Impact
What are "Impact Startups"?
Impact startups are ventures built around creating measurable positive change in society, the environment, or human wellbeing. They use technology, business models, and innovation to solve real-world problems — from healthcare access to climate change mitigation — while balancing social or environmental goals with financial sustainability. These ventures aim to create positive change while balancing mission and financial sustainability — often referred to as a double bottom line, where success is measured by both social/environmental impact and financial performance.
Why I Focus on Impact
I support impact startups because they address critical challenges that affect lives, communities, and the planet. These ventures combine purpose with innovation, often tackling inequities, promoting sustainability, or improving wellbeing. My role is to help founders navigate the practical, operational, and funding challenges that come with scaling mission-driven solutions.
Key Areas of Impact
Impact startups can create positive change across a wide range of societal and environmental domains. While each venture is unique, most focus on challenges where technology, creativity, and innovative business models can make a measurable difference. The following areas illustrate the kinds of impact-driven work I support:
Health & Wellbeing
Startups in this area improve access to healthcare, patient education, preventive care, and mental health support. Examples include digital health platforms, telemedicine, wearable monitoring devices, and AI tools that detect early warning signs or guide personalised care.
Education & Skills
These ventures expand learning opportunities, literacy, and skill development, particularly for underserved communities. They include digital learning platforms, vocational training solutions, adaptive learning tools, and educational content aimed at closing gaps in access and quality.
Climate & Sustainability
Startups developing solutions to address climate change, resource efficiency, renewable energy, or circular economy initiatives fall into this area. This includes clean energy technologies, carbon tracking, waste reduction, water management, and innovations that help businesses and communities reduce environmental impact.
Social Inclusion & Equity
These ventures tackle inequities and aim to promote access and opportunity for marginalised groups. Examples include gender equality initiatives, financial inclusion platforms, affordable housing innovations, and projects that empower minority communities through technology or services.
Food & Agriculture
Startups improving food security, sustainability, and nutrition are included here. This could be precision agriculture, sustainable supply chains, plant-based or alternative proteins, food waste reduction, and technologies that increase efficiency in production or distribution.
Public Services & Governance
Innovations in this area enhance civic engagement, transparency, and the delivery of public services. Examples include digital platforms for government services, tools for community participation, open data initiatives, and systems that improve accessibility and accountability in public administration.
Technology for Good
This area captures applied technology with clear societal benefits, even if it isn’t a scientific breakthrough. Examples include AI for health diagnostics, apps for community engagement, digital platforms supporting sustainability, or systems that improve education, governance, or accessibility.
What Impact Startups Are Not
Impact startups are distinct from ventures prioritising profit over measurable social or environmental benefit. They also differ from deep tech startups: while they may use technology, the innovation is often applied rather than emerging from scientific or engineering breakthroughs.
Examples of ventures that may be valuable but aren’t impact startups:
- Apps or services without a clear mission to benefit people, communities, or the planet.
- Consumer products designed primarily for convenience or entertainment.
- Startups with aspirational “impact” statements but no measurable outcomes.
The defining factor is intentional, measurable positive change at the core of the business model.
Get in Touch
If you’re building a venture that combines purpose and innovation to create real-world impact, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re seeking guidance, collaboration, or support to scale your solution, let’s connect and explore how your mission-driven startup can achieve its full potential.