1. EachPod

Ep 32: David Buzby, Private Impact Investor

Author
MCJ
Published
Thu 29 Aug 2019
Episode Link
https://www.mcj.vc/media/podcast

Today’s guest is David Buzby.


David has been starting, building and investing in “impact” businesses for the last 27 years with an emphasis on renewable energy generation, energy storage/grid services, wastewater treatment and e-commerce.


He currently sits on the Board of Cambrian Innovation, Leading Edge Crystal Technologies, Paragon Power and Stem, as well as being a member of the Investment Committee at the PRIME Coalition. 


He has in the past been a founding investor and director of SunRun (NASD:RUN), SunEdison (NYSE: SUNE), Valueclick (NASD:VCLK), Brilliant Light Power, Bright Plain Renewable Energy, Prevalent Power, Resource Holdings and Best Internet.


David has an MBA from the Harvard Business School and a BA from Middlebury College.


In this episode we discuss:



  • The two moments in David’s life that led him to focus on impact based businesses

  • How David got his start in the impact business world

  • Some of the companies that David has started, invested in, and advised

  • The criteria David uses for his investments and the dual focus on impact and profits

  • Some of the issues with funding impact businesses with traditional venture capital, and thoughts on how to solve

  • A teaser of what David is thinking about doing next

  • David’s thoughts on science risk, time horizons, upside, price on carbon, nuclear, and more


Links to topics discussed in this episode:



  • David Buzby LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-buzby-8840a217/ 

  • Johns Manville: https://www.jm.com/ 

  • SunEdison: http://www.sunedison.com/ 

  • Jigar Shah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jigarshahdc/ 

  • SunRun: https://www.sunrun.com/ 

  • Stem: https://www.stem.com/about-us/executive-team/ 


You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at [email protected], where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.


Enjoy the show!


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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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