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.

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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.

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On the third episode of Funding a Better Future: Expert Insights from ClimateTech Investors, I spoke to Arjun Jairaj, Investor at A/O Proptech.

A/O Proptech is Europe's largest VC Firm focused on the built world. They back mission-driven entrepreneurs who are focused on decarbonising the built environment and accelerating sustainable living🏡

Timestamps:

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

1:04: Cherry’s introduction to Arjun Jairaj and A/O PropTech

1:55: Arjun delves a bit deeper into A/O Proptech and their approach to decarbonisation

2:11: The built environment, design and energy use

3:00: How can we use technology to optimise the sector?

3:57: What is your opinion of the funding landscape for this year?

5:08: Is ClimateTech defying the odds when it comes to funding?

6:35: What are you most excited about in the ClimateTech space this year?

7:15: Tackling a range of parts of the supply chain: Water, waste management and circular business models

7:52: Energy transition and retrofit

11:45: What stages do A/O PropTech invest in?

12:35: What advice would you give to Founders looking to rise this year?

14:24: Recent layoffs in technology

15:15: When you’re considering investing in a company, what are the specific things that you look for?

18:13: The best way to get in touch with A/O PropTech

18:45: Cherry’s conclusion

Video versions of these episodes are available here.

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

On the second episode of Funding a Better Future: Expert Insights from ClimateTech Investors, I spoke to Nadav Steinmetz, Founder and CEO of Nomea.

They support visionary entrepreneurs by investing in breakthrough ideas that will lead the world to carbon neutrality. They focus on themes such as electrification, renewable energy, and disruptive technologies that enable the transition to a decarbonised economy☁️

Timestamps:

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

1:15: Cherry’s introduction to Nadav Steinmetz and Nomea

1:50: London Climate Connection Conversations and more about Nadav

4:15: What’s your opinion of the funding landscape across ClimateTech for 2023?

5:38: The UK hub for climate and innovation and the bottleneck that is funding

7:03: Are there particular parts of the sector that you’re interested in?

7:20: Where Nomea invests and their focus on sector

08:17: ClimateTech accelerator in Israel

09:29: 5 high-emitting sectors: Manufacturing and materials, energy, food, the built environment and transportation

11:10: Is there anything in particular that you’re looking for when you’re looking to invest?

12:20: What advice would you give Founders to give themselves the best chance in raising?

13:35: Finding the right balance of executing and speaking with investors

15:08: Exciting news for Nomea and getting in touch

16:00: Cherry’s conclusion

Video versions of these episodes are available here.

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

On the first episode of Funding a Better Future: Expert Insights from ClimateTech Investors, I spoke to Matt Ward, Founding Partner of 4WARD.VC.

As well as investing in early-stage climate companies through 4WARD's Climate Syndicate, he is also a strategic advisor to many high-growth climate start-ups. He also hosts The Startup Tank, a platform where start-up Founders can pitch climate VCs for investment.

Timestamps:

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

1:11: Cherry’s introduction to Matt Ward and 4WARD.VC

2:01: Matt delves a bit deeper into 4WARD.VC and who do they work with

3:47: The importance of making connections: They've have done the research so you don’t have to

6:00: Networked growth hacking

6:28: In your opinion, what does the funding landscape look like this year?

9:46: What parts of the ClimateTech sector are you most excited about?

9:58: Carbon accounting and carbon marketplaces: A controversial opinion (Or is it?)

10:32: Construction, waste management, circular economy, transportation, food and agriculture

11:58: Investing in a team over sector: Looking for the folks you would bet on regardless of what they’re doing

12:55: What can Founders be addressing in their business today to get them fit for funding?

14:07: Don’t let your ego get in the way

15:20: What are you most excited about for 4WARD.VC and other projects this year?

17:31: Getting in touch with 4WARD.VC

18:47: Cherry’s conclusion

Video versions of these episodes are available here.

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On this final episode of Building a Better Future: Stories from Climate Tech Founders, I spoke to Rebecca Thompson, Founder of Ecosy Travel.

About Ecosy Travel:

Ecosy Travel provide a cutting-edge booking platform that help you find flightless adventures by train and boat to beautiful eco-stays. They’re there to help you relax on your journey to a low-carbon future, making booking easy and letting you tailor every aspect of your trip.

Video versions of these episodes are available here: (166) Above and Beyond Recruitment - YouTube

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On this episode of Building a Better Future: Stories from Climate Tech Founders, I spoke to Eddie Fitzgerald-Barron, Co-Founder of C Free.

We covered a lot during the session, including Eddie's early entrepreneurial drive as a gardener, his journey through employment into bootstrapping his own business, the importance of self-learning and development, as well as looking to the future for funding for expansion.

Video versions of these episodes: (166) Above and Beyond Recruitment - YouTube

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