Meet Keely Anson: Leading the Charge as Head of the Shared Future Fund at Collaborative Fund #16

🌿 Hey Earth First Fam!

Welcome to Newsletter #16!

Buckle up for a deep dive into the world of VC with a special focus on climate-tech innovation. This world isn't just about big bucks; it's about big dreams and an even bigger impact.

Who’s leading the charge? None other than Keely Anson, Head of the Shared Future Fund @ Collaborative Fund!

Here’s what you can expect in this edition:

1. Who is Keely Anson and What’s her Story?

2. What’s Collaborative Fund and What do they invest in?

🌟 In Conversation with Keely: An Inspiring Climate-Tech Leader

Keely Anson isn’t your average investor; she’s a dynamic force with a background in story-telling, public policy, climate activism, and investing. Her story centers around people and impact, as well as a deep-seated belief in the power of entrepreneurship to foster a sustainable future. Through her work at Kleiner Perkins, Collective Health, Incite and now Collaborative Fund, Keely has positioned herself at the forefront of people-focused investing alongside a profound personal commitment to leaving the planet better than we found it. Let’s delve into how Keely is leading the charge to support the energy transition and a more sustainable future. 

A Journey of Realization and Action ➡️

Keely’s journey into the realm of climate-tech is underpinned by an illustrious career across

operations, investment, philanthropy and politics. Eight years ago, she joined Incite, the family office led by Matt Rogers, co-founder of Nest, focused on world-positive investing, philanthropy, and political giving. During those years, much of her focus was on supporting emerging climate startups, funding much-needed research in the field, as well as, helping elect leaders that believed and championed climate science. 

Much of her passion for climate action was rooted in her own personal experience. As a young high-school student, she traveled to the Amazon rainforest, opening her eyes first-hand to the stark realities of deforestation. Additionally, she witnessed her parents lose their family home due to a wildfire that ravaged much of San Diego back in 2007. These two seminal moments in her life served as a poignant reminder of the increasing severity of climate-related disasters. This became the catalyst for her to dive into areas where sustainable solutions can and should exist to help mitigate climate change. 

Personal Commitment Meets Professional Mission 🔥

When Keely became a mother just over four years ago, this profoundly changed her perspective on the future of the planet. Thinking about the world her daughter would ultimately inherit, added a new dimension of urgency for climate action. This became a real driving force in her professional life:

When you think about the life that your children are going to lead in the future, your whole perspective changes

This shift in perspective accelerated her commitment to move faster, build better, and be more conscientious in her efforts to combat climate change.

Championing Startups as a Catalyst for Change 🔄

Keely joined Collaborative Fund, to help lead their Shared Future Fund committed to catalyzing very early-stage companies working on climate solutions. Many of the companies and founders she supports are working at the intersection of energy, decarbonization, food & agriculture, and climate technologies. Not only do these companies stand to make a real impact, at the core of what they’re building are big, profitable businesses. In the early days, she highlights how a blended finance approach - involving federal policies and programs, (i.e. tax incentives and non-dilutive grants), can play a crucial role in supporting innovation and helping these companies achieve commercialization. 

Her journey is also marked by her dedication to understanding the intersection of policy and climate. Her experience at Incite involved navigating the complex landscape of federal, state and municipal policies to help spur innovation and catalyze markets for companies working on solving climate change. This understanding is crucial in her current role, where she helps startups navigate similar challenges and opportunities.

Connecting with Nature 🌿

Beyond her professional endeavors, her personal life reflects her commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. She actively engages in outdoor activities and values the importance of connecting with nature. This personal connection to the environment reinforces her dedication to preserving it for future generations.

Embracing the Future with Optimism 🌞

Looking ahead, she remains optimistic about the potential for startups to drive positive change. She is excited about the future of climate-tech and the role that innovative solutions will play in addressing the world's most pressing environmental issues. Through her thoughtful and strategic approach, Keely is not just investing in companies; she’s investing in a better, more sustainable future. Her journey is a powerful reminder that personal experiences and professional missions can converge to create a significant impact on the

world.

Get to know Keely!

Favorite Book: The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

Favorite Podcast: Smartless, MCJ, The All In Podcast

Favorite Mantra: “Pay it forward”

Biggest climate role model: Katharine K. Wilkinson, Co-Author of All We Can Save

Most excited about in the future: Traveling to Lausanne for a climate conference

🌍 Enter Collab Fund: Pioneering a Greener Tomorrow

Collaborative Fund stands out in the venture capital landscape for its steadfast commitment to nurturing startups at the intersection of “good for individuals” and “good for the world”. A key initiative she leads is the Shared Future Fund, which focuses on providing rapid catalytic capital to pre-seed and seed-stage climate companies. Each year, the fund aims to invest in up to 100 new companies each year, emphasizing the need for swift and substantial support to drive climate innovation.

Empowering Visionary Leaders 🚀

Keely focuses on identifying founders who are not only innovative but also have the tenacity and insight to bring their groundbreaking ideas to fruition. She looks for CEOs who can establish quick rapport, communicate authentically, and navigate complex conversations with ease. These soft skills, combined with a strong sense of mission, are key indicators of a founder’s potential to lead a successful climate-tech venture.

Providing Comprehensive Support 🌟

The support Collab Fund offers goes beyond financial investment. Keely and her team provide strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to a wide network of industry experts. They host a series of in-person and virtual events to foster a sense of community among portfolio companies. As Keely describes,

Connecting founders with other founders is the best form of mentorship, support, and advice.

By creating these opportunities for connection and mentorship, Collaborative Fund ensures that founders have the resources they need to overcome challenges and scale their businesses. This community-driven approach not only strengthens the support network for startups but also fosters a collaborative spirit that is essential for tackling global climate challenges.

Navigating Policy and Innovation 🔄

Keely’s experience with federal and state policies allows her to guide startups through the complexities of non-dilutive capital opportunities, such as grants and tax incentives. This knowledge is instrumental in helping companies leverage public funding to spur innovation and drive meaningful change.

Balancing Innovation with Impact 💸

Collab Fund employs a rigorous approach to selecting investments, known as the "villain test." This ensures that the products or services they invest in are compelling enough to appeal even to the most self-interested investors, blending profitability with sustainability. She is dedicated to finding startups that have the potential to reach billion-dollar valuations while making a positive environmental impact. This dual focus ensures that their investments not only promise financial returns, but also contribute to solving pressing environmental challenges.

A Curated Climate Tech Portfolio 🌿

Collab Fund Portfolio includes: Artyc, Beyond Meat, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Found Energy, Noon Energy, Sweetgreen, and many more!

Championing Sustainable Progress 🌱

With a team led by experienced entrepreneurs and investors who have firsthand knowledge

of both technology and climate sectors, Collab Fund is uniquely positioned to support startups poised to redefine sustainability and environmental stewardship. As the fund continues to grow its portfolio, it remains focused on backing the next generation of companies that will lead the way in making our world more sustainable, efficient, and climate-resilient.

Earth First Trivia (from Monday!)

1. What percentage of the world's fish stocks are currently overfished, threatening the sustainability of seafood supplies? Answer: 90%

2. How does ocean acidification, a result of increased atmospheric CO2, affect shellfish populations such as oysters, clams, and mussels? Answer: For oysters, scallops and other shellfish, lower pH means less carbonate, which they rely on to build their essential shells. As acidity increases, shells become thinner, growth slows down and death rates rise.

Until next time,

Woovin & Haley

Earth First 🌍✌️

Have any climate related feedback or content topics you’d like to see in Earth First? Feel free to reach out team@theearthfirst.co 

If you are a climate-tech startup or investor making real impact - hit us up! - we would love to chat woovin@theearthfirst.co or haley@theearthfirst.co 

If you’d like to partner with us or be featured as a sponsor reach out! evan@theearthfirst.co