Meet Nare Janvelyan: Venturing in the Future with Fresh Capital at Voyager #10

🌿 Hey Earth First Fam!

Welcome to Newsletter #10!

Buckle up as we dive into a firm investing in companies creating the foundation of a decarbonized global economy and a livable future for all. With a special focus on the future of mobility, energy, materials, food, built environment, analytics, industrial systems, and carbon removal.

Who’s leading the charge?

None other than Nare Janvelyan from Voyager Ventures!

Here’s what you can expect in this edition:

1. Who is Nare Janvelyan? and What’s her Story?

2. What’s Voyager Ventures? and What do they invest in?

🌟 In Conversation with Nare Janvelyan: A Rising Star in Investment

Meet Nare: From LA Kid to Climate Tech Crusader 🌿

In this spotlight, we're diving into the life of Nare, an emerging leader in the venture capital world, especially when it comes to all things climate tech. Her journey's pretty wild – from getting her PhD to becoming a key player at Voyager Ventures. Grab your favorite snack, and let's get into it!

Swapping Scalpels for Beakers 👩🏻‍🔬

Nare's tale kicks off in the bustling streets of Los Angeles, where her dreams initially had her

headed towards medicine. But, plot twist – after a couple of fainting spells during routine vaccine shots, she realized that maybe the medical field wasn't her jam.

Instead, she found herself mesmerized by the mysteries and challenges of chemistry during her undergrad at Berkeley. It was all about breaking down complex reactions and understanding the magic behind photosynthesis. Basically, she was into saving the planet before it was cool.

The applications of chemistry that drew me in tended to be very climate-focused at the time. I wanted to work on something that would be more impactful.

The Harvard Chapter: Nano Adventures and Sustainability Quests 🛣️

Fast forward to Harvard, where Nare leveled up her quest for a greener planet. Diving into the world of metal nanomaterials, she was all about finding greener ways to produce chemicals. Picture this: turning ethanol into acetaldehyde, all while producing hydrogen as a side hustle. Cool, right? But even with these epic achievements, the slow pace and the isolation of lab life had her craving more action and a wider impact.

From Lab Coats to Business Suits 👩‍💼

Feeling the need for a change, Nare took a bold step into the world of consulting. Joining Simon Kutcher, she swapped her lab coat for a world of strategy, growth, and a ton of problem-solving. Here, she got to flex her brain in new ways, diving deep into pure growth & go-to-market strategies for software and technology companies. Through it all, her heart was still with the planet, seeking ways to merge her love for science with her newfound business chops.

As I was exploring the options, I landed on venture capital because it combined the parts of consulting I liked with science and early-stage technologies. It was merging my two backgrounds together that and I believe makes for a powerful fit and brings me to the front lines of climate tech.

Finding Her Tribe 👏

Enter Voyager Ventures – the place where Nare found her true calling this past year. It was the perfect mix of her two worlds: the rigorous science of her academic days and the dynamic pace of consulting. She is particularly interested in the industrial space - steel, cement, chemical production - and anything from energy data like grid intelligence and API development.

Nare's story is a bit like a Netflix series – full of twists, turns, and a passion for the environment that just won't quit. It's a reminder that the road to making a difference can take many forms, and it's all about finding where your passion meets your skills.

So, what's next for Nare and Voyager Ventures? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure – the future of climate tech is looking brighter with folks like her in the game.

Get to know Nare!

Favorite Book: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Favorite Podcast: The Energy Gang with Wood Mackenzie

Favorite Mantra: “Bloom where you are planted”

Biggest climate role model: Shayle Kann

Wishes people knew about the climate space: “How diverse and interdisciplinary it is. There’s a place for everyone. We don't just need scientists or people with technical backgrounds. We need finance people, we need marketing people, products, sales, you name it. Everyone can find a place here in common and be able to work in this impactful growing area. It's not just for scientists, engineers, and developers.”

Most excited about in the future: “Now that I've joined venture capital the work and the personal are more aligned. So there are a lot more events that I get to go to, and I'm excited to share what I'm passionate about with people who also are like that. Technically, we work but it also doesn't feel like it. Even my day-to-day doesn't feel like I'm working half the time. So, that's what I'm excited about.”

🌍 Enter Voyager Ventures: Charting the Course for a Sustainable Future

Voyager's Unique Blend 🤲

Voyager Ventures stands out in the sea of VC firms for its deliberate fusion of scientific insight and market acumen. With Nare's narrative as our guide, we see a team that values the rigorous scientific foundation she brings to the table, perfectly complementing their mission to back startups with the potential to revolutionize our environmental landscape.

A Global Vision with a Local Touch 🌎

Nare's insights shed light on Voyager's strategic approach to global investment, particularly their focus on the untapped potential of European innovation. While many VCs stick closer to home, Voyager casts a wider net, seeing Europe as a growing hotbed of climate tech creativity and political support.

This isn't just about spreading their bets geographically; it's a testament to their belief in the global nature of the climate challenge and the diverse solutions it demands. They're searching for the gung-ho teams, defined by both their mentality and lifestyle, crucial for scaling up. They want those ready to keep up with the fast pace and push the limits.

The Voyager Criteria 📋

Voyager Ventures isn't playing the short game. Nare highlighted the firm's rigorous investment criteria, which prioritize not just profitability but genuine environmental impact. This means backing companies that can hit the ground running without relying on a "green premium" — the idea that eco-friendly products should cost more.

Instead, Voyager bets on startups capable of competing head-to-head with traditional options, both in terms of cost and performance. Their portfolio is on a mission to collectively trim or sidestep 500Mt of CO2 emissions. Individually, each company in their roster is shooting for a significant slice of that pie, targeting an average of 15-20 Mt CO2 emission reduction, or enabling impact through software solutions.

No Barriers, Just Horizons 🌅

One of the most compelling aspects of Voyager, as seen through Nare's experiences, is their flat structure when it comes to exploring new opportunities. There are no silos here; every team member is empowered to scout innovations that spark their interest, whether it's in industrial processes, clean energy, or sustainable agriculture. This approach not only democratizes the investment process and brings in fresh perspectives but it also ensures that Voyager's portfolio remains diverse, dynamic, and deeply aligned with the multifaceted challenge of climate change.

In the story of Nare and Voyager Ventures, we find a powerful narrative of convergence: science and business, local insight and global vision, profitability and planet. As we continue to track their progress, let's draw inspiration from their example, reminding ourselves that the path to a sustainable future is paved with innovation, determination, and the courage to think beyond boundaries.

Earth First Trivia (from Monday!)

1. Guess how much of the world's electricity is currently produced by renewable sources? Answer: Almost 1/3

2. Which country is recognized as the world leader in wind energy, generating a substantial portion of its electricity from wind turbines? Answer: China

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 

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