#59 - Marion Schuppe - makesense - Launching a €25M Pre-Seed Impact Fund

#59 - Marion Schuppe - makesense - Launching a €25M Pre-Seed Impact Fund

Author: Hugo Rauch December 11, 2025 Duration: 21:56

Makesense just closed its €25M pre-seed fund:

So we sat down with Marion Schuppe to unpack what it really takes to build an impact-first VC from a nonprofit DNA.

👉 Fundraising: fun, exciting.. exhausting

What does it take for a nonprofit-rooted team to win over LPs and triple their fund size? More trust-building, cooperation, and resilience than most people think.

👉 Why pre-seed impact investing needs small funds

Marion explains why “bigger is not better” at pre-seed, and why Makesense is doubling down on inclusive circular business models as the most resilient path to economic, social, and environmental value.

👉 The hybrid model: NGO mindset, VC discipline

Incubation programs. Operating support. European subsidies. A 10% NGO investment pocket. Makesense is quietly building one of Europe’s most innovative capital stacks.Is this the future of early-stage impact investing?



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Hugo Rauch hosts New Wave, a podcast that lives at the intersection of business ambition and scientific reality. This isn't about distant predictions or abstract science; it's a grounded exploration of the technologies and companies being built right now to address our environmental future. Each episode focuses on the practical journey, dissecting the models, the breakthroughs, and the hard decisions that define the climate tech landscape. You'll hear from founders, researchers, and investors who are actively shaping this space, getting into the specifics of what works, what doesn't, and why. The conversations move beyond hype to examine the tangible mechanics of creating viable solutions, from energy storage and sustainable materials to carbon removal and regenerative agriculture. It’s for anyone who thinks about the climate challenge not just as a crisis, but as a complex and urgent field of innovation. By tuning into this podcast, you gain a clearer understanding of the economic forces and scientific principles driving the next generation of environmental solutions. New Wave connects the dots between the lab, the boardroom, and the impact we need to see in the world, offering a sober yet optimistic look at where substantive progress is truly being made.
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