imec.istart TALKS | On storytelling, investor expectations & getting your impact issue on the agenda

In the imec.istart TALKS podcast, venture coach James Pearson brings together founders from the imec.istart community for short, caffeine-fueled conversations about building tech that matters — impact talks, served hot.

In this episode, Grégoire de Hemptinne, co-founder of Shayp, dives into a major yet often invisible sustainability challenge: water loss. He explains how real-time data can expose hidden inefficiencies, why storytelling is essential for climate tech founders, and how to drive change in traditionally slow-moving sectors.

Turning a silent problem into measurable impact

Shayp’s real-time monitoring helps cities, companies, and households reduce unnecessary water waste and strengthen their environmental footprint. As Grégoire puts it:

“Leaks aren’t sexy, but they waste billions of litres of water every single day.”

He highlights why water remains central to global sustainability efforts:

“Water touches almost every Sustainable Development Goal… It’s everywhere, but too often overlooked.”

Scaling climate tech with storytelling & persistence

Bringing an “invisible” problem onto the agenda requires clear storytelling, strong partnerships, and patience. Grégoire reflects on navigating product-market fit in a conservative industry and how founders can influence stakeholder mindsets.

Managing expectations & staying intellectually honest

As Shayp grew, Grégoire learned to balance ambition with realism — especially when communicating with investors. He explains that founders often face pressure to choose a single “right” path, even when the problem requires patience and exploration. His advice:

“Be intellectually honest with yourself. Keep asking — is this really the only way, or is there another path?”

This mindset, he says, keeps teams grounded while navigating uncertainty.

Purpose as a driver

For Grégoire, climate impact is not just professional — it’s deeply personal:

“When you have a child, you start seeing the world differently. Having an environmental impact became essential — I needed that in my career.”

🍵 Founder fuel

Despite the theme, Grégoire isn’t a coffee guy at all — his fuel is tea. Morning, noon, or evening, there’s always a blend for the moment. The non-negotiable? His morning tea.

 
Listen to the episode