Ananda Impact Ventures

🚨 Last Call! Applications for the #RESPOND Accelerator are closing soon! Are you a #founder building solutions for a resilient, net-zero future? 🌱 RESPOND is a six-month accelerator program that works with entrepreneurs across the globe to accelerate deep-tech innovation, advance the transition toward a net-zero economy, and empower founders to grow as leaders. 🚀 By joining RESPOND, you’ll gain: • Personalized growth coaching • Global networking & meaningful connections • A purpose-driven community • Visibility boost 😊 Free of charge and without giving away equity! 👉 Learn more about the RESPOND Accelerator: bit.ly/RESPONDNotion 👉 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/e2VP5asM cc: BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt, UnternehmerTUM, Bernd Klosterkemper, Felix Ferstl #HowWillYouRESPOND #RESPOND2025 #NetZeroEconomy #ResponsibleLeadership #Accelerator #Startups #Founders #Entrepreneurs #Leaders #Sustainability #Tech #Innovation #Impact 

👀 To all #Founders and #Investors 👇👇👇 Two weeks ago, during Norrsken Impact Week, we had the privilege of moderating a panel titled “Founders’ Health - How Can VCs and Entrepreneurs Work Better Together?” The discussion was incredibly insightful, and we’d like to share some key takeaways with you: 💪 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲, 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀: High stress impacts decision-making, with 88% of founders acknowledging its negative effects. Creating environments where founders can discuss challenges openly, without fear of repercussions, is crucial. Peer networks, independent coaching, and external support systems are essential tools for building resilience. 🎯 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Being a founder means hard work and often sleepless nights. Unachievable targets can lead to burnout. By setting more reasonable goals, investors can encourage a healthier, more sustainable approach to growth. 💰𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀: A recent survey from Balderton Capital highlighted that 60% of pre-seed founders feel unable to meet personal expenses. Financial stability is crucial for mental well-being. Ensuring founders have sufficient liquidity to support themselves and their families is essential to fostering a healthy, sustainable entrepreneurial journey. 🤝 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀: Founders benefit from a “human” approach where investors prioritize relationships over pressure. VCs should be transparent about their own personal and professional challenges, demonstrating that it's okay to be vulnerable. This can help break down the stigma. These insights remind us that supporting the founder's well-being is not just ethical—it’s critical to the venture ecosystem’s success and sustainability. Kudos to Elodie Broad, Joshua Haynes, Hayley Hand, Max von Waldenfels, and Johannes Weber for leading such a valuable and thought-provoking session 👏 And if you’d like to learn more about how Ananda supports founders’ health, find details here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dzEhFZ5m cc: Bernd Klosterkemper, Sabine Scherer, Hannah Looks, Rebecca Hill, Franziska Joseph, Giulia Piu, Sofia Korompli #FoundersHealth #Resilience #Wellbeing #Founders #VentureCapital

🌱 Three Years of SFDR: A Deep Dive into Article 9 with Three of Europe’s Leading Impact Investors. Aurum Impact just published an article to shed light on the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (#SFDR) and its impact on Europe’s investment landscape. Since its introduction, SFDR has aimed to foster transparency, prevent greenwashing, and direct capital toward sustainable investments. But how has it shaped the practices of impact investors? In this article, our very own Florian Erber, alongside Lena Thiede from Planet A Ventures and Dr. Fabian Heilemann from AENU, dove deep into the challenges and opportunities of operating as Article 9 funds under SFDR. From institutional investor demand to the complexities faced by early-stage startups, this conversation sheds light on the evolving dynamics of sustainable finance. 💡 Key takeaway: Article 9 is more than a label—it’s a commitment to sustainability-driven strategies. But as we navigate the SFDR framework, it’s clear there’s room for improvement, to ease the burden for early-stage startups and to create a clearer definition of impact within the framework. 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ePEEWggP Thank you, Miki Yokoyama and Kelley Luyken, for including our perspective and ensuring our voice is part of this important discussion! And a special thank you to our SFDR expert, Johannes Wenger, for his invaluable contribution to how we look at SFDR and Impact Measurements at Ananda! 🙌 #ImpactInvesting #SustainableFinance #SFDR #Article9 #ImpactFunds

🎉 Incredibly happy to announce that Hannes Tamme has officially joined us as an Investment Associate after an impressive four months as a Visiting Analyst! Hannes has lived in five countries, supported special needs job training in the U.S., built a social initiative for women in Uganda, and even founded a startup in re-commerce and second-hand textiles. His journey reflects a deep commitment to creating lasting positive change, and he now brings that same passion to impact investing with us. 🌍 🌱 Based primarily in our Munich office, Hannes is eager to connect with visionary founders across Europe passionate about tackling global challenges at scale. Learn more about Hannes by visiting his profile on our website 👉 https://lnkd.in/dkzEaenn Welcome to the Ananda team, Hannes! We love working with you and look forward to driving impactful change together! 🌟 #AnandaTeam #Welcomeonboard #ImpactInvesting #VentureCapital #Impact

👋 Heading to Slush in Helsinki next week? 🇫🇮 We’re happy to co-host Super Climate, alongside an incredible lineup of investors dedicated to tackling climate challenges. If you’re an LP interested in attending, don’t hesitate to reach out! Also, Ananda Partner Zoe Peden, will be attending various events throughout the week, including House of Impact and the Google for Startups Climate Ecosystem Dinner. If you’re working in #Biodiversity, #Decarbonizing Industry, #TechBio, #Biosecurity, or #Health, don’t miss the chance to meet Zoe. 🤭 Fun fact: At last year’s Slush, Zoe connected with the founder of one of our portfolio companies (still in stealth mode)—and what a first meeting they had! Who knows what exciting surprises this year will bring? We hope to see you there! cc: 2150, AENU, Blume Equity, Climentum Capital, Collateral Good, Course Corrected, Earth , Extantia, FoodLabs, GET Fund, Greencode Ventures, HPE Growth, Icos Capital, Maniv, Marvelous - Deeptech Fund and Catalyst for Climate Solutions , noa, Oyster Bay Management GmbH, Planet A Ventures, PT1, Rockstart, Sandwater, Visionaries Tomorrow  #Slush2024 #ClimateTech #ImpactInvesting #StartupEcosystem #VentureCapital

🇩🇪 Calling All Germany-Based Founders! 🇩🇪 ❔ Are you developing innovative solutions for a sustainable future?  🕜 Join our virtual office hours to share your climate-focused ideas with us.  🌍 Whether you’re addressing decarbonisation, tackling sustainability challenges, or driving other climate-critical innovations, we’d love to hear from you! 💚 ➡️ Submit your details here, and we’ll be in touch: https://lnkd.in/eYxhC954 Ananda Impact Ventures #decarbonisation #officehours #impactinvesting #climatetech

👏 Thank you, Norrsken, for organizing such a stellar event at the beautiful Norrsken House in Barcelona last week—and for inviting us to be part of it! We’re grateful to have joined over 1,000 founders, investors, and impact leaders, all driven to create innovative solutions for a better world 🌍 From Body Drumming & connecting on the rooftop, to thought-provoking discussions on topics such as antimicrobial resistance, water crisis, founders’ health, and climate resilience, it was an event not to be missed! We left feeling energised and optimistic, ready to keep building a future that prioritises both people and the planet. 🌱 A big thank you to all the amazing panelists who joined the sessions we moderated, and made them truly insightful: Windi Muziasari (Resistomap), Adèle James (phagos) on Antimicrobial Resistance, and Elodie Broad (Balderton Capital), Joshua Haynes (Masawa), Max von Waldenfels (Caspar Health), and Hayley Hand (Better Society Capital) on Founders’ Health. And special thanks to the Norrsken team—especially Daniel Goldberg, Funda Sezgi, Raphael Scharbow, and Joan Jofra—for bringing us together in such a meaningful way. We’re already looking forward to next year! 🤩 cc: Johannes Weber, Zoe Peden, Felix Ferstl, Giulia Piu #ImpactWeek24 #ImpactInvesting #ImpactFounders #VentureCapital

🌍🌾 Regenerative Agriculture goes global! We’re excited to congratulate our portfolio company Klim on securing €20 million in Germany’s largest Series A round in #AgriTech, fueling their mission to drive global transition to Regenerative Agriculture. Led by BNP Paribas, with support from US and EU investors including AgFunder, Earthshot Ventures, Rabobank, Norinchukin Bank, Achmea Innovation Fund, Elevator Ventures, and ongoing support from us at Ananda, this funding will empower Klim to bring sustainable farming practices to food companies and farmers worldwide, tackling climate change right at the roots. 🤔 Why does this matter? Agriculture accounts for nearly a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions annually. Klim’s platform enables the food industry to decarbonize their supply chain by supporting farmers in transitioning to regenerative practices that restore soil health, improve biodiversity, capture carbon, and reduce emissions—creating a more resilient food system for all. 🚜 What’s next? With over 3,500 farmers already on board, Klim aims to expand across Europe and beyond, partnering with the food industry and farmers to transform agriculture into a powerful climate solution. This is a vital step toward sustainable food production and a healthier planet. 👏 Congratulations to Robert Gerlach, Nina Mannheimer, Adiv M., Felix Jonathan Jakobsen, and the entire Klim team! Let’s keep pushing for a greener, regenerative future together. 🌍💚 cc: Bernd Klosterkemper, Felix Ferstl #RegenerativeAgriculture #ImpactInvesting #ClimateAction #SustainableFarming #ClimateTech

Introducing Resistomap Water Biosecurity Platform designed to take monitoring environmental antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to the next level! Equipped with the Antibiotic Resistance Genes Index (ARGI), AMR Genes Removal Percentage, and AMR Risk Score, the platform provides comprehensive insights and data visualisation to enhance water treatment processes and safeguard public and environmental health.🌱🌏 Watch the video to see our platform in action!✨ #Antimicrobialresistance #AMR #Resistomap #Health #Environment

👋 Are you attending Norrsken Impact Week in Barcelona next week? We’re proud to have helped co-create this sold-out event, bringing together over 1,000 of the world’s leading founders, investors, business leaders, policymakers, and enablers of the impact ecosystem! Here is where you can find us on Day 1: 💊 2:10 PM: Zoe Peden will discuss “#Antimicrobial Resistance - The Biggest Global Challenge You’re Not Caring Enough About” with Dr. Windi Muziasari, founder of Resistomap, and Adèle James, co-founder of phagos. 🥁 2:45 PM: Catch Felix Ferstl and Johannes Weber as they lead a Body Drumming and Mindfulness session on the Rooftop! 💪 4:50 PM: Johannes Weber will moderate the panel “Founders Health - How Can VCs and Entrepreneurs Work Better Together?” with a fantastic lineup: Elodie Broad, Head of Impact & ESG at Balderton Capital; Joshua Haynes, Partner at Masawa Fund; Nektarios Liolios, Co-Founder of The Future Farm; and Hayley Hand, Investment Director at Better Society Capital. Check out the full agenda and side events here: https://lnkd.in/dM3NvHai Looking forward to seeing you there!