Are you all “COPed-out”? Us too.

If you’re anything like us, you’ll agree COP26 didn’t deliver. Yes, there was progress [hurrah] but not enough.

We simply can’t rely on governments to move the dial [we’re looking at you 🇦🇺]. What we need is an avalanche of ideas from driven + passionate entrepreneurs, fuelled by smart, aligned investment.

Our mission @ Raaise is to make that happen.

One of the most effective levers we can pull is to change how + where we invest our money.

While Ben’s been at COP26, at Raaise HQ we’ve been heads down developing our kick-arse platform to make capital raising for climate startups better. We’re launching soon + can’t wait to share our first cohort of mind-blowingly awesome startups with you.

Meanwhile, here are some pretty cool startups we love (it’s no accident there are inspiring women behind all 3).

So, how can you help?

Climate founders: We’d love to hear from you.

Supporters + Investors: Join us today + be the first to hear about incredible opportunities such as these ☝🏽.

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Ben’s 10 takeaways from #COP26🌍:

1. Do all that's necessary.There’s no in-between. This means changing our consumer habits, being active citizens & putting climate at the centre of our work.

2. We can do more than one thing at once.Climate is complicated & reaches all parts of life—security, health, work, business, finance, food, biodiversity, education, sport… We can recognise the reality of the crisis and those who are suffering at the same time as we're inspired by hope + action.

3. Our money matters.How we save & invest is powerful. Often we'll be working hard to change our habits, but unknowingly have pensions invested in fossil fuel companies.

4. Climate startups explosion ⚡️⚡️⚡️We will see a flourishing of 'climate' businesses. Biz models, tech & leaders will adapt fast to the new opportunities.

5. How can we be good ancestors?When we spend time close to nature & art we connect to the deeper feelings of the ‘long now’, taking on board the significance of decisions we make today for future generations.

6. Invest in communitiesIf the money flowing into climate initiatives cleans up energy systems but fails to support + protect those already suffering the consequences of climate change, then it will all be for nothing.

7. In-person v. onlineThere’s more cynicism and optimism online than at COP26 itself, which seemed to be focused on the difficult reality of the crisis as well as all the positive action.

8. Glasgow’s gated villagesHosting a global summit in a pandemic was never going to be easy, but the heavy security made it feel like two worlds in one town. It seems a missed opportunity that activists, politicians & business leaders couldn’t safely occupy the same spaces.

9. Tell better storiesClimate science is vital, but it often overwhelms us. We mobilise best when we feel part of positive stories calling for change.

10. When the sun shines, there's hope.☀️

What we’re listening to:

A phenomenal interview with the legend that is Paul Hawken: Healing the Future: How Regeneration Puts Life at the Center of Everything We Do. 

What we’re reading:

RACE FOR TOMORROW - stories from 6 continents of the fight to respond to climate change.