Fika with Cambridge Cleantech COO Sylvie Russell: "Europe needs a climate tech supercluster"

You’re organising Clean Tech Venture Day in London on 25th June. What are you doing to stand out from the many other impact events in Europe?

"This year our event is taking place within London Climate Action Week, so we hope that will give us more visibility, and encourage people from around Europe to come to the UK, to attend multiple events. We’re also making an extra effort to represent and attract female and diverse founders."

You held a similar event in Amsterdam in May, and you’re hosting one in Paris later in the year. Why hold three events in Europe?

"The UK and the EU are stronger working together. We need to scale the climate tech sector and create a climate tech supercluster to compete with other parts of the world."

What skills does your team need to organise events in different markets?

"Even within Europe there is a need for cultural awareness. For instance, in some EU countries it is common for VCs and business leaders to request a beer or a glass of wine at lunchtime. Even though in the UK people like to have a beer, that happens after working hours! Our team is very international, which helps us to create inclusive events."

What trends in clean tech are catching your eye right now?

"Everyone is talking about AI, but what I really want to see is more deep tech coming out of Cambridge and the UK. We are currently running a deep tech accelerator with Cambridge Consultants (the deep tech innovation arm of management consulting and IT firm Capgemini)."

What was your route into the clean tech sector?

"That’s a funny story. I started working for a charity in Cambridge after I came back from parental leave, and it was in the same building as Cambridge Cleantech. Someone suggested that I should go for a coffee with one of the team there, as they were looking for help with operations. It immediately felt like a good match, to be able to use my skills in operations and help startups to grow."

Wow, that’s a great example of how a simple coffee – or a ‘fika’ as we call it in Sweden – can lead to new opportunities!

"Yes it all started from just conversation and a coffee. I didn’t send them a CV beforehand or anything. Now the company has grown and the founder has retired, and the colleague I met has become the CEO and I am the COO."

What’s a recent small win you’ve had at work?

"I got the train from London to Cambridge just for one evening for a networking event. Even though I was only there for a few hours, I met some interesting connections for our Paris event. It was worth going the extra-mile to meet new people."

When did you last mess up?

"I gave the wrong date to someone for a pitch training session. That was embarrassing, but I said sorry. I think we all make mistakes, but it's the way we deal with them to repair them that is most important."

If you had a magic wand to change one thing in the European tech scene, what would it be?

"We need more public-private investment projects, to build bridges between these different sectors, and between countries."

Which one climate-positive habit do you think more individuals should adopt?

"Choosing public transport or cycling is an easy first step. But I also think that when it comes to taking personal responsibility, some people working in the climate tech sector can be too hard on themselves. Young people especially are very anxious. If you forget your water bottle and have to buy some water if it’s too hot, don’t feel too guilty, because the anxiety will kill you."

What does a typical Friday look like for you?

"I get the kids ready for school, and then I am lucky that my journey to work is just a 15-minute cycle. I work hard, but what I like about Fridays is that you can look forward to the weekend, and spending time with friends and family. As you know, I like to go for coffee, and usually on Saturdays I go for a coffee in town with a friend. I also go swimming in the afternoon. That’s a little ritual I have."

So by now we know you like coffee, is that your favourite ‘fika’?

"Yes. At the weekend I will usually have a latte, but then being French, I can't resist a croissant or a pain au chocolate on the side as well!"