Insights Into the Future of Climate Investment
Insights from Climate Investors, Using Storytelling to Attract Funding, and a Few Announcements from Brighter Future
Welcome back to Changemakers, the official newsletter of Brighter Future.
Thank you to everyone for being a member of this community and joining us for the evolution of the Brighter Future newsletter. Each edition of Changemakers will include insights on brand storytelling, conversations with industry investors and founders, and deep dives into different aspects of planet-driven business.
This week, we’re sharing advice from leaders in the climate investment space, discussing the power of using an origin and vision stories to attract funding, and sharing a few announcements from Brighter Future.
Check out this week’s topics…
Interview Spotlight with Danny Brown of MaC Venture Capital
Best Way to Get Funded - Q+A with the Investors
Using An Origin & Vision Story to Attract Funding
Announcing the Beta for Brighter Future Branding Course
Investing In Social Progress and Tackling Climate Change with Danny Brown from MaC Venture Capital.
Danny Brown is a partner at MaC Venture Capital, which invests in tech-enabled products across various industries that promote social progression and climate action.
During an interview spotlight this month, Danny expressed his perspectives on the current climate investment landscape and shared his experiences working with startups and founders.
What are the key qualities that you look for in a startup?
When it comes to companies - generally speaking - we're looking for the journey to a venture-scale return. People often ask what someone’s route to $100 million in revenue looks like. While we're not expecting any seed-stage company to have direct sight of that, we focus on the journey to scaling. We want founders who think about the steps involved, with a true North vision.
We seek founders who balance visionary ideas with practicality— understanding their strengths, acknowledging gaps, and being open to finding solutions through hiring, advisors, or strategic partners. This collaborative approach helps build the support network the company will need as it grows.
As a firm, we typically lead seed rounds, preferring companies post-product with some market feedback. However, as generalists, we remain open to various opportunities.
Don’t get me wrong, we have our fair share of pre-product, pre-revenue companies, but when it comes to helping them plan how to expand, scale a company, and go all-in towards developing the business to the next level, having the product already put together is helpful.
What advice would you give to startups seeking investment in the current market?
In the current economic climate, fundraising is challenging. Companies need to determine their operational needs and aim to raise enough for 18-24 months of runway. A strong operating plan is essential, identifying necessary talent and KPIs for the next fundraising round.
For seed-stage companies, the focus is on proving product-market fit. Series A is typically when substantial capital is raised to fuel growth. Companies should understand their users, how to reach them, confirm interest, and adapt their product as needed.
Founders need to be flexible yet methodical, planning carefully but ready to shift strategy quickly for maximum effectiveness.
Q+A: What's the Best Thing a Startup Can Do to Position Itself Better for Getting Investments?
We asked the above question to our first Investor Spotlight interviewee, Nick Lyth, of Green Angel Ventures.
All angel investors have the same goal in mind, regardless of sector or substance - exit. Any case for investment made to angel or early-stage investors needs to show where that exit door might be for them. However, it comes with no guarantees, which the angel investor understands.
The verification the investor can accept as giving real hope of a future exit is sales traction - the evidence of demand, whether it be in real customers or potential customers via MoU's (Memorandum of Understanding) or LoI's (Letters of Intention), must be visible. Without this, both the company's viability and the potential exit are based on little more than hope.
(To read Nick’s longer interview with us, see here.)
Myke Näf, of Ubermorgen Ventures, and our third Investor Spotlight guest, also shared his thoughts:
It depends on the stage, but for the very early stages, when team and market are defined but before significant revenue is achieved: Show traction towards product-market fit and repeatable revenue.
(To read Myke’s longer interview with us, see here.)
The Power of Origin & Vision Stories
Storytelling is one of humanity’s oldest and most successful tools for sharing perspectives and communicating information. For thousands of years, we’ve been telling stories to broaden our perspectives of the world, connect with people in our communities, and communicate our experiences.
When it comes to your business, it’s no different.
Kindra Hall, bestselling author of Stories That Stick, says, “Storytelling is one of the most powerful business-building tools in existence. It captivates, influences, and transforms customers, stakeholders, talent, and beyond, closing the gaps in business with bridges that last.”
In our latest insight, we explored the different ways to use these storytelling methods to close the gap and attract investors to foster support for your brand and business. Check out the latest insight on Origin and Vision stories on the Brighter Future website through the link below.
Brighter Future Storytelling Presentation
Speaking of Origin & Vision stories, remember to sign up to join Aaron Leaman, the Founder of Brighter Future, on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 17:00 BST, for a presentation exploring how these stories can shape and guide the future of your organisation.
During the presentation, Aaron will be discussing the process of uncovering your narrative and using these stories to find investors, establish brand loyalty, and attract top-tier talent to the organisation.
Use the link below with the promotional code CHANGEMAKERS to gain early access to the event at a discounted rate. Make sure to get your tickets before registration goes live to the public at the end of the month.
Announcing the Beta-Testing for the Course
Over the past few years, we've been working hard to develop a holistic guide to brand development and storytelling, which we're excited to share with the world.
We plan to release the branding course soon and will continue providing updates on the dates and pricing. For now, we’re looking to gather a handful of individuals to participate in a beta-testing process to provide feedback on the content, structure, and overall experience of the course.
If you are interested, let us know by contacting our team below. We’d be happy to share more about the beta-testing process and provide a bit more information of what we are looking for in feedback.
As we will only accept a limited amount of beta testers, contact us soon.
Get A Quote on the “Brand Building” Package
We’ve recently opened our books for consultations meetings for organisations interested in our brand-building and storytelling packages.
If you are looking to develop a planet-driven brand identity that elevates your impact on the world, book a discovery consultation call with us below.
Cheers,
The Brighter Future Team
