Jim McDermott - Clean Energy Pioneer | Why Smart Entrepreneurs Are Betting Everything on Climate Solutions

Success Story with Scott D. Clary

Jim McDermott - Clean Energy Pioneer | Why Smart Entrepreneurs Are Betting Everything on Climate Solutions

Clean

Published on Jul 26, 2025, 7:00:00 PM
Total time: 01:20:32

Episode Description

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Jim McDermott is a veteran entrepreneur who scaled Stamps.com into a $2B+ public company. He co-founded Archive.com and Spoke Software, leading multiple successful exits, and managed over $800M in cleantech assets through US Renewables Group and Rusheen Capital. With $1B+ in enterprise value created, he brings decades of experience building high-impact ventures in tech and climate innovation.


➡️ Show Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesacmcdermott/ 


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➡️ Talking Points

00:00 – Intro

01:32 – From Dotcoms to Climate Tech

05:14 – The Problems Entrepreneurs Are Solving Today

10:24 – Why Most Ideas Aren’t Deep Enough

15:31 – How to Tackle Massive Problems

19:56 – Turning CO2 Into Opportunity

23:29 – Sponsor Break

25:38 – What the Government Gets Wrong About Climate

33:40 – Jim’s Ideal Future Energy Mix

44:13 – Smart Investing in Climate Tech

52:26 – Sponsor Break

54:04 – The Problem with Climate Doom

58:33 – Advice for Young Climate Entrepreneurs

1:02:38 – One Belief That Changed Everything

1:06:58 – Final Words of Wisdom

1:15:44 – The Lesson Jim Wants His Kids to Know

More about Success Story with Scott D. Clary

Welcome to the Success Story Podcast, hosted by entrepreneur, business executive, author, educator & speaker, Scott D. Clary (@scottdclary). On this podcast, you'll find interviews, Q&A, keynote presentations & conversations on sales, marketing, business, startups and entrepreneurship. Scott will discuss some of the lessons he's learned over his own career, as well as have candid interviews with execs, celebrities, notable figures and politicians. All who have achieved success through both wins and losses, to learn more about their life, their ideas and insights. He sits down with leaders and mentors and unpacks their story to help pass those lessons onto others through both experiences and tactical strategy for business professionals, entrepreneurs and everyone in between. To get more of the Success Story podcast, go to www.successstorypodcast.com.