Investor Connect Podcast

In this episode, Hall welcomes Wenyi Cai of Polymath Ventures. Polymath is a company builder focused on emerging markets, with offices in Mexico City and Bogota. They are specifically interested in sectors experiencing global disruption enabled by technology in an emerging market setting. Wenyi's background gave him experience with emerging markets, and he applies this familiarity to Polymath's approach to startups and investing.

Wenyi discusses the exciting state of venture capital in Latin America, as well as her advice to those wanting to invest in emerging markets. Wenyi also talks about some of the differences and similarities between established and emerging markets. Wenyi points out that, for many industries in emerging markets, there can be numerous problems throughout the value chain. She urges startups in emerging markets to stay focused on their core competencies, and not try to tackle a whole value chain at once. In addition, Wenyi explains venture-studio model, and how it works. Finally, she highlights fin-tech and ecommerce as areas of growth potential in emerging markets.

 

 

Direct download: 01_Wenyi_Cai_of_Polymath_Ventures.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:40pm CDT

Today, we’ll talk about Impact Investing.

There’s an old saying about angel investors: “They want to make a little money, have a little fun, and do a little good.”

The ‘do a little good’ talks about how investors want to make a contribution to the community with their investment.

Some do it through Impact Investing, which means the startup provides a community service beyond generating revenue and providing jobs. Impact investing is one way to narrow the field of startups to consider for investing.

Each investor has their own set of things they care about, so if you are an impact startup beware -- the definition of impact is in the eye of the beholder. Or, as they say, ‘To each his own’.

If you want to invest in impact startups, look for their impact metrics and not just their financial metrics. Financial metrics include cost of customer acquisition and lifetime value of customers, among others. Impact metrics, on the other hand, focus on the community benefit, such as how many students graduated, or a reduction in carbon footprint, or the number of rhinos saved from destruction.

A good impact startup will have some evidence of the benefits they are generating for the community.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today!

Direct download: Startup_Funding_Espresso_--_Impact_Investing.mp3
Category: -- posted at: 9:35pm CDT

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