First commercial plant is hardest startup hurdle due to perceived risk
Steve Oldham · Captura's high-stakes gamble · Nov 19, 2025 · at 24:53
Captura CEO Steve Oldham discusses the challenges climate tech startups face when attempting to finance first-of-a-kind (FOAK) commercial infrastructure.
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“One of the hardest things, and one of the many hard things in a startup, is once you have your technology working at a level that you believe to be adequate, is taking that technology out and building your first commercial plant. Because the perception of risk is there in the eyes of whoever might finance. Plus, you need customers, and those customers Are concerned? Does, is the technology going to work?”
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