Erin Harkless Moore, CFA

Sharing views of my Partner. "Within the climate change investment ecosystem, much of the capital has gone to two ends of the spectrum: venture capital and infrastructure. Those investments are obviously impactful, but more of a developmental, long-term approach to solving climate change. We try to focus on where we can make an impact today. That means looking for companies already reducing emissions or saving energy." Read more from Stuart Barkoff, co-founder and managing partner GEF Capital Partners https://lnkd.in/dX2CMs35

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Divestment requirements have a very real cost. This reduces the ability of endowments and foundations to support their mission driven enterprises. As the list of divestment demands grow, at what point do the consequences outweigh the perceived benefits? Hiding at the end of this article is the below quote: Golden admitted the divestment had undermined Princo’s returns, saying the endowment “would have been better off” otherwise. But he pointed to a bigger concern: the pressure to “keep adding things to divest from”. “Fossil fuels are necessarily part of getting to where the overall economy needs to be [and] it would be impossible for the world to not use fossil fuels tomorrow,” he said. “Divestment is a pretty weak tool to change the economy.” https://lnkd.in/g3SeC8rg #energy #investing #vc

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ICYMI, I recently wrote for Entrepreneur Media why meaningful measurement is absolutely critical in the impact investing space. We have an obligation to see beyond short-term profits and measure impact outside the walls of investment portfolios, ensuring that we are also uplifting the lives of people in the communities where we disperse capital. #ImpactInvesting

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Today, Two Chairs announces $72M of new funding to continue building a world where everyone has access to exceptional mental health care. Since late 2017, when Maveron led the Two Chairs Series A, the need for mental health services has grown considerably as our society has become lonelier and more isolated than ever. At the same time, our culture’s willingness to openly acknowledge these challenges is greater than ever. Sadly, the rapid growth of Two Chairs affirms the fact that our society is in desperate need of better mental health support. Two Chairs has built a business that believes clinical quality is the defining characteristic of success. Alex Katz has always emphasized the paramountcy of measurement-based clinical outcomes, which the team works tirelessly to achieve. In the process, Two Chairs has illustrated that embracing the ‘move fast and break things’ mentality doesn’t always work. Instead, Two Chairs opted for a different approach: they went slow to go fast. They built a proprietary algorithm that matches patients with the perfect therapist at the onset and hired a team of W2 clinicians oriented toward providing the highest quality care available. Even as the Two Chairs team has grown, their culture has remained small. This has enabled more intimate relationships within the team and between clients and clinicians. Reflecting on this milestone brings me back to the founding of Maveron and the values we hold dear. In 1998, my friend Howard Schultz and I founded Maveron to help entrepreneurs build companies that improve the lives of everyday people—their employees and their customers. There is perhaps no better example of this than Two Chairs. *** Thank you to TechCrunch's Marina Temkin, CFA for the great write-up. https://tcrn.ch/4aMt7yG

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Thrilled to announce BBG Ventures second institutional fund – a $60M early-stage fund backing overlooked founders who are building for the Polycultural Future of America. Thanks Emma Hinchliffe at Fortune for sharing the news: https://lnkd.in/gSwqpHpq We’ve spent the last few years observing the passage of the country from a monoculture to one where women were a bigger part of the story, to today - where identity and lived experience matter more than ever. We call this the Polyculture – a new status quo in which America is a mosaic of unique segments; where identity is multivariate and dynamic; and where individuals can identify with multiple communities at once. I began using this term over 2 years ago, as a cross-culture kid myself: the child of Indian immigrants, growing up in rural Australia - and now an immigrant in America. We wondered - how do Americans perceive identity, and how does that drive their most fundamental needs? We conducted research with +2000 Americans across equal cross sections of race, gender, age and income. Here’s what we found: 1. We have surprisingly common priorities, needs and concerns despite our unique identities. 2. The biggest areas of the economy are still on the table, with Americans highlighting huge areas of opportunity in health, work, financial security, climate safety, and the underserved. 3. But we need new, more nuanced-solutions and personalization considering the emerging majority minority generation, an aging population, widening wealth gaps and continued differences along gender lines. To that end, we’ve officially expanded our mandate to embrace this evolution, backing underestimated founders – female or diverse – addressing the biggest pain points for our polycultural population. Read the full report here: The Mind of Polycultural America - https://lnkd.in/gdtiFE7v We’re proud to partner with new LPs including Fairview Capital, Pivotal Ventures, The California Endowment in addition to our many returning partners like Illumen Capital, George Kaiser Family Foundation who believe as we do: when you make change, you make money. If you’re an early-stage founder working to move the world forward in health, work, financial security, climate safety or for the underserved - in B2B or B2C - we want to talk to you. Susan Lyne Claire Biernacki Drew Silverman Fennessy Carol Magalhães Isaacs, CFA Addison B. Marsh, Jr.

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Building on the success of Rocket Studio with Simon Kirby and Pivotal with Dominic Joseph we decided to merge with Impact Counsel, led by the awesomely talented John D., Erim Jones and Robert Fok earlier this year. We’ve combined our significant and complimentary skills, experience and passion for growing amazing businesses to create a new breed of VC - Creative Capital Ventures Group (CCV). Fund 1 is focused on Sports, Media & Entertainment. Joining us on this exciting journey is media titan Tom Rogers (ex CEO Tivo & CNBC). We have also assembled a mighty team of Venture Partners bringing their expertise into our team, with the legendary Harvey Goldsmith leading our Immersive Entertainment category, and Cam Blackwood (Platinum award winning record producer) and his team at Rezonate heading up Music Rights acquisition. Creative Capital Ventures is designed to disrupt traditional VC models and accelerate the growth of innovative start-ups. We’ve already secured €18 million in commitments and are raising €35 million in total to fuel the next generation of game-changing businesses. What makes CCV different? •⁠ ⁠Founder-Led Expertise: Our team comprises serial entrepreneurs and operators who have built, scaled, and exited successful companies. We know what it takes to drive rapid growth. •⁠ ⁠Speed Scaler: Through our unique venture studio model, we’re not just funding companies—we’re actively accelerating their growth, shrinking the timeline from seed to exit. •⁠ ⁠Industry Focus: CCV focuses on high-growth sectors like Sports, Media, Entertainment, and Lifestyle, with a unique emphasis on IP acquisition to drive returns in stable asset classes. If you're interested in learning more about how CCV is reshaping the venture capital landscape, let’s connect!  More updates to follow! #VentureCapital #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Startups #ScalingFast #CreativeCapitalVentures https://lnkd.in/eiuWVtvT

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Summary: The article discusses the current venture firm fundraising market and the success of emerging VC firm A* in raising $315 million for its oversubscribed Fund II. It highlights the firm's focus on early-stage investments and its experienced founding partners. Key takeaways: Venture firms raised $9.3 billion in Q1 and it is unlikely that 2023's record-breaking total of $81.8 billion will be surpassed. A* has been successful in fundraising due to its focus on seed rounds and backing breakout companies in its portfolio. The firm's founding partners have a strong track record and diverse experience in different industries. Counter arguments: The article mentions that emerging managers are feeling the frost in the fundraising market, suggesting that not all emerging VCs may be as successful as A*. While A* has found success in raising institutional investors for Fund II, this may not be the case for all emerging VCs. #venturecapital #vc #fundraising #startups #innovation

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This thoughtful article in Stanford Social Innovation Review examines whether impact investing should be more difficult than traditional investing. While that position may elicit varying responses, I concur with author Maoz Brown that for impact investors to deliver value-added impact, there should be something truly distinct about the deals they structure--at least in comparison to deals made by socially neutral investors. The article also presents us with an important thesis that impact investors need to address the urgent problems that are currently being neglected by capital markets, keeping social impact front and center in their growth strategies. #ImpactInvesting

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Prime Coalition has long taken a different tack to climate finance compared to its for-profit brethren. It makes the usual venture-style investments in startups through Azolla Ventures and also helps philanthropists direct their money to climate-related projects that it deems high impact. Trellis Climate follows the latter model with a focus on middle stages, where capital has grown scarce. #climatetech #climateVC #climatefinance

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Big moment in sustainable finance: The White House and 5 major pension funds met to discuss on labor standards in private equity investments. Public pension funds, wielding trillions of dollars, are demanding a voice for workers within the traditionally opaque world of private equity at the encouragement of the White House. Pension funds are using their power for good. It's key to highlight environmental justice "wins" - examples that show profit and social good can go hand-in-hand. This is sustainable finance at work: empowering workers and fostering a more equitable financial system. #sustainablefinance #environmentaljustice https://lnkd.in/e6W6CszZ

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Ultra-High-Net-Worth individuals and family offices are increasingly integrating philanthropy into their policies. According to a report from Altrata, 400,000 ultra-wealthy individuals account for more than one-third of the world's charitable donations. In fact, 25% of North American ultra-high-net-worth individuals have seen a rise in their philanthropic contributions by 25% from 2018 to 2022. Additionally, nearly 1 in 5 of these individuals have established private foundations to manage their charitable giving. It’s important to consider donations to non-profits that align with your family's values and have policies in place. Avoid overextending contributions into multiple philanthropic organizations to ensure impactful giving. #PrivateEquity #Philanthropy #WealthManagement #FamilyOffices #ImpactInvesting #UltraHighNetWorth #InvestmentStrategies #NonProfit #CharitableGiving #WealthAdvisors #StrategicPhilanthropy #HighNetWorth #FinancialPlanning #WealthCreation #InvestmentOpportunities GlobalMindED a https://lnkd.in/g_we9JSp

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It's interesting to see how valuation trends have shifted, especially the decline in up rounds this year. This data is crucial for founders and investors to set realistic expectations in a tougher fundraising climate. Understanding these trends can really help in planning for the future! 👏

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Last week on 10.10, I curated an intimate group of founders and investors at my inaugural New Paradigm Venture Salon, in partnership with Gloria Merrick and sponsored by Perkins Coie (Valeska Pederson Hintz.) My vision with these gatherings is to magnetize only the right, values-aligned stakeholders - I trust the natural vetting mechanism of energetic frequency. And, the community who showed up was a frequency match, indeed. I felt the openness of minds and communication from the moment the first guests arrived for the private dinner, all the way through our Social at night. I was happy to watch some solid founders pitching, alongside a curated three course dinner courtesy of regenerative chef Ashlie Sarna. My goal is to activate capital flow to the new paradigm founders transforming our systems to impact humanity, in areas ranging from AI in healthcare, to food systems and beyond. One founder wrote to me later, saying that "It was incredible to show up with almost no expectations, and find the right people in the right place. I felt at home with some key existing relationships, and enjoyed the opportunity to connect with new fascinating folks as well, kudos to your curation." Thanks from the bottom of my heart, Austin. 🤠 I'm open to replicating my Salon in other cities beyond Austin, as well (DM me if you want to collab.) Thank you ~ Preston L. James, II Francesco Cassinerio Juston Brommel Nancy Fechnay Joshua Haarbrink Lydia Simmons Mackenze McAleer Alvaro F. Samuel Boadu Kelly Krezek #venturecapital #founder #newparadigm #femalefounder #femalefundmanager #startup #tech #humanity #consciousness #regenerative #investment

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I enjoyed the recent The Wall Street Journal “Future of Everything” podcast “Why You Might Be Eating More Seaweed in the Future,” which discussed how seaweed can solve a myriad of problems. According to the podcast, seaweed can not only feed people, it can also restore polluted habitats and be an economic boost for fishermen. Although seaweed aquaculture has grown in the US in recent years, it harvested less than 1% of the global seaweed crop in 2019, with 80% produced in China and Indonesia, according to The Nature Conservancy. Now, some companies are trying to expand #seaweed aquaculture in the US, but there are regulatory hurdles to overcome, and researchers have questions about how a larger-scale industry would affect existing ecosystems. You may be familiar with seaweed as an ingredient in sushi, or as a snack in your kid’s lunchbox. However, People are starting to talk about seaweed as a potential superfood, the “new kale,” which could have a substantial impact on improving human health. Its health benefits are derived from: iodine and tyrosine, which support thyroid function; key vitamins and minerals riboflavin, thiamin, manganese, and copper; a variety of protective antioxidants; and fiber and polysaccharides that can support gut health. Additionally, over the past decade, I have witnessed the significant growth of seaweed in a variety of agricultural products including: an ingredient in animal feed to reduce methane emissions from cows; and a biofertilizer as a chemical fertilizer replacement. Seaweed has environmental advantages as well. As it grows, seaweed absorbs nitrogen from the water, an element known to contribute to the growth of algae blooms that gobble up oxygen, creating “dead zones” where other aquatic life cannot survive. Seaweed can also bolster biodiversity by providing food and habitats for marine species, and it may even be able to offset localized effects of ocean acidification, which is particularly valuable in areas with coral reefs. Seaweed appears to have huge benefits in a variety of products, and we should be encouraging more production of seaweed in the US and globally. This would improve animal and human health, boost agricultural production, reduce carbon dioxide and methane and help restore strength to our oceans. Blue Ocean Barns CH4Global FutureFeed Mootral Running Tide SeaAhead Sea Forest SeaStock Symbrosia Synergraze Alexia Akbay Chris Rose mark huang Marty Odlin Melody Jones Steve Chun Steve Meller Tim Williams EcoTech Capital Cy Obert Renée Vassilos #agtech #agriculture #sustainableag #foodtech #food #oceans #carbon #methane #animalfeed #climatetech #cleantech #technology #innovation #finance https://lnkd.in/g9gE-Dnv

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Fundraising decks are important but only within the context of a well-orchestrated fundraising process. A deck itself is unlikely to directly lead to a term sheet. Rather, it is important to understand how you want to use the deck (or any collateral for that matter) as part of your fundraise process. For example: - Is it to secure the first meeting with a VC? A teaser deck is important. But so is the email snippet and warm referral! - Is it part of a deeper-dive session about your business? Excellent. Is it a deeper dive on product or GTM? And, is the next step a track to a partnership meeting? - Is it a diligence deck? Excellent. Is it more about showcasing the financial plan and key levers? ... what is the ONE thing you want this deck to help you achieve? More tips on fundraising your early-stage round here: https://lnkd.in/gvWYaCwk #startups #venture #fundraising

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BLOWN AWAY to have been interviewed alongside such trailblazers for this Fortune piece by Allie Garfinkle that details the state of Venture Capital as it relates to DEI. The piece highlights Primary Venture Partners recent launch of Factor Fellowship, a new nonprofit connecting untapped, exceptional talent in New York City to careers in venture-backed startups, spearheaded by Lisa Lewin, Tom Ogletree and Benjamin Sun. In the piece, I chat about the impact we hope to make for underrepresented founders with Peerless - our $1M pitch competition. TOP QUOTES from the piece... When asked about the growing conservative backlash against DEI, as some states ban DEI initiatives - “We’re not going to let you shut us up,” said Almodovar. “We’re not going to let you say this isn’t important, and we’re going to double down on saying this is really important.” When asked, "Why $1M for Peerless?" - “We wanted to really empower these founders to say, ‘take this risk,’” said Desiree Almodovar, AlleyCorp operator-in-residence and who is leading Peerless, which will hold its first competition on June 20. And most importantly, Allie writes, "We don’t talk about DEI as much as we used to. But if something was important on principle before, isn’t it always important? Yes, but it’s only possible to do something about it if people keep talking about it, and acting." JUST ONE MORE WEEK LEFT TO APPLY FOR PEERLESS!

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John Collison's response to Rubenstein when he asked if Stripe will ever IPO: "Yeah I mean look presumably at some stage, but I think the kind of broad narrative gets very transaction focused because that's the interesting media moment. If you were to look at a meeting inside of Stripe, we're very focused on whether the product is working well for customers, how customer growth is growing, and how fundamentals are doing as it relates to revenue growth, etc....... We don't spend a lot of time on transactions." Bottom line: Fundamentals and long-term intrinsic value trump liquidity and fame https://lnkd.in/gcmZ6tSu #compounding #fundamentals #longterminvesting #southeastasia #Philippines #venturecapital #privateequity

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This week I'm offsite with my C-suite besties from Vanta 🦙, David Eckstein Jeremy Epling Ari Shahdadi & Christina Cacioppo, kicking off the annual planning process. We'll sit together to whiteboard and debate where to invest, what to focus on, and equally importantly what we won't prioritize in the coming year. Vanta has grown a ton and how we organize our initiatives matters. We're seeking clarity of thought, focused direction, and definitive metrics. We'll leave this week with a draft of: - Our Strategy on a Page (SOAP), summed up in a single unifying vision statement - 4-5 major Strategic Initiatives (SIs), tied to specific customer cohorts we aim to serve - A set of Contributing Actions that capture, along with key metrics, what we'll build and invest in and how we'll measure success Next up we'll bring this draft to our Leadership Team for feedback and iteration. Once the LT iterates on this plan we'll enter formal creation of the Annual Operating Plan (AOP). Planning may not be sexy, but these rituals set the tone for a thoughtful, clear plan that drives focused execution. And it's also quite a lot of fun to sit and talk about the future and who we want to be next year and beyond. 😀 🚀

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Imagine a world where groundbreaking startups miss their chance for funding simply because the right investor wasn't present. This isn’t just hypothetical; it’s a reality in the often exclusive realm of venture capital. But what if we could change this narrative? A new wave of programs is emerging, aimed at democratizing access to venture capital and reshaping the industry’s future. Initiatives, like Included VC, Allocator One, Baby VC, Newton Program, Kauffman Fellows, and VC Lab, are breaking down barriers and ensuring that the investors of tomorrow reflect the society they aim to transform. By providing the necessary knowledge, networks, and resources, these programs are paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic venture capital landscape, ultimately ensuring that the next revolutionary startup has a seat at the table. #VentureCapital #StartupSuccess #NextGenInvestors

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