Gamechanging tool to prioritize & get your nature venture ready for investors
Today we are tackling your finance & focus needs
In your feedback to me, you shared that finance is one of the biggest blocking points and that many of you are about to start your own natural venture.
So this article is for you.
Problems you face or will face on your ecopreneurship journey
Spoiler alert: this path you have chosen is one of the hardest you could have picked.
Unlike usual companies, you won't only have to improve your profitability but deliver impact at scale.
It's hard, but possible. I thank you in the name of nature.
Here are a couple of problems that you have already experienced or will experience:
seems like nobody wants to give you money, worse you do not even get feedback from the ones you write to
you need to show traction to get money; you need money to show traction
you need some initial investment to get your idea into reality (e.g. hardware)
hard to find aligned types of investment & investors
your head is exploding from all the actions you have to take
prioritization gets trickier with every day
Been there, done that.
Luckily, I found a tool for you that will help you with all the above.
ABACA - The game-changing tool that will help you
First, I don't get any money for promoting this. I wish I would 😂
This is purely one of the best tools I found for ecopreneurs like you, helping them prioritize the most important steps and get investment-ready.
ABACA is an innovative tool created by Village Capital that will help you prioritize milestones, find the right funding, learn how to speak to investors and prepare for them.
Here is a little clip about what they do:
The best part is that most features are free!
Tips from my own experience
#1 Don't cheat
The first time when you fill out the questionnaire, be critical. You would only lie to yourself. Honestly reflect on where you currently are and answer the questions. Only then will it be a powerful tool to give you exactly the next steps you need to take.
#2 VC is not the only route
One thing I like the most is that they just launched their capital explorer. This will allow you to see all other available financial routes. Most ecopreneurs think that the VC route is the only one. But in 95% of the cases, it is not. You can launch and grow your natural venture without ever having to touch VC money.
#3 Focus on product
Whatever product or service you are trying to create to boost biodiversity, your major focus should always be on developing that one. Investment, marketing, sales, strategy, etc., can easily distract you.
The far most important action you can take is to make your product or service as great as possible. If your customers love what you do, you will have a much easier time getting investors involved.
#4 Prioritize the actions that get you to next level
What I like about the tool is that it visualizes the Achilles heel of your nature venture. It will show what you need to work on. Do yourself a favor and create a digital or analog brain where you dump all ideas, actions, and co you have to do. But keep them in the backlog.
Not all of them are equally crucial. Focus on those that move the needle the most. Trust me, you will never finish your entire to-do list. The most important is that you deal with those actions that will get you to the next level.
#5 Get creative
99% of your ideas can be tested or built on a tiny level. Rather than being stubborn and trying to get money from people to build your idea, build a mini version of what you want to accomplish.
This version will already show you if people are interested in it, if they engage with you, showcase your blindspots etc.
#6 Go in waves
You spent all this time building and have now started sending your pitch deck to VCs, competitions, etc. But you only get shot down. Don't worry—that is normal. That usually means you are missing something.
So go back and hard-core focus on the aspects that are within your control, and after some months, try another round of applications. Just don't give up.
Actions for you to take
#1 Check out ABACA
#2 Answer their questionnaire
#3 Reflect if you think they are right in their assessment or if you disagree. Refine.
#4 Check the capital explorer & find the finance type that matches your needs
#5 Read more about the type of investment
#6 Check the milestone planner for your Achilles heel
#7 Design a plan to improve your level
#8 Execute
#9 Contact Investors
#10 Create nature impact at scale
3 Sources from the Biodiversity Hero OS
Every week 3 useful resources from the Biodiversity Hero OS.
#Finance
Regeneration.VC - Impact VC looking for regenerative ideas like yours.
Givebutter - The #1 free fundraising platform for nonprofits.
#Marketing
The Journey - Embed videographers into your company to capture the most important parts of your startup journey.
Find 606 more entries like this in your Biodiversity Hero OS.
Navigating the challenges of financial sustainability and constantly shifting priorities is hard, especially in the beginning when you are starting off.
Tools like ABACA can help you to carry the burden. But as with all tools, advice and co. Always take it with a grind of salt.
You know the problem and your solution like no one else.
You got this!
See you next week, have a wild one!
Best,
Oli
🦧 Whenever you are ready, there are 2 ways Wild Business Mates can help you grow and double your impact:
1.1-to-1 business consulting. Detailed and personalized consulting to double the impact of your biodiversity organization in the shortest possible time. Happy to assist you in making the right calls & get you ready for investment. Book a free intro call.
2. Wild Business Mates in Action. Wild Business Mates help you execute in areas you are struggling with. Product, Tech, Marketing, Sales, Communication, etc.
Thanks Oliver! This newsletter definitely shows you implemented the feedback given. Concrete action, and right at the start you say who it's for. I'll check it out right away.