S3 E4: An Impact Hardware VC's Playbook with Carlota Ochoa from Extentia

Carlota Ochoa is a Principal at Extantia Capital, leading UK operations for the fund. With a background in commodities at Merrill Lynch, operational experience in startups, and a senior management role at Amazon’s consumer electronics division, Carlota brings a wealth of expertise in climate tech investing. She now focuses on supporting pioneering hardware and software solutions that address major climate challenges.

The Episode will answer:

• What do investors look for in hardware startup founders beyond technical innovation?
• Why are step-change innovations more attractive to investors than incremental improvements?
• How important is it for “green” solutions to also be cost-competitive and better than existing options?
• Why should founders engage with customers early, and what kind of proof do investors want to see?
• How can startups avoid losing focus by targeting too many customer segments or product variations?
• What supply chain and manufacturing risks matter most to investors, and how should founders address them?
• How should founders set expectations and build productive relationships with their lead investors?
• What’s the best way to tailor your pitch to different types of investors?
• Why is it risky to rely solely on the “green” angle or crowdfunding when seeking VC funding?

Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Onshape, the only cloud-native product development platform. Eligible hardware startups can apply for a free year of Onshape Professional through the Onshape Startup Program. Apply now at onshape.pro/thebuildercircle

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Music by: Tom Stoke

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