1. Building Companies of Consequence: Montauk Climate’s Vision for the Electron Economy

2. How Montauk Climate Incubates Innovation for the New Energy Landscape

3. Inside Montauk Climate: Company Building and Investing in the Electron Economy

4. From Casper to Climate: Phillip Krim and Evan Karan on Impactful Entrepreneurship

5. The Studio Model in Climate Tech: Lessons from Montauk Climate’s Journey

6. Accelerating Ideas in the Electron Economy: Montauk Climate’s Approach

7. Connecting Talent and Technology: Montauk Climate’s Blueprint for Energy Innovation

8. Powering the Future: Montauk Climate’s Role in Advanced Energy and Impact

9. How Montauk Climate Builds Startups for Tomorrow’s Energy Grid

10. Founders, Investors, Impact: Montauk Climate’s Studio Model Explained

electron economy, Montauk Climate, climate tech, clean tech, company building, investment firm, startup capital, energy transition, ESG data, impact measurement, venture studio, adaptive insurance, power outage, electricity derivatives, energy innovation, renewable energy, data centers, regulatory compliance, electricity markets, risk management, climate adaptation, infrastructure, battery storage, venture capital, business model, scaling companies, commodity markets, climate impact, technological disruption, New Mexico innovation

Welcome to this episode of Awarepreneurs, where we dive deep into building companies of consequence within the ever-evolving electron economy. This week, host Emily Kane Miller introduces us to two powerhouse guests: Phillip Krim, co-founder and CEO of Montauk Climate (and former CEO of Casper Sleep), and Evan Karan, Montauk Climate’s co-founder and CIO with over two decades of expertise in energy, risk, and investment.

Together, Phillip Krim and Evan Karan unpack the fascinating origin story of Montauk Climate—including their early hurdles, innovative hybrid studio-and-investment model, and the unique challenges of scaling in the climate tech space. They share insight into the traction of their portfolio companies, the importance of pairing strong business models with long-term impact, and how they’re transforming New Mexico into a hub for energy innovation.

Whether you’re a founder searching for startup capital, curious about climate tech trends, or eager to learn what it really takes to build impactful, scalable ventures, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom and inspiring vision from leaders at the forefront of the electron economy. Tune in to discover how Montauk Climate is bridging the gap between profit and purpose, while shaping the future of clean energy entrepreneurship.

Here’s a comprehensive sequence of topics covered in the episode, including key sub-topics under each primary topic:

1. Introduction of the Podcast and Guests

• Brief introduction to Awarepreneurs podcast and host Paul Zelizer (not listed as a mapped speaker, but mentioned as host)

• Theme of the episode: Building Companies of Consequence within the Electron Economy

• Introduction of guests: Phillip Krim and Evan Karan

• Background highlights for Phillip Krim (Montauk Climate, Montauk Ventures, Casper Sleep, board roles)

• Background highlights for Evan Karan (Montauk Climate, Riverstone Holdings, Cleartrace, Daylight Energy, board positions)

2. Origin Story of Montauk Climate

• Phillip Krim's meeting and collaboration with Evan Karan via Haven Energy

• Formation and evolution: Haven Energy → Electron X → Montauk Climate

• Motivation behind starting Montauk Climate to accelerate company building in the electron economy

3. Early Challenges and Unique Model of Montauk Climate

• The hybrid company builder and investor model

• Explaining Montauk’s model to partners and investors

• Building a unique platform not previously in the ecosystem

4. Primary Focus: Company Building vs. Investing

• Emphasis on company building (acting as co-founders)

• Launching 10+ companies directly from the studio

• Investing activity as a growing, yet smaller, part of their work so far

5. Funding and Startup Capital

• Leveraging professional networks and reputations for initial funding

• Attracting friends, previous partners, and capital allocators

6. Notable Companies and Ecosystem Impact

• Successes and traction with portfolio companies

  • Adaptive: insurance platform for climate perils and outages

  • Clear Current: AI/tech for large power users/data centers

• Description of the studio’s process: thematic sprints, deep research, founder recruitment

7. Studio Model in the Climate/Electron Economy Space

• Rarity and uniqueness of the studio/hybrid model in clean tech

• Communicating the value proposition to founders and market participants

8. Talent and Advisory Network

• In-house and advisory talent:

  • Notable advisors: Ralph Alexander (energy industry leader), Admiral Wyman Howard (military/space sector)

• Integration of advisors as founders or leaders within portfolio companies

9. Montauk Ecosystem Scale

• Current size: in-house team, advisors, and expanded network (dozens involved)

• Rapid growth in under two years

10. Impact Measurement and Philosophy

• Tailored, fluid approach to impact measurement for each company

• Stage-appropriate metrics—balancing growth with positive environmental/social outcomes

11. Studio Fit: When it Works and When it Doesn’t

• Criteria for good fit:

  • Big, scalable ideas

  • Founders’ willingness to collaborate

  • Montauk’s ability to add unique value

• Emphasis on honesty and mutual fit for long-term success

12. The State of the Electron Economy and Market Volatility

• Observation of rapid shifts, policy changes, and volatility in the electron economy

• Strategic orientation toward long-term market horizons vs. short-term disruption

• Examples of historical volatility in energy markets

13. Sector Opportunities and Infrastructure Transformation

• Electrification of energy and growth of renewables

• Major capital investments by tech and energy players

• Regional focus: New Mexico as a case study for energy transition, opportunity for economic development

14. Lessons Learned and Advice to Clean Tech Founders

• Universal truths: the importance of team, commitment, and adaptability

• Unique sector challenges: regulatory complexity, commodity markets, and need for robust business models

15. Montauk Climate’s Vision for the Next Five Years

• Goal to become the preeminent platform and partner in the electron economy

• Building business pillars around four major electron economy markets: flow, storage, conversion, and exchange of electrons

• Aspirations for widespread impact and cross-industry transformation

16. Closing Remarks and Contact Information

• Appreciation for the opportunity to share Montauk’s story

• Ways listeners can connect with the Montauk team: email, website, LinkedIn, newsletter, Discord

This sequence captures the episode’s flow and main discussion points, providing a clear roadmap of topics and their deeper sub-themes.

Today on Awarepreneurs, I sat down with the brilliant minds behind Montauk Climate, Phillip Krim and Evan Karan. We explored how they're building game-changing companies in the electron economy—think everything from climate insurance tech to the future of space energy. Their unique studio model blends company building and investment, empowering founders with support, capital, and deep energy expertise. If you want to learn what it takes to create real impact in clean tech, navigate challenges, and ride out industry turbulence, this episode is a must-listen. Dive in and get inspired by the next wave of climate innovation!

🚀 Just listened to the latest Awarepreneurs episode featuring Montauk Climate co-founders Phillip Krim and Evan Karan, hosted by Emily Kane Miller. This deep dive into the “electron economy” and the studio model for climate-tech innovation is a must-hear for anyone passionate about building impactful companies!

Here are 3 key takeaways worth reflecting on:

🔹 Company Building + Investing Hybrid Fuels Innovation:
Montauk Climate is not a typical startup accelerator or VC. As Phillip Krim shared, their model leans heavily into founding and actively building companies—10 companies launched in two years—while also selectively investing and assembling advisory talent.

🔹 Cross-Sector Collaboration is Essential:
Success in clean tech and climate innovation requires combining great company builders with deep subject matter experts. Their studio approach connects talent, investors, and partners in the electron economy, helping founders access critical networks for growth and impact.

🔹 Adaptability Drives Real Impact:
Impact metrics aren’t “one size fits all.” Phillip Krim stressed the importance of customizing environmental and social metrics to match each company’s stage and mission, allowing Montauk Climate’s portfolio to stay agile and focused on meaningful, scalable change.

Whether you’re a climate-tech founder, investor, or just curious about what’s next in energy, this episode spotlights the importance of bold models and collaborative thinking to shape the future.

🌎 Ready to join the conversation?
Check out Montauk Climate, connect with their community, or listen in for more ideas on building companies of consequence!

#ClimateTech #ElectronEconomy #ImpactBusiness #StartupStudio #Awarepreneurs

Subject: Building Companies of Consequence: Insights from Montauk Climate on Awarepreneurs

Hey Awarepreneurs community,

We’re excited to share highlights and wisdom from our latest episode featuring innovators Phillip Krim and Evan Karan, co-founders of Montauk Climate, interviewed by Emily Kane Miller. If you’re passionate about building impactful companies and shaping the future of the electron economy, this newsletter is for you.

What’s Inside Montauk Climate’s Origin Story
Phillip Krim and Evan Karan bring years of experience in energy, entrepreneurship, and investment. Their journey began with Haven Energy, focused on helping homeowners add battery storage, and evolved into founding Electron X, an electricity derivatives exchange. These ventures inspired them to launch Montauk Climate—a unique platform combining company-building and investment to accelerate innovation in the electron economy.

How Montauk Climate Builds Impact
Montauk Climate isn’t just another investment firm. They roll up their sleeves, acting as hands-on co-founders, launching over 10 companies in just two years. They also provide capital and leverage a robust network of advisors and partners, creating a powerfully collaborative studio model for climate tech and clean energy founders.

Some standout companies in their portfolio include:

• Adaptive: An insurance platform helping small businesses and consumers mitigate climate-related risks—from power outages to floods and wildfires.

• Clear Current: A tech platform helping large energy users (think data centers) optimize their power utilization and costs using AI.

Why Their Model Matters
This hybrid “venture studio” approach is still rare in climate tech, but it’s accelerating progress in ways traditional investment and startup models haven’t. Montauk’s secret sauce? Pairing visionary business builders with subject matter expertise and giving founders access to capital, networks, and commercial connections.

Navigating Turbulence in the Electron Economy
As Evan Karan shared, energy markets are no strangers to volatility. Whether it’s regulatory changes, shifting subsidies, or technological disruption, Montauk Climate’s long-term, proactive mindset equips their companies to weather the storms and keep innovating.

Advice for Impact-Driven Founders
Both Phillip Krim and Evan Karan stress the importance of building with strong teams, understanding energy’s complex regulatory landscape, and focusing relentlessly on business fundamentals. Clean tech has its cycles, successes, and failures—and thriving here requires commitment, collaboration, and learning from the past.

What’s Next?
Looking ahead, Montauk Climate is on a mission to sit at the epicenter of the electron economy—building platforms that transform how energy is produced, stored, traded, and used. They’re betting big on collaboration, bold ideas, and helping founders scale with purpose.

Connect with Montauk Climate
Interested in learning more or collaborating? Reach out to Phillip Krim (phillip@montaukcap.com) or Evan Karan (evan@montaukcap.com), visit montaukcap.com, or follow their updates on LinkedIn and Substack.

We hope this episode inspires you to dream bigger—and connect deeper—in your impact business journey.

Want to explore strategy sessions or fractional business development support? Visit paulzelizer.com to get started.

Until next time, keep building for positive impact and putting your values to work!

The Awarepreneurs Team

🚀 THREAD: How Montauk Climate Is Building Companies of Consequence in the Electron Economy ⚡

1/ The climate sector is booming—but real innovation is rare. Meet Montauk Climate: a company-building studio AND investor, creating 14+ new ventures in the electron economy in just two years. 👀

2/ Phillip Krim, best known for co-founding Casper Sleep and scaling it to $500M+, and Evan Karan, a 20-year energy veteran, joined forces after meeting through their Texas networks via Haven Energy—realizing the untapped potential in energy innovation.

3/ Their approach is unique: Montauk acts both as deep-in-the-trenches co-founders (having launched 10+ companies so far) AND strategic investors, deploying capital and building teams at the earliest stages. Most of their energy is spent on company building.

4/ How did they fund this? Phillip Krim & Evan Karan tapped their decades-long reputations, convincing a handful of seasoned backers to support their mission to rewire the climate business landscape.

5/ Their portfolio is wild:

• Adaptive: Insurance for climate/weather risks, writing checks for power outages.

• Clear Current: Power management & AI for mega-load clients (think data centers of the future).

• Grid Free AI: Sustainable digital infra, headed by a former BP/Talon CEO.

• Mantis Space: Building energy solutions… in orbit. 🛰️

6/ Montauk’s playbook? Thematic deep dives, whitepapers, and relentless market research. They recruit top-tier leaders—sometimes pulling from advisor roles into CEO seats and building a network effect across all their ventures.

7/ Why is this important? The "electron economy" is in constant flux—volatility, regulatory impacts, technological disruption are the norm, not the exception. Montauk isn’t afraid: they’re building for 5, 10, even 15 years out, not just the next hype cycle.

8/ Impact isn’t one-size-fits-all. Phillip Krim: “We start with first-principles—how will this company move the needle on climate and the economy long-term? And we stay agile as the business evolves.” 📈🌎

9/ They’re not chasing every shiny object. Montauk commits ONLY to "big ideas” where their specific muscle and network can drive outsized outcomes. Fit matters—for founders AND ideas.

10/ Based in NM & beyond, they believe the next wave of job and industry growth will come from regions primed for energy transformation—think: solar, wind, fusion, AND legacy oil-gas regions rapidly modernizing.

11/ If you’re a founder, investor, or talent interested in the electron economy, Montauk is open for conversation. Their ambition? To be the CENTER of electron innovation—spanning flow (grids), storage, conversion (electrolyzers), and trading/information layers.

12/ Key takeaways for founders:

• Success = people. Teams win—especially in tough, regulated, commodity markets like energy.

• Historical cycles matter—know what’s failed in climate tech, and why.

• Build for scale and resilience—be more than a moment.

13/ The world of energy is changing faster than you think. Want to join the movement? Montauk is already impacting how the U.S. (and beyond) will power itself for the next century and beyond. 🌞⚡

—
Inspired by insights from Emily Kane Miller, Phillip Krim, and Evan Karan on the AwarePreneurs podcast.

Curious to learn more? Connect with the Montauk team via montaukcap.com, LinkedIn, or their newsletter. #CleanTech #ClimateTech #ElectronEconomy #Startups #Impact

👇 RT to inspire the next climate innovator!

Absolutely! Here are 10 discussion questions inspired by this Awarepreneurs episode with Phillip Krim, Evan Karan, and Emily Kane Miller:

1. Montauk Climate operates as both a company builder and an investor. What are the advantages and challenges of occupying this hybrid role in the electron economy?

2. Phillip Krim describes Montauk Climate’s origins from collaborations in earlier ventures. What do you think are the key ingredients for successful co-founder relationships in climate entrepreneurship?

3. Adaptive, one of Montauk’s companies, is focused on climate adaptation rather than just carbon mitigation. Why is adaptation such a critical piece in the climate tech puzzle?

4. The studio model is still rare in climate tech. What unique value does this approach offer clean tech founders, according to the episode, and when might it be a poor fit?

5. Evan Karan highlights the importance of deep research and thematic sprints before launching a new platform. How can founders apply this “white paper first” approach to their own startups?

6. The team at Montauk Climate emphasizes impact, but also acknowledges the need for flexible metrics in early-stage ventures. What do you think are the best ways to balance accountability for impact and the realities of startup pivots?

7. Phillip Krim and Evan Karan have impressive backgrounds in both large-scale business and energy markets. What lessons from their traditional business experiences do you think are most relevant—or NOT relevant—for climate tech founders?

8. How do regulatory complexities and commodity market dynamics shape the strategic decisions of climate tech ventures, based on what Evan Karan shared?

9. The idea of New Mexico as a hub for the electron economy came up in the episode. What local assets and challenges might affect this transformation and what opportunities does it present for the region?

10. Looking to the future, Montauk aims to sit at the “epicenter of the electron economy” with platforms in four market pillars. What trends or developments do you think will shape this vision over the next five years?

These should spark insightful conversation about the episode’s themes around innovation, collaboration, and the fast-evolving electron economy!

1. Montauk Climate’s “studio model” blends building and investing in companies for the electron economy. Phillip Krim and Evan Karan are proving new ways to grow impact and profit—collaboration across sectors accelerates innovation.

2. Can business move the needle on climate adaptation? Evan Karan says big ideas, strong teams, and data-driven products like Adaptive Insurance are crucial. Impact thrives when commercial success stays at the forefront.

3. The future of energy is local and global. Montauk Climate brings experts together, bridging new talent and industry vets. Phillip Krim highlights how fresh perspectives build out the climate ecosystem faster.

4. Phillip Krim: “Not every idea is a fit for the studio model.” Founders must love collaboration and aim for world-changing scale. Growth happens quickest when you connect with the right network.

5. Navigating the volatile electron economy isn’t linear. Evan Karan reminds us: Look beyond trends, build strong businesses, and play the long game. The energy transformation is just beginning—where will you fit in?

In this Awarepreneurs episode, Phillip Krim and Evan Karan discuss building impactful companies in the evolving electron economy through Montauk Climate’s innovative studio-investor hybrid model. Learn how they foster clean tech founders, create scalable climate solutions, and navigate market turbulence for lasting profit and positive environmental impact. Hosted by Emily Kane Miller.

Certainly! Here are two LinkedIn posts featuring Paul Zelizer as a thought leader, following the tone, style, and structure of your Bryce Kennedy examples, and rooted in content from the Awarepreneurs interview with Phillip Krim and Evan Karan:

1.

Is the electron economy the defining opportunity of our time?

How can social entrepreneurs accelerate both profit and impact in this turbulent, rapidly-evolving sector?

What if you could fast-track your startup’s growth by plugging into a network built for climate innovation?

I dove into these questions with Phillip Krim and Evan Karan of Montauk Climate on the latest episode of Awarepreneurs.

Phillip shared, “We always talk about, you never get to wave the flag and say, you know, mission accomplished. With company building, it’s always about how do you build it for bigger success, more success, broader success.”

Our conversation unpacked why building companies of consequence in the electron economy requires not just tech and capital, but a commitment to long-range impact and collaboration.

Key insight: The winners in this sector combine commercial savvy with practical mission alignment. As an entrepreneur, seek networks and partners who elevate your vision, introduce you to talent, and hold you accountable to meaningful impact.

Where do you see the most promise in the electron economy? Join the conversation and check out the full episode for a deeper dive into scaling climate solutions.

2.

Did you know that the pathway to scaling climate tech may look very different from traditional startup playbooks?

What makes a founder “fit” for a venture studio model—and when could this be your secret weapon?

I recently sat down with the team from Montauk Climate for Awarepreneurs, where we explored this exact dilemma.

Here’s a golden nugget from Phillip Krim: “We’re in a community where if you’re not wanting to collaborate with us, collaborate with our partners, with the network, then you’re not going to get the value out of the ecosystem. … There’s a lot of mouths to feed…so it really only makes sense to work on an idea if there’s a high potential for a very big outcome.”

We discussed why clean tech founders sometimes struggle: not because of lack of vision, but because climate innovation needs deep networks, capital, and a unique collaborative mindset.

Key takeaway: Honest self-assessment is critical. If you thrive on partnership, cross-disciplinary exchange, and tackling big challenges, the venture studio route could supercharge your impact.

Are you considering a studio partnership for your climate venture? Share your perspective below and listen to the full conversation for actionable strategies on navigating the new energy landscape.

1. Hybrid Venture Studio Model Fuels Climate Innovation

Montauk Climate’s unique hybrid model—serving both as company builders and investors—accelerates the development of impactful startups in the electron economy. Their hands-on, collaborative approach and focus on “building companies of consequence” differentiates them from traditional investment firms, especially in a nascent field like climate tech.

“To date, we've been more heavily leaning on the company building side of life... We've launched about 10 companies from our studio and that's where we act as co-founders. ... And increasingly we're spending more and more time on the investing side. But I would say that's been the minority of the time spent to date.” (Phillip Krim)

2. Selecting and Supporting High-Impact Founders

Montauk is intentional about aligning with founders who seek to scale big ideas and thrive within a collaborative, resource-rich ecosystem. Their process filters for ventures where their expertise can be truly additive, and they provide value not just through capital, but through deep advisory connections, commercial networks, and operational support.

“It really has to be a big idea for it to be a fit here. ... You're going to have founders who have equity, you're going to have Montauk Climate that has equity, and you're going to have various partners, various investors. ... The other is ultimately, we're picking a CEO to partner with, and ... if you're not wanting to collaborate with us, collaborate with our partners, with the network, then you're not going to get the value out of the ecosystem that we've been building.” (Phillip Krim)

3. Opportunity within Turbulence of the Electron Economy

Despite the volatility and complexity inherent in the energy and climate sectors, Montauk Climate views change as opportunity rather than obstacle. Their long-term vision, strategic agility, and insistence on strong business fundamentals position their ventures to thrive even as market conditions and regulatory landscapes shift.

“Where other people see hurdles and, or roadblocks, we see opportunity. ... The way that we operate is we're not looking at a six month horizon. We're looking at the next five, 10, 15 years of what the world's going to look like. ... It’s our job to identify and look around corners.” (Evan Karan)

What if building breakthrough climate solutions didn’t mean starting from scratch—but tapping into a powerhouse community of seasoned innovators and investors who know how to scale impact from day one?

These are just a few of the provocative questions we explored with Phillip Krim and Evan Karan of Montauk Climate on the latest Awarepreneurs podcast episode, hosted by our very own Paul Zelizer.