WakeUp Capital
WakeUp Capital invests in visionary entrepreneurs building B2B software and hardware solutions that drive climate resilience and social equity, combining profit with purpose to create systemic change.
Accion Venture Lab
Accion Venture Lab is the early-stage impact investment initiative of Accion, a global nonprofit focused on financial inclusion. They invest in and support innovative fintech startups that are expanding access to financial services for underserved populations worldwide. Their investment thesis revolves around the belief that technology can be a powerful tool to reduce poverty and create economic opportunity by providing affordable, accessible, and responsible financial solutions. Venture Lab provides not only capital but also strategic governance and advice to help these companies scale their impact. Accion focuses on companies that are building innovative business models, leveraging digital technologies, and demonstrating a clear commitment to social impact. They look for companies that can reach large numbers of underserved people and improve their financial health and well-being. Accion's approach involves in-depth research and the sharing of learnings to advance responsible financial solutions and systems. The Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI), an independent think tank housed at Accion, plays a crucial role in this by focusing on consumer protection, women's economic inclusion, data risks and opportunities, and climate change, ensuring that investments align with broader goals of creating a fair and inclusive economy. Accion's overarching mission is to improve the lives of underserved people by building innovative and responsible financial solutions. This mission is rooted in a history of over 60 years of shaping the inclusive finance industry. Their investment strategy is closely tied to Accion's broader approach, encompassing advisory services, research, and advocacy, to foster a holistic ecosystem that supports financial inclusion. Accion Ventures is a key component of this ecosystem, providing early-stage capital and support to promising fintech companies driving financial inclusion forward.
BTFV
Brain-Too-Free Ventures (BTFV) focuses on investing in generational changes and climate-responsible businesses. They operate through multiple funds with distinct strategies. BTFV Vision Fund I & II concentrate on scaling South/Southeast Asian Gen Z consumer businesses. This suggests an investment strategy targeting rapidly growing companies catering to the preferences and consumption patterns of the Gen Z demographic in the specified regions, likely leveraging digital platforms and innovative business models. BTFV Vision Fund III, on the other hand, focuses on enabling the APAC expansion of Western Innovation. This implies a strategy of identifying and supporting Western companies with proven technologies or business models that are well-positioned to succeed in the Asia-Pacific market, potentially providing them with capital, local market expertise, and network access. BTFV's approach combines a regional focus with a thematic lens, targeting both locally-grown businesses catering to a specific demographic and international companies seeking to expand into the APAC region. Their portfolio includes companies in various sectors, including e-commerce, fintech, electric vehicles, AI, and digital health. This diversification across sectors suggests a broad investment mandate within the overarching themes of generational change and climate responsibility. They seem to favor businesses that have the potential to redefine the edge of what's possible, as indicated by their statement about being drawn to such founders. Given the portfolio companies, the fund appears to have an eye for high-growth, disruptive companies that have the potential to become market leaders in their respective industries. Their strategy reflects an awareness of the growing importance of Asia as a global economic powerhouse and the increasing influence of Gen Z consumers.
Kiko Ventures
Kiko Ventures is a cleantech venture capital firm dedicated to redefining what's possible in the fight against climate change. They aim to invest in science-based businesses with the potential for significant impact on planetary sustainability. Their approach is characterized by deploying permanent capital, allowing them the flexibility to invest across various stages and remain committed throughout the growth journey of their portfolio companies. They seek to back businesses and breakthroughs that support the return to a regenerative world, where people and the planet can thrive. Kiko Ventures is focused on early-stage, science-based, and impactful companies. They emphasize the importance of enduring technological advantages that can withstand market cycles. Their investments are exclusively in companies with a core focus on improving planetary sustainability and tackling climate change. As part of IP Group, Kiko Ventures has the financial backing to support companies from early stages to late-stage success, demonstrating a commitment to long-term growth and impact. They look for companies commercializing disruptive technologies to combat climate change. Kiko Ventures believes that technology holds the key to solving the world's greatest problems, particularly those related to climate change. They actively seek out and support companies with the potential to make a substantial difference in reducing emissions, promoting sustainability, and fostering a regenerative future. Their investment strategy is geared towards creating a positive impact on both the environment and the financial success of their portfolio companies.
Northstar Ventures
Northstar Ventures invests venture capital in early and later-stage, high-growth companies tackling global challenges, focusing on climate tech and healthy ageing. They aim to achieve both venture and impact returns, partnering with companies and investors driven by financial success and a desire to make a real difference. They offer more than just funding, providing expertise, experience, and a powerful network to help their portfolio companies grow and achieve lasting impact. Rooted in the north of England, they have a global outlook and a unique perspective and approach. They are committed to supporting businesses that can create positive change on a local, national and global scale. The firm is passionate, committed, and enthusiastic about what they do, and what they want to achieve. They are committed to the North East and the communities in it, while firmly believing that the solutions and innovation created within the region can be scaled up to benefit citizens globally. They believe in collaboration, with their partners and also their investees. When they invest, they support the company with their networks and expertise, as well as funding. They have experience in building successful companies at all stages of the journey and work with companies to help make their vision a reality. They are focused on reimagining the future, investing in ambitious teams with solutions that will help solve societal challenges and are primed to scale up globally.