This is a guest post by Richard Armstrong who is an early stage investor in many startups in both SE Asia and globally. Plus Richard has cofounded several companies.
Guest Author: Richard Armstrong
Being in the VC world I am constantly checking out new, emerging technologies and I see a ton of potential in Climate Tech.
Fighting the global temperature rise
As global temperatures rise, extreme weather intensifies, and seas swallow up coastlines, tackling these issues is no longer for just the altruistic.
It is an awesome economic opportunity!
The demand for climate-focused technologies is exploding!
Governments, corporations, and consumers alike desperately need solutions to curb emissions, manage resources efficiently, and adapt to a warming world.
Entrepreneurs are rushing to fill this need across sectors.
I’m seeing incredibly promising innovation in renewable energy, electric transport, agriculture, carbon sequestration, climate-resilient infrastructure, and beyond.
And these aren’t just marginal improvements – they have potential to radically disrupt entrenched industries.
Take solar energy, which has overtaken coal and nuclear with blistering speed thanks to collapsing solar energy costs due to the abundance of new technologies.
Or lab-grown meat, on track to upend carbon-heavy cattle farming this decade. And don’t forget about batteries to store intermittent renewable power or gene-edited crops that withstand droughts.
Wavemaker Impact is one of the examples in SEA that is tackling this at scale
Wavemaker Impact has the ambitious goal of reducing 10% of global carbon emissions and they are making some very big bets.
In just the past three years they’ve invested in over 35 sustainability ventures.
eFishery is one of the prized portfolio companies of their parent, Wavemaker Partners, and just recently they emerged into the elite unicorn club with a $200m fundraise at a $1.4bn valuation.
Also, Wavemaker just recently they took a strong new focus on Thailand and are setting up shop here. I’m really excited about this.
Climate tech checks all the boxes!
Huge addressable markets, fast growth, motivated talent, and profound real-world impact.
That’s what excites me about any tech sector. And Climate Tech has got it all.
Make no mistake – climate change will keep inflicting damage. But technology can blunt its blows while generating tremendous wealth.
I urge more startups to look into Climate Tech
When I ask most founders I know about ‘climate tech’ they often look a bit bored. Its like it just feels too much like being a non-profit or a volunteer organization.
That’s often the perception. It just doesn’t excite founders the way other tech areas do.
And a lot of this is pure perception based on the past. Reality is there is a ton of money to made now as ‘for profit’ companies. Plus this perception has the benefit of meaning that most spaces are not too competitive.
So i’d encourage folks that are thinking about starting a company to really look at this area seriously. Don’t let the perception fool you!
The green revolution has arrived baby – let’s fund it!
