No better time to double down on sustainability investments
Last year, the Pi Labs research team authored a report titled Real estate and environmental performance — Bridging the gap with PropTech. In the year that followed, we added a number of start-ups to our portfolio which help to address environmental challenges in the built world directly (such as Greenpass and Modulize), as well as indirectly (such as Firmus). This is in addition to the investments already made into the likes of Qualis Flow, Contilio, Switchee and Demand Logic (to name a few).
We have also seen ESG within the venture community gain traction, with greenwashing whistleblower Desiree Fixler hired as chair of VentureESG; as well as the creation of the ESG_VC framework to help early stage companies understand, measure and improve their ESG performance.
The breadth of companies tackling ESG issues has only grown since last year, which I believe highlights the breadth of mobilisation needed for a transition. We are seeing Greenpass address urban land use development and biodiversity; and Modulize reduce waste via prefabrication. Beyond environmental sustainability, we are seeing Moonhub champion diversity and inclusion, as well as offering virtual reality-based training to those engaged in dementia care.
We believe the trend is still growing for ESG-oriented start-ups as bread-and-butter companies adopt ESG positions and make ESG-related investments. This offers Pi Labs a quadruple-bottom-line means of doubling down on our investment into this area, where people, planet, profit and purpose converge.
With the launch of applications for our upcoming growth programme, we continue to be laser focused on seeking out and backing companies working to improve our relationship with the built world and its impact on our communities, businesses, and the environment.
If that sounds like you, and you’re a startup looking for strategic support, access to customers as well as investors, there’s no better time to apply for our the eleventh edition of our growth programme, running from February to May 2023. Application deadline is October 28th. See more details and how to apply here.
