Influence and Incentives: The Hidden Drivers of Human Systems

We like to believe our decisions are our own—that we act out of free will, guided by our internal values. But, whether we realize it or not, much of our behavior is quietly shaped by the systems we live in. These systems, designed with a mix of intention and inertia, use influence and incentives to nudge us toward certain choices.

From how we tip at restaurants to how we see sales tax, the structures around us constantly push and pull

...
Continue Reading

A Personal Manifesto for Pragmatic Impact

As an investor, I’ve always believed the work goes beyond AUM, carry, or even financial returns. Those are metrics—important, yes—but they don’t capture the full story of what investment can achieve.

My approach is rooted in a deep pragmatism: profits will come when investments solve real problems.

What drives me is understanding the broader value an investment creates—the co-benefits that ripple through society, strengthening the systems we rely on. These aren’t just abstract ideas; they’re tangible impacts that

...
Continue Reading

Carbon Stock Exchange

The urgency of climate action demands innovation not only in technology but also in financial structures. While voluntary carbon markets hold promise, they lack the sophistication to truly incentivize impactful carbon removal projects. Enter the Carbon Stock Exchange—a structured, market-driven platform where carbon credits evolve into a new asset class with real, differentiated value. Dr. Delton Chan’s vision of a carbon currency lays the groundwork, but we take it a step further, proposing a market where carbon credits gain quality-based

...
Continue Reading

Becoming a Climate Father: Taking Up the Mantle of Climate Parent

As climate operators and investors, we spend our days navigating the complexities of this massive global challenge, from evaluating carbon removal technologies to debating the merits of direct air capture. We are deeply immersed in the technical, financial, and political aspects of climate action. But what if there’s another, perhaps more personal, role we should embrace?

Let’s consider an ancient tradition — the Godparent. Historically, the godfather or godmother has been a spiritual guide for children, someone the family trusts

...
Continue Reading

Anti-Carbon Carbon Club

In the evolving landscape of corporate carbon practices, there’s a pressing need to shift our approach from mere compliance to engaging consumers in a meaningful dialogue about carbon. As geopolitical dynamics change, with right-wing and climate-hostile politicians increasingly targeting environmental initiatives, the focus on compliance is at greater risk than ever.

The rise of ESG backlash could undermine the entire carbon removal and offset industry. To safeguard and advance our climate goals, it’s imperative to transition to a model

...
Continue Reading

Reclaiming Craftsmanship: When “Better” Means More Than Cheap

For the past 50 years, the relentless pursuit of affordability has defined our collective notion of “better.” Cheaper prices became the paramount metric, overshadowing critical variables like quality, style, sustainability, and even health impacts. This myopic view has had stark repercussions, leading to a race to the bottom fueled by mass production, standardization, and planned obsolescence.

But now, a renaissance is stirring – one that recalibrates our understanding of “better” through a more holistic lens. We’re beginning to recognize that

...
Continue Reading

The Rise of Robot Savants

When we imagine the robotic future, our minds often conjure visions of generalized androids – the metallic jack-of-all-trades adept at any task we throw their way. However, this generalist perception belies the true revolution brewing in the world of robotics and automation. The real disruptive force may not lie in general-purpose robots, but rather in the rise of highly specialized robot “savants” armed with deep, nuanced skills that transcend human mastery.

The allure of General Purpose Robots (GPRs) is undeniable

...
Continue Reading

Today is Tomorrow: Autonomous Agents

In the last 18 months, the landscape of artificial intelligence and robotics has undergone a seismic shift, altering our collective perception of the potential and applicability of these technologies in our daily lives.

At the heart of this transformation was a pivotal moment: the launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI on November 30, 2022. This event propelled Large Language Models (LLMs) from the domain of tech aficionados to the forefront of mainstream consciousness, revealing a future where AI could blend seamlessly

...
Continue Reading

Embracing “Logical Imagination”: Charting a New Path in Innovative Thinking

My journey in climate tech investment has always revolved around pushing boundaries while remaining anchored in reality. To do anything less would be to undermine the urgency with which we need to act.

I’ve recently been delving into a novel approach that blends foresight processes with systems thinking in a concurrent manner, which I’ve termed “Logical Imagination“.

As I define it, Logical Imagination is the cognitive process of creatively visualizing future possibilities and innovations, firmly rooted in logical reasoning and

...
Continue Reading

Remote Learning’s Hidden Curriculum

My involvement in EdTech through the work being done at Qureos has had me thinking of how we could localize for a more specific US-market problem. Product Market Fit in Dubai might be able to translate into PMF in a different region but just trying to adapt for the same PMF, we might miss opportunities for other grander problems that could potentially be solved with the same solution.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about

...
Continue Reading

Site Footer