Charlotta Holmquist, Blixt – Episode 45

01/29/20 • 44 min

I first saw Charlotta pitch Blixt at Ecosummit and was subsequently introduced via my friends at BayWa Ventures. I loved her enthusiasm, and I take my hat off to anyone that has founded, exited and founded companies on many occasions. I’m sure you’ll be inspired by her story. About our guestCharlotta has been an entrepreneur for 20 years and active in several roles setting up businesses in various sectors from e-Commerce to gaming and later deep tech in transformative energy. She loves entrepreneurship for the opportunity to constantly learn and navigate through challenges and opportunities. As a seasoned serial entrepreneur Charlotta started learning about the climate crisis and strongly felt she must use her accumulated experience to try to make a difference.Blixt was founded in 2018 with the goal of bringing grid-edge data intelligence to the energy supply market through the introduction of digital circuit breaker technology.Mechanical circuit breakers have been the gatekeepers of household electricity supply for around 150 years, but our digital alternative will be a game changer for the future of electricity management. Software is appearing in all aspects of every industry today, and it just doesn’t make sense to have an analogue, mechanical device in something so central as the entry point for electricity in a home.The solid state circuit breaker is a response to emerging trends in global energy markets and aims to satisfy growing demand for “grid-edge intelligence” from both consumers and power network infrastructure. Blixt is so far the most ambitious challenge I have ever taken on. On the other hand, our innovations spark for an entirely new energy paradigm. On Women’s Day 2019 Charlotta was awarded “No 1 Female Entrepreneur of the Year Globally” by the UK rating institute Earlymetrics which was of course a great honor.About BlixtBlixt is the first and only company to develop miniature, solid state circuit breakers for the residential market. Unlike conventional mechanical breakers, the Blixt Breaker can collect real time data and remotely control all loads - all via one small connected device that fits standard fuse boxes. The new Blixt Breakers are a game changer for the electrical system. It will enhance performance of renewable energy solutions, battery storage solutions and demand-side management at grid edge. GUEST LINKSBlixt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bl-xt/Blixt web page: https://bli

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Previous Episode

Dr Pete Armstrong, Mixergy – Episode 44

I first met Pete Armstrong as he was pitching at the Ecosummit event in Berlin in 2018 and last year. The scale of the impact possible in transforming our heating and water storage systems in our homes blew my mind. I’ve always been so involved in the ‘electrification of everything’, so I’ve watched since with interest. Mixergy were also mentioned in a recent podcast episode with Robert Trezona of IP Group, one of their early (and follow on) investors. So I thought I’d invite Dr Pete Armstrong to join us.About our guestDr Pete Armstrong is CEO and co-founder of Mixergy, an Oxford University spin-out company which has brought to market a unique hot water tank. Pete completed his PhD on intelligent hot water tanks at Oxford Uni with fellow student and co-founder Ren Kang, before going on to win a Technical Innovation award within the 2013 Shell Eco-Marathon electric car competition, and a prize in a Climate KiC venture competition, which was the genesis of Mixergy in 2014. Mixergy has since received investment from IP Group, Oxford Science Innovation, Centrica Innovations and Foresight Williams to grow and develop the business. About MixergyMixergy has developed an intelligent hot water tank, which is unlike others on the market. The Mixergy tank operates on an integrated Internet of Things platform and is designed to selectively heat smaller portions of water. As a fleet, Mixergy aims to offer a Demand Side Response (DSR) service to the National Grid, absorbing excess power load and time shifting demand to help balance the grid. This “Internet of Tanks” vision will help to facilitate the generation and utilisation of more renewables nationwide to support a greener future. The Mixergy tank is also a benefit to consumers, saving up to 40% on hot water bills through sophisticated machine learning.GUEST LINKS Mixergy Website- www.mixergy.co.ukMixergy on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mixergy-ltd/Mixergy on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MixergyLtd EPISODE LINKSCleantech Mixergy Raises £3.6M - https://www.businesscloud.co.uk/news/cleantech-mixergy-raises-36mMixergy on Fully Charged - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1Z4JCoPAGcMixergy at Ecosummit 2019 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AL_wDpTVEcChaos: Making a New Science – James Gleick - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos:_Making_a_New_ScienceFollow us online, write a review (please) or subscribeI'm very keen to hear feedback on the podcast and my guests, and to

Next Episode

Giovanni Fili, Exeger – Episode 46

What’s it all about?I’ve always loved Solar and the concept of free, ubiquitous energy. Our episode this week comes from the CEO of a company that converts light at all levels into energy for the fast-growing wearables market and beyond. Wireless headphones that don’t need charging, ever, is just the start. I hope you enjoy the episode.About our guestGiovanni Fili is an experienced entrepreneur and private investor with more than 20 years’ experience in entrepreneurship and 10 years’ experience in commercializing high tech innovations. Mr. Fili was born in 1976 and holds a M.Sc. in Business and Administration with a double major in Finance and Information Management from the Stockholm School of Economics where he graduated 2002. Mr. Fili has been invited several times to round table discussions with the Swedish Ministry of Energy and Enterprise to discuss the entrepreneurial climate in Sweden. He has also participated on state visits with the Swedish King to represent the future Swedish industry. Mr. Fili was recently appointed as a permanent member in the entrepreneurial forum to advise Minister Mikael Damberg on the entrepreneurial situation in Sweden.About ExegerBlixt is the first and only company to develop miniature, solid state circuit breakers for the residential market. Unlike conventional mechanical breakers, the Blixt Breaker can collect real time data and remotely control all loads - all via one small connected device that fits standard fuse boxes. The new Blixt Breakers are a game changer for the electrical system. It will enhance performance of renewable energy solutions, battery storage solutions and demand-side management at grid edge. GUEST LINKS Exeger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exeger-sweden-ab/ Exeger web page: https://exeger.com/ Giovanni Fili on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giovanni-fili-73569b/ EPISODE LINKS Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grit-Passion-Perseverance-Angela-Duckworth/dp/1501111108Follow us online, write a review (please) or subscribeI'm very keen to hear feedback on the podcast and my guests, and to hear your suggestions for future guests or topics. Contact via the website, or Twitter. If you do enjoy the podcast, please write a review on iTunes, or your usual podcast platform, and tell your cleantech friends about us. That would be much appreciated.Twitter https://twitter.com/weekincleantech Facebook https://www.facebo