Innovation Funding Sources

📣 Breaking Down Capital Structure in #ClimateTech Startups Understanding the capital structure in climate tech #startups, particularly those hardware-based, can differ greatly from digital startups. 👇 Hers’s an illustration of the evolution of capital types over time - equity, grants, and debt - with actual 💶 figures. Key takeaway: The name of the game is Non-Dilutive Capital ⭐ 1️⃣ Embrace Non-Dilutive Capital: Scaling with equity alone is a non-starter. There's insufficient climate-dedicated VC money out there and it's far from the most efficient way to finance CAPEX due to ownership dilution and the Cost of Equity. 2️⃣ Optimise Timing: With careful planning, each funding round can be delayed, allowing your company value to mature by achieving higher TRLs. Leverage grants wisely and delay equity funding rounds. 3️⃣ Strike a Balance with Grants: While grants are attractive, an overdose can divert you from your main focus of selling products and turn you into an R&D centre. Exercise caution! 4️⃣ Consider Debt Early: It's rocket fuel for growth. Proper measures can ensure you secure it even before hitting TRL9. 💡Tips for Raising Non-Dilutive Capital: General: - Begin early, it takes time - Build a solid funnel (4:1 ratio is a good rule) - Engage experts, it saves time and ups your chances Grants: - Be prepared to have some fresh equity to unlock certain grants - Participate in competitions - every sum counts and it's free exposure! Debt: - Sign off-takes to significantly boost your chances - Get in touch with your regional bank - they look at more than just ROI. It's time to rethink and redesign your capital strategy! #venturecapital #funding #innovation

I'm happy to share the release of the #WiSER White Paper, "Igniting a Global Sustainable Economy," following the impactful discussions at the WiSER Annual Forum during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week - ADSW 2025. This report highlights the critical role of female entrepreneurs in driving climate solutions and provides actionable strategies to bridge gender gaps in finance, scalability, AI, mentorship, and accessibility—especially for women in the Global South. Why This Matters: Women-led ventures are key to unlocking innovation in sustainability, yet systemic barriers persist. This paper outlines 5 recommendations: 🔹 Increase Gender-Focused Investment : Boost funding, financial literacy, and microloans for female-led climate projects. 🔹 Scale Women-Led Ventures : Streamline policies and partnerships to accelerate growth. 🔹 Harness AI & Digital Tools: Bridge the AI literacy and access gap to empower business expansion. 🔹 Strengthen Mentorship and Networking: Build cross-sector collaborations to provide women with the resources to succeed. 🔹 Empower Women in the Global South : Address legal and financial barriers, invest in STEM education, and improve access to markets and resources. Dive into the full report below or on Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company)’s website for insights on turning these strategies into action: https://lnkd.in/dyAFPEP2 Thanks again to my fellow roundtable participants: Lawratou Bah, CFA, Mirella Amalia Vitale, Natasha Shenoy, Hajar Alketbi, Manal B., Mariam Alnaqbi, Shaima Al Mulla

The climate tech ecosystem is growing 🌎 The climate tech sector has entered a new phase of maturity, driven by a more sophisticated and diverse capital stack. From early-stage innovation to full-scale deployment, the Climate Capital Stack highlights how funding sources have expanded to meet the evolving needs of climate solutions. The map illustrates the layers of this stack, showcasing key investors and capital providers across venture capital, growth equity, infrastructure, and catalytic funding. In the early stages, venture capital continues to play a critical role in financing innovation. Early-stage VC investors are supporting high-risk, high-reward opportunities, particularly in emerging technologies. Late-stage venture capital is increasingly selective, with a focus on companies that demonstrate strong market fit and scalability. These investments are essential for pushing breakthrough technologies past the “valley of death.” As companies grow, growth equity and private equity step in to provide larger checks for scaling proven solutions. Investors in this layer are gravitating towards mature business models with clear profitability paths, such as industrial decarbonization, energy software, and renewable supply chains. The rise of infrastructure funding reflects the sector’s shift toward deployment and project finance. Infrastructure investors are now more willing to support technologies beyond traditional solar and wind, expanding into energy storage, grid management, and low-carbon fuels. These funds offer lower-risk, long-term capital critical for financing large-scale, capital-intensive projects. Catalytic capital remains crucial for addressing funding gaps, particularly for first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects and technologies that are too risky for traditional investors. This patient, impact-driven capital ensures that promising innovations can progress towards commercialization. At the base of the stack, corporate investors, banks, and governments are pivotal players. Corporate venture capital aligns strategic priorities with financial returns, while banks provide both venture and commercial debt for scaling operations. Governments, through grants and infrastructure funding, continue to accelerate climate action by backing early-stage R&D and incentivizing large-scale deployment. This evolving capital ecosystem underscores the need for alignment between funding sources and climate solutions. Matching the right capital to the right stage is essential to drive progress, enabling climate tech to move from innovation to implementation and deliver meaningful impact. Source:  Sightline Climate #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #climatechange #climateaction #investment #tech

Women know it all, they just aren’t given enough chances! We love talking about “empowering women entrepreneurs,” but if we're being honest, most of it is just a saying. Behind every woman trying to build something are invisible barriers that men rarely ever have to climb. Only 2% of venture capital went to female founders in 2017 and that number hasn't changed much in years. That’s not just a funding issue but a mindset issue. If we genuinely want more women-led businesses, here’s what we need to do: → We need more funds that prioritize women-led businesses, not as a CSR model but as smart investments. Better loan terms, inclusive crowdfunding platforms and gender-aware grant systems can make a real difference. → So much of business happens in rooms women aren't invited into. We need to build ecosystems where women can connect with mentors, advisors and investors who see potential, not gender. → It's about putting women in positions where they lead like on boards, in CXO roles and as decision-makers. Representation matters, but power matters even more. This isn’t just about equality but economic growth. Women-led startups have proven to be more capital-efficient, more socially conscious and often more profitable. So why wouldn’t we want more of them? What do you think it will take to back women entrepreneurs not just in words, but in action? #womenentrepreneur #creatoreconomy

Amid an industry reset, where fundraising is squeezed for both VCs and founders, investors tend to revert to what they know; the tried and tested. AKA ‘pattern recognition’. So while depressing, there was little to shock us in the Carta Equity Report for 2023, which included the following:  - Only 4.6% of funding to pre-seed companies on Carta went to women-only founding teams this year. (Down from 6.3% in 2022) - The percentage of Black founders has fallen from 3.9% in 2021 to 2.7% in 2023. - The percentage of founders who are women declined this year. For companies incorporated in 2023, 86.8% of founders were men, the highest rate in the past six years. The proportion of founders who are women (13.2%) is the lowest in the last six years. And as a reminder, the VC industry itself is only marginally better: - In 2022, women represented just 16% of GPs at U.S. VC firms with over $50M in AUM. (source: PitchBook) - In Europe, for every woman VC there are > six men, and women hold just 13.5% of GP roles (source Atomico, via Insider) - In 2022, companies founded solely by women garnered just 2% of the total capital invested in venture-backed startups in the U.S. (source: PitchBook) - More promisingly, startups founded by mixed female and male teams received 16.5% of total VC capital invested in the U.S. last year. (Source: PitchBook) Techstars is a universal investor, which means we invest in standout entrepreneurs, regardless of background, race, gender, age and geographical location, because that’s where we believe the best returns lie. While we still have far to travel, I’m so proud that this year, across over 700 investments, we have far out-performed the wider industry:  U.S. investments in 2023: - Gender Diversity (including non-conforming) - 27.4% - Ethnic/Racial Diversity - 43.9% - Total Diversity - 69.3% Non-US investments in 2023: - Gender Diversity (including non-conforming) - 21.4% - Ethnic/Racial Diversity - 20.2% - Total Diversity - 44.3% Overall investments in 2023:  - Gender Diverse (Woman only) - 24.5% - Gender Diversity (including non-conforming) - 25.2% - Ethnic/Racial Diversity - 35.7% - Total Diversity - 60.4% We haven’t taken this approach because it’s ‘the right thing to do’ (although it is!), but because we the largest financial upside often lies not in following the VC pack, but in going where most other investors do not – and in many cases that is traditionally underrepresented entrepreneurs. https://lnkd.in/eYYXN_nd #techstars #startups #VC #fundraising #VentureCapital #startups #growth #founders #Entrepreneurs #preseed #seed #womenintech #womeninvc #diversityintech #blackentrepreneurs #blackfounders

"This report developed by UNESCO and in collaboration with the Women for Ethical AI (W4EAI) platform, is based on and inspired by the gender chapter of UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. This concrete commitment, adopted by 194 Member States, is the first and only recommendation to incorporate provisions to advance gender equality within the AI ecosystem. The primary motivation for this study lies in the realization that, despite progress in technology and AI, women remain significantly underrepresented in its development and leadership, particularly in the field of AI. For instance, currently, women reportedly make up only 29% of researchers in the field of science and development (R&D),1 while this drops to 12% in specific AI research positions.2 Additionally, only 16% of the faculty in universities conducting AI research are women, reflecting a significant lack of diversity in academic and research spaces.3 Moreover, only 30% of professionals in the AI sector are women,4 and the gender gap increases further in leadership roles, with only 18% of in C-Suite positions at AI startups being held by women.5 Another crucial finding of the study is the lack of inclusion of gender perspectives in regulatory frameworks and AI-related policies. Of the 138 countries assessed by the Global Index for Responsible AI, only 24 have frameworks that mention gender aspects, and of these, only 18 make any significant reference to gender issues in relation to AI. Even in these cases, mentions of gender equality are often superficial and do not include concrete plans or resources to address existing inequalities. The study also reveals a concerning lack of genderdisaggregated data in the fields of technology and AI, which hinders accurate measurement of progress and persistent inequalities. It highlights that in many countries, statistics on female participation are based on general STEM or ICT data, which may mask broader disparities in specific fields like AI. For example, there is a reported 44% gender gap in software development roles,6 in contrast to a 15% gap in general ICT professions.7 Furthermore, the report identifies significant risks for women due to bias in, and misuse of, AI systems. Recruitment algorithms, for instance, have shown a tendency to favor male candidates. Additionally, voice and facial recognition systems perform poorly when dealing with female voices and faces, increasing the risk of exclusion and discrimination in accessing services and technologies. Women are also disproportionately likely to be the victims of AI-enabled online harassment. The document also highlights the intersectionality of these issues, pointing out that women with additional marginalized identities (such as race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or disability) face even greater barriers to accessing and participating in the AI field."

British Business Bank recently doubled its commitment to the Invest in Women Taskforce from £50m to £100m - and that alone is big news. But what I’m even happier to see is their newly announced £400m Investor Pathways Capital programme, launching in 2026. Why does this matter? Because this initiative focuses on building the pipeline of who gets to invest. For too long, venture capital has relied on closed networks and familiar faces. This programme will: • Deploy capital into small, early-stage funds • Help new investors build a track record • Back emerging talent, not just the usual suspects • Crucially, target at least 50% of investment towards female fund managers And we know what happens when women control capital: outcomes change. Capital flows differently. Diverse funders back diverse founders. For me, this is about changing the system from the inside out - making sure the next generation of investors reflects the future of the UK, not just its past. It’s a step towards the kind of inclusive, sustainable investment ecosystem we urgently need.

Global Grants for Indian Climate Startups- India’s climate solutions are rooted in local realities — but their impact goes far beyond. From watertech innovation in Karnataka, to bioplastics and recycling in Maharashtra, to sustainable fabrics in Gujarat. From agri-waste transformation in Punjab and Haryana, to offshore wind tech rising off Tamil Nadu’s coast, to climate-resilient innovations in Odisha and West Bengal, and air filtration breakthroughs in Uttar Pradesh — I’ve had the privilege of meeting the founders building them — makers, engineers, scientists, and storytellers who are quietly reshaping the future. Through Bharat Climate Startups, I’ve been traveling across India to learn from these ground-up solutions — and I’m constantly reminded that while the problems may be global, so are the solutions. If you're building something in this space, here are 5 international grants and programs that Indian startups can apply to 👇 🔹 1. GSMA Foundation Innovation Fund for Climate Resilience & Adaptation 💰 Up to £100,000 (~₹1 crore) in equity-free funding 📌 For digital climate solutions improving resilience in underserved communities 🌱 Open to startups in South Asia, Africa, and Indo-Pacific 🔹 2. The Earthshot Prize Prize 💰 £1 million (₹10+ crore) per winner 📌 For scalable solutions tackling nature loss, water, air quality, waste, or climate 🌱 Indian startups are eligible — and have been finalists! 🔹 3. Echoing Green Fellowship 💰 Seed funding + 2 years of support 📌 For early-stage climate and social entrepreneurs 🌱 Open to Indian founders with bold ideas and deep impact 🔹 4. ACT For Environment – by ACT Grants (India) 💰 ₹20–50 lakh in catalytic seed grants 📌 For climate innovations in green mobility, clean energy, agriculture, circularity, and carbon removal 🌱 One of the boldest Indian philanthropic funds backing frontier environmental solutions 🔹 5. Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance (by CPI) The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance 💰 Seed + pilot support + investor connections 📌 For ideas that unlock private finance for climate solutions 🌱 Several India-based innovations have already been selected 🔹 6. Imagine H2O Accelerator Program 💰 Non-dilutive funding + mentorship + access to a global investor network 📌 For startups working on water conservation, wastewater treatment, and climate resilience 🌱 Open to startups worldwide, including India 📩 Know someone working on a globally relevant climate solution? Or building one yourself? Message me if you want help navigating these grant calls — or just want to swap notes. Here's to building a vibrant support ecosystem for climate innovators! 💚 The world is watching — and India’s innovators are ready. 🌏 #ClimateAction #ImpactFunding #BharatClimateStartups #ClimateFinance

What happens when African fund managers lead the investment strategy? In a recent CNBC Africa interview, DOROTHY NYAMBI, CEO of MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) shared powerful insights into how the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund is reimagining what it means to put African capital in African hands. The Fund demonstrates that capital can be reimagined and redirected to serve African fund managers, entrepreneurs, and especially women, using a gender-lens and locally led investment model that: 1. Rethinks gender-lens investing • It’s not about ticking diversity boxes- it’s about empowering women with real agency to influence investment decisions and strategy. • The Fund emphasizes patience and local context, shaping investment approaches to suit real-world African realities rather than imposing external templates. 2. Builds local ecosystems • Local leadership matters. The Fund invests in and supports African and female-led managers, ensuring they are not just invited to the table- but leading it. • It enables fund managers to spearhead strategy and draw in other stakeholders, strengthening the investment ecosystem from within. 3. Focuses on returns “on inclusion” • The Fund measures more than financial returns. It prioritizes social impact, like job creation and economic empowerment. • The goal: dignified, sustainable employment, particularly for African youth, moving beyond short-term fixes. 4. Is intentional about youth and women inclusion • The Fund challenges outdated narratives that investing in women is riskier, instead proving the financial viability of women-led enterprises. • It applies a holistic, end-to-end gender lens, supporting women as entrepreneurs, fund managers, and drivers of growth across the value chain. Impact so far: • ~US$150 million deployed across 18 African-led investment vehicles • 49 SMEs supported in 12 countries • 2,500 full-time jobs created, with 1,100 held by women • 75% of supported vehicles are female-led • Honored with the DEI Award at AVCA’s 20th Anniversary Conference In essence, African-led, gender-smart capital flows are delivering equity and economic resilience. Fund managers and entrepreneurs are shaping outcomes with a clear focus on inclusion, impact, and sustainability. This is a transformative model where African and female-led fund managers are no longer just recipients of capital, but drivers of it, reshaping the investment landscape to deliver both financial returns and lasting, meaningful change across the continent. Watch the full interview: https://lnkd.in/d9SuiuSj #Africa #GenderLensInvesting #InclusiveCapital #ImpactInvesting #Leadership #YouthEmployment

Build Her Capacity, Not Her Legend Women are just 15% of UK founders. Ambition isn’t the problem. Infrastructure is. If we want more women to scale, admiration isn’t the lever. Design is. What actually moves the needle: 1. Founder-friendly fundraising ↳ Daylight pitch slots, clear timelines, first meetings on video to cut commute tax ↳ Standard scorecards so polish doesn’t outrank proof 2. Bias-resistant rooms ↳ Mixed decision panels, same questions for every founder, data before “gut feel” ↳ Judge traction and unit economics, not availability for late-night dinners 3. Events built for real life ↳ On-site support options, private wellness spaces, meaningful hybrid access ↳ Publish agendas early so caregivers can plan and actually show up 4. Liquidity that doesn’t choke cash flow ↳ Net-15 for pilots, staged prepayments, procurement that takes weeks not quarters ↳ If you want innovation, stop starving it 5. Work by outcomes, not optics ↳ Async updates, written decisions, no “presence tax” for those with caregiving ↳ Measure results, not hours 6. Parental policies that include founders ↳ Planned coverage, investor-aligned timelines, zero penalty for being human ↳ Treat continuity as a design problem, not a character test 7. Ecosystems that compound ↳ Back women-led funds and operator angel groups, sponsor peer councils ↳ Make introductions a weekly habit, not a once-a-year panel 8. Accountable capital ↳ Publish deployment metrics, tie incentives to inclusive deal flow ↳ What gets measured gets resourced The talent is here. The market is here. Build the infrastructure and watch the curve bend. What’s one lever you can pull this quarter to make scaling women the default, not the exception? ♻️ Share this with someone who controls budgets or deal flow ➕ Follow Helene Guillaume Pabis for human-first leadership, clarity, and momentum ✉️ Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dy3wzu9A