By WE7 AI In conversation with Dr. Emre Eren Korkmaz, Oxford Center for Technology and Development

In the heart of today’s climate crisis lies a powerful paradox: the world is full of groundbreaking innovations, but many of them never make it to market.

We recently sat down with Dr. Emre Eren Korkmaz, Director of the Oxford Center for Technology and Development (OCTD), for a public conversation that brought clarity to one of the most critical disconnects in climate tech today—the gap between invention and implementation.

At WE7 AI, our mission is not just to support companies with AI-powered, conscious marketing. We’re on a larger journey: to decarbonize marketing itself, and help mission-based businesses grow through regenerative, purpose-aligned strategies.

What follows is a summary and reflection on this incredibly rich dialogue a synthesis of insights that we believe can guide the next generation of climate leaders, founders, and innovators.

The Real Bottleneck: Commercialization, Not Innovation

Dr. Korkmaz began with a powerful insight:

“We don’t have a problem with solutions. The technology, the knowledge, and the motivation already exist. The problem is access to finance, to market, and to visibility.”

Climate tech startups, especially those spun out of universities, often begin with deeply impactful inventions: food waste-to-energy converters, carbon capture tools, biodegradable plastic alternatives, or sustainable aviation fuels.

Yet many of these startups collapse—not because the science isn’t sound, but because the commercialization model is broken.

Dr. Korkmaz explained that many founders are academics, researchers, or engineers who never intended to become CEOs or pitch decks. They are problem-solvers, not pitch-optimizers.

They are driven by purpose—not profit. But the traditional startup ecosystem, particularly venture capital, expects short-term profitability and fast scaling. This misalignment creates what we at WE7 AI call a “mission-market mismatch.”

The 80% Drop-Off: Why Purpose-Driven Startups Fail

This mismatch is costing us dearly. According to Emre, more than 80% of climate tech startups fail—not because they lack relevance, but because they struggle to:

• Translate their solution into market-fit language

• Navigate the funding ecosystem

• Build real customer relationships

• Gain visibility and trust at scale

We see this repeatedly at WE7 AI. Startups often pour resources into product development, only to hit a wall when it comes to marketing or business development. They aren't lacking potential—they're missing the bridge.

That Bridge is Conscious Marketing

This is where WE7 AI steps in. Our model is built around what we call regenerative marketing—a model rooted in alignment, long-term value creation, and decarbonized growth.

Climate tech companies don’t need empty visibility. They need values-aligned exposure. They need to create connection before conversion.

With our 7-Step Conscious Marketing Path, we help startups move from:

1. Purpose Discovery → Understanding the core mission

2. Audience Alignment → Finding like-hearted clients and partners

3. Messaging Clarity → Turning science into human stories

4. Channel Optimization → Finding sustainable ways to reach audiences

5. Community Building → Creating impact through engagement

6. Sustainability Integration → Tracking SDG, ESG, and carbon metrics

7. Ethical Profit → Growing revenue with integrity

Dr. Korkmaz emphasized:

“Your work is not only relevant—it's essential. These startups need tailored support, not traditional marketing advice. Your regenerative model can help them bridge purpose to profit.”

Why Visibility Is Not Enough: The Role of Alignment

Traditional marketing relies on reach. Regenerative marketing relies on resonance.

Emre stressed that many climate tech founders chase large corporations or enterprise clients too early. This often leads to disappointment due to bureaucracy or lack of readiness.

Instead, startups should first seek alignment—with like-minded SMBs, purpose-driven organizations, and early adopters who genuinely care. These partners become collaborators, not just clients.

At WE7 AI, we call this “purpose-first proof.” Once startups validate their product with values-aligned customers, then they can scale to VCs or larger ecosystems—with real data, case studies, and demand in hand.

The Data Scarcity Challenge—and How AI Can Help

OCTD’s work focuses on solving data scarcity in emerging markets—a major barrier for impact measurement, financial access, and ESG benchmarking. They’ve worked across continents, from Zambia to Indonesia, using Oxford’s infrastructure to fill data gaps for startups and institutions alike.

Yet ironically, as Emre pointed out, AI—while powerful—isn’t always used consciously. Many VCs say they invest in climate tech, but in reality, fund only AI tools.

“AI is helpful for climate risk modeling and ESG reporting,” said Emre, “but it can also lead to greenwashing if we’re not careful. We need to support actual, implementable climate solutions—not just dashboards.”

At WE7 AI, we agree. That’s why our AI platform focuses on real-world decarbonization of marketing, offering not just insights but actionable strategies aligned with sustainability.

A Practical Blueprint for Climate Tech Growth

One of the most tangible examples Emre shared was from the horticulture sector in the UK. A biodegradable pot manufacturer couldn’t find buyers. Plastic pots were still cheaper. But when introduced to two mid-sized, values-aligned garden centers—they found traction.

That single connection led to a pilot trial with potential for 10 million units per year. Not from a unicorn deal—but from a regenerative loop of supply meeting conscious demand.

This is the power of alignment over acceleration.

Innovation Alone Is Not Enough. We Need Integrity.

Our shared conversation revealed a deep truth: real change doesn’t come just from invention. It comes from systems that honor the purpose behind the invention and support it through to impact.

At WE7 AI, we are proud to collaborate with OCTD and visionaries like Dr. Korkmaz to make this future possible. We believe that by combining purpose-driven AI, regenerative marketing, and ecosystem matchmaking, we can help climate tech startups not just survive—but thrive.

How to Get Involved

If you’re a:

• Climate tech startup looking for market-fit, storytelling, or impact visibility

• Purpose-driven organization searching for sustainable solutions

• Investor or policymaker eager to support real innovation with integrity

We’d love to connect.
🔗 Connect with Dr. Emre Eren Korkmaz
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