What This Project Is All About
This initiative is all about systems change, community representation, climate solutions, and fair finance — basically, changing venture for good. It invests in early-stage companies that have the potential to transform entire systems, focusing on sectors like climate solutions and sustainable, just resource use. The project hones in on areas such as grid modernization, circular economy, electrification and mobility, environmental and urban intelligence, regenerative agriculture, and plant-based protein and cellular agriculture. It’s a fresh take on impact investing, aiming to back entrepreneurs who are not just innovative but also diverse and driven by purpose.
The Main Benefit: Tackling Climate and Finance Challenges Head-On
The impact opportunity here is huge. Consider these key facts:
- Atmospheric CO2 levels have surged by 1.5 times since pre-industrial times.
- Over 40% of Americans live with unhealthy air pollution levels.
- Buildings and industry contribute 50% of emissions, food accounts for 20-30%, and transportation adds 14%.
- Soils represent a massive untapped resource, with over 500 gigatons of lost CO2 equivalent from topsoil degradation.
- Financial inequality is stark: low-income Americans pay a “poverty premium,” including $12.4 billion in overdraft fees in 2020 alone.
- Bank branch closures are at record highs, leaving 27% of Americans underbanked — nearly half of Black and Latino households included.
- Top 60 banks invested over $4 trillion in fossil fuels in the past six years, with the four biggest US banks responsible for 25% of that.
It’s clear: the project targets the biggest sources of emissions and financial inequality, aiming to shift the needle on both climate and social justice.
Fair Finance: Redefining How Money Works
Fair finance is a cornerstone of this project. It’s about creating a financial system that’s transparent, equitable, and truly beneficial for everyone — especially those traditionally left out. This means breaking down the old banking model, boosting security and privacy, empowering consumers with more control, and expanding access through digital wallets and farmer-centric financial services. Plus, it’s about building carbon markets with proper guardrails to ensure real climate impact. The goal? To dismantle the systems that perpetuate inequality and climate harm, and replace them with something better.
Vision and Values: A New Impact Economy
The mission is ambitious: provide a sustainable model for impact venture investing, migrate $1 billion into this impact model over time, and improve 100 million lives through measurable outcomes. The strategy? Invest in early-stage companies led by exceptional, diverse entrepreneurs focused on Good Food, Good Money, and Good Climate. This isn’t just about returns — it’s about benchmark or better financial performance combined with social and environmental impact. The values driving this are justice, community, resilience, and equity — putting people, not profits, at the center.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: More Than Just Buzzwords
DEI is fundamental here. The American economy has a glaring equity problem, especially in investing and venture capital. Women and people of color make up 70% of the workforce but hold less than 28% of corporate executive roles, under 2% of investment industry positions, and less than a third of startup founders. Yet, diverse teams outperform — period. This project recognizes the moral imperative to fix these historical injustices and the business case behind it. By building a team, portfolio, and network that truly reflect the population’s diversity, it’s better positioned to identify and support entrepreneurs who understand the communities they serve.
Project Impact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Where It’s Based and Why It Matters
Operating out of San Francisco, California, this project sits at the heart of innovation and entrepreneurship. The location is no accident — it’s a hub for venture capital, asset management, and forward-thinking financial services. Being in this dynamic environment helps fuel the project’s mission to back companies that are not only financially sound but also deeply committed to sustainability, healthy living, and social equity. It’s about creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond the Bay Area, influencing the broader impact economy nationwide.
