The Hard Part with Evan McCann

Keith Ippel from Spring


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Keith Ippel is the Co-Founder of Spring Activator, Spring Investing Collective and Spring Impact Capital.

Spring Activator helps entrepreneurs to change the world. We provide the tools, training, and network to values-driven entrepreneurs from launch to $1.5M in revenue.

Spring Investing Collective exists to help everyone have the opportunity to invest for people, the planet and profit. Through the Investing Collective, investors become empowered through experiential education, be in community with like-minded investors, and access the best early-stage impact investing opportunities in Canada. 

Spring Impact Capital invests in Canadian changemakers at the early stages of their company journeys to promote scalable innovation in planet and human health. They invest in founders to scale innovations for a more sustainable, healthy and equitable world.


Takeaways

  • Invoke Labs was the birthplace of Hootsuite and one of the first venture studios in Vancouver.
  • A great idea versus a good idea.
  • The importance of team over an idea.
  • What does impact mean to Keith and Spring from an investment standpoint.
  • Spring's geographic expansion and impact.
  • Keith looks for founders with a clear vision, hustle, adaptability, and a focus on revenue generation.
  • Build strong communities.

  • Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Invoke Labs

    01:10 Creation of Invoke Labs and the Venture Studio Model

    05:34 Timing and Tailwinds for Spring Activator

    06:00 Differentiating Good Ideas from Great Ideas

    07:48 Evolution of Spring Activator

    09:47 Importance of Accelerator Programming

    10:12 Characteristics of a Great Accelerator

    12:09 Importance of Connections Beyond Capital

    13:22 Key Considerations for Founders

    15:36 Introduction of Spring Impact Capital

    18:40 Introduction of the Spring Investing Collective

    20:03 Challenges Faced by Impact Startups

    22:15 Building Strong Communities

    24:52 Geographic Expansion of Spring

    27:35 Global Perspectives and Learnings

    30:14 Vancouver Tech Scene and Future Growth

    33:09 Investment Criteria and Qualities of Founders

    36:01 Future Plans for Spring

    39:07 Dealing with Hard Times

    41:06 Favorite Books and Excitement for the Future

    43:34 Final Message

    ...more
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    The Hard Part with Evan McCannBy Evan McCann