Princess Aghayere & John Gough // ICA Fund

Addy is a dynamic Investment Manager at Regenerate Ventures, focusing on fundraising, deal flow, and portfolio management. With her diverse experience across agri-tech, VC, and regenerative agriculture, she excels at bridging the gap between investors and entrepreneurs.

Previously, Addy built her own grab-and-go restaurant business in London, giving her valuable insight into the challenges facing startups seeking funding. She leverages this entrepreneurial spirit in her work sourcing and evaluating high-potential investments.

Prior to joining Regenerate, Addy held positions at Imprimatur Capital, Forward Food Tech, and Europe's largest regenerative farming project, Wildfarmed. In these roles, she developed specialized skills in agriculture technology, venture capital, and sustainable food systems.

Addy thrives on making connections between investors and world-positive startups. With her well-rounded background, she is a trusted partner for building regenerative portfolios.

About Regenerate Asset Management

Regenerate is actively involved in a global network bridging the gap between natural capital and the international finance community. In areas such as sustainable agriculture, the right approach creates opportunities to positively impact the environment while producing high quality food and fiber.

Regenerate's agricultural investments focus on improving soil health, which has positive ripple effects on biodiversity, water quality, and farming economics. Through its network, Regenerate is linking the worlds of finance and regeneration to fund scalable and impactful solutions. 

With a mission to heal the planet, Regenerate makes investments that restore natural systems while delivering competitive financial returns. 

The company is at the forefront of driving capital towards regenerative projects that benefit both people and planet.

Alina serves as the CEO and Managing Partner of The Radical Fund, an early-stage VC fund with a unique mission – investing in and supporting entrepreneurs who are driving rapid solutions for an inclusive climate transition, strengthening the foundations of a more resilient Southeast Asia. Connect with Alina on LinkedIn.

In addition to her role at The Radical Fund, Alina is a Co-Founder and former Chief Strategy Officer of Founders Factory Africa, a powerhouse in early-stage venture investment across the African continent, headquartered in Johannesburg. With a track record of raising over $140 million from LPs and investors for the Africa funds, the organization now boasts a portfolio of more than 55 companies and a dedicated team of over 45 professionals working across the continent.

One of Alina's recent achievements is securing a groundbreaking partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, worth $107 million, with a primary focus on driving increased investment and support to the early-stage ecosystem. This initiative aims to create over 2.7 million jobs and empower over 1500 inspiring entrepreneurs to become fully fledged founders, shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future.

But Alina's impactful journey doesn't stop there. Prior to her role at Founders Factory Africa, she spearheaded corporate partnerships at SPRING, an organization dedicated to scaling over 75 Pre-Seed tech ventures in nine countries across East Africa and South Asia. Working alongside a team of 40+ local and global experts, SPRING reached over 2.5 million adolescent girls and women, a feat independently evaluated by Tetra Tech Impact Management.

Before her work at SPRING, Alina dedicated seven years to the World Bank Group, where she forged critical collaborations with governments, corporations, and other multilateral development agencies, contributing to the advancement of social and economic development.

Alina's career began in Australia, where she honed her skills at two global companies within the WPP Group, operating across the Asia Pacific region and serving renowned clients such as BP, Kodak, GE Money, and Fosters Group.

About The Radical Fund

The Radical Fund is an early-stage VC fund dedicated to investing in founders who are actively advancing climate resilience in Southeast Asia. Their portfolio comprises a spectrum of adaptation and mitigation ventures, fostering an inclusive climate transition toward a sustainable future.

The fund recognizes that climate mitigation and decarbonization efforts, on their own, are insufficient to address the unique challenges faced by emerging markets in coping with climate change. These nations, disproportionately affected by environmental shifts, require more comprehensive solutions that go beyond emissions reduction.

The Radical Fund's investments are directed towards early-stage entrepreneurs who possess an intimate understanding of their customers - their needs, behaviors, and specific market or industry challenges. These founders have not only identified a pressing issue within their domain but have also rolled up their sleeves to actively seek innovative solutions.

Their Vision:

The Radical Fund envisions a future where, by 2030, Southeast Asia emerges as the world's premier hub for early-stage climate ventures. This vision hinges on the development of scaled products and services, thoughtfully tailored to the requirements of individuals residing in countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia. In this vision, climate mitigation efforts are seamlessly integrated with climate adaptation solutions.

Krisztina Tora, as the Chief Market Development Officer at GSG, plays a pivotal role in mobilizing capital for positive impact across 70 nations. Her expertise extends to advising governments, financial institutions, and other stakeholders on strategies to accelerate capital flow, ultimately benefiting both people and the planet. She champions the cause of systemic change, with a particular emphasis on addressing the financing gap for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in emerging markets. Krisztina also leads efforts to drive policy transformations and the establishment of innovative financial instruments and impact funds.

Before joining GSG, Krisztina was a co-founder and leader of the Global Social Entrepreneurship Network (GSEN), a worldwide network of organizations dedicated to supporting early-stage social entrepreneurs across more than 50 countries, impacting the lives of over 2.5 million people globally.

Krisztina's unwavering passion for making a difference has been a constant throughout her career. Prior to 2013, she held the position of Director at a prominent strategy consultancy, specializing in forging partnerships between multinational corporations and NGOs or social enterprises. Earlier in her career, she served as the International Projects Manager at Veolia, a global utilities company.

She holds an MBA from ESSEC Business School in Paris, is fluent in French, Hungarian, English, and Spanish, and possesses proficient skills in German and Portuguese.

In Episode 62 of the Investing in Impact podcast, Causeartist contributor, Rafael Aldon, speaks with Jessica Burley, Investor at Planet A Ventures, on investing in early-stage startups that are developing climate change solutions.

Jessica Burley is an investor at Planet A Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in climate tech startups. She holds a Politics degree from Cambridge University and has a background in climate finance and sustainable development. Prior to joining Planet A, she worked as an analyst at a climate VC firm and as a researcher for the United Nations.

What is Planet A Ventures?

Planet A Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in climate tech startups. The firm was founded in 2022 and has raised €160 million for its first fund, which it plans to invest in early-stage startups that are developing solutions to climate change.

Planet A's Investment Thesis

Planet A invests in climate tech startups that are working to decarbonize the economy. The firm's investment thesis is based on the following pillars:

• Science-based targets: Planet A only invests in startups that have set ambitious science-based targets to reduce their emissions.
• Impact: Planet A measures the impact of its investments on the environment.
• Diversity: Planet A is committed to investing in a diverse set of startups, including those founded by women and people of color.

Some of the Companies in Planet A's Portfolio

Some of the companies in Planet A's portfolio include:

• Carbon Re: Carbon Re is a company that uses artificial intelligence to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
• Makersite: Makersite is a company that helps companies manage their product supply chains in a sustainable way.
• one.five: one.five is a company that makes circular biomaterials that can replace single-use plastics.

Planet A Ventures is a leading venture capital firm that is investing in climate tech startups. The firm's mission is to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy. Fridtjof Detzner and the team at Planet A are passionate about making a positive impact on the planet, and they are committed to investing in the next generation of climate tech innovators.

If you are a startup that is developing solutions to climate change, I encourage you to reach out to Planet A Ventures. The firm is always looking for new investment opportunities.

In Episode 61 of the Investing in Impact podcast, Causeartist contributor, Rafael Aldon, speaks with Arman Anatürk, the Co-Founder and CEO of HackCapital, on building the infrastructure platform for sustainable finance.

Arman Anatürk is the Co-Founder and CEO of HackCapital, an investment platform that aims to unlock billions in new capital towards private companies working on impact solutions. He is also a founding member of FoodHack, the world's largest foodtech community.

Arman is passionate about using technology to solve some of the world's biggest challenges, such as climate change and food security. He believes that HackCapital can play a key role in mobilizing capital towards these important areas.

Arman is a strong advocate for building community and infrastructure to support impact investing. He believes that by working together, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future.

About HackCapital

HackCapital is a platform that provides purpose-built fundraising and liquidity tools for impact funds and startups. The platform offers a variety of features, including:

• Roll-up vehicles: This feature allows startups and syndicates to roll up multiple investors as a single line on their cap table. This can make it easier for startups to raise capital and for investors to track their investments. Bring in an unlimited number of smaller ticket investors, without crowding your cap table.
• Feeder funds: This feature allows fund managers to roll up multiple investors as a single LP into their fund. This can help fund managers to raise capital more quickly and efficiently.
• Micro vehicles: This feature is designed for emerging managers who are looking for an alternative option to quickly set up and raise an investment vehicle.
• Custom structures: HackCapital can also help investors to structure investments into target assets. This can be helpful for investors who are looking to invest in specific impact sectors or regions.

In addition to these features, HackCapital also offers a number of benefits, including:

• New investor base: HackCapital can help investors to access a new pool of investors who are interested in impact investing.
• Increased liquidity: HackCapital's platform is designed to accommodate secondaries, which can help investors to sell their investments more easily.
• Fully digitized: HackCapital's platform is fully digitized, which can save time and money for investors and fund managers.
• 24-hour setup speed: HackCapital's platform can be set up in a matter of hours, not weeks.
• Neutrality: HackCapital is a neutral platform, which means that it does not compete with its investors or investees.
• EU based: HackCapital is based in Switzerland and Luxembourg, which gives it a strong legal and regulatory framework.

HackCapital is a valuable tool for impact investors and fund managers who are looking to raise capital and manage their investments more effectively. The platform's features and benefits can help investors to access a new pool of investors, increase liquidity, save time and money, and achieve their impact goals.

In Episode 60 of the Investing in Impact podcast, Causeartist contributor, Rafael Aldon, speaks with Laura Ortiz Montemayor, Founder of SVX México and GP at Regenera Ventures Fund, on preserving biodiversity and advocating for real Impact Investing.

Laura Ortiz Montemayor is a living-systems thinker and mompreneur. As the founder of SVX México, she is deeply passionate about fostering Regenerative Culture, preserving biodiversity, and advocating for Impact Investing. Laura's ultimate mission is to redirect capital towards serving life rather than controlling it, and she dedicates her efforts to transforming investment paradigms.

Over the years, Laura has focused her work on driving social, economic, and environmental justice through providing advice and education on Impact Investment. She actively contributes as a board member of the Mexico Impact Investing Steering Committee and Taskforce (AII MX) and volunteers as a mentor for ALTERNARE A.C. Laura is also one of the founding members of the ASEM (Mexican Association of Entrepreneurs).

Currently, Laura and her business partner, Stevie Smyth, are diligently structuring their inaugural fund, Regenera Ventures. This fund is dedicated to investing in the regenerative transition for rural Mexico, with a gender lens and a landscape approach. Laura's expertise has reached an extensive audience, as she has taught impact investing, climate finance, and regenerative economy principles to over 1,400 Latin American investors. Her valuable insights have been shared in various countries, amplifying her impact on a global scale.

Prior to her entrepreneurial journey, Laura accumulated over eight years of experience in wealth and asset management, working with prestigious institutions such as BBVA and Citi Banamex. Her educational background includes a degree in International Business from ITESM (Tec de Monterrey), along with certifications in Impact Investment from Oxford University, Regenerative Entrepreneurship from UCI, Venture Capital and Private Equity Seminar from RiskMathics, Investment Management training from ANDE, and Behavioral Economics from NYU.

Laura's commitment to making a difference extends beyond her professional endeavors. As an angel investor in Desplastifícate and a micro investor through collective finance in two other social and environmental impact companies, she actively supports ventures aligned with her values. Laura's unwavering dedication and diverse experiences make her a true force for positive change.

In Episode 59 of the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Machtelt Groothuis, founding partner of Rubio Impact Ventures, on backing entrepreneurs who unite powerful impact with a scalable commercial business.

Machtelt is a founding partner of Rubio Impact Ventures, an impact investment firm that backs entrepreneurs who unite powerful impact with a scalable commercial business. She is passionate about using capital to drive positive change and has over 20 years of experience in the impact investing and social enterprise space.

Before founding Rubio Impact Ventures, Machtelt was a Managing Director at 3i, a leading global private equity firm, where she led the firm's impact investing activities in Europe. She also served as a Director at AlpInvest Partners, a leading global private equity firm, where she focused on investments in the healthcare and technology sectors.

About Rubio Impact Ventures

Rubio Impact Ventures is an impact investment firm that backs entrepreneurs who unite powerful impact with a scalable commercial business. They believe that the most valuable companies will be the ones solving humanity's biggest challenges.

The Rubio Impact Ventures team is passionate about using capital to drive positive change. They have a deep understanding of the impact investing landscape and are committed to finding and supporting the best entrepreneurs in the world.

The investment philosophy of Rubio Impact Ventures is centered around long-term partnerships and collaborative relationships. They aim to be more than just a source of capital by actively working alongside founders to help them navigate challenges, refine their strategies, and scale their businesses.

In Episode 58 of the Investing in Impact podcast, we speak with Michael W. Sonnenfeldt, Entrepreneur, Investor, and Philanthropist on his life's journey and the future of climate investing and climate startups.

Michael W. Sonnenfeldt is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. With a visionary mindset, he spearheaded the groundbreaking transformation of the Harborside Financial Center in Jersey City, NJ during the 1980s, making it the largest commercial renovation project of its time. Michael went on to establish and lead Emmes & Company, a distinguished real estate investment boutique specializing in the acquisition of distressed portfolios.

Having an extensive background in renewable energy, Michael's journey in this sector began with the creation of SOL, a solar company that he built from the ground up. Eventually, SOL was acquired by Carmanah Technologies Corp., a reputable Canadian company engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of solar products and systems. His knowledge and expertise in renewable energy span over several decades.

Educationally, Michael holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, further enhancing his foundation for success. Building upon his entrepreneurial achievements, he founded Tiger 21, an esteemed learning and investment network catering to high-net-worth individuals. This platform offers a unique space for peers to engage in open discussions about family, legacy, and investment, allowing Michael to share his evolving priorities.

Michael's dedication extends beyond his professional endeavors. Over the past twenty-five years, he has actively contributed to numerous non-profit organizations focusing on crucial causes such as the environment, climate change, national security, Middle East peace, international peacekeeping, the US/UN relationship, and communal development. His commitment to these important issues influences both his business and philanthropic work, shaping the mission of MUUS to invest in a more sustainable and livable future.

In Episode 57 of the Investing in Impact podcast, we speak with Shuyin Tang, Partner at Patamar Capital and Co-Founder & CEO at the Beacon Fund, on empowering female entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia's emerging markets.

Shuyin is a Partner at Patamar Capital, a leading impact investing firm in Southeast Asia. She holds responsibility for Patamar's investing activities in the Mekong region and has successfully led investments into education, FinTech, employee benefits, and healthcare companies. Shuyin plays a pivotal role in spearheading Patamar’s gender lens investing efforts, overseeing the management of the Investing in Women Fund, which stands as one of Southeast Asia's pioneering gender lens investing funds.

Additionally, she co-founded and currently serves as the CEO of the Beacon Fund, an innovative fund dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia's emerging markets.

With a wealth of experience across various domains, Shuyin has worked in strategy consulting at Bain & Company, development consulting at TechnoServe, and impact investing at Patamar Capital and LGT Venture Philanthropy. Her professional journey has taken her through Australia, India, and Southeast Asia. In addition to her private sector roles, she has also served in the U.S. Congress, the Australian public service, as well as at The Lowy Institute for International Policy and UNICEF.

Shuyin's exceptional contributions have garnered recognition throughout her career. She was honored as one of Australia's "100 Women of Influence" by the Australian Financial Review in 2015, identified as an Asia 21 Young Leader by the Asia Society in 2016, and acknowledged as one of the “40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australians” in 2020.

Currently, she actively serves on the Investment Advisory Council of the Equality Fund and the Impact Investing Council of the Global Private Capital Association. Shuyin graduated summa cum laude from the Australian National University, where she was awarded the University Medal for her outstanding academic achievements.

In Episode 56 of the Investing in Impact podcast, we speak with Sarah Nolet, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Tenacious Ventures, on backing early-stage Agtech companies to tackle climate change.

Sarah is the co-founder of Tenacious Ventures, a specialized agrifood tech venture firm that operates with a high-support, high conviction approach. Throughout her career, Sarah has played a pivotal role in cultivating the early-stage agtech ecosystem.

Her contributions range from advising numerous startups and designing accelerator programs to consulting established agribusinesses. Additionally, Sarah has worked closely with industry, universities, and government bodies to develop and implement forward-thinking initiatives that drive food system innovation.

Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, Sarah also hosts the highly acclaimed AgTech...So What? podcast. Through this platform, she shares captivating stories of innovators who are actively shaping the future of the food system, offering insights and inspiration to her audience.

She holds a Masters in System Design and Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she gained a deep understanding of complex systems and their management. Prior to that, she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Human Factors Engineering at Tufts University, equipping her with a strong foundation in technology and its human-centered applications.

Sarah Nolet's multifaceted expertise, combined with her extensive experience and academic qualifications, position her as a prominent figure in the realm of food systems innovation. Her contributions to the agtech ecosystem and her commitment to driving positive change have established her as a respected leader in the industry.

In an era of increasing environmental challenges and the urgent need for sustainable solutions, Tenacious Ventures has emerged as a leading force in supporting early-stage companies that are revolutionizing the food and agriculture industry.

With a strong commitment to driving carbon neutrality and resilience in the face of climate change, Tenacious Ventures is actively investing in innovative startups that are transforming the way we produce, distribute, and consume food.

In 2019, Tenacious Ventures embarked on its journey and successfully raised A$35 million for its inaugural fund in 2021. This achievement was made possible through significant cornerstone commitments of A$8 million each from two influential entities: the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and Grok Ventures, the private investment firm owned by Mike and Annie Cannon-Brookes.

Since then, Tenacious Ventures has been actively deploying its funds and supporting a diverse range of innovative companies that are driving positive change in the food and agriculture sector.

The firm has recently initiated the fundraising process for its second fund. The firm aims to raise a total of A$70 million ($47 million; €47 million) for this fund, demonstrating its commitment to supporting innovative startups in the agricultural technology sector.

Among the notable investments made by Tenacious Ventures from its first fund, Fund I, are:

1. Cecil: An innovative natural capital platform that enables sustainable management and restoration of ecosystems. Cecil's unique approach aligns economic incentives with environmental outcomes, promoting the conservation and enhancement of natural resources.
2. Goterra: A pioneering waste management start-up that revolutionizes the processing and conversion of organic waste. Goterra's innovative technology provides sustainable solutions for waste management while simultaneously creating valuable outputs such as nutrient-rich compost and livestock feed.
3. SwarmFarm Robotics: A cutting-edge autonomous agricultural vehicle platform that streamlines and optimizes farming operations. By harnessing advanced robotics and artificial intelligence, SwarmFarm Robotics enhances efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in the agriculture industry.
4. Nori: A US-based carbon marketplace that offers a unique platform for the exchange and monetization of carbon credits. Nori empowers farmers and landowners to earn revenue by implementing sustainable land management practices that sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
5. Vow: A pioneering cellular agriculture company that focuses on producing high-quality, sustainable, and cruelty-free animal products without the need for traditional farming. Vow's innovative approach leverages cellular technology to cultivate meat, dairy, and other animal products, minimizing the environmental impact of conventional livestock farming.
6. RapidAIM: A digital crop protection platform that employs advanced technologies, including sensors and data analytics, to enable early detection and monitoring of pest infestations in crops. By providing real-time insights, RapidAIM empowers farmers to make informed decisions and implement targeted pest control strategies, reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides.
7. Nowadays: A forward-thinking sustainable protein company that leverages plant-based sources to create delicious and nutritious alternatives to traditional animal products. Nowadays focuses on developing sustainable protein options that are both environmentally friendly and meet the growing demand for plant-based food choices.

These investments reflect Tenacious Ventures' commitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and positive environmental impact within the food and agriculture industry. Through strategic partnerships and financial support, Tenacious Ventures is playing a vital role in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future for the sector.