Mission Investors Exchange’s Post

At the Baltic VCA Summit this year, one could find only 2 Estonians taking the stage. Sad. But glad that it was Kädi Ristkok from Estonian Cleantech Association and myself. Even happier that the topic of #cleantech investments came up a lot in the predominant networking areas in addition to the discussions on the stage. A thought that kept coming up was the fact that LPs are seeking specialist funds today, rather than generalists. With the ongoing re-industrialisation sensation and the Clean Industrial Deal, SFV is in a great position at this growth stage of the cleantech sector in the Baltics. Our discussion with Paulius Zurauskas (INVL Asset Management), Pawel Gierynski (Abris Capital Partners), Kädi Ristkok and Rūta Skarulskė (Contrarian Ventures) took a quick dive into what is shaping the future returns in venture capital and private equity. Stay tuned for a more elaborate article on this, it's a must-read. Invalda INVL, TGS Baltic, Lithuanian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, COBALT Legal, WALLESS, SmartCap

Partner Malcolm MacDougall moderated a panel on 'The outlook for growth – challenges and opportunities' at the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) Accelerate event on 22 May. Malcolm and panellists Karim Abdel-Ghaffar Plaza, Chris Kay and Tiffany Young discussed challenges to growth, including how higher interest rates impact the private equity industry, and considered developing sectors such as AI, ESG and the energy transition.   The BVCA is the industry body and public policy advocate for the private equity and venture capital industry in the UK. The BVCA's Accelerate conference brings together industry experts to explore key issues across Seed, Series A, Late-Stage Venture and Growth Capital.    #PrivateEquityandFunds #PrivateEquity

Proud to have represented CPRIT at the recent SEED Funds Panel at RESI South, alongside distinguished investors Peter Alff, PhD, Sinclair Dunlop, Deborah Hemingway, PhD, Ron Levin, and myself, diving into the heart of Seed investments. The depth of our conversation traversed critical questions, each shedding light on different facets of early-stage funding: The Essence of Seed Investment: We unpacked what Seed investment truly means, emphasizing its pivotal role in transitioning startups from visionary ideas to market-ready solutions. Criteria for Seed Investment Readiness: The discussion explored how a company signals its readiness for Seed investment, revealing the nuanced differences across sectors and the unique paths startups follow. Preparing for a Successful Seed Round: We dissected the key elements startups need to showcase to secure Seed funding, highlighting the importance of a robust business model and a compelling value proposition. Navigating the Search for Seed Investors: Sharing guidance for founders on seeking and approaching the right Seed investors, we stressed the significance of shared vision and values for a fruitful partnership. Evaluating Non-Dilutive Funding Options: A lively debate on the advantages and challenges of non-dilutive funding at the Seed stage illuminated its impact on equity preservation versus the strategic benefits of investor involvement. The panel was more than a discussion; it was a collaborative exploration of how we, as part of the life sciences ecosystem, can better support and nurture innovation. The engagement from the audience and the exchange of knowledge underscored RESI's vital role in connecting entrepreneurs with the resources they need to thrive. Heartfelt thanks to RESI for organizing this enriching panel and to my fellow panelists for their insightful contributions. As part of CPRIT, I am excited to continue fostering innovation and supporting life sciences startups on their journey to make a significant impact on health and well-being. #RESI #RESISOUTH #SeedFunding #CPRIT #LifeSciences #StartupInnovation #HealthcareInvestment

Our co-founder Richard Bavlsík attended the HVCA Investment Conference yesterday! 💼✨ 🌍 The panels provided an international outlook: With a special focus on the various perspectives of VCs from the region, compared to Hungary. One thing is sure: CEE ecosystems are rising. ↗️ 🤝 The networking opportunities were a highlight. Beyond VCs, the event attracted a diverse mix of professionals, including consultants, private equity, experts, and service providers. All contributing to dynamic discussions. 💡 One major takeaway: the role of the state in innovation ecosystems. There's a clear consensus that while governments should help kickstart financing, they need to step back as the ecosystem matures. All in all, it was a day packed with valuable perspectives on the priorities and challenges investors face in today's market. #InnoMakerPartners #HVCA2024 #investmentconference #venturecapital  

Corus International invests in unique #incomegenerating and #earthfriendly solutions such as #Biochar, for better crop yields; our #health #agriculture and #livelihoods teams are exploring ways to link #SBC approaches to improve #nutrition #smartagriculture and globally. #Interdisciplinary #SBC

Econans - Energy Transition Unlocked next phase has started from start-up to scale-up - it all started with Swedish clients and lately an international expansion has taken place. The green transition is a mega trend and European banks will need to find solutions to help their clients improve the energy efficiency that’s where Econans - Energy Transition Unlocked comes is an enabler

Last week our Managing Partner Yvonne Ofosu-Appiah, CertIoD spoke at the 20th Annual AVCA - The African Private Capital Association Conference & VC Summit in Johannesburg on the theme, "Fortifying the Future: The Critical Role of Emerging Managers". Sharing the panel with Ennis Rimawi, Isabelle Bébéar, Rui Oliveira and moderated by Simone Baur, it was a great opportunity to share the work and unique experiences of Sahara Impact Ventures investing in early stage businesses at the nexus of gender and climate and how we attract dealflow. Yvonne shared insights on the following (i) Main challenges faced by emerging fund managers and what interventions could be helpful in supporting their fundraising journey. (ii) How GP accelerator programs are useful and support emerging fund managers with LP introductions, training and capacity building , warehousing support among others to accelerate their fund close (iii) How innovations around shared back office services could support fund managers reduce their running costs and be more efficient. Many thanks to AVCA - The African Private Capital Association for the opportunity. Mandy Nyarko MBE Yvonne Ofosu-Appiah, CertIoD #AVCA2024 #earlystageinvesting #climatefinance #genderlensinvesting

🏆 Climentum Capital proudly awarded “The Impact Fund Award 2023” Last night, we proudly received “The Impact Fund Award 2023”. We are deeply grateful to Aktive Ejere - Active Owners Denmark, for acknowledging Climentum Capital's dedication as a pioneering #Article9 fund with a #DualCarryModel, committed to supporting champions of decarbonization. The award was bestowed upon us in recognition of the impact potential of one of our Danish based portfolio companies, Continuum Composite Recycling, and based on several criteria, including: 🌿 Reduced carbon footprint 🌱 Creation of new green jobs 🍃 Commitment to the green transition 🌍 Relevance and impact factor This recognition reaffirms our commitment and encourages us to make even bolder investments, further embracing hard tech. We will continue to prioritize logic over hype and support companies in complex sectors that others may overlook. Thanks again Aktive Ejere - Active Owners Denmark, for the honor! #ImpactAward #HardTech #ClimateAction #Article9 Stefan Maard, Malin Carlstrom, Morten Halborg, Jesper K., Nicolas Derrien, Martin Dronfield

Our CEO, Ivar Kruusenberg, had the privilege of speaking at the European Angel Investment Summit 2024 organised by EBAN - European Business Angel Network, held in #Brussels! 🇧🇪 This year’s summit was the largest gathering of EU Business Angels to date, bringing together representatives from all associated countries, with defence being the primary topic of conversation. Ivar delivered a riveting pitch to the judges, and among six other companies, #PowerUP received the most interest, recognised both as an exciting investment opportunity and a key player in frontline technology. 💡🔋 A crucial message was highlighted: without reliable power, other defence tech can't function. Delivering quiet, low-heat energy solutions to the front lines is one of the most important challenges, and we are committed to addressing it. ⚡💪 #EAIS24 #HydrogenFuelCells #EnergyInnovation #DefenceTech #SustainablePower #FrontlineTechnology

Premier Miton Investors shutters sustainable European fund after three years. Premier Miton has closed its European Sustainable Leaders fund just three years after its launch in May 2021. Check out Sorin-Andrei Dojan's latest article👇 https://incm.pub/3xcSBXH #investing #assetmanagement #wealthmanagement #finance