On the eleventh (and last!) episode of Funding a Better Future: Expert Insights from ClimateTech Investors, I spoke to Puja Balachander, Head of Venture Launchpad at Carbon13.

The Carbon13 Venture Launchpad is designed to surround start-ups with a carbon-obsessed ecosystem in order to achieve a potential carbon reduction of 10 million tonnes of CO2e per year once at scale. This is the only accelerator which can support a climate start-up from any sector, which hasn’t raised equity finance yet, to understand its true potential on carbon.

Timestamps:

0.20: About Funding a Better Future and Above and Beyond Recruitment

1:11: Cherry’s introduction to Puja Balachander and Carbon13

2:18: Puja delves a bit deeper into the Venture Launchpad

4:00: Who would be an ideal prospect for the launchpad and what stage should they be at?

5:50: Solid team, promising idea and progress on commercial and product

6:25: Are there any key themes that people are finding difficult that the venture builder can solve?

08:10: Needing funding to reach the next step

9:10: 1 on 1 coaching and community support

11:02: How do you see the funding landscape this year?

15:15: What can traction look like and how can Founders get it?

17:32: Are there particular parts of ClimateTech that are particularly interesting to VCs?

22:30: What tips would you give Founders looking to raise this year?

26:05: Are there any resources that you would suggest for someone to start to demystify the world of investment?

27:20: How can people get involved in the Venture Launchpad?

27:45: Cherry’s conclusion and the future of Funding a Better Future

Video versions of these episodes are available here.

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On the tenth episode of Funding a Better Future: Expert Insights from ClimateTech Investors, I spoke to Kate Ronayne, Investment Director at Longwall Venture Partners LLP.

Longwall Venture Partners LLP support early-stage businesses that are harnessing the UK's expertise in science R&D to address the global challenges of tomorrow. They invest in companies that have the potential to disrupt an existing market or gain a material share of a new market, with a preference for B2B opportunities rather than consumer products.

Timestamps:

0.20: About Funding a Better Future and Above and Beyond Recruitment

1:11: Cherry’s introduction to Kate Ronayne and Longwall Investment

2:18: Kate delves a bit deeper into Longwall Investment

4:10: What support do Longwall Investment give people post-investment?

6:10: What’s your opinion on the funding landscape this year?

6:20: What it means to be a generalist investor and how other sectors compare to ClimateTech

8:15: What parts of the ClimateTech sector are you most excited about?

10:43: Looking creatively at incumbent manufacturing technologies and trying to disrupt those

12:30: What advice would you give to Founders looking to raise for the first time ever?

13:44: Understand the interests of the funder, ask if they’re actively investing and talk to people they’ve invested in

15:23: The importance of customer feedback and value proposition

22:58: Cherry’s conclusion

Video versions of these episodes are available here.

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On the ninth episode of Funding a Better Future: Expert Insights from ClimateTech Investors, I spoke to James Manktelow, Angel Investor and CEO Mentor at Green Angel Syndicate.

Green Angel Syndicate is the UK's largest network of specialist investors fighting climate change, searching out, assessing and selecting the innovations that will make a difference, and then investing in them to enable their development. They focus on companies whose radical grassroots innovations introduce the technology, machinery and process required for the practical changes needed throughout the global economy that will slow down, arrest and then reverse global warming.

Timestamps:

0.20: About Funding a Better Future and Above and Beyond Recruitment

1:11: Cherry’s introduction to James Manktelow and Green Angel Syndicate

2:20: James delves a bit deeper into Green Angel Syndicate and their role

3:20: What’s your perspective on the funding landscape for this year?

4:35: Considering how inflation and interest rates affect Founders and their companies

5:23: Good news in the market

6:40: What are you most excited about?

8:02: E-mobility and the tech support of

8:29: Built environment, including commercial property

9:45: Biodiversity and the UK Kelp area

12:10: What stage of organisation and maturity do you focus on?

14:10: What advice would you give Founders looking to raise this year?

14:43: Getting profit ASAP

16:10: What resources can they use to make sure they’re being realistic with their PMV?

16:35: Angel Investor rule of thumb

17:41: The support of Green Angel Syndicate

18:56: Introductory pitch decks, thinking things through and coaching

21:37: Cherry’s conclusion

Video versions of these episodes are available here.

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On the eighth episode of Funding a Better Future: Expert Insights from ClimateTech Investors, I spoke to Adam Chirkowski, Investment Director at Albion Capital Group LLP Group. 

Albion Capital Group LLP have been established since 1996 - and they support visionary Founders with long-term capital and scale-up expertise. They choose startups with the potential to grow into enduring companies that reshape industries. Despite not being a pure-play Climate Investor; they have funded some pioneering companies in energy, AI for decarbonisation and battery technology.

Timestamps:

0.20: About Funding a Better Future and Above and Beyond Recruitment

1:11: Cherry’s introduction to Adam Chirkowski and Albion VC

1:38: Adam delves a bit deeper into Albion VC and their role

4:05: In your opinion, what does the funding landscape look like this year, both broadly and how Climate sits within that?

4:57: How ClimateTech investment compared to other sectors in 2022 and why

07:58: The balance between the cost of living crisis and will the demand from individuals for sustainable focussed services, products and technologies remain?

09:19: What parts of the ClimateTech sector are you most excited about?

10:08: The worldwide trend last year that was the energy crisis and the benefits (New solutions)

11:03: The shift of interest into property, from the focus on energy bills to the construction of property and the circular economy

11:18: The world of data

12:35: What do you look for in a good investment prospect and what advice would you give to a business looking to raise?

13:05: Marrying the vision and drive that they have with the commercial aspects to deliver it

13:39: Really understanding the problem they’re trying to solve, how valuable that is to customers and how it can scale

18:57: Is there anything you’re excited about in your own world of Albion VC?

21:05: Starting the conversation with Albion VC

21:22: Cherry’s conclusion

Video versions of these episodes are available here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the seventh episode of Funding a Better Future: Expert Insights from ClimateTech Investors, I spoke to Irena Spazzapan, Managing Partner at Systemiq Capital.

Systemiq Capital backs climate tech entrepreneurs raising their late seed to Series A/B rounds. Their portfolio companies benefit from access to their unparalleled climate knowledge and networks. The pursuit of positive climate and biodiversity impact is at the heart of why they invest.

Timestamps:

0.20: About Funding a Better Future and Above and Beyond Recruitment

1:11: Cherry’s introduction to Irena Spazzapan and Systemiq Capital

2:09: Irena delves a bit deeper into Systemiq and their journey into the sector

5:15: In your opinion, what does the funding landscape look like this year, both broadly and how Climate sits within that?

08:02: What parts of the sector are less hot now?

10:33: What parts of the sector are you most excited about?

13:33: What stage of the start-up journey does Systemiq Capital invest and what does a good investment prospect look like for you?

15:03: What advice would you give to Founders in organisations that are looking for investment?

16:40: Being thoughtful about choosing an investor

18:31: What questions can Founders ask when they’re having initial conversations with Investors?

19:05: What are you excited about this year in your own world of Systemiq Capital?

20:13: Starting the conversation with Irena or Systemiq Capital more generally

20:54: Cherry’s conclusion

Video versions of these episodes are available here.

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On the sixth episode of Funding a Better Future: Expert Insights from ClimateTech Investors, I spoke to Ian Thomas, Managing Director of Turquoise International. 

Turquoise International is a leading financial advisor and investor in climate technologies. With a 20-year track record in capital raising, they're the fund manager of Low Carbon Innovation Fund, which invests in early-stage companies making measurable reductions in Greenhouse Gas emissions via the development of new technologies. 

Timestamps:

0.20: About Funding a Better Future and Above and Beyond Recruitment

1:11: Cherry’s introduction to Ian Thomas and Turquoise International

2:09: Ian delves a bit deeper into Turquoise International

4:25: What’s your opinion on the funding landscape today and how has that evolved?

5:30: Clear demand if you can connect with investors and have the right technology

6:00: What innovations or sectors would you as a business be looking to invest?

6:30: Mobility, agri-tech, materials… A theme of low carbon

7:17: What would a key differentiator be to make you excited about an organisation?

7:20: Management and the skills present within the team

8:15: Commercial traction in some form

9:20: What advice would you give to Founders looking to raise this year?

10:15: Spending time identifying investors that are active in the sector you’re in, and stage you’re at

12:10: Evaluation: Overvaluing vs undervaluing and the importance of meeting in the middle

12:50: As a Founder, what should you be mindful of when presenting?

17:58: What’s the best way to get in touch with yourself or Turquoise International?

16:52: Cherry’s conclusion

Video versions of these episodes are available here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the fifth episode of Funding a Better Future: Expert Insights from ClimateTech Investors, I spoke to Alex Hook, Senior Investment Director at Nesta.

Nesta Impact Investments backs high-impact innovative tech businesses that are changing the world for good. They're committed to supporting outstanding entrepreneurs of Seed to Series A start-ups with not only investment but the skills, networks and resources of their team.

Timestamps:

0.20: About Funding a Better Future and Above and Beyond Recruitment

1:11: Cherry’s introduction to Alex Hook and Nesta

2:25: Alex delves a bit deeper into Nesta and how it differs from your traditional VC

4:15: Bringing more than just the cash: Strategic value

5:40: What is your opinion on the ClimateTech funding landscape this year?

7:30: Availability of capital

8:15: Where are you interested in investing in this year?

9:05: The use of data

10:20: A retrofit all encompassing service

11:25: A fundamental bottle neck: Skills

14:55: What advice would you give to Founders looking to raise this year?

15:25: Under-promise and overdeliver

16:50: Addressing customer pain points

20:25: Don’t present the business or yourself as perfect

21:40: Is there anything in Nesta’s world that you’re excited about?

23:45: What’s the best way to get in touch with yourself or Nesta?

24:28: Cherry’s conclusion

Video versions of these episodes are available here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the fourth episode of Funding a Better Future: Expert Insights from ClimateTech Investors, I spoke to Florian Schabus, Investor at Planet A Ventures.

Planet A Ventures is an impact investor with a difference. They are the first European VC with an in-house science team that calculates life cycle assessments to quantify the impact of a start-up. They invest in bold and brave Founders who are the heroes driving our green transformation. And they help them build a scalable business, because when Founders profit, the planet profits too! 

Timestamps:

0.20: About Funding a Better Future and Above and Beyond Recruitment

1:18: Cherry’s introduction to Florian Schabus and Planet A

2:20: Florian delves a bit deeper into Planet A

4:00: Their holistic approach into 16 investments so far…

6:15: How optimistic are you feeling about the state of ClimateTech investment in 2023?

6:45: How long-term investment allows us to remain positive

8:00: Is ClimateTech recession-proof?

11:10: What parts of the ClimateTech sector are you most excited about?

11:25: Decarbonising our economy

13:15: The chemical industry, green methanol to decarbonise shipping and cement

15:40: Carbon removal

19:05: What stages do Planet A invest in?

21:25: What advice would you give to Founders looking to rise this year?

24:22: Do some homework into the funds and what other Founders say about them

27:00: Think about your long-term vision

29:50: Cherry’s conclusion

Video versions of these episodes are available here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.