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Today I visited the GREENTECH FESTIVAL in Berlin with my dear friend Andreas. 💚 To make it short: Good vibes, busy floors and a big startup space. But tbh I wondered if it's really worth it for startups. I remember from my active time as an exhibitor that we weren't honest about the hard costs per lead. We argued a lot: being there is everything, you have to be seen, brand building is important, it's where the industry meets, serendipity happens, if we just get one big order it will pay off... not to forget the parties! That's all true, but the opportunity cost of attending a trade show is very high, especially for startups. And while this isn't meant to be a trade show bashing at all, here are a few suggestions from my experience, on how to make the most of it... - Train your team to proactively approach people. - Initiate a challenge to see who can get the most leads. - Prepare in advance and market your attendance by actively inviting customers. - Consider a small side event, such as a VIP dinner. - Try to book a package with a speaking engagement at the conference, that has always paid off for us. - Use the exhibitor directory for your own prospecting. - Calculate cost vs. lead conversion after the show with real data and decide whether to repeat. - Push your presence on social in real time. Good luck to all exhibitors and happy selling 🚀 ____________________________ Sharing my experience as an entrepreneur and angel investor. Investing in early stage B2B SaaS startups. Happy to connect 👋

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Zeitgeist is changing and we need to adapt or to encounter. When we started Climate Founders 4.5 years ago, we had a perfect Product Zeitgeist Fit (explained by a16z: https://lnkd.in/ePtBRVD3) in 2018 and 2019 activist groups like Fridays for Future played an important role to make the societies aware that we are in a climate crisis and need to act, with the beginning of the new decade announcement after announcement was made: politics made important changes from regulation to investment programs, more people than usual voted for green politics, the climate crisis got relevant media coverage, thousands of companies world-wide set decarbonization goals, huge asset managers implemented ESG and decarbonization strategies, billionaires pledged for the climate, hundreds of climatetech fund were established, serial entrepreneurs went into climate topics, Covid made many poeple think about contributing to a better world … in general you could feel change to make this decade to what it is in fact, the decisive decade for humanity. Even with beginning of the Russian war, there was a positive thinking that renewables are the solution to solve energy, industry and dependence problems, even climate chrisis deniers called them „freedom energies“. In 2023 we saw some Zeitgeist changes, the climate crisis seemed not to be a main topic anymore, in the media, in the politics, in companies and the society in general. Ambitious politicians understand that the society is not ready to change, some media work heavily against climate politics, companies realize how hard it is to decarbonize and partly drop their goals, asset managers start to drop ESG and decarbonization goals, investors and entrepreneurs look more at AI, politics goes right and populistic. Regarding Climatetech im still very optimistic: The 2018-2022 Zeitgeist helped to build a massive ecosystem, which is still growing. The current Zeitgeist is not in favor for Climatetech, but it will come back for sure, as unfortunately the climate crisis will hit us harder every year and we always had this typical left-right cycles in politics and societies. Due to our expanded activies our dealflow is still growing, but in general we have the impression that less new founders entered the space in the last 12-18 months and also hear from some other VCs that they see less climatetech teams. We take it as a challenge and re-focus on co-founder matching to make it easier to enter the space for founders. Especially scientists and serial entrepreneurs are our target group for our co-founder matching. Take the world’s biggest challenge as your personal opportunity and apply here: https://lnkd.in/egvTQApi

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Three biggest learnings from a fundraising journey. Shared by Rainer Märkle, General Partner at HV Capital at EUVC 1/ Have a time box with a deadline attached. Have a defined horizon & create a clear plan. Have some urgency to get things done at some point. Execute very transparently and reliably. 2/ Stick to your narrative. But don't do it blindly. Tweak it when necessary. Adapt it. Don't let yourself be surprised by major changes. Keep focusing on delivering according to your strategy & plan. 3/ Fundraising is a marathon with many sprints. There are moments when you'll ask yourself - Why do I do this? Is it gonna work out? But don't get too negative during the down phases. Adapting and pivoting is part of our job. As it is for the founder of a company. How about you? What fundraising lessons have you learned? Join the conversation. 🔽 #venturecapital #angelinvesting #startupfunding #europe

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Co-founders vs. sole founders A founding team that doesn't work is one of the top 10 reasons why startups fail. Nevertheless, I would not want to build hypt without Roger Ellenberger and Tobias Wegmüller. Here is why: 1. Building a startup can be tough, so it is important to be able to share the challenges and pressure with others. 2. Everyone has their strengths. Having complementary skills in the founding team increases the value of your startup immensely. 3. I know I'm not always right. That is why it is important to have people around you with whom you can discuss ideas. 4. And the most important thing: While you are working hard and long, it is important to have fun. And let me tell you, we have a lot of fun at hypt, as you can see on the picture. What is your opinion? Co-founders or sole founders? #startup #team #founder

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The biggest myth impact-driven startups have: (just like nerds) 🗣️🗣️ "We don't need marketing or sales" "Our impact is so clear that people will buy themselves." "We'll grow organically." Alright. Organic growth is good. But, how far will you be able to reach? Look, I understand, you may get your first few customers without any marketing, ...just on the basis of the impact you're bringing. And, that's good. But, to take your business to the next level, And, to build a strong customer base, You NEED to do sales and marketing. 📢 And, don't get it wrong. Sales doesn't mean fooling people into buying your products. Sales is a way to reach the people whose lives your product can impact. So, if any impact-driven founder, or any sustainability startup founder is reading this, Please don't act like nerds. Try out advertising, marketing and sales. And, see the boost it can bring. 🚀 Feel free to DM and let's brainstorm ideas together. 💡💡 Day 2/7 of the weekly streak. Follow Zeeshaan for more. #Sales #Startups #PositiveImpact #Marketing #Advertising #OrganicGrowth #GrowthMindset #Nerds #Entrepreneurship #Business

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“Mom, you’re in the newspaper!”, said my daughter. Almost. It is not a newspaper, but a whitepaper by SEIF about the impact ecosystem. Mariana Christen Jakob, founder of SEIF - Driving Impact Innovation, asked me: ❔ If you look into the crystal ball, what development prospects do you see for tech for impact startups? In my opinion, impact will remain a massive driver. Investors will keep focusing on positive environmental impact as well as social impact. Examples are climate-tech, fem-tech or generally diversity and the female economy. However, raising funds will remain challenging for the coming months, especially for earlier-stage start-ups or start-ups with slower growth in revenues. ❔ What is your advice? My advice is twofold: Approach investors which still have sufficient cash and professionalize your fundraising approach. Regarding investors, this means talking to venture capital funds with sufficient dry powder, corporate venture funds matching your tech-focus or relevant government programs. Do not rely on private investors to keep funding your startups. The second part of my advice points toward increasing the maturity of the startup: Hire experienced employees with profound industry knowledge, strengthen the financial management, streamline the processes, and communicate to investors in a transparent and trustworthy manner. Be persistent. For impact founders who master these disciplines, the future is still bright! ☀️ Read the full interview in the whitepaper “From niche to mainstream? 12 years of impact ecosystem”. Key figures about SEIF: ➕ Analyzed 2’898 startup applications from 100+ countries. ➕ Selected 125 finalists including DePoly and Voltiris. ➕ Crowned 51 winners including Carbon Delta and Planted. In addition, Mariana and her team have initiated and nurtured an impact-focused network of executives like Ellen Bakke Mawdsley, Christian Maehr, Susanne Wittig, Curdin Duschletta, Ellinor Schweyer, Philipp Ries, Julia Balandina Jaquier, Kostis Tselenis, Falko Paetzold, Alessandra Rojas, Christin ter Braak-Forstinger, Dr., LL.M. and many more. 👉🏻 If you are a climate-tech startup looking for non-dilutive funding, sign up for our Technology Fund webinar co-organized by The Swiss Startup Association on June 20th (link in comments)! Or in Mariana’s words: Continue to create positive impact! #impact #swisssstartups #funding

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Climate founder: “We just raised €2M in funding!” Me: “How much of it will go into branding & content?” Climate founder: “All of it will go into R&D!” Me: 🤦🏻‍♂️ Look, R&D is essential. Nobody argues with that. But why do you make the same mistake as everyone else? If you think you’ll spend the next 2 years knee-deep in product development only to come out in public and expect everyone to love your work…. …you’ll fail big time. You’ll just contribute to that 75% failure rate. While also: - Having no brand recognition - Worrying about investors’ opinions - Anxious about the next funding round - Your team is stressed, underpaid & overworked - Sales reps annoying 150 people per week with cold outreach I’m no startup expert. But I’m pretty damn sure having a strong brand & content presence will help you raise the next round faster, validate your product better, and acquire customers more efficiently. What are your thoughts?

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In 2 days, I'm hosting a free masterclass on "How to Build a Self-Managing Ecommerce Organization" This is for you if: 👉Struggling to align your team?  👉Feeling trapped in the daily grind?  👉Ready to transform your ecom brand/agency into a self-managing powerhouse? Join me for a 60-minute masterclass where you’ll learn: 🎯 Why alignment, accountability, culture, and structure are crucial for success 🎯 How to start with a strong direction, mission, and vision statement 🎯 How to effectively delegate and empower your team using a RACI matrix 🎯 How to build systems that support, not stifle, your team 🎯 How regular communication and alignment drive faster results 🎯 How all this can help you reclaim your time and focus on strategic growth Plus, an open-mic session to tackle your unique challenges! Please find the link to the event in the comments 👇

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BELIEVE THE CLIMATE HYPE I am doing a fireside chat with one of the largest retailers in the world later this week on the ups and down of BIG sustainability. One of the advanced questions I received is about HYPE, so here are my most under-hyped and over-hyped climate technologies! UNDER-HYPED - AI: WTF right? We are just getting started in AI-generated efficiency up and down the supply chain and it may save us all. https://lnkd.in/g2mWQbBy and https://lnkd.in/gBgwj62g. - Nature-Based Solutions: are in turmoil right now because of a bunch of bad actors and fraud. If the ecosystem can get its act together, we could see 100k+ legit offset projects hit the market. - Building Decarbonization: VPPs, storage, smart appliances, heat pumps and smart software to manage all of it. And new technologies to make cement more sustainable and even replace it are on the horizon. Yeah it's hard, but if it was easy everybody would b doing it. - Recommerce: It's rare to find a tech that both reduces costs, increases revenues and adds to sustainability. Recycling isn't far behind. OVER-HYPED DAC: Direct air capture is the darling of the tech industry and is still too expensive and doesn't create an ounce of operational or supply chain efficiency. It's still just an offset cost. Tracking/Reporting: Without regulations demanding that companies report their emissions, this category will be voluntary and no one wants to pay much for voluntary especially when it doesn't increase operational efficiency. Yes the EU requires it but until the US requires reporting, unicorns will be few and far between here. Blockchain: I have yet to see the blockchain do anything for climate tech that a good old fashioned database can't do equally or better. Startups that seek to combine crypto, blockchain and climate seem schizophrenic and struggle. There are lots of appropriately hyped categories like VPPs, DERs, EV charging, geo-spatial data... WHICH HYPED CATEGORIES DID I MISS!!!

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After receiving a huge response, over the past three weeks I selected and had Clarity Calls with 7 incredible founders. Let me introduce you to them: Bettina Mueller Reichl with Cape de Coeur, a luxury rainwear brand that’s both sustainable and sophisticated. Watch "She Came To Me", and you'll see Anne Hathaway wearing one of her pieces! Daphné Eastmond, CPA with Frizz + Co., elevating the standard of curl care through innovative, intentional products, bridging the education gap within the curl community. Dallas Barnes with Reya Health, helping women and people with ovaries take control of their health and lives, fostering healthier families and communities. Lee-Anne Reuber with Sekond Skin Society, an inclusive fitness app where people with and without disabilities can work out together. Frankie Leigh Shelton with Wisdom Medicine, providing hormone-informed care for women at every stage of life, from puberty to menopause. Sajna Massey, P. Eng, MBA with Couth Studios, a brand leveraging AI to combat overproduction and overconsumption. Deb Flanagan with Bizzidy, democratizing access to funding information, offering trauma-focused programs for women entrepreneurs, and building connected, meaningful communities where no woman is left behind. From Canada to the US to Europe, I’ve been working with founders on everything from branding and marketing to planning pop-ups, navigating things when we're stuck in comparison (we all face it!), onboarding talent, developing fundraising strategies, and prioritizing the steps to move forward. I genuinely love this work — it’s what drives me. If you’re a self-aware woman builder or operator ready for clarity and progress, I’ve opened up more space for Calls. And yes, you can be based anywhere in the world. Link in the comments to apply👇🏽 #WomenFounders #StartupSupport #InnovationForGood #Mentorship #Entrepreneurship #AriseAndLead

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Impact founders, this one's for you! 🚀 On October 30th, Unrest is launching Impact <> Investor Office Hours where 60 purpose-driven founders get 1-1 time with Europe’s top angels and VC funds, including investors from Speedinvest, Sequoia, Octopus Ventures and many more. This is an incredible opportunity to gather feedback, build relationships, and potentially accelerate your fundraising journey. Why you should apply: 💥 Top Investors: Connect directly with Europe's leading VCs and angels—no warm intro required. 💡 1:1 Feedback: Receive personalised advice and insights from investment experts (serious potential to propel your progress) 👥 Build Relationships: Get the chance to build connections that extend far beyond this initiative 📤 Exposure: Even if you’re not selected, your application will be sent to all participating investors! Having been part of the Unrest spring cohort this year, I have experienced first hand how brilliant the team is to support impact founders finding and making the right connections. I'll definitely be applying for this too. 🚀 Hurry to not miss out, as applications close on October 10th. You can find the application link and more details in the comments. Panayiotis (Pan) Demetriou Orr Vinegold Anas Hassan Liesa MillerShola Forbes

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💡 If you're not signed up yet for our bimonthly The Green Techpreneur newsletter, do so now to get: Interviews with the most inspiring climate tech entrepreneurs and investors who are driving change in the industry. Watch, learn and listen for: Cutting-Edge Innovations: Discover how startups are leveraging groundbreaking technologies to tackle climate challenges. From renewable energy solutions to sustainable agriculture, these innovations are paving the way for a greener future. Investor Insights: Learn what top investors are looking for in climate tech ventures. Gain invaluable tips on how to position your startup to attract the right kind of funding and make a lasting impact. Success Stories: Be inspired by the journeys of successful climate tech entrepreneurs. Their stories of perseverance, creativity, and impact are sure to motivate you to push the boundaries of what's possible. Practical Advice: Get actionable advice on everything from fundraising strategies to scaling your startup sustainably. Our experts share their best practices to help you navigate the complexities of the climate tech landscape. For startups, this is an opportunity to gain crucial insights and connect with like-minded innovators and investors who share your passion for making a difference. 🚀 Subscribe to The Green Techpreneur now and stay ahead with the latest trends, interviews, and tips in the climate tech space: https://lnkd.in/dmDPVeF 🤝 Get in touch for personalised support with your fundraising efforts and take your startup to the next level!

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Humans love safety and the status quo. But what if change could bring value and an even better status quo? I went on a guided tour the other day, and the guide kept mentioning how nature changes between his visits. Our society also changes over time, often without us even noticing, whether we like it or not. Sometimes, change is even necessary … to avoid being left behind. … Like how elderly individuals are now learning to handle QR codes (in Denmark, we have a digital identity service based on QR technology). Or … Like how businesses are implementing sustainable initiatives to contribute to the green agenda. Failing to keep up with societal changes, digitalization, or environmental awareness creates a risk of becoming irrelevant, as these factors are increasingly essential. Change and transformation can be good and necessary. It’s at least not something to be afraid of. Despite loving familiar surroundings, try to embrace change – it might just bring a positive transformation. How do you embrace change? #Change #Future #EmbraceChange #DigitalTransformation #Sustainability #Innovation #FutureReady #SocietalChange #Digitalization #EnvironmentalAwareness

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Last week I had a first-time software entrepreneur ask me to catch up for a coffee to chat about his startup. Fundamentally it’s a marketplace for the cosmetics industry - which he currently operates a business in. His current situation:  • 2 years in (part time) • 0 leads • 0 Customers • 1 free user (himself)  • “Almost ready” native iOS app (MVP) Total spent: $200k ($5K on an ‘expert’ to create an investors deck) I know what you’re thinking. And I thought the same thing: “I would have done your deck for $4,900” Jokes aside… First questions I asked: How did you first validate this idea before dropping $200k and building a native app? His answer: Huh!? I love speaking and connecting with entrepreneurs — especially first timers. Their enthusiasm is unmatched. Their confidence unrivalled. Their attitude is: Everything and anything is possible. However, sometimes that enthusiasm and confidence is their kryptonite. — He asked: In your opinion, what should I have done first? My answer: In this order, I would have: • Started calling people I knew in that industry and asking them about the problem I can clearly see and if they have the same problem.  • Built a one page landing page with Carrd, using the words and phrases I extracted from my calls to articulate the problem I’m solving.  • Built a hit list of 50 potential customers that would be low hanging fruit (independently owned businesses - not chains or big brands)  • Sent cold emails and filled out enquiry forms on their site. • Create a short 4-6 page information deck elaborating on how your product solves their problem • Booked meetings with as many as you can in your hit list, with the objective of gaining a deeper understanding of the problem AND if they fit, adding them to your email list to keep them update on the launch date.  • Send an onboarding form from Google Form/Airtable/Typeform - anything that moves them closer to being a customer, not a friendly survey participant.  • Then send those participants a small Stripe invoice with a discount. “Pre-launch offer” If these things stack up: • They reply to your emails and agree to meet • They understand and feel the problem you’re trying to solve with their own business.  • Provide ideas on how the product should function and how those functions help them achieve XYZ.  • Fill out your forms, pay your small invoice Then you have a case to go after it with a little more confidence and enthusiasm. AND you’re 10x further down the road with paying customers while you’re pre-product. Doing it this way you could even attract some startup cash from early stage investors. — I meet with a lot of first time founders and it’s the same 3 mistake a lot of the time: • They didn’t know this process of product/market validation was a thing.  • They knew but suffered from Overconfidence and Confirmation bias.  • Egos get in the way. (Guilty 🙋🏻‍♂️) What advice would you have given this first time founder? #startups #founders

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Hi Everyone, Dive into this month’s exciting update from Causeartist, where we cover recent funding rounds and new initiatives across the impact sector. From startups revolutionizing clean tech to educational accelerators, these stories showcase the potential of the social impact ecosystem. 🌍 Cloover: Pioneering Urban Green Spaces in Berlin Focus: Cloover, a Berlin-based startup, is reimagining urban environments with their innovative green space solutions, contributing to sustainable city development. Read More - https://lnkd.in/gYKcjWef 🔋 Delta Green: Revolutionizing Household Energy Management Update: Delta Green is set to transform how we manage home energy use, emphasizing sustainability and advanced energy solutions. Learn more - https://lnkd.in/grdRW9DY 🌱 Doconomy Secures Major Funding in Series B Round Funding Round: Doconomy has raised significant capital to expand its climate impact footprint, empowering consumers to make environmentally conscious decisions. Discover more - https://lnkd.in/g9_VEDr2 🌊 $2 Million Federal Investment to Measure Ocean Carbon Investment: The administration has allocated $2 million towards enhancing our understanding of surface ocean carbon, critical for addressing climate change. Read About the Ocean Carbon Initiative - https://lnkd.in/gFiCq9Ec 🎓 LSE Appoints Kieron Boyle to Lead 100x Impact Accelerator Announcement: The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) School of Economics has brought on Kieron Boyle to head the 100x Impact Accelerator, aimed at propelling social enterprises to new heights. Find Out More About the Accelerator - https://lnkd.in/gvJCZ8dT

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Climate Tech remains untapped, underfunded and underestimated. Especially in Europe. Yes, the sector's growing, but we’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible. A large part of series A and beyond funding for European climate tech startups is coming from the US. We’re talking about a $5 trillion opportunity here. To get there, we need to bridge the funding gap. #climatetech

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