In this podcast episode of Investment Climate Podcast, Matt Wampler, co-founder and CEO of ClearCOGS, discusses the challenges and successes of raising capital in the food tech industry. ClearCOGS aims to help restaurants reduce food waste and improve profitability through a predictive analytics platform. Despite facing objections from investors who were hesitant to invest in the restaurant industry, ClearCOGS recently raised $3.8M led by Closed Loop Partners, showcasing their ability to secure strategic sustainability-focused backers.

Key takeaways from the podcast include the importance of building for customers rather than investors, seeking strategic investors to fill blind spots, and focusing on resonating deeply with the right investor rather than trying to please everyone. Matt emphasizes the need for founders to focus on building undeniable value and having honest conversations with potential investors, rather than relying solely on pitch decks. The podcast series, hosted by Alex Shandrovsky, aims to uncover the investment strategies of successful Climate Tech CEOs and leading VCs for funding Alt Proteins in 2025.