Political Capital

About Political Capital

Political Capital is the official podcast of Commonweal Ventures. It explores the intersection of policy, technology and finance.

Publisher

Nate Loewentheil

Category

business · government

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 May 2024

Latest episode

6 Dec 2024

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Dec 2024

   Trump's Innovation Agenda | Grace Koh

   Former White House technology adviser Grace Koh joins Nate Loewentheil to dissect the Trump administration's innovation agenda and the EU's approach to Big Tech, revealing why government support is crucial for start-ups in high-stakes markets.

2. 

   2 Dec 2024

   Beyond the GPU: NVIDIA's Evolving Role in Global Entrepreneurship

   Nvidia's Chris Brown and Commonweal Ventures' Nate Loewentheil explore how the company's Inception Program is accelerating AI innovation and navigating policy impediments for broader adoption.

3. 

   1 Nov 2024

   Trump & Cleantech: What Would a Trump Win Mean for Energy & Climate Investing?

   Could a second Trump victory reorient incentives in energy markets? In this episode of Political Capital, Commonweal Managing Partner Nate Loewentheil (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-loewentheil-24407b6/) sits down with Mike Catanzaro (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-catanzaro-2a711214/), who served as Special Assistant to President Trump for Domestic Energy and Environmental Policy. Drawing from his experience across various federal agencies, Catanzaro offers a nuanced perspective on the potential realignment of energy priorities should Trump regain office. Mike is currently the President and Chief Policy Officer at CGCN Group, and also serves as an advisor to Commonweal Ventures. They discuss how Trump’s administration may pivot toward increased oil and gas production, revisit Biden’s EV policies, and prioritize advancements in nuclear energy technology. ABOUT US: Commonweal Ventures (https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonweal-ventures/) backs founders building technology companies that matter for America in categories like climate, health, defense, and finance. Government support is a critical unlock for start-ups in these markets. Our team brings together venture investors with former policymakers who understand how to mobilize public commitments and build category-winning companies. At the helm of the fund are Nate Loewentheil, a long-time venture investor and ex-Obama White House technology advisor, and Ron Bloom, a Wall Street executive who has held senior positions at Brookfield, Lazard, the U.S. Treasury, and the White House. Follow us on LinkedIn: 1. Mike Catanzaro (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-catanzaro-2a711214/)- https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-catanzaro-2a711214/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-catanzaro-2a711214/) 2. Nate Loewentheil (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-loewentheil-24407b6/)- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-loewentheil-24407b6/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-loewentheil-24407b6/) 3. Commonweal Ventures (https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonweal-ventures/)- https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonweal-ventures/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonweal-ventures/)

4. 

   19 Sept 2024

   Political Capital #10: Industrial Policy & The Future of U.S. Manufacturing | Joelle Gamble

   In this episode of Political Capital, Joelle Gamble (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joellegamble/), former Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, joins Nate Loewentheil (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-loewentheil-24407b6/), Managing Partner of Commonweal Ventures, to discuss how new policy changes are reshaping American businesses. Joelle explains how the administration is revitalizing the U.S. industrial base through domestic production and strong alliances, aiming to create a more stable and resilient industrial foundation. Their conversation also explores how AI—specifically generative design and digital twinning are transforming manufacturing. Joelle highlights the Biden administration's commitment to ensuring that jobs, regardless of degree requirements, provide growth, security, and a positive impact on communities. ABOUT US: Commonweal Ventures backs founders building technology companies that matter for America in categories like climate, health, defense, and finance. Government support is a critical unlock for start-ups in these markets. Our team brings together venture investors with former policymakers who understand how to mobilize public commitments and build category-winning companies. At the helm of the fund are Nate Loewentheil, a long-time venture investor and ex-Obama White House technology advisor, and Ron Bloom, a Wall Street executive who has held senior positions at Brookfield, Lazard, the U.S. Treasury, and the White House. Follow us on LinkedIn: 1. Joelle Gamble- https://www.linkedin.com/in/joellegamble/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joellegamble/) 2. Nate Loewentheil- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-loewentheil-24407b6/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-loewentheil-24407b6/) 3. Commonweal Ventures- https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonweal-ventures/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonweal-ventures/)

5. 

   22 Aug 2024

   Political Capital: The Tech of State | Micah Lasher, Jonathan Dach, Dennis Zeveloff

   How do state governments really think about tech? And what do they expect from the private sector? In this episode of Political Capital, New York Policy Director Micah Lasher, Connecticut Chief of Staff Jonathan Dach, and New Jersey Chief Policy Advisor Dennis Zeveloff join Commonweal’s Managing Partner, Nate Loewentheil. They dive into the tech needs and priorities driving state governments today. From billion-dollar budgets to choosing the right tech vendors, these insiders reveal how they’re using technology to tackle complex challenges and boost local innovation. Tune in to learn what it takes to forge government partnerships and align with the strategies that matter most to state leaders. ABOUT US: Commonweal Ventures backs founders building technology companies that matter for America in categories like climate, health, defense, and finance. Government support is a critical unlock for start-ups in these markets. Our team brings together venture investors with former policymakers who understand how to mobilize public commitments and build category-winning companies. At the helm of the fund are Nate Loewentheil, a long-time venture investor and ex-Obama White House technology advisor, and Ron Bloom, a Wall Street executive who has held senior positions at Brookfield, Lazard, the U.S. Treasury, and the White House. Follow us on LinkedIn: 1. Micah Lasher - https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-lasher/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/micah-lasher/) 2. Jonathan Dach - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-dach-b5819999/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-dach-b5819999/) 3. Dennis Zeveloff - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-zeveloff-a852bb4a/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-zeveloff-a852bb4a/) 4. Nate Loewentheil - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-loewentheil-24407b6/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-loewentheil-24407b6/) 5. Commonweal Ventures - https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonweal-ventures/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonweal-ventures/)

6. 

   21 Aug 2024

   Political Capital: Rewiring America and the Future of the Electric Grid | Alex Laskey

   Is current legislation up to the task of electrifying the US economy? In this episode of Political Capital, Nate Loewentheil sits down with Alex Laskey, Harvard-educated Founder and Executive Chair of Rewiring America. Laskey, who previously served as the President of Opower (acquired by Oracle for $532M), shares deep insights into the future of climate tech investing. They discuss electric vehicles, heat pumps, grid flexibility, and the Inflation Reduction Act's role in driving clean energy investments. The conversation dives into AI and machine learning for optimizing energy systems, behavioral science in consumer adoption, and the critical need for public-private collaboration. Laskey’s passion for a fully electrified and decarbonized economy provides a roadmap for sustainable investment. ABOUT US: Commonweal Ventures backs founders building technology companies that matter for America in categories like climate, health, defense, and finance. Government support is a critical unlock for start-ups in these markets. Our team brings together venture investors with former policymakers who understand how to mobilize public commitments and build category-winning companies. At the helm of the fund are Nate Loewentheil, a long-time venture investor and ex-Obama White House technology advisor, and Ron Bloom, a Wall Street executive who has held senior positions at Brookfield, Lazard, the U.S. Treasury, and the White House. Follow us on LinkedIn: 1. Alex Laskey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexlaskey/ 2. Nate Loewentheil - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-loewentheil-24407b6/ 3. Commonweal Ventures - https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonweal-ventures/

7. 

   10 Jul 2024

   Political Capital #8: Altana as the Bloomberg Terminal for Global Supply Chains | Evan Smith

   Last year, 3,000 new trade restrictions were imposed around the world. It’s no secret that competition between China, the U.S. and E.U, climate change, and external shocks from piracy to pandemics are forcing businesses to manage their supply chains closely. Regulations like the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and the EU Corporate Social Responsibility Directive force corporations to develop new levels of visibility into their supply chains to maintain compliance. In this conversation with Evan Smith, CEO of Altana Technologies, we discuss the shift towards “Globalization 2.0” and how Altana is building the “Bloomberg Terminal” for supply chains and enabling public and private cooperation. ABOUT US: Commonweal Ventures backs founders building technology companies that matter for America in categories like climate, health, defense, and finance. Government support is a critical unlock for start-ups in these markets. Our team brings together venture investors with former policymakers who understand how to mobilize public commitments and build category-winning companies. At the helm of the fund are Nate Loewentheil, a long-time venture investor and ex-Obama White House technology advisor, and Ron Bloom, a Wall Street executive who has held senior positions at Brookfield, Lazard, the U.S. Treasury, and the White House.

8. 

   21 Jun 2024

   Political Capital #7: Climate Investing Reimagined

   In Episode 7 of Political Capital, I'm joined by guests Carol Browner (Commonweal Ventures), Brandon Middaugh (Microsoft), and Meredith Berger (US Navy). We delve into how the Inflation Reduction Act has shifted the politics around climate, what investment looks like on the ground and what remains to be done, Microsoft's initiatives to reduce emissions, the Navy’s approach to climate resilience, the recent Greenhouse Gas Reduction fund awards, and more. ABOUT US: Commonweal Ventures backs founders building technology companies that matter for America in categories like climate, health, defense, and finance. Government support is a critical unlock for start-ups in these markets. Our team brings together venture investors with former policymakers who understand how to mobilize public commitments and build category-winning companies. At the helm of the fund are Nate Loewentheil, a long-time venture investor and ex-Obama White House technology advisor, and Ron Bloom, a Wall Street executive who has held senior positions at Brookfield, Lazard, the U.S. Treasury, and the White House.

9. 

   1 May 2024

   Political Capital: Astranis's Satellite Solutions for the US Government | John Gedmark

   Getting 4 billion people online is a Herculean task, to say the least, right? Not if you’re John Gedmark. As the Co-Founder & CEO of Astranis, he’s done it all. From A16z backing his vision since 2018 to now leveraging satellites to serve the US Government’s communication needs, Gedmark's journey is remarkable. Astranis is set to roll out its next-generation broadband satellites, starting in 2026. These new satellites will be 50% larger and deliver five times more throughput. Despite their increased capacity, they remain far smaller than typical geostationary spacecrafts, making them a cost-effective solution. In this conversation, John talks about his ‘Eureka’ moment when he first wanted to go to space (or at least shoot things into it), Astranis’ goal to provide internet to remote parts of the world, regulation, fundraising, and more. ABOUT US: Commonweal Ventures backs founders building technology companies that matter for America in categories like climate, health, defense, and finance. Government support is a critical unlock for start-ups in these markets. Our team brings together venture investors with former policymakers who understand how to mobilize public commitments and build category-winning companies. At the helm of the fund are Nate Loewentheil, a long-time venture investor and ex-Obama White House technology advisor, and Ron Bloom, a Wall Street executive who has held senior positions at Brookfield, Lazard, the U.S. Treasury, and the White House. Follow us on LinkedIn: 1. John Gedmark- https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngedmark (https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngedmark) 2. Nate Loewentheil- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-loewentheil-24407b6/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-loewentheil-24407b6/) 3. Commonweal Ventures- https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonweal-ventures/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonweal-ventures/)

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