This Week in Startups VC School: Deal Memos + Sphere CEO Alex Wright-Gladstein (Climate) | E1442
Apr 24, 2022
In this engaging discussion, Alex Wright-Gladstein, the CEO of Sphere, delves into the innovative realm of climate-friendly retirement plans. He highlights the significant challenges in integrating sustainable options within 401k plans and the importance of divesting from fossil fuels. The conversation also uncovers how creating green mutual funds can align retirement investing with ethical practices. Alongside, there's invaluable advice on crafting effective deal memos to navigate the investment landscape, making it a rich episode for both investors and eco-conscious listeners.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Focus on Key Sections
- Focus on key sections in deal memos: team, market, performance, and go-to-market strategy.
- Charts are helpful, while product roadmaps and founder histories are less critical.
Skip the History
- Exclude unnecessary historical details about the company's pivots.
- Instead, focus on current customer love and testimonials to validate product-market fit.
401k and Fossil Fuels
- Large 401k plans, like those of Microsoft and Apple, have billions invested, with about 5% in fossil fuels.
- Divesting sends a strong message to these companies and can be more impactful than individual lifestyle changes.