top of page
EMIN ASKEROV
Cleantech FOAK and Scale-up Consiglieri
My insights and blog
Dive into my latest thoughts on Greentech trends, startup strategies, and investment insights. Stay ahead in the green revolution.
Join my email list and get an e-mail every time I post.
Why diverse teams are crucial for a scale-up
How diverse teams are really built.
Emin Askerov
Jul 24, 20252 min read
Building the Smart Factory: Turning a Manufacturing Idea into a 500 MWh Reality in 9 Months
This post is about how Duke went from idea to operational factory in under 9 months—and what practical lessons it offers for cleantech scale-ups.
Emin Askerov
Jul 10, 20253 min read
The Execution Equation: How ATOME Built a FOAK-Ready Leadership Team
Scaling a first-of-a-kind (FOAK) climate venture isn’t about ideas. It’s about execution infrastructure. And that infrastructure begins with people
Emin Askerov
Jul 3, 20253 min read
Second-hand equipment and loans for equipment in FOAK
Would you consider using second-hand equipment for your pilot/demo/FOAK?
Emin Askerov
Jun 10, 20252 min read
From Lab to Fab: How LeydenJar Rewired Its DNA to Scale
How to transform from project to product.
Emin Askerov
Jun 4, 20252 min read
The Holy Trinity of FOAK Finance
You don’t need to have a financial degree or a background in finance to understand the key principles of funding a FOAK.
Emin Askerov
May 29, 20256 min read
Fertilizers emit more CO₂ than planes and ships combined. And nobody talks about it.
Hear Olivier Mussat, the CEO and founder of ATOME, about the role of fertilizers.
Emin Askerov
May 26, 20251 min read
Post-FOAK Is the New FOAK: A Strategic Review of the OCED’s First-of-a-Kind Project Playbook
A review of possibly the most comprehensive collection of real-world examples for getting cleantech from the lab to steel-in-the-ground scale. If you’re in the weeds of building a FOAK (First-of-a-Kind) project, or advising someone who is, this report deserves a place on your desk.
Emin Askerov
May 22, 20253 min read
The Energy Test Framework
A climate tech idea that needs more energy than it saves? That’s not innovation. That’s a waste.
Emin Askerov
May 21, 20252 min read
FOAK isn’t the finish line. It’s just the start.
Climeworks is back in the news—and not for the reason they’d like. Reports from Heimildin and others claim that their latest DAC (direct...
Emin Askerov
May 20, 20251 min read
Grants for FOAK
During my time scaling up climate tech, I wouldn’t touch government grants. Even when they could clearly reduce my capital costs, help to...
Emin Askerov
May 8, 20257 min read
Field Notes from the FOAK Frontlines – Via Separations
Everyone wants to decarbonize industry. Not many talk about what happens after the pilot works. Scaling hardware isn’t linear. It’s...
Emin Askerov
May 5, 20251 min read
FOAK Field Guide
A new, comprehensive guide to FOAK in cleantech
Emin Askerov
Apr 30, 20251 min read
Behind the Scenes
What am I working on?
Emin Askerov
Apr 23, 20251 min read
ChatGPT Profiled Me
Logging in to ChatGPT today, I was greeted with a suggestion to describe me based on all of the chats I had. I’ve been using ChatGPT for...
Emin Askerov
Apr 11, 20251 min read
Scaling Cleantech: Learn from Green Hydrogen’s Business Case Failure
Green hydrogen was supposed to be the next big thing—but where’s the business case?
Emin Askerov
Mar 20, 20252 min read
EPC for Your FOAK: Make or Break Decision
How to chose and EPC for your FOAK
Emin Askerov
Mar 18, 20252 min read
FOAK Expertise: The Missing Piece in Climate Scale-Up
Where do you get FOAK Expertise? From FOAK advisors, who have done a FOAK before. Meet the new branch of cleantech ecosystem - the FOAK assi
Emin Askerov
Mar 17, 20251 min read
FOAK and EPC: Yes or No?
When scaling from Demo to FOAK, one of the biggest decisions is whether to hire an EPC company or manage the build yourself
Emin Askerov
Mar 14, 20251 min read
FOAK Management - Simplifying the Chaos
Here is your 5-step framework to simplify your FOAK management structure.
Emin Askerov
Mar 13, 20254 min read
bottom of page