A Positive Outlook on Our Collective Future
Our planet and its populations are facing the challenges of unbridled growth in population, industrialisation, pollution, food production, inequality and resource depletion. The results of "unlimited" growth are evident: changes in our climate, the loss of ecosystems and biodiversity, the degradation of natural capital and water scarcity.
The transition to a more sustainable economic model is both necessary and possible, requiring the diversion of capital to more sustainable economic trajectories. At Espera, we believe that prosperity and purpose are not mutually exclusive: rather, they can and should work to reinforce each other within human and ecological boundaries.
Our Purpose
The transition to a sustainable economy presents a world of opportunity for a change-makers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Espera Ventures supports this movement by investing in and nurturing businesses that confront social and environmental challenges with unique and innovative business models, disruptive processes and technology.
Our Focus
Our emphasis is on scalable, sustainable businesses in the early to growth stages that support one or a combination of sustainable development goals, have proven their unique business model as a concept and can demonstrate growing market acceptance for their products or services.
Our Approach
We invest collaboratively in order to generate both positive social and environmental impact and financial returns at market or better, co-creating new market possibilities along with our entrepreneurs, our partners and investors.
Our Thesis Pillars
TACKLE ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
CleanTech / ClimateTech, which comprises multiple sub-sectors, including energy, water, carbon avoidance and sequestration, advance materials, etc.
Waste to Value / Circular Economy to conserve resources and create new value from existing life cycles.
Regenerative Enterprise, integrating economic, social, and environmental well-being , replenishing natural resources, fostering community development through fair practices, and resilient, closed-loop economic systems.
Nature-based Solutions focused on avoiding, reducing or sequestering CO2 and other greenhouse gases, managing water resources and restoring ecosystems to create new, valuable financial assets.
IMPROVE LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS
Health / Biotechnology solutions geared to improving access, affordability and health outcomes. Replacing polluting, especially fossil-fuel based materials at scale.
Education / EdTech aimed at improving access, efficacy and learning outcomes.
Agriculture / AgTech focused on improving yields, market access, producer margins and standard of living.
FinTech / LegalTech focused on embedded opportunities to serve client/employee bases of existing non-financial businesses to enhance inclusion and access, enable wealth generation and improve standard of living.
The Espera Ethos
In all that we do, this is what drives us.
FOUNDERS & BUSINESS MODEL FIRST
We are clear-eyed about the difference our capital, knowledge and connections can make to both founders and business models. Once invested, we do everything in our power to ensure the well-being and success of our portfolio companies and their founders.
HUMILITY & COMMITMENT
We approach our markets and founders with the understanding that we will learn as much as we will impart. In doing so, we intend to enable the continued exchange of sustainable knowledge, products and services between our regions and the rest of the world. We are here for the long term.
TECHNOLOGY AS ENABLER
We acknowledge technology as essential to driving efficiency, scale and value, and we deploy it to achieve business objectives. We also balance its use in service of ethical, economic, social and environmental outcomes.
DOING GOOD TO DO WELL
We do not see social & environmental sustainability and financial sustainability as mutually exclusive objectives. We are patient capital that is driven to effect immediate, impactful change in the markets we serve.
ECOSYSTEM COLLABORATION
The capital landscape is an ecosystem of ecosystems, involving many stakeholders, including competing firms. We are not covetous of deals or exclusive access, working with all actors who are open to working with us to solve big, real-world challenges.
INNOVATIVE, DIVERSE THOUGHT
We understand that solving big challenges requires systems thinking, which in turn necessitates gender-balanced core and extended teams, built for open dialogue and broad perspectives.
ADHERENCE TO THE MENSARIUS OATH OF INVESTING
As financial professionals investing with personal or investor capital, we pledge to uphold the following values.
Integrity: We will invest with integrity, ensuring benefit to humanity, consciously avoiding harm.
Excellence: We will maintain the highest professional standards, setting an exemplary ethical benchmark in finance.
Fairness: We endeavor to be fair in our dealings, standing against abuse of power, unfair advantage, seduction, corruption, or mistreatment.
Equality: We will promote inclusivity and equitable treatment in all financial endeavors, consciously working to reduce inequality, including in gender outcomes.
Respect: We will treat individuals and opportunities with the respect and the attention deserved in business interactions.
Transparency: We will be transparent and honest in dealings with investors, founders, and colleagues.
Confidentiality: We will safeguard private, confidential, or personal information, keeping it safe from public or other unwanted disclosure.
Growth: We will embrace feedback from clients and peers, committing to ongoing personal and professional growth.