S8: E9. Advice on Raising an Angel Round for a Climate Startup ft. James Manktelow (climate angel)

Angel investor, James Manktelow, has invested in 25 climate startups since 2019 via Green Angel Syndicate. He focuses on accelerating the growth of IP-based startups that develop solutions to climate change.

The syndicate at Green Angel is the largest in the UK with a climate focus; it has over 350 members and has invested in over 45 startups and early-stage companies across ten different economic sectors.

During this series of bite-sized episodes, I’ll be speaking to investors from across the climate ecosystem to get their reflections on 2024, insights about the funding landscape for 2025, advice for founders looking to raise, and finding out what they’re most excited about for the coming year.

1:48 - Intro to James and Green Angel Syndicate

2:15 - James’ investment thesis and what he looks for in investments

3:21 - James’ reflection on the 2024 investment and climate tech landscape

4:46 - Out of your portfolio companies, did any perform particularly well during 2024?

5:54 - Did you see any common themes amongst companies that did well?

6:37 - James’ predictions for 2025 investment

8:20 - Which parts of the climate market have good opportunity for growth?

10:15 - As an angel investor, how do you hear about companies to invest in and how do you conduct diligence?

12:06 - How do you support businesses as an angel?

14:13 - What has James learnt from investments that haven’t gone so well?

16:33 - James’ advice to founders looking to raise an angel round - what should they have in place?

18:15 - How influential are incubators when considering an investment?

19:16 - James’ thoughts on investing in solo founders.

20:15 - What level of commercial traction is needed for investment?

21:34 - How much can you determine the founding team’s resilience during due diligence?

23:19 - How to contact James via Green Angel Syndicate

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