Podcast Summary: The Investor With Joel Palathinkal

Episode: Justin Brodie-Kommit, General Partner at Lichen Ventures
Date: January 1, 2026
Host: Dr. Joel Palathinkal
Guest: Dr. Justin Brodie-Kommit

Overview

This episode features Dr. Justin Brodie-Kommit, General Partner at Lichen Ventures, whose investing journey bridges rigorous scientific training with deep commitment to climate innovation. Joel and Justin explore the path from academia to venture capital, dissect the intricacies of building climate tech investment theses, and emphasize the art and impact of cultivating strong communities in the climate ecosystem.

Justin’s Journey: Academia, Nature, and Pivoting to Climate Tech

• Upbringing and Influence ([03:31]–[08:49])

  • Raised near Boston with a counselor mother and a father who is a computer scientist and AI researcher.
  • Deep early connection to nature, leading backpacking trips and outdoor adventures for youth.
  • Early love for biology and fascination with answering new questions through science.

• Academic Trajectory

  • Undergrad at Bucknell University, research in cyanobacteria adaptation to light.
  • PhD at Johns Hopkins in molecular and cell biology of eye development, harnessing CRISPR and sequencing technologies ([05:05]).
  • Emphasis on innovation, teamwork, and deploying new techniques to solve unique problems.

• Transition to Industry and Climate Impact

  • Worked at Genentech on innovative therapeutics, inspired by synthetic biology breakthroughs ([07:00]).
  • Experienced a soul-searching moment, realizing true calling was to tackle climate change at a global scale.
  • Quote: “My soul’s purpose is to have a global scale impact on our climate crisis.” ([08:50])

From Angel Investing to Building a Venture Fund

• First Steps as an Angel Investor ([10:00])

  • Built a portfolio of 86 angel investments in climate tech.
  • Leveraged scientific skills for deep tech diligence, supporting founders at the earliest stages.
  • Achieved significant returns (e.g., 12x in direct lithium extraction).

• Operator Experience & Growing Empathy

  • Co-founded Green Spear, a battery materials company converting CO₂ into battery-grade graphite.
  • Gained insight into the founder journey—“helped me build some empathy too for the founder journey and the hustle that's involved.” ([11:40])

• Community Builder and Ecosystem Leadership

  • Founded Baltimore Climate Tech meetups, growing from a dozen people to 600+ ([12:00]).
  • Helped launch the first DC Climate Week, with 4,700 participants and 152 events, aiming to double in the coming year.

• Launching Lichen Ventures

  • Motivated by anticipated fatherhood and the urgency of the climate crisis.
  • Mission: Backing climate hard tech ventures with competitive unit economics that make clean solutions the economic choice ([13:05]).

Reflections on the PhD Journey

• Benefits and Challenges ([13:05]–[15:43])
  • Importance of choosing the right mentor/lab.
  • Learning to communicate complex ideas and developing rigorous critical thinking.
  • Unexpected challenges: “It always takes longer than you think it will... it wrecked me emotionally... but I feel better because of it.” ([14:09])
  • Parallels to founding companies: need for novelty, resilience, and project management.

Notable Quote:
“Who is on your committee makes a big deal because you want people cheering you on...” – Joel ([15:43])

Advice on Community Building

• Starting a Community ([20:26])

  • “Just do it, just try it and understand who you want to bring together.” – Justin
  • Started Baltimore meetups “out of a spirit of generosity,” grew rapidly through authenticity and peer support.
  • Emphasizes catalyzing collaboration among founders, investors, and operators.

• Role of Community in Venture Success

  • “Half of being a fund manager and a founder is being a content creator, a community builder, a media platform.” – Joel ([22:36])
  • Community and reputation are foundational for trust and success in raising capital and supporting entrepreneurs.

Building Lichen Ventures: Investment Strategy & Thesis

• Motivation and Sector Focus ([25:30])

  • “How can I have the largest impact and support companies changing the world?”
  • Focused on climate hard tech: industrial heat, biomanufacturing, critical minerals, adaptation/resilience technologies.
  • Market opportunities in overlooked verticals with strong unit economics.

• Screening & Diligence Process ([37:41])

  • Leverages expert networks for sourcing and due diligence (academics, founders, investors, lawyers).
  • Prioritizes seed stage, proven unit economics, founder references, and early revenue.
  • “The companies doing the best are those whose unit economics pencil out early.”

Climate Tech Landscape: Opportunities & Notable Companies

• Key Verticals in Climate Tech ([30:04])

  • Grid optimization, renewables (solar/wind), heavy industry (steel/cement/aluminum), plastics, biomanufacturing, critical minerals.
  • Emphasis on “climate tech 3.0”: companies winning on economics, not just environmental impact.

• Highlighted Innovations & Examples

  • Phoenix Tailings: Rare earth metal refining in the US with minimal emissions.
  • Biomanufacturing: Companies making sustainable aviation fuel from agricultural waste at competitive prices.
  • Collectra: Thermal batteries providing industrial heat cheaper than natural gas; Rondo and Antora Energy also innovating here.
  • Via Separations: Water-removal tech for manufacturing that’s cheaper and less polluting.

Quote:
“60% of all physical inputs to our economy can be made through engineered biology.” – Justin ([30:45])

Building Teams: Skills for Climate Investors

• Ideal Associate/Principal Profile ([41:47])
  • Deep technical background (ideally PhD, particularly in fields like biology, engineering).
  • Some proven track record in finance or venture.
  • “A lot of the smaller funds might not have those teams… but those who can de-risk hard tech have an advantage.”

The Role of AI in Climate Innovation

• Where AI Will Have the Most Impact
  • Optimizing power grids and distributed resources.
  • “But I think its biggest potential is in novel material optimization and training models based on research results...” ([43:47])
  • Accelerating biomanufacturing R&D and materials discovery by evaluating massive datasets and iterating on new compounds.

Final Advice & Memorable Quotes

• On Friendships and Professional Networks ([45:34])

  • “Everybody needs more friends in climate.” — Quoting mentor JP Mascarella.
  • “The power of meeting amazing people and putting yourself out there…”

• On Action and Uncertainty ([46:17])

  • “You don't always need the map to get going... just launch, right? And get some feedback, your customers will tell you what to do.”

• Self-Awareness & Integrating Feedback

  • Take inputs from mentors/experts, do the deep work of synthesizing multiple viewpoints, and trust your own conviction.

Key Timestamps for Major Topics

• Justin’s background & scientific journey: [03:31]–[08:49]
• Pivot to climate impact: [08:50]–[13:05]
• PhD reflections: [13:05]–[15:43]
• Community building: [20:26]–[25:11]
• Building an investment fund: [25:30]–[29:31]
• Climate tech verticals and investments: [30:04]–[35:24]
• Deal sourcing and diligence: [37:41]–[41:33]
• Team building: [41:47]
• AI and climate innovation: [43:47]
• Closing advice: [45:34]–[47:41]

Memorable Quotes & Attribution

• “My soul’s purpose is to have a global scale impact on our climate crisis.” – Justin ([08:50])
• “Everybody needs more friends in climate.” – Justin quoting JP Mascarella ([45:34])
• “Half of being a fund manager and a founder is being a content creator, a community builder, a media platform.” – Joel ([22:36])
• “You don't always need the map to get going... just start.” – Joel ([46:17])
• “The companies that are able to attack the market even in the early phases have been able to grow really fast.” – Justin ([39:25])
• “The most important and hardest part is choosing your mentor.” – Justin ([14:09])

Conclusion

Dr. Justin Brodie-Kommit’s journey illustrates the powerful synthesis of science, entrepreneurship, and investing in tackling climate change. Community, authentic connection, and rigorous diligence in supporting breakthrough technologies provide not just market returns, but enduring impact toward a sustainable future.

Next Steps:

• DC Climate Week: April 20–26, 2026 – Justin invites all listeners to join.
• Connect with Lichen Ventures and Baltimore’s climate tech community for further engagement.