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Top 10 impact VCs

Funding

2021-09-01

Confido

6 minutes

As we’ve discussed in a previous blog post, securing funding is a continuous task for startups as they expand. There are plenty of funding routes to explore, but for this blog post we’re focusing on Venture Capital financing.  

As demonstrated in Tech Nation’s ‘Tech for Social Good’ report, there is a growing demand for investment routes that positively impact society whilst providing market-rate returns. That’s where impact VCs come in!  

 

Here are our top 10 impact VCs... 

 

Bethnal Green Ventures 

About: BGV are Europe’s leading early-stage tech for good VC. They back ambitious founders using technology to tackle big social and environmental problems that aim to radically improve millions of lives. They also gained B Corp certification in 2015. 

Ventures backed: 141  

Investment focus: Early-stage  

Portfolio: LetUs GrowBirdsongBright Little Labs  


ClearlySo  

About: ClearlySo is a leading corporate advisory firm specialising in impact investment. ClearlySo works with high-impact businesses and funds and supports their capital raising activity through financial advisory work, and introduction to investors. The company has also been certified as a B Corp since 2015.

Ventures backed:  Over 150 

Investment focus: Seed to Series B 

Portfolio: OddboxonHandbio-bean 

 


The Big Issue Invest 

About: The Big Issue Invest empower sustainable business solutions to deliver real social change. They currently manage or advise on £250m worth of social funds.  

Ventures backed:  Over 400 

Investment focus: Social enterprises and charities of any size 

Portfolio: AMATProjekt42Circle Collective   

 


Acumen 

About:  Acumen is changing the way the world tackles poverty. Their vision is a world based on dignity, where every human being has the same opportunity. Rather than giving philanthropy away, they invest it in companies and change makers. 

Ventures backed: Over 120 

Investment focus: Seed and Early-stage 

Portfolio: Easy SolarIgnis CareersRuna 


Mustard Seed 

About: Mustard Seed is a principal investor in world-class early-stage businesses that generate compelling financial and societal returns. They believe solving the greatest of societal ills drives commercial success in the long run. 

Ventures backed: 25 

Investment focusSeed-stage and early-stage

Portfolio: WinnowMushBeulah   


Emerge Education  

About: Emerge Education is a European seed fund investing in founders solving the $8.5tn skills gap. Backed by world-class education entrepreneurs and leaders, they provide the best environment in which to start global education companies. 

Ventures backed: Exact number unknown  

Investment focus: Pre-seed and seed-stage 

Portfolio: AcademyThe London Interdisciplinary Schoolyoto   


Sustainable Ventures  

About: Sustainable Ventures’ vision is a world where climate change and resource scarcity are addressed by commercial innovation. They want to develop 1,000 cleantech businesses by 2025.  

Ventures backed: Over 250 

Investment focus: Early-stage 

Portfolio: Good ClubVendiAgile Charging   

 

Obvious Ventures  

About: Obvious Ventures believe the largest companies of our time will utilize breakthrough technologies to solve systemic problems in a profitable and scalable way. Their purpose is to support the world’s positive entrepreneurs building these disruptive solutions. They gained B Corp certification in 2017. 

Ventures backed: Exact number unknown 

Investment focus: Early-stage and Growth-stage 

Portfolio: Beyond MeatChange.orgLilium 


Bridges 

About: For almost 20 years, Bridges have been investing in solutions that support the transition to a more inclusive and sustainable economy. They are driven by a clear conviction: that building a better future for people and the planet is also a unique opportunity to create lasting economic value. 

Ventures backed:  Exact number unknown 

Investment focus: Growth-stage 

Portfolio: Vegetarian ExpressAlina HomecareWorld of Books  


Nesta Impact Investments  

About: Nesta make long term investments in organisations creating innovative products and services that aim to deliver social or environmental impact, improving outcomes for people and planet. 

Ventures backed: Over 30 

Investment focus: Seed to Series A 

Portfolio: Third Space LearningBibliU, Ai-Media 


Have we missed anyone? Let us know on Twitter or LinkedIn, we’d love to hear from you!       

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