How does democratizing EV charging access facilitate the decarbonization of the mobility sector? The scale and urgency of the transformation required to fight climate change has never been more clear. Building hardware and software products, acquiring the funding and creating a diverse community to enhance talent capacity and to drive innovation, is essential to tackling this global environmental crisis. In this podcast, Silicon Valley Bank (a division of First Citizens Bank) Climate Tech & Sustainability SVP Maggie Wong will be interviewing Voltpost CEO and Founder Jeff Prosserman to discuss decarbonizing mobility by enabling EV charging through lamp posts, leveraging everyone’s unique skillset to contribute to sustainable product development, as well as keeping impact and diversity top of mind during the process.Read More
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Show Notes
- Voltpost retrofits existing streetlights into EV charging platforms to democratize charging access.
- The company’s solution reduces cost, timing, and physical footprint of charger deployment.
- Jeff Prosserman pivoted from a tech career at Samsung to climate tech after getting a master’s in sustainability management.
- Voltpost’s charging platform is modular and upgradable, allowing for flexibility and easy maintenance.
- The company aims to make EV charging as convenient and accessible as possible, especially for urban dwellers without dedicated parking.
- Voltpost has conducted pilot projects in New York City and Detroit, working with partners like the Department of Transportation and Ford.
- The climate tech sector needs diverse voices and perspectives to ensure solutions benefit all communities.
- There’s a limited window to address climate change, emphasizing the urgency for action and innovation.
- Pivot careers towards climate tech to contribute their skills to the movement.
- Choosing hope over fear is crucial in tackling climate challenges.
- Building a climate tech startup involves psychological challenges but can be rewarding when driven by purpose.
- The climate tech community is supportive, with many resources available to help startups succeed.
- Product management skills are highly valuable in the climate tech sector.
- Climate tech differs from other sectors due to its sense of shared mission and purpose.
- Great product managers in climate tech need to be passionate about solving systemic problems.
- Customer discovery and iterative processes are crucial in developing effective climate solutions.
- The company envisions Voltpost charging stations becoming as ubiquitous as common lampposts.
- Voltpost is working towards an integrated network of charging access to support the transition from gas to electric vehicles.
- The company aims to support various transportation modes, including car-sharing and multimodal charging.
- Product managers transitioning to climate tech should focus on understanding and solving real customer problems rather than just developing features.
About the speaker
Jeff Prosserman is a product management and business executive focused on strategy, design, and innovation. Expertise spans charging, mobile, TV, XR, IoT, and sustainability. He has worked at the forefront of technology for over twenty years. In 2022, he graduated from the Columbia University Sustainability Management program. Prior to starting Voltpost, Jeff was the Director of Innovation at Samsung in New York City. In this position, Jeff led a cross-functional team to develop mobile, TV, and digital appliance platforms at the intersection of trends and technology. Some products that Jeff led development for include Samsung Podcasts, Media Launcher, the first Samsung mobile AR camera apps, and Samsung Family Hub refrigerator focused on reducing food waste that won CES Innovation Awards. Prior to Samsung, Jeff was a senior producer at The Daily, the first mobile publication at News Corp. Over his career, he produced projects with WarnerMedia, IBM, BBC Worldwide, Dell, Mashable, Giphy, Johnson & Johnson, and many other brands. With an entrepreneurial spirit, Jeff is a visionary leader who is driven to build a business that ratchets down millions of tons of carbon, provides cleaner air, builds stronger communities, and creates jobs. Jeff is a general manager, executive, and strategist who leads Voltpost development. As CEO, Jeff assumes the pivotal role in steering the company's overall direction and strategic vision. He oversees and guides various facets of the organization, from business and product management to financial planning, with the ultimate goal of achieving sustained growth and success. Responsibilities encompass setting the company's mission, goals, and objectives, empowering the executive team, as well as making critical decisions that impact its future trajectory. As the CEO, key tasks involve establishing partnerships, engaging with stakeholders, and representing Voltpost in industry forums. Jeff is committed to making a positive impact by creating a sustainable and equitable future for people and our planet.
About the host
Maggie Wong is an accomplished product management and capital markets leader with over 15 years of experience in driving product strategy, delivering global products, fundraising & capital allocation, and leading cross-functional teams. Outside of her role at Silicon Valley Bank to support New York / East Coast based climate tech companies and investors, she is also experienced in increasing program impact, growing community reach and implementing DEI initiatives at travel and fintech non-profits. Maggie is passionate about making a social impact for the next generation, tackling climate change and traveling. She is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese and a beginner in Spanish.