One VC shares her most exciting investments

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LEAP into the world of tech thought leaders in our weekly newsletter – packed with share-worthy quotes from the industry’s brightest bringers-of-change.

This week we’re quoting Thierry Henry (Football Legend and Tech Investor)

What Henry said:

“I was like, what can I do? In my mind I can do very little; am I in a position to change the rules of social media? Am I in parliament? I’m not – so what can I do to make an impact?”

Impact starts with you

OK, so we all know a legend like Thierry Henry can have a bigger impact than most of us. But at the same time, it’s strangely reassuring to know that he too feels helpless sometimes – that he can look at an issue he cares deeply about, and not know what to do.

He was talking about online bullying and abuse. And his solution – the route he chose to make an impact – was to quit social media.

Look for the ways you can start a conversation

Quitting social media was, in effect, an act of voting with his feet. Talking about the problem didn't make big enough waves, so he made a grander statement by removing himself from the situation.

So what’s the inspiration we can take from this?

There’s more than one way to start a conversation. There’s more than one way to make an impact. And there’s more than one way that you, no matter who you are or what kind of platform you have (or don’t have), can amplify the issues you care about most.

Watch the video: No place for hate

This week we’re also quoting Dr. Gillian Marcelle (Founder and CEO at Resilience Capital Ventures LLC)

What Marcelle said:

“The intersecting climate and sustainable development crises mean that I am very excited about companies and initiatives solving problems, especially for underserved communities.”

Excited…in what way?

Marcelle said this ^ when we asked what investments and startups she’s most excited about right now. When we pressed for specifics, she had loads to share: so here’s the lowdown on one VC’s most impactful recent investments.

We know lists are a little boring. But this is a very inspiring list.

In clean and renewable energy

● BlocPower. US-based specialists in making energy-efficient electrical home tech and appliances accessible to everyone. It’s a one-stop-shop for analysing, financing and upgrading green homes.

● MPC Energy Solutions (MPCES). Based in Amsterdam, MPCES provides sustainable energy worldwide – with a focus on low-carbon energy infrastructure, and a keen eye on driving sustainable energy implementation in Latin America and the Caribbean region.

● Frontier Markets. An Indian social commerce platform on a mission to create Saral Jeevan (easy life) for rural households – by providing them with sustainable, high quality, and gender-inclusive products and services. The company is investing in 1Mn rural women, which will have a knock-on positive impact on 100Mn rural women.

● Rum and Sargassum. An innovative startup developing an inexpensive, sustainable solution to fuelling cars: with fuel made from cheap, locally sourced waste products including rum distillery wastewater, Sargassum seaweed, and Blackbelly sheep manure.

In funds and impact investors

● Future Africa. An investor that’s backing the visionary leaders who are working to solve Africa’s greatest challenges – by building businesses that simplify supply chains and develop local talent. Unusually, 40% of the companies in Future Africa’s portfolio have a female founder.

● New Majority Capital. A collaboration between entrepreneurs and impact capitalists, leveraging the power of small businesses to create a better financial future. They’re increasing the number of under-represented business owners and working to close the gender and race wealth gap.

● Pacific Community Ventures. Another impact investor that has taken the strengths of small businesses to heart. PCV supports small businesses owners – and the communities around them – to fight the good fight for economic, racial, and gender justice.  

● ImpactEngine. Directing more capital to markets where any financial returns will support positive social and environmental shifts.ImpactEngine manages funds for institutions and individuals who invest in for-profit, positive-impact businesses in private markets.

In activators and ecosystem strengthening efforts

● Native Women Lead. In 2016, two in three of all American Indian and Alaskan Native women in the US were the primary breadwinners for their families – yet Native women are paid 57 cents for every dollar paid to White, non-Hispanic men. NWL is investing in businesses led by Native women – putting them at the helm of their own lives.

● Make Justice Normal. A collective on a mission to foster a culture of justice, by moving capital towards justice-driven organisations and ideas.

● Scale Up Africa. An international development organisation that’s driving a women-led social movement, by acting as a local implementation partner and strategic advisor (advising large global organisations) on Gender and Racial Economic Justice.

● Common Future. A US-based intermediary working to close the racial wealth gap – because the current economic system isn’t working for everyone.

The bottom line?

Positive-impact startups and entrepreneurs are not alone. There’s increasing support out there from investors who want their money and mentorship to create a better way of life. And the collaborations that come from investors and ideas-people with a common vision are changing our world.

Read our interview with Gillian Marcelle: Want to thrive? Advocate for better investments

Have an idea for a topic you'd like us to cover? We're eager to hear it! Drop us a message and share your thoughts.

Catch you next week,
Richard McKeon
Marketing Director

P.S. - Mark your calendars for LEAP 2024 📅 4-7 March 2024. Want to be a part of the action?