In a recent episode of the Investment Climate podcast, host Alex Shandrovsky dives into the intricacies of securing funding for alternative proteins with a spotlight on the strategies that leading CEOs and influential venture capitalists employ in the realm of climate technology.
Alex brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, with extensive experience as a strategic advisor for numerous global food tech accelerators and companies. His work primarily centers on building investor relations and supporting agrifood tech enterprises as they scale post-funding.
Episode 11: A Conversation with Orbisk’s Olaf van der Veen
This episode features an engaging discussion between Alex and Olaf van der Veen, the co-founder and CEO of Orbisk. Orbisk is dedicated to reducing food waste in professional kitchens and the food service industry, aiming to boost sustainability and profitability in these sectors. Throughout their talk, Olaf shares critical insights from his journey through the venture capital landscape. He highlights the significance of developing trust with investors, nurturing strong customer relationships, and adopting creative business models to secure the necessary funding for hardware in the Software as a Service (SaaS) space. His experiences illustrate that successful fundraising hinges on clear purpose, proactive efforts, and solid connections with stakeholders.
About Orbisk
- Mission: To improve global food system sustainability.
- Recently raised €8 million, led by Regeneration VC and Peakbridge.
Key Takeaways from Alex’s Discussion with Olaf
- Product traction and growth: Olaf stresses the importance of having a solid growth trajectory to attract investors, especially during challenging fundraising times. He expressed a degree of relief that their company has maintained this momentum, making investor conversations much smoother. He believes Orbisk can continue thriving without immediate additional investment.
- Choosing the right partner: Selecting a lead investor who actively contributes to the fundraising process and offers a structured strategy is critical to success.
- Emphasizing transparency: Olaf champions the idea of “hyper-transparency” in business dealings, where he values openness and expects the same from others in the industry.
For further enlightening discussions and insights, don’t miss out on exploring the entire podcast series. Each episode offers a fresh perspective on navigating the complexities of investment in today’s market.
Source: Vegconomist