Why you should listen:
Discover the role of Specialist VCs in climate change solutions with SE Ventures
Learn about SE Ventures and its innovative climate and industrial tech investments
Gain insights on collaboration with large companies and startup wisdom
Show Notes:
In this episode Silas Mahner (@silasmahner) & Somil Aggarwal (@somil_agg) speak with Grant Allen, General Partner at SE Ventures. They are a uniquely positioned Specialist VC with a single LP, Schneider Electric. They function like a typical VC, with autonomy from Schneider Electric as a whole, but can also leverage Schneider's vast global network to add value beyond capital and help their portfolio companies to succeed.
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Topics:
1:32: Intro & Career
5:16: Relationship w/ SE
9:09: How SE Ventures Started
11:43: SE Thesis: Double Bottom Line
19:46: Why the Check Size
23:36: Milestones to Get a Check
26:39: How To Manage Collaboration
33:35: Areas He's Bullish On
37:34: Building Incentive-Free Biz Models
42:03: Advice to Founders
44:31: How to Scale
47:51: How to Vet Big Incumbents
51:44: Advice to VC Aspirants
56:11: How to Develop a Thesis
59:15: If He Started a Biz Today He Would…
Links:
Climate Capital Summit: https://www.climatecapitalsummit.com/
Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/
Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-techies/
HMU on Twitter: @silasmahner, @somil_agg
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CoHost.AI Write Up:
Ever wondered how venture capital firms are combating climate change? Here's your chance to find out. Grant from SE Ventures guides us through a voyage into the thriving world of specialist venture capital funds and their crucial role in climate change solutions. His journey from traditional financial models to specialist VC models is certainly a tale worth hearing. Founders and aspiring business leaders, take note!
We delve deeper into how SC Ventures and Schneider Electric, its parent company, have a unique synergy that accelerates the adoption of crucial technology for climate change solutions. Learn about SE Ventures, a venture fund supported by Schneider Electric, and the crucial 'air gap' that ensures alignment with founders and speedy action. The 'double bottom line' approach and value delivery framework of SE Ventures are nothing short of revolutionary.
In the final fold of our conversation, Grant shares his investment experiences in mobility companies, thoughts on government’s role in residential electrification, and the importance of self-sustaining business models. We also navigate the potential advantages of collaborating with large companies, provided you manage the relationship effectively. And for those young investors and startups out there, Grant's words of wisdom are a must-hear: humility, rapid learning, and understanding the complexity of the climate change space are key. So pull up a chair and let's get started!
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#126 The Value-add of Specialist VCs, Engaging with Corporate Partners, Advice to Founders & Aspiring VCs, Defending Your Moat, & More with Grant Allen (SE Ventures)