Future Planet Capital is the world's foremost global innovation investment platform. Through a unique series of partnerships with top-tier universities in Asia, Europe and the US, the firm possesses an unrivalled level of access to technology and life science firms spin-outs from academic institutions and the "clusters of innovation" that surround them.
For the 1st episode of this series, Matthew Holding is joined by former parliamentary candidate & experienced impact investor, Douglas Hansen-Luke. They discuss the importance of impact investments, sector trends and the mission of Future Planet Capital. As Executive Chairman of Future Planet Capital, Douglas believes that investing for good can also be good investing. With a background of senior positions at leading asset management firms, Douglas founded Future Planet to advise the Future Planet Fund on investment in to hard-to-access opportunities in growth stage companies from top universities across the globe (Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge, University of California Berkeley, Tel Aviv, National University of Singapore etc). The Fund's ambitious vision is to link the world's largest investors to its brightest minds to profitably address the world's challenges.
Aside from commercial projects, Douglas' public service contributions include pro bono and political work in the UK and Africa. At the 2015 UK Parliamentary Election he stood as a candidate for Walsall North, outperforming poll predictions by 12% and just narrowly losing the vote. He is a Global Representative of Conservatives Abroad, sits on the Conservative Area Committee for Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and is a Committee Member of the Poppy Ball in support of the Royal British Legion. He formerly participated in the Conservative Party's Umubano Project in Africa and sat on the Advisory Board of the Rwandan Cricket Stadium Fund. Douglas discusses his career highlights and gives valuable insight into how he manages his time.
Feel free to reach out to us at Futureplanetcapital.com/contact-us
Akash Bajwa is an investor at Augmentum Fintech. He also serves as Head of Europe at Shaper Impact Capital. Together, Matthew and Akash discuss what venture capital investors do and what their roles are when it comes to impact ventures. Akash also gives his insights into the intersection of financial technologies and climate tech, particularly relevant to empowering consumers to offset their carbon footprint. Matthew and Akash also discuss the responsibility of the public and private sectors when it comes to solving global issues. Enjoy :)
Aarish is the founder of Emergeone and Two Brown Boys. He also serves as a Chief Financial Officer and Financial Director for multiple companies. He is an experienced entrepreneur with interest in the edtech space. Together, Matthew and Aarish discuss stakeholder theory and explore existing funding mechanisms for impact ventures. He describes impact ventures as anything that has an outsized impact on society above and beyond profit (e.g. biotech, educational tech, foodtech and sustainability).
Aarish also talks about the unique challenges that impact ventures face and gives advice to founders and CEOs about what metrics they should focus on.
Matthew is joined by James Ellsmoor, Founder & CEO of Island Innovation and Director of Solar Head of State. They discuss the importance of island sustainability and problems that remain to be solved. James discusses his career highlights and gives valuable insight into how he manages his time as a social entrepreneur. Moreover, Matthew and James discuss the impact of COVID-19 on rural communities and eco-tourism in a post-pandemic world.
Matthew is joined by Dr. Adrian Percy, CTO at UPL Ltd. (major crop protection company) and Venture Partner at Finistere Ventures LLC (technology and life sciences venture capital investor). Adrian serves on the board of directors for companies such as: BioLumic and HiFidelity Genetics. Adrian is an advocate of modern agriculture. He is a strong proponent of the development and adoption of new technologies that support global food security while conserving the environment.
As the previous Head of R&D for the Crop Science division of Bayer, Adrian led crop protection development activities for Bayer in North America and regulatory affairs activities across the entire division of Crop Science.
They discuss the world of AgTech and exciting agricultural trends across the globe (e.g. Drones, CRISPR & vertical farming).
Can we sustainably feed a growing population? Let's find out.
Matthew is joined by Dr. Robert Sluka, Lead Scientist for the Marine and Coastal Conservation Programme (A Rocha , a network of environmental organisations with a Christian ethos). They discuss the significance of the ocean and why we should care for it. Dr. Sluka works with the Watamu National Marine Park in Kenya, one of the oldest Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the world, where the team have a field study centre. Are we too late to prevent micro- & macroplastic pollution? What solutions can companies put in place in order to mitigate the damage? Let's find out in our first episode!
