Today we were joined by John Shegerian the Co-Founder of ERI. Where they are recycling electronic devices and ensuring safe data destruction to comply with Cybersecurity concerns. They have been around for over 20 years. 

They wouldn't have been called this when they started, but being one of the oldest "CliamteTech" or "Circular Economy" companies out there, John had a lot of really great things to share with current ClimateTech founders. 

Perhaps most importantly he commented on fundraising from aligned individuals as well as how to attract and retain talent. 

John is also the author of The Insecurity of Everything and has offered to send a book for free to anyone who emails me or him at john@ERIdirect.com - If you do reach out to him please let him know you heard this discussion on the CleanTechies Podcast and he'll send you a free copy of the book so you can learn about cyber security - he'll even pay for shipping. 

Topics: 

• 3:43 About John and how he got into ERI
• 7:27 - What led him to go back to school later in his career
• 9:17 - How cybersecurity and ClimateTech intersect
• 15:06 - What ERI are doing and the process of recycling electronics for companies
• 18:07- ESG forcing recycling behavior
• 19:58 - Costs of recycling
• 20:51 - Costs of not recycling
• 25:03 - Key advice to CT Founders
• 31:31 - Raising funds and strategic, value-aligned investors
• 35:51 - Talent acquisition and retention
• 44:55 - Why he's bullish on the future
• 46:58 - About his book and how to get it for free (john@eridirect.com) 

Links: 

• John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnshegerian/
• ERI Website: https://eridirect.com/
• wavepartners.com/">Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: wavepartners.com/">https://www.next-wavepartners.com/
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• Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn:
• HMU on Twitter: @silasmahner

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