FIGR Ventures’ Post

🎙️FIGR Ventures: Championing Early-Stage, Mission-Driven Consumer Businesses In this week's #QVCs, Maddyness UK spoke with Fiona Humphries, Managing Director of FIGR Ventures, a fund investing in early-stage startups that combine profit with purpose. FIGR invests in consumer-facing businesses tackling the sector's key challenges, classified into three categories: 🎛️Switchers: Alternatives to harmful products (e.g., eco-friendly cleaning, food, or beauty products). 🤝Enablers: Tools that empower consumers and businesses to make ethical choices, such as sustainable shopping tech. 💡Solvers: Groundbreaking solutions for consumer problems, like those addressing education or healthcare. FIGR values founders who are: 🚀Ambitious and driven to succeed. 🔎Self-aware, recognising their strengths and areas for improvement. ⬆️Passionate about solving a specific problem. 😊Kind and collaborative, with an open approach to partnership. FIGR also champions #inclusivity, supporting first-time founders and those who may not meet traditional investor criteria. #StartupFunding #ImpactInvestment #MissionDriven #FIGRVentures #ConsumerInnovation #SustainableBusiness #Entrepreneurship #EarlyStageStartups #PurposeOverProfit #SmallBusinessGrowth

If you’re an early-stage company or entrepreneur, you may wonder which #fundraising strategies and effective approaches work well to secure initial #startupfunding and set a strong foundation for growth. Check out this upcoming Women Founders Network event – I hope to see you there! The panel will share their insights into building relationships with investors and how to craft a winning pitch. Reserve your spot today: https://bit.ly/03-26-24 #womeninvestors #startupinvesting #investorrelations #seedfunding #startup #funding

🚀 We are excited to spotlight #DaintreeCapital  in our inaugural book, Innovate® Washington - DMV edition - Powered By DC Startup Week. This book will have stories and perspectives from thought leaders, 100 top innovators, and emerging and legendary leaders from the DC, Maryland and VA area, all beautifully displayed in a premium hardcover book. Daintree Capital, founded by visionary Alisha Griffey, is not just an investment firm; it's a beacon of innovation and diversity in Washington, D.C. Daintree Capital's innovative approach to funding underrepresented founders has made a significant impact, with over 100 loans made and a less than 1% default rate. 💼 Their focus on working capital loans, smaller check sizes, and debt funding enables diverse businesses to grow at their own pace while retaining ownership. But Daintree's impact doesn't stop there. Alisha's unique fundraising approach, building an impact fund on a nonprofit platform, allows individuals to invest philanthropic dollars into diverse businesses. 🌱 This double-impact strategy not only grows charitable funds but also works towards closing the gender and racial wealth gap. Under Alisha's leadership, Daintree Capital is setting a new standard for diversity and innovation in the financial sector. As she aptly puts it, "It’s time for wholesale reinvention of how we fund small businesses." 🌐 Read the full article to learn more about Daintree Capital's inspiring journey: https://lnkd.in/dTDgnYGb #DaintreeCapital #Innovation #Diversity #Investment #WashingtonDC #DMV #Entrepreneurship #DCStartupWeek #InnovateDMV #CommunityBookProject #Entrepreneurship #Innovation Daniel Esterhuyse Dustin Canter Sven Boermeester Alisha Griffey Daintree Capital Inc. DC Startup Week Rachel Koretsky Seema Alexander

First, learn how to separate the wheat from the chaff. Then, demonstrate how you contribute to their objective of producing venture style returns. https://lnkd.in/eK7F3FZP #Entrepreneurialism #Fundraising #Startup

Raising Funds, Losing Control: The Dilution Dilemma In the startup world, raising capital is often celebrated as a major milestone. But what if I told you that every funding round comes with a hidden cost? When you raise money, you're not just gaining resources—you're also giving away a piece of your company. This is the dilution trade-off. Why does this matter? • Ownership: Each round of funding dilutes your ownership stake. Over time, this can significantly reduce your control over the company you built from the ground up. • Decision-Making: With more investors comes more opinions. This can complicate decision-making processes and potentially steer your company in directions you didn't originally envision. • Long-Term Vision: Dilution can impact your long-term vision. As your stake decreases, so might your influence on the company's future. A Personal Insight: At a recent networking event, I spoke with a founder who had just closed a round. They shared the tension they felt from their (new) board, who were pushing for rapid growth while also demanding profitability. This pressure to achieve ambitious targets without additional resources highlighted the real challenges of dilution and the complex dynamics it introduces. What can you do? 1. Be Strategic: Carefully consider the amount of equity you're willing to give up. Sometimes, less is more. 2. Negotiate: Don't be afraid to negotiate terms that protect your interests and maintain your vision. 3. Stay Informed: Understand the full implications of each funding round. Knowledge is power. Raising funds is a double-edged sword. Celebrate the milestones, but stay vigilant about the trade-offs. Your future self will thank you. #startups #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #dilution #founders

[Article] Marcus Whitney is kicking off his company's second fund. Here's what he's looking for, why they've changed the rules and where he'll be looking to invest. #healthcare #startups #entrepreneurs #nashville #nashvillebiz

Build your business as if the latest round of funds raised was your last. 💡 That was KARANA Foods CEO Blair D S Crichton 🌱🌍’s guidance on how startups can control costs and run lean amid a challenging fundraising environment. Too often, he says, companies spend their funds relatively quickly with the confidence that they can always raise more money later. Green Queen Media founder and editor-in-chief Sonalie Figueiras says she’s seen that mistake over and over. "Hold on to the runway you have and extend it. Become very focused on milestones and profitability to last as long as possible without raising." These are just some of the many sage insights that emerged during our recent conversations with alt protein founders, analysts, and investors across APAC. Other topics discussed included: overcoming price barriers by understanding your target consumers and optimising your supply chain, preparing a killer pitch deck, and leveraging media, social media, and AI platforms to connect with potential investors. 💼 👉 Dive into our latest blog for all of the key takeaways: https://lnkd.in/g3yQUJq5 Mihir Pershad Umami Bioworks Andrew D Ive Big Idea Ventures Mathieu VAN GIEL Wasna Simon Newstead Better Bite Ventures Nick Cooney Lever VC Gautam Godhwani Good Startup The Mills Fabrica Jolene L. Nurasa Dominique Kull SGProtein Maarten Geraets Thai Union Group PCL. Michael Fox Fable Food Co

Weekly Digest is Here! Dive into the latest in impact, innovation, and crowdfunding success: 💡 FLOWER TURBINES Inc. featured among new impact offerings! 🍰 Carina's Bakery ( Carina Comer ): Empowering people with disabilities through vegan, gluten-free baking 🎤 Q3 Superpowers for Good Live Pitch: Top issuers showcase their ventures 💡 Tim He’s Secret to Co-Founder Success: Managing relationships for startup longevity 💸 Power Your Passion: Fund social enterprises with crowd investing 👉 Check the link in comments for more! #Crowdfunding #ImpactInvesting #Entrepreneurship #DisabilityEmpowerment #SocialEnterprise #Entrepreneurship #Inclusion #SocialImpact

The foresight of unprecedented upside can seldom be achieved from the hindsight of downside. https://lnkd.in/ec5D3btt #AngelInvesting #Fundraising #Startup

The foresight of unprecedented upside can seldom be achieved from the hindsight of downside. https://lnkd.in/eDabjdGT #Startup #Fundraising #AngelInvesting