340 | Building a Community of Climate Entrepreneurs in New Mexico with Ward Hendon

Ward Hendon is an investor, teacher and entrepreneur. His career has included a legal practice, starting and exiting a legal tech company, teaching MBA, legal, and incarcerated individuals, and impact investing. He is currently a General partner in Dangerous Ventures, a VC firm that backs companies building a more sustainable and resilient feature. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session if you can use support growing your impact business.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Climate Entrepreneurs in New Mexico: Interview Transcript with Ward Hendon

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You can read the full transcript of this episode here



Key Topics on Building a Community of Climate Entrepreneurs in New Mexico with Ward Hendon


1. Quality of Life in New Mexico

  • Day-to-day stress of living in cities.

  • Increased quality of life in New Mexico.

2. State Investment COucil

  • New Mexico’s first sovereign wealth fund.

  • Focus on investing federal and state dollars in energy transition, electrification, EVs, and solar power.

  • Emphasis on "just transition" to a renewable economy.

3. Inclusivity and Fairness

  • Importance of not leaving behind underserved communities.

  • Making capitalism more accessible and fair.

  • Encouraging kindness and paying it forward.

4. Contact Information

  • Ward Hendon reachable through Dangerous Ventures site and LinkedIn for more information about his work with Dangerous Vendors and State Investment. Council.

5. Podcast Promotion and Audience Engagement

  • Paul Zelizer’s gratitude for Ward's work.

  • Invite listeners to share and promote the Awarepreneurs podcast.

  • Encouragement for climate entrepreneurship in New Mexico.

6. Scientific and Educational Resources

  • High proportion of PhDs in New Mexico.

  • Contributions of Sandia Labs and Los Alamos Labs.

  • Sandia Labs’ LEEP program for tech startups.

  • Academic partnerships and involvement with institutions like Stanford, UCLA, and UNM Anderson.

7. Dangerous Ventures and Grassroots Approach

  • Overview of Dangerous Ventures’ 8-month-old grassroots, collaborative approach.

  • Focus on connecting with ecosystem leaders.

  • Emphasis on building a community of givers.

8. Renewable Energy Transition in New Mexico

  • Historical impact of the oil and gas industry.

  • Need to build new institutions for sustainability.

  • Tax credits attracting the entertainment industry.

  • Challenges of finding venture-ready entrepreneurs.

  • Development of infrastructure and training programs.

9. Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Climate Tech

  • Recruitment of companies and building relationships with entrepreneurs.

  • Partnerships with state stakeholders and academic institutions.

  • Aim to be a leader in the climate tech ecosystem.

  • Raising funds for series A and B investing.

  • Attraction of other capital allocators.

10. Resources for Climate Entrepreneurs

  • Encouragement for homegrown climate entrepreneurs.

  • Importance of forming relationships and attending local events.

  • Specific climate-related resources and meetups (e.g., Batteries and Beer, New Mexico Startup Forum)., New Mexico Angels, UNM Anderson Business School and more.

11. New Mexico as a Startup Destination

  • New Mexico's quality of life, natural resources, and cultural diversity as compelling reasons.

  • Need for a business case for startups considering relocation.

12. Structure and Funding of Dangerous Ventures

  • Structure mimicking a typical venture capital firm.

  • Specific focus on climate change solutions.

  • Diverse energy resources and intellectual property in New Mexico.

  • Initial funding from the State Investment Council.

  • Partnership with the New Mexico Finance Authority.

13. Investment in Climate-Focused Ventures

  • $100,000,000 State of NM investment in climate-focused ventures and underrepresented founders.

  • Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in New Mexico's economy.

  • Commitment to impactful change.

14. Personal Background of Ward Hendon

  • Diverse career including legal practice, teaching, and impact investing.

  • Personal passion for climate preservation.

  • Influence from upbringing in the Great Smoky Mountains.

  • Move to New Mexico around 2020.

15. Sustainable Initiatives in New Mexico

  • Growing interest in New Mexico within the climate ecosystem.

  • Specific mention of sustainable agriculture initiatives.

Paul Zelizer