Belgium-based Impact Shakers has announced the launch of a new €20 million venture fund, Impact Shakers Ventures, aimed at supporting diverse founders across Europe who are innovating in the fields of climate tech, impact infrastructure, and inclusion tech.
Founded in 2018 by Yonca Braekman, Impact Shakers has grown from a friends & family investment initiative to a significant player in the impact investment scene. The launch of this fund marks a significant step towards building a more inclusive startup ecosystem.
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Strategic Focus on Climate Tech, Impact Infrastructure, and Inclusion Tech
Impact Shakers Ventures is committed to investing in startups that drive systemic change in society by addressing crucial environmental and societal challenges. The fund will focus on startups that are not only led by diverse teams but also work on innovations that can scale solutions for climate action, societal resilience, and technological inclusivity.
Fundamentals and Vision
The fund was secured with the anchor support of the Belgian family office, Victrix, alongside contributions from several high-profile European impact leaders, nearly half of whom are women. This marks a significant achievement in diversity compared to the average makeup of European LPs.
Yonca Braekman, CEO of Impact Shakers, stated, “Our vision was to build a global impact ecosystem that tackled societal and environmental challenges with entrepreneurs from very diverse backgrounds. Adding capital to the mix was a clear step towards creating a more inclusive startup ecosystem.”
Innovative Approach and Investment Strategy
Impact Shakers Ventures will operate under a venture-accelerator model, selecting 6-8 startups annually for an initial investment of €150K each. These startups will then participate in a 6-month impact acceleration program focusing on impact, inclusion, and wellbeing, supported by Impact Shakers’ extensive network of experts and impact investors.
The fund aims to catalyze a significant increase in investments into diverse impact founders, fostering both societal and financial returns. Alina Klarner, Head of Ventures and General Partner at Impact Shakers Ventures, emphasized, “We want to ignite a profound shift, showing that supporting diverse talent can create substantial impact and be financially rewarding.”
Looking Ahead
Impact Shakers has already made its first investment through this fund in the Berlin-based startup Faircado, which has developed an AI-powered browser plugin for easier access to second-hand products online. The company is set to announce the first group of impact startups to receive investment and support shortly.
With this new fund, the Venture Capital Firm is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of impact investing and supporting innovative startups that lead the way in solving global challenges.
