August 19, 2024 - Voltcore Vlad Batkhin and Miami Restauranteur Brian Parenteau

School for Startups Radio

Vlad Batkhin – Founder and CEO of Voltcore – Green Efficient Heating

At Voltcore, we fight climate change by economizing energy and CO2
emissions in heating applications. Heating is responsible for about 40
percent of CO2 emissions, so it is essential to reduce it. Households are
responsible for about half of CO2 emissions related to heating.

Vlad Batkhin is the Founder and CEO of Voltcore, an innovative climate-tech start-up based in Luxembourg. Vlad Batkhin has over 15 years of expertise in business development and executing complex new-tech capital projects in the chemical industry, Vlad is a pioneering force in green technology. At Voltcore, we have developed and implemented revolutionary heated polymer filament technology, which significantly reduces energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Having been born to mathematician and physicist parents, Vlad admits his path is similar. With a background in petrochemical companies, he saw the potential in polymer nanocomposites. He decided he wanted to focus on them to help reduce the ecological footprint in the heating industry. The synthetic, ultra-thin polymer wire the company produces offers a vast range of possibilities, for use in EV batteries to smart home technologies and more. With EVs, for instance, Batkhin says the material can help protect lithium batteries from discharging. “You need to charge the battery in the proper temperature conditions, otherwise it’ll degrade very quickly,” he explains. “And if you dive deeper, 40-60% of CO2 emissions related to EV manufacturing is related to batteries.” Because the wire can be made lightweight and flexible, it’s also possible to weave it into fabrics, making outdoor and athleticwear companies, for instance, potential clients. But for now, Batkhin’s primary focus is on heating, particularly in industry. The company claims the material can reduce energy consumption by two to eight times, thereby setting a new standard for eco-friendly heating solutions. Certification, however, “takes some time”. Additionally, Batkhin explains, Voltcore is in the process of applying for patents along its entire value chain, though sifting through and analysing existing patents can be time-consuming and costly. With the seed money Voltcore has received, Batkhin hopes to have a pilot plant set up in Foetz by end-2024, which he admits is ambitious. The plant would serve two objectives. “First, we need to reach proper TRL [technology readiness level] to go with the first-of-a-kind, scaled plant. And second, I believe we will learn lots of things about scaling and also use the plant for some R&D objectives.” He hopes that the first sales will start this year as well. And, if all goes to plan, he envisions that by Q3 2025, there will be a new round of fundraising to scale up and increase production volumes based on lessons learned from the pilot plant.
Brian Parenteau – 4 Restaurant Brand Visionary behind Bar Tulio’s – Bootstrapping a Restaurant Brand

I was working in the hospitality industry as a manager and a bartender.
I was pooling my resources and saving a lot of money, living well below
my means. On my first concept, I gathered together four partners plus
myself and we pitched in and we took out a tiny loan and that propelled us.

Brian Parenteau is an accomplished entrepreneur and visionary leader who continues to redefine the landscape of the restaurant and hospitality industry in South Florida. With a remarkably creative new business development spirit, Brian consistently achieves success through his innovative approach and strong leadership skills, His journey in the hospitality industry began over two decades ago as a bar back in a South Beach nightclub. From there, he quickly rose through the ranks to become a bartender, discovering a hidden passion within that lasted for years, as he continued to excel in the role. However, after feeling burnt out from working late nights and weekends, Brian took a break to become a licensed mortgage broker. Though successful, he realized that the desk-bound corporate life was not fulfilling his true calling. Ready to reenter the hospitality industry, Brian went out on his own, opening a banquet hall, offering freelance bartending and party planning services for special events. This experience reignited his love for the hospitality field but left him yearning for a deeper sense of purpose, which led him to his next long-term position, as head bartender at Big City Tavern on Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale. It was during this nine-year transformative period at Big City Tavern that Brian met his current business partner, Doulas Herbst, and truly honed his industry skills. Brian attributes the long experience to being instrumental in refining his abilities and allowing him to gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of running a successful bar. His dedication and adaptability allowed him to scale the ladder of success until he opened the doors of his own establishment, DrYnk Bar & Lounge, a few years later, in Wilton Manors. Aside from DrYnk Bar & Lounge, Brian is the founder and owner of three other restaurant and bar concepts including: Tulio’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, and Patio Bar & Pizza – both located in Fort Lauderdale; and he has recently added a new venture, Bar Tulio’s, in Miami’s Wynwood district. Under his leadership, each concept has emerged as a top destination known for exceptional service, innovative cocktails, and a vibrant atmosphere. Aside from his success as a restaurateur, Brian has been recognized for his exceptional leadership and business acumen. His insights and expertise have been featured in prestigious publications such as Forbes People and The CIO Today, where he has been celebrated as a driving force behind the success of his ventures. With an insatiable passion for pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the hospitality realm, Brian Parenteau continues to redefine the industry, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and palates of patrons around the world.