Innovation Financing Options

The EU Platform on Sustainable Finance has published a new report proposing a voluntary "SME Sustainable Finance Standard". This is a much-needed instrument to better facilitate access to green finance for SMEs. Relatedly, such a framework can also be used by "banks and other financial institutions to classify loans (or other types of financing) provided to SMEs as sustainable finance." As the EU Taxonomy was not designed specifically for SMEs, at least in its current form, this proposal is an important step in the right direction, also to work towards proportionality of frameworks and standards. At this initial stage, the proposal focuses on climate mitigation and adaptation objectives. Such a standard is needed because many SMEs when seeking external financing of sustainability activities turn to bank loans. Hence, through the standard, "SMEs would be able to demonstrate that the activity, measure or project they are requiring external financing for is sustainable, or that they are sustainable at entity-level." === Description by the Platform: https://lnkd.in/di2GuDv5 #sustainability, #esg, #eutaxonomy

Venture funding can get a business started, but working capital keeps companies alive. In times of fluctuating federal funding and fleet-footed investors, climate founders need a reliable #workingcapital strategy to extend runway, scale smarter, and avoid unnecessary dilution. We go deep on these under-appreciated financing instruments and the when, what, and how to wield them in Sightline Climate (CTVC)‘s Working Capital Playbook. TLDR: 💳 Debt stabilizes cash flow. Credit lines, term loans & venture debt fund operations but require assets or revenue. 💡 Hybrid instruments bridge early gaps. SAFEs & convertible notes offer flexible funding without immediate dilution. 🏗️ Grants fuel deep tech. Government & catalytic capital de-risk FOAK projects and unlock follow-on investment. 🔄 Creative financing frees up cash. Factoring, revenue-based financing & invoice advances fund growth without equity. 🏛️ Policy & community capital add leverage. Green banks, philanthropy & state incentives provide non-dilutive funding. Nerd out on the full pros & cons analysis, self-assessment questionnaire, and case studies with Enduring Planet, DexMat, Thea Energy, HSBC Innovation Banking, Rondo Energy, and Breakthrough Energy in the report below 👇 https://lnkd.in/ettJuAGv

💸 Funding & Grants Series - Grants and CSR programs that Bharat Climate Startups can apply to directly-   As I continue to meet founders across India through Bharat Climate Startups, I see the same thing again and again—startups doing powerful climate work, but struggling to find the right kind of funding. - The good news? Some forward-thinking corporates, CSR arms, and philanthropic platforms are supporting startups directly — through grants, incubation, and ecosystem partnerships. Here are 5 such programs you can explore: 🔹 1. ACT For Environment (ACT Grants) 💰grants and fellowships  📌 For startups working on decarbonisation, circular economy, sustainable mobility, climate finance 🌱 Backed by India’s top startup founders and VCs 🔹 2. HCLFoundation 💰 Grant + incubation support for tech-led climate solutions 📌 Themes include waste, water, clean energy, biodiversity, tech, rural development 🔹 3. Social Alpha – Energy Labs & CleanTech Innovation Challenge 💰 Pilot funding + lab access + seed support + fellowships 📌 For startups innovating in clean energy, sustainable cooling, and clean air 🔹 4. SELCO Foundation 💰 Grant + co-development + field deployment + Incubation  📌 Works with startups on energy access, rural livelihoods, and climate resilience   🔹 5. Venture Center (Official Account) 💰 Fellowships, Grants, Incubators and CSR 📌 For startups working on environmental sustainability and climate change solutions 🌱 Focus areas include energy efficiency, renewable energy, air pollution, waste management, and circular economy 📩 Working on something aligned? Or looking to collaborate with CSR teams, foundations, or ecosystem platforms? Happy to connect — just drop a message. India’s startup ecosystem is waking up to the climate crisis. And it’s our moment to build together. 💚🇮🇳 #ClimateAction #ImpactFunding #BharatClimateStartups

Founders, you don't always need to give up equity to fuel your growth. After helping 1200+ founders with their fundraising journey, I've noticed a significant shift... Smart founders in 2025 are discovering the power of Non-Dilutive Funding. Where you get capital WITHOUT giving up equity. Think about it. → Keep 100% ownership → Full control over decisions → No board seats to manage → All future upside stays with you Here are 7 powerful ways to access non-dilutive capital: 📌 Government & Private Grants -Zero repayment needed -Perfect for specific industries & tech -Support from both public & private sectors -Great for social impact ventures 📌Business Loans -Traditional bank financing -Special startup programs available -Build strong credit history -Clear repayment terms 📌Debt Financing -Lines of credit -Bond issues -More flexible than traditional loans -Multiple options to choose from 📌Revenue-Based Financing -Pay based on monthly revenue -No fixed monthly payments -Perfect for steady revenue streams -Typically 1.3-3x return cap 📌Tax Credits -R&D incentives -Renewable energy benefits -Immediate cost reduction -Perfect for innovative companies 📌Crowdfunding -Pre-sell your product -Build a customer base -Market validation -Free marketing exposure 📌Advance Payments -Leverage existing customers -Immediate cash flow -Strengthen relationships -No additional stakeholders 📌Corporate Partnerships -Access to resources -Market entry opportunities -Strategic growth -Shared development costs Start exploring non-dilutive options early. Even if you plan to raise VC later, having diverse funding sources strengthens your position. What's your experience with non-dilutive funding? Have you tried any of these options? Share your thoughts below 👇 #startupfunding #entrepreneurship #funding #startups #venturecapital

🌉📈 Mezzanine and Bridge Financing: Unlocking Growth in Uncertain Times 🌉📈 In times of economic uncertainty and rising interest rates, businesses need innovative solutions to secure the capital necessary for growth. That's where mezzanine and bridge lending step in, offering attractive alternatives to traditional financing options. 1. Mezzanine Financing, often referred to as a "bridge to growth," combines elements of debt and equity financing. It serves as a vital link between senior debt and equity, providing businesses with the additional capital needed to fuel their expansion plans. Unlike traditional lenders, mezzanine lenders offer flexible terms, higher loan-to-value ratios, and longer repayment periods, ensuring businesses can access the funds they require even when traditional avenues become limited. While mezzanine financing comes with higher interest rates, the benefits could potentially outweigh the costs. Mezzanine lenders have the opportunity to "share in the upside" of a borrower's growth by taking collateral in the form of equity participation. This unique advantage aligns the lender's interests with the borrower's success, fostering a mutually beneficial partnership. 2. Similarly, Bridge Financing offers quick and temporary relief for businesses in need of immediate funding. These short-term financing solutions bridge the gap between urgent financial requirements and long-term financing arrangements. Bridge loans are particularly useful in time-sensitive transactions, such as real estate acquisitions or business acquisitions and expansions, or restructuring business operations under strict timelines, where traditional financing may not be readily available due to tight deadlines to meet sponsor or seller expectations to evidence pay-out. During periods of economic uncertainty, bridge financing becomes an attractive alternative because it focuses less on the borrower's long-term creditworthiness and more on the underlying collateral and short-term cash flow. This enables borrowers to secure capital quickly and efficiently, seizing opportunities without the delays associated with traditional loan financings. While both mezzanine and bridge financing carry risks, the flexibility they provide is invaluable in navigating uncertain financial landscapes. As inflation persists, interest rates remain elevated, and job growth remains sluggish, these alternative financing options are expected to thrive in the next 12-18 months. These alternative financing options unlock growth opportunities, facilitate acquisitions and restructurings, and provide quick relief when traditional lenders exercise caution. #mezzaninefinance #bridgeloans #bridgefinance #restructuring #acquisitions #leveragedfinance #debtrestructure #corporatefinance #debtcapitalmarkets

There are many funding options beyond raising equity capital (my career actually started in helping companies access non-dilutive funding). When I’m building the funding strategy for founders from scratch, we map out all their liquidity options (not just the obvious ones). Here’s what I’ve seen work for private companies at different stages: 1 - Periodic liquidity mechanisms. There are a few emerging platforms I’m excited about here, which are changing the game for private companies. They offer intermittent trading windows that let early investors and employees access liquidity without forcing an IPO or acquisition. This is massive for retention and cap table management. 2 - Revenue-based financing. For companies with strong recurring revenue, RBF provides capital without equity dilution. Repayments can also adjust to your sales topline, making cash flow management far less painful. 3 - Asset-based lending. If you’ve got inventory, receivables, or equipment on your balance sheet, you can unlock capital against those assets. I’ve seen a lot of founders use it for bridging funding rounds. 4 - Non-dilutive grants. Government programs (such as Innovate UK) and corporate innovation funds provide capital that doesn’t ask for any equity stake. Underutilised,and incredibly valuable for R&D-heavy businesses. Most popular at Pre Seed. 5 - Strategic debt/ venture debt. For companies that have already raised equity and need working capital without further dilution, venture debt can be a tactical bridge to the next milestone. Most often used at Series A & above. Mixing all of the above in addition to raising equity capital can build your solid funding journey from Pre Seed all the way to an IPO. #capitalraising #startupfunding #fundingoptions

GRANT FUNDING: African Mobility Grants that all founders should know 🚗⚡ As an early-stage VC in African mobility, I'm amazed by these grant makers accelerating our ecosystem. These grants fund very important workstreams for founders which de-risk for VC later down the road. Here's your complete guide: Siemens Stiftung – E-Mobility 4 Impact Supporting e-mobility pilots with up to $125K in Ghana 🇬🇭, Nigeria 🇳🇬, Uganda 🇺🇬, and Tanzania 🇹🇿. They have an open call (closes 18th Dec), looking for 3-5 Kenyan enterprises to conduct research and development projects. The aim is to develop effective market-based solutions and increase the social and ecological impact of e-mobility. ℹ more information: https://lnkd.in/d8hHfGjX, any questions connect with Sebastian Gruss P4G Partnerships (Partnering for Green Growth) The partnership has unlocked potential funding sources for sustainable mobility by developing solutions to subsidize investment costs and structure financial products for scaling e-mobility. https://lnkd.in/djGw97eW EEP Africa provides early-stage grant and repayable grant financing through competitive, open calls-for-proposals. $100K-$500K grants for clean energy and e-mobility initiatives pan-Africa https://eepafrica.org/ BASE Foundation & Integrate To Zero Funding solar-powered electric buses and charging infrastructure in Ghana 🇬🇭 and Kenya 🇰🇪. collaborate with the private sector to support clean technology solutions through developing new business models and financial mechanisms. https://lnkd.in/d3Rdx-vk The LEAP Fund Supporting low-carbon mobility transitions across Africa. The LEAP Fund, backed by Drive Electric, was founded in 2022 to encourage low-carbon transitions and minimise fossil-fuel vehicle lock-in. https://lnkd.in/dwqXgRnh Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) $1M technical assistance for sustainable transport in Kenya 🇰🇪, Morocco 🇲🇦, Nigeria 🇳🇬, Rwanda 🇷🇼, Senegal 🇸🇳, Sierra Leone 🇸🇱, and South Africa 🇿🇦 www.afdb.org/sefa Developpp Ventures Growth funding for innovative start-ups with development impact (€100k for suitable growth investments). The next call for applications opens on November 15 2024. https://lnkd.in/dxRsruic 🚀 Grant Recipients: Wetu, Ampersand Energy, Kiri EV LTD, Orbit bikes, Ecobodaa Mobility, Roam, We!Hub Victoria Limited, Anywhere.Berlin, GOGO, AG Energies Co. Ltd Tanzania, E-Safiri - Driving Africa’s transition to sustainable transport, Fika Mobility, Knights energy, Mobility for Africa @SGV, OX Rwanda 💡 Why This Matters for VCs: De-risks early-stage investments Validates business models Accelerates market entry Builds critical infrastructure 🤔 Do you know of any other grants, please share? Follow @stuartminnaar for more African mobility insights. #AfricanMobility #CleanTech #Startups #Impact #MobilityXAfrica

Securing Funding for Oil and Gas Development and Production When seeking funding for your oil and gas development project, whether through equity financing, debt financing, private capital, structured financing, sustainability-linked financing, production-based financing, or strategic partnerships and joint ventures, it's essential to address several key points to create a comprehensive and persuasive proposal: 1. Project Overview: Provide a detailed description of your project, including its scope, objectives, and expected outcomes. Emphasize the project's significance within the oil and gas sector. 2. Financial Projections: Present clear and realistic financial projections, including expected costs, revenue forecasts, and profitability. Include a detailed budget and a timeline for achieving financial milestones. 3. Technical Feasibility: Demonstrate the technical feasibility of your project. This should cover the technology you plan to use, the project's design, and any innovative approaches that distinguish your project. 4. Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Identify potential risks associated with the project and outline strategies to mitigate these risks. This could include environmental, operational, and market risks. 5. Environmental and Social Impact: Discuss the environmental and social impact of your project. Highlight measures you plan to take to minimize negative impacts and promote sustainability. 6. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that your project complies with all relevant regulations and standards. Provide evidence of any necessary permits and licenses, especially with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). 7. Management Team: Introduce your management team and their qualifications. Highlight their experience in the oil and gas industry and their ability to successfully execute the project. 8. Funding Requirements: Clearly state the amount of funding you are seeking and how you plan to use it. Break down the funding requirements into specific categories, such as equipment, labor, and operational costs. 9. Repayment Plan: Outline a realistic repayment plan, including the terms and conditions you are proposing. This should include a timeline for repayment and any collateral you are offering. 10. Partnerships and Collaborations: Mention any partnerships or collaborations that strengthen your project. This could include joint ventures, strategic alliances, or support from industry experts. 11. Market Analysis: Provide a thorough market analysis, including demand forecasts, competitive landscape, and potential market share. This helps demonstrate the project's viability and potential for success. 12. Sustainability and ESG Practices: Emphasize your commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. This is increasingly important for securing funding in the oil and gas sector. This information will also be useful for other projects funding. Good luck!

Happy to share the newly released report The Current State of Blended Finance and Catalytic Capital in Canada—a powerful snapshot of how impact-first capital is evolving across the country.🚀 Huge kudos to Thrive Impact Fund, Spring, Ontario Trillium Foundation, and Realize Capital Partners for their leadership in convening voices, surfacing insights, and driving innovation in this space. At Thrive Lab, we’re proud to consider ourselves impact investors offering catalytic capital for women entrepreneurs across Canada. We’re also actively reflecting on how our investment instruments can evolve to better support impact-first ventures. A few key takeaways from the report: 👉 Equity capital, especially concessionary and innovative equity, is unlocking private investment for high-impact ventures. 👉 Impact funds seeded with catalytic capital are scaling rapidly, showing strong investor appetite when risk is strategically mitigated. 👉 Community-led and place-based finance is gaining traction, with equity capital supporting local ownership, economic reconciliation, and resilient infrastructure. Yet, barriers remain: regulatory friction, risk aversion, and limited access to flexible capital continue to slow progress. The report offers a roadmap for reform—calling for bold policy shifts, shared infrastructure, and equity-centered design to ensure blended finance is not just possible, but powerful and inclusive. #BlendedFinance #CatalyticCapital #ImpactInvesting #EquityCapital #ThriveLab #SpringImpact #OntarioTrilliumFoundation #RealizeCapitalPartners #WomenEntrepreneurs #InclusiveEconomy #Canada #SocialFinance Olga Cruz Sylvain Carle Keith Ippel

🚦 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞 + 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 = 🔥 𝐔𝐒 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤/𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐭 Yesterday's news that Vitol and Breakwall Capital LP have launched Valor Mining Credit Partners to inject private credit into US mining projects is a shot across the bow for anyone watching the critical minerals space. But that’s not all: on Monday the White House dropped a Presidential Memorandum to streamline federal funding for energy and minerals, promising to cut red tape and (maybe) accelerate capital deployment. So, what’s really happening here? And what does it mean for investors, miners, and the US supply chain? 🏦 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 Traditional banks are still on the sidelines because regulatory risk, ESG scrutiny, and commodity price volatility have made them skittish. Enter private credit: funds like Valor are stepping in with flexible, event-driven capital for debt refis, acquisitions, and project buildouts. Why? Because locking in future supply of copper, lithium, and other battery metals is now a strategic imperative for traders and financiers alike. 🏛️ 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐞 (𝐎𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨) The new Presidential Memorandum aims to create a “one-stop shop” for federal funding (think single application, coordinated agency reviews, and less bureaucratic ping-pong). The goal: get more US critical minerals projects off the ground, faster, and reduce dependence on foreign supply (read: China). But… with recent budget cuts, will there be enough money in the pot to make a real dent? 📈 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤? ICE and others are building contract liquidity and optionality for lithium, cobalt, and spodumene, giving miners and investors real price signals and risk management tools. Transparent pricing from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence + hedging = lower risk premiums, more bankable projects, and a deeper pool of capital. 🐘 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦 Policy risk is still king. Just as DRC export bans and geopolitical shocks can whipsaw cobalt prices overnight, US policy shifts can make or break project economics. The convergence of private credit, proactive policy, and liquid futures is powerful but only if execution matches ambition. 𝑩𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒐𝒎 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆: we’re witnessing a structural reset in US critical minerals investment. Private credit is filling the funding gap, federal policy is trying to keep pace, and futures markets are bringing much-needed risk management optionality. The winners? Those who can navigate volatility, align with strategic capital, and hedge their bets (figuratively and literally). Buckle up. The next phase of the US minerals race is here, and it’s moving fast. #Cobalt #Lithium #CriticalMinerals #SupplyChain #EnergyTransition