#245 The Future of Electrification & the Opportunity of Europe | Felix Krause (Vireo Ventures)

Today’s episode features Felix Krause, founding partner of Vireo Ventures, one of Europe’s leading early-stage energy tech investors. Felix is based in Berlin and brings decades of experience across solar project development, corporate VC, and now independent fund management. We dig deep into why electrification is the real unlock for climate, and why Felix and his team believe the software that manages energy flows—not new forms of generation—is where VC dollars can make the biggest impact. Felix also talks candidly about:How Vireo built a reputation as a hands-on, brutally honest investorWhy “doing good and making money” aren’t mutually exclusiveHow to spot founders with true grit and fire in their eyesWhy Europe is at a critical inflection point for tech sovereignty We also cover how AI and increasing data availability are quietly enabling new software business models in energy—from optimizing legacy boilers in multifamily buildings to managing distributed assets securely. If you"re wondering how to build (or back) meaningful energy tech in today’s shifting market, this episode is packed with pragmatic insights—and just the right amount of optimism. Topics Short Version04:36 Founding Vireo Ventures: The Transition to Investment09:20 Building Relationships with Founders14:20 The Importance of Honesty in Investment17:52 Navigating the Future of Energy22:44 Data and Cybersecurity in Clean Tech25:12 Navigating the Go-To-Market Strategy25:57 Investing in Early-Stage Software Companies27:27 The Role of Data Extraction in Electrification29:55 Understanding Business Models in Climate Tech31:11 Evaluating Software Sales Strategies34:13 AI"s Impact on Electrification and Business Models LinksFelix Krause | Vireo VenturesConnect with Somil on LinkedIn | Connect with Silas on LinkedInFollow CleanTechies on LinkedInThis podcast is NOT investment advice. Do your homework and due diligence before investing in anything discussed on this podcast. Support the show If you"re gonna change the world, you"re gonna need a world-class team. Partner with ErthTech Talent to help you do that, for less. 70+ Placements 5+ Years (exclusively in CleanTech) The Lowest Fees in the Market (12-15% of first-year salary) 90-day placement guarantee It"s really hard to say no to that. Wait?! -- The best service is also the cheapest? Seems too good to be true, but it"s the entire reason we started this company. We believe that Climate entrepreneurs are doing important work, and there should be a firm to help them find the best talent, without it breaking the bank. Reach out today for a free assessment of your hiring process. hello@erthtechtalent.com