What’s blocking our climate tech breakthroughs?

It’s not the tech. It’s the process.

Ben Downing has seen the system from both sides—first as a Massachusetts state senator, then as VP at Nexamp scaling solar across the country. Now, as Chief Growth Officer at The Engine, MIT’s accelerator for “tough tech,” he’s helping commercialize game-changing innovations that can decarbonize the toughest sectors—steel, cement, transmission, and beyond.

“The solutions are out there. We have the ability to build the future we want. What’s in our way is process—not technology.” - Ben Downing

But it’s not just about the science. It’s about fixing the systems—permitting, infrastructure, policy—that stall progress. In this episode, Ben shares why real-world deployment is the biggest hurdle… and how The Engine is building what he calls a “Solutions Factory” to overcome it.

Expect to learn: 

⚡ Why product-market fit is the #1 blind spot for climate tech founders
⚡ How startups like Sublime and Commonwealth Fusion are scaling real impact
⚡ Why Massachusetts might be the best place to pilot manufacturing
⚡ How to rebuild broken processes that stall startup success

Ben’s optimism is infectious—and it’s backed by hard-won insight from the frontlines of policy and innovation. If you’ve ever wondered why brilliant climate ideas stall out and how to course-correct, press play and take notes.

Connect with Ben Downing:

• LinkedIn

Check out The Engine:

• ‍Website | LinkedIn

“If you’ve got a team building long-duration storage or carbon-free cement, the tough part is done. Now we just have to let them plug in and scale.” - Ben Downing