Hemanth Setty, founder of Zero Circle, takes us behind the scenes of his innovative B2B green finance marketplace. He discusses the challenges small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face in accessing green capital and how Zero Circle is simplifying the process. Hemanth explains the concept of green financing, highlighting the favorable incentives, rebates, and creative structures available to businesses that link their funding to sustainability initiatives. He also shares Zero Circle's unique approach to connecting banks and institutions with organizations seeking green funding, emphasizing the company's focus on financial education and its horizontal, technology-driven platform. Hemanth discusses how Zero Circle pivoted from a sustainability reporting focus to green finance due to market timing and customer demand.

Episode in a glance

• Hemanth Setty, Founder of Zero Circle
• Understanding ESG Assessments
• Challenges for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
• Pivoting to Green Financing
• Scaling Green Financing Solutions

About Hemanth Setty

Hemanth Setty is the founder of Zero Circle and a passionate advocate for sustainable business practices. With a background in product management, supply chain analysis, and ESG development at Dun & Bradstreet, he brings a unique perspective to the world of green finance. Hemanth is dedicated to helping businesses of all sizes access the capital they need to implement sustainable solutions and achieve their net-zero objectives.

Connect with Hemanth Setty and his work

Website → https://zerocircle.eco/

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/zerocircleeco/

Send us a message!

Hemanth Setty, founder of Zero Circle, a green finance marketplace, shares his unique journey from product management and supply chain analysis to becoming a champion for sustainable business practices. He discusses how his experience at Dun & Bradstreet, where he oversaw the development of ESG solutions, shaped his understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the sustainability space. Hemanth emphasizes the growing importance of incorporating climate change considerations into every job and business decision, highlighting the finite nature of resources and the need for long-term, sustainable growth. He also talks about the world of product management, explaining its entrepreneurial nature and the diverse skillset it requires.

Episode in a glance

• Hemanth's Journey to Sustainability
• Understanding Dun & Bradstreet
• The Birth of Zero Circle
• Incentives for Sustainable Practices
• Combating Greenwashing

About Hemanth Setty

Hemanth Setty is the founder of Zero Circle and a passionate advocate for sustainable business practices. With a background in product management, supply chain analysis, and ESG development at Dun & Bradstreet, he brings a unique perspective to the world of green finance. Hemanth is dedicated to helping businesses of all sizes access the capital they need to implement sustainable solutions and achieve their net-zero objectives.

Connect with Hemanth Setty and his work

Website → https://zerocircle.eco/

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/zerocircleeco/

Send us a message!

Mary Leciejewski, Associate Director of Environmental Sustainability at Ohio State University, shares how she and her team are tackling the enormous task of creating a zero-waste system for a campus. She details the university's comprehensive approach to facility management, emphasizing the importance of waste characterization studies, stakeholder engagement, and solutions like the reusable container program, which has eliminated 250,000 single-use containers. Mary highlights the significant progress made in increasing the university's diversion rate, exceeding the typical plateau for most cities. She also discusses the critical role of student involvement and efforts to reduce food waste through programs like the Student Food Recovery Network.

Episode in a glance

• Mary's Role and Experience
• Ohio State's Zero Waste Initiatives
• Expanding Composting at OSU
• Student Advocacy for Composting
• The Impact of Zero Waste Initiatives
• The Reusable Container Program

About Mary Leciejewski

Mary Leciejewski is a passionate advocate for zero waste with a diverse background in public service, environmental studies, and facilities management. As the Associate Director of Environmental Sustainability at Ohio State University, she leads efforts to reduce waste, increase recycling and composting, and promote new practices across the university's vast campus. Mary's commitment to data-driven strategies and her ability to engage diverse stakeholders have been instrumental in advancing Ohio State's progress toward its zero-waste goals.

Connect with Mary Leciejewski and her work at Ohio State

• FOD at Ohio State → https://fod.osu.edu/sustainability
• Recycle at OSU Email: recycle@osu.edu

Send us a message!