July 18, 2025

The Future of Climate Tech: Carbon Capture, Carbon-Negative Homes & Sustainability | Josh Dorfman

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin speaks with Josh Dorfman, climate tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Plantd, a company pioneering carbon-negative building materials made from fast-growing perennial grass. Josh shares the fascinating story of how a chance conversation with a former SpaceX engineer during the pandemic led to the birth of Plantd and its bold mission to revolutionize the construction industry.

You’ll hear how Josh and his team are building a vertically integrated company, growing their own raw materials, designing proprietary manufacturing equipment, and working directly with farmers and major builders like D.R. Horton. The episode explores the challenges and breakthroughs of developing new materials, scaling sustainable manufacturing, and replacing wood with faster, carbon-sequestering alternatives.

The conversation then expands to Josh’s broader perspective on climate innovation, drawn from his work as the host of Supercool, a podcast spotlighting solutions that reduce emissions and improve quality of life. Topics include AI-powered school transportation systems, home energy optimization and virtual power plants, circular trade models, and even the rise of electric Formula E racing.

Josh also shares why the key to scaling climate tech is focusing not just on carbon, but on solving real business and consumer problems — and how the future of sustainability will be shaped by entrepreneurs who sell outcomes, not ideals.

If you’re curious about carbon capture, climate-positive construction, or the startups redefining what’s possible, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and real-world solutions.

Show Notes

Josh Dorfman is a climate tech entrepreneur and sustainability innovator, best known as the co-founder of Plantd, a company creating carbon-negative building materials from fast-growing grass. He’s also the creator and host of Supercool, a media platform spotlighting breakthrough climate solutions that are scalable, profitable, and good for the planet. Prior to Plantd, Josh founded The Lazy Environmentalist and has spent over two decades launching ventures at the intersection of business, sustainability, and innovation.

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Takeaways

The founding of Planted was driven by a need for better materials.
Planted focuses on creating carbon-negative building materials.
The company aims to build a vertically integrated business model.
Collaboration with farmers is crucial for sourcing sustainable materials.
A diverse team, including engineers and agronomists, drives innovation at Planted.
Building relationships with builders is key to market entry.
Major partnerships, like with D.R. Horton, are essential for scaling up.
Innovations in transportation, like Zum, are transforming school bus systems.
Home energy solutions are evolving with technologies like virtual power plants.