Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/ Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

September 17, 202640 min

The €140M Bet on the Future of Industrial Heat

What started as a student experiment is now a €140 million bet on the future of industrial heat. In this episode, Mark Verhagen, Founder and CEO of RIFT, shares the hard lessons behind taking iron fuel from the university lab towards commercial scale—and challenging fossil fuels in one of the toughest industries to decarbonise. Mark explains why sustainability alone won’t win customers, why first movers matter, and how RIFT realised its original business model wouldn’t support the capital needed to scale. He also explores knowing when to pivot, aligning financing with commercial strategy, handling the pressure of fundraising, and building a company when the odds are against you. 🎧 Tune in for an inside look at turning an ambitious student experiment into scalable energy infrastructure. --- 🌿 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies. Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. Tune in on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726 …to listen to the latest episodes! Timestamps: 00:00 – Reinventing industrial heat 03:43 – How iron fuel works 08:03 – Student project to scale-up 11:35 – Sustainability isn’t enough 14:04 – Rethinking the business model 16:03 – Learning ahead of growth 18:31 – Knowing when to pivot 23:56 – The reality of fundraising 25:56 – The odds are against you Useful links: 👇 RIFT Website: https://www.ironfueltechnology.com/ RIFT LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/renewableironfueltechnology/ Mark Verhagen Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/-markverhagen/ Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/ Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

August 25, 202637 min

From Breakthrough Innovation to Business Scale

Turning breakthrough science into a successful business requires more than great technology. It takes capital, manufacturing scale, commercial focus and a team capable of turning innovation into real-world impact. In this episode, Thijs Bosch, CEO of The Protein Brewery, shares the realities of leading a fermentation-based food company from startup to scale-up. Following EU novel food approval and a major Series B extension, he discusses raising growth capital, scaling production to meet demand, and building a high-performing culture that brings together biotech, manufacturing and commercial expertise. Thijs also reflects on becoming a first-time CEO, why focus and resource allocation are critical in a scale-up, and what it takes to turn breakthrough food innovation into a commercially successful business. 🎧 Tune in to discover how breakthrough science becomes scalable innovation—and why the future belongs to those willing to think long term. --- 🌿 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies. Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. Tune in on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726 …to listen to the latest episodes! Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 03:20 – Joining a company mid-fundraise 05:00 – Moving from startup to scale-up 09:52 – The realities of becoming a first-time CEO 14:51 – De-risking breakthrough technology 16:42 – Securing EU novel food approval 19:42 – The opportunity in active nutrition 24:39 – Scaling production to meet demand 28:02 – Building a high-performance cultur Useful links: 👇 The Protein Brewery Website: https://www.theproteinbrewery.com/ The Protein Brewery LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-protein-brewery/ Thijs Bosch Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thijs-bosch-8a53133/ Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/ Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

August 6, 202639 min

Turning Breakthrough Science Into Business

What does it really take to turn breakthrough science into a business that changes industries? In this episode, Giacomo Bastianelli, CEO of Rainbow Crops, shares his journey commercialising frontier science—from biotech and software startups to building climate-resilient crops using AI, genome editing, and precision breeding. He explains why people matter more than technology, how AI is transforming crop genetics through better data, and why patient capital is essential for deep-tech innovation. Giacomo also discusses Europe's evolving regulatory landscape, building high-performing teams, and the mindset required to navigate long development cycles while creating lasting impact. 🎧 Tune in to discover how breakthrough science becomes scalable innovation—and why the future belongs to those willing to think long term. --- 🌿 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies. Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. Tune in on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726 …to listen to the latest episodes! Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & introduction 01:59 – The 3 Ps of startups 09:53 – Engineering plants differently 11:25 – Building Rainbow Crops 17:04 – AI meets crop genetics 20:20 – Europe's regulatory shift 23:35 – Commercialising deep tech 26:57 – Why patient capital matters 35:40 – Lessons from failure Useful links: 👇 Rainbow Crops Website: https://www.rainbowcrops.com Rainbow Crops LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rainbow-crops/ Giacomo Bastianelli Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giacomobastianelli/ Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/ Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

July 30, 202635 min

The Missing Link in the Energy Transition

AI isn't facing a compute problem—it's facing an infrastructure problem. Every breakthrough in artificial intelligence, electrification and clean energy depends on critical minerals, yet the real challenge is extracting them sustainably and economically. In this episode, Mohammad Doostmohammadi, Founder & CEO of PH7 Technologies, shares how his company is transforming the recovery of critical minerals through a closed-loop process that dramatically reduces water use, eliminates wastewater and unlocks value from low-grade ores and mine waste. He also discusses the realities of commercialising deep-tech, navigating the mining industry's appetite for innovation, and why building the right team—not just the right technology—is what ultimately determines success. 🎧 Tune in for a fresh look at scaling deep-tech ventures where speed matters—but shortcuts don’t. --- 🌿 Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies. Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. Tune in on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726 …to listen to the latest episodes! Timestamps 00:00 – AI's infrastructure challenge 02:15 – The founding insight 06:30 – Unlocking mine waste 11:15 – Sustainable meets commercial 12:50 – Why copper matters 18:05 – Rethinking mineral processing 22:45 – Scaling deep-tech 30:40 – It's all about team 33:30 – Building a global vision Useful links: 👇 ph7 Technologies website: https://ph7technologies.com/ ph7 Technologies LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ph7technologies/ Mohammad Doostmohammadi Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammad-doostmohammadi/ Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/ Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

June 30, 202638 min

From Industry Newcomer to an $80M Fundraise

How do you raise millions in one of the world’s toughest deep-tech sectors when you’re still learning the industry yourself? In this episode, Susan Stone, CEO of Blue Current, shares how curiosity, relentless learning, and disciplined execution helped her lead a major fundraise within her first year in solid-state batteries. Susan explores the realities of scaling breakthrough energy technologies, navigating the “valley of torture” between innovation and commercialization, and building a culture where respectful challenge drives better decisions. From manufacturing strategy and investor alignment to AI-driven energy demand and the future of battery innovation, this conversation offers a masterclass in leading through complexity and uncertainty. Tune in for a fresh look at scaling deep-tech ventures where speed matters—but shortcuts don’t. --- Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies. Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. Tune in on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726 …to listen to the latest episodes! Timestamps 00:00 – Entering Battery Tech 04:38 – Choosing The Winner 09:02 – Capital-Light Thinking 12:58 – Solid-State Reality Check 17:02 – Go Fast. No Shortcuts. 21:22 – Batteries & National Security 24:43 – AI's Energy Demand 28:21 – Hiring For Challenge 34:39 – Breaking Down Silos Useful links: Blue Current website: https://blue-current.com/ Blue Current LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-current-inc/ Susan Stone Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-stone-49bb5a/ Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/ Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

June 24, 202636 min

Infrastructure for the Ag Economy

What happens when the infrastructure feeding half the world's population becomes vulnerable to geopolitics, supply chain disruption, and outdated production models? In this episode Nico Pinkowski , CEO and co-founder of Nitricity , shares how his team is reimagining fertiliser production through distributed, renewable-powered systems built closer to farmers. Nico reflects on failed technologies, difficult pivots, and the breakthrough moments that emerged when the company was at its lowest. From strengthening food security to scaling a 70-person climate tech business, he reveals why great leaders don't avoid hard problems—they stare the bull in the eyes and find opportunity where others see obstacles. --- Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies. Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. Tune in on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726 …to listen to the latest episodes! Timestamps: 01:00 Food Security Risks 03:57 Nitricity's Mission 06:29 The Fertiliser Challenge 08:04 When Pivots Hurt 11:10 Bombing The Pitch 13:00 Opportunities In The Gutter 14:39 Reinventing Fertiliser 20:04 Scaling The Company 30:45 Stare The Bull Useful links: Nitricity website: https://www.nitricity.co/ Nitrcity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nitricity/ Nico Pinkowski Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspinkowski/ Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/ Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

June 16, 202637 min

When the Calling Is Too Big to Ignore

What happens when you realise incremental change is no longer enough? For Randi Wahlsten, that moment led her from a successful corporate career to founding Matr Foods, a company reimagining how sustainable food is created and consumed. In this episode, Randi shares the realities of building a new food category from scratch, transforming simple ingredients through fermentation, and scaling a business around a vision before the market existed. From raising capital and building a first-of-its-kind factory to leading through uncertainty and challenging industry norms, this conversation explores what it takes to turn purpose into progress. Tune in for an honest conversation about conviction, innovation, and building something the world doesn't yet know it needs. --- Hey Climate Tech enthusiasts! Searching for new podcasts on sustainability? Check out the Leaders on a Mission podcast, where I interview climate tech leaders who are shaking up the industry and bringing us the next big thing in sustainable solutions. Join me for a deep dive into the future of green innovation exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between of pioneering new technologies. Get an exclusive insight into how these leaders started up their journey, and how their cutting edge products will make a real impact. Tune in on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leadersonamissionNet0 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726 …to listen to the latest episodes! Timestamps: 00:00 Building a New Category 01:20 Leaving Corporate 02:50 Fermentation's Opportunity 05:00 Beyond Meat Alternatives 06:20 How Matr Works 08:45 Scaling Across Europe 11:45 Fundraising Lessons 16:30 Startup Reality 22:50 What Investors Want 25:10 Hiring for Growth 27:40 Female Founder Bias 34:20 Future of Food Useful links: Matr Foods website: https://matrfoods.com/ Matr Foods LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/matrfoods/ Randi Wahlsten Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randi-wahlsten-285115/ Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/ Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/

May 19, 202637 min

Accelerating Agriculture with AI

Europe imports millions of tons of soybeans every year. But what if the future of farming could change that completely? In this episode, Simon Leich sits down with Benjamin Laga, founder and CEO of Protealis, to explore how AI, genetics, and next-generation breeding could help Europe grow more of its own protein and reduce its dependence on imported soy. Benjamin shares his journey from biotech startups to global corporations like BASF, and explains why he left the corporate world to build a company focused on sustainable agriculture and food security. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why Europe depends so heavily on imported soybeans How protein crops could reshape the future of farming How AI is accelerating crop breeding and genetic selection Why sustainable farming starts with better crop systems The challenge of turning scientific innovation into real-world impact This episode is a fascinating look at the future of agriculture, food independence, and the technology changing how crops are developed. Watch now and discover how one startup is trying to transform Europe’s food system. Tune in on… Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7o41ubdkzChAzD9C53xH82 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leaders-on-a-mission/id1532211726 …to listen to the latest episodes! Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:36 Meet Benjamin Laga 01:32 From Startup Life to Big Corporations 05:18 How Benjamin Started Protealis 07:52 Building a Company with Purpose 09:25 Starting a Business During Covid 10:23 Why Europe Imports So Much Protein 12:09 Soybeans & Europe’s Nitrogen Problem 14:51 Using AI to Improve Crop Breeding 18:16 How AI Predicts Better Crops 22:44 Why Soybeans Struggle in Europe 25:54 Developing High Protein Crops 27:10 Growing Soybeans Across Europe 28:19 Turning Research Into a Real Business 30:00 Building the Right Company Culture 32:12 Hiring People for Startup Life 34:09 Belgium’s Growing AgTech Scene 35:34 The Future Vision for Pr Useful links: Leaders on a Mission website: https://cs-partners.net/podcasts/ Simon Leich’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/executive-talent-headhunter-agtech-foodtech-agrifoodtech-agritech/