Future Matters Venture Capital

Background

Future Matters Venture Capital is a venture capital firm established in 2014, headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus. The firm's mission is to discover and fund meaningful innovations in areas that significantly impact people's lives, with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Future Matters explicitly supports the Paris Agreement and the Financial Stability Board's Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, reflecting its commitment to fostering a more resilient financial system and mitigating climate risks through enhanced disclosures.

Key Strategic Focus

Future Matters Venture Capital concentrates its investments in sectors that contribute to a sustainable and efficient future. The firm's primary areas of focus include:

Renewable Energy and Energy Storage: Supporting innovations that advance clean energy solutions and storage technologies.

Resource, Materials, and Energy Efficiency: Investing in startups that enhance the efficient use of resources and materials.

Waste Management: Backing companies that develop innovative waste reduction and recycling methods.

Internet of Things (IoT): Funding ventures that leverage IoT technologies to improve various aspects of daily life.

Consumer Internet: Investing in consumer-focused internet services that offer significant value and impact.

The firm seeks projects that deliver positive environmental impacts, enable the development of a circular economy, and possess the potential for global scalability. Future Matters is open to investing at various stages, from early-stage financing to co-investing with later-stage venture capital firms, always aiming to make a meaningful difference in achieving sustainable value.

Financials and Funding

Future Matters Venture Capital provides initial investments of up to $500,000, with reserves allocated for follow-on funding to support the continued growth of its portfolio companies. The firm's investment funds are sourced from high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and the Future Matters investment team, ensuring a robust financial foundation for its investment activities.

Investment Criteria

When evaluating potential investee companies, Future Matters looks for:

Entrepreneur-Led Core Teams: Strong leadership with a clear vision and execution capability.

Market Leadership and Scalability: Potential for immediate market leadership and international scalability.

Strong Intellectual Property (IP): Proprietary technologies or methodologies that provide a competitive edge.

Market Understanding: Thorough comprehension of the addressable market and competitive landscape.

Proven Go-to-Market Strategies: Tested channels and experience with initial sales or client projects.

Revenue Milestones: A clear path to achieving $1 million in sales revenue within 18 months following investment.

Portfolio and Exits

As of the latest available data, Future Matters Venture Capital has made seven investments, with five active portfolio companies and three successful exits. Notable investments include:

Andium: A business/productivity software company, with a later-stage VC investment made in April 2021.

Adbro: A media and information services company, invested in October 2019.

Recurve: A business/productivity software firm, with an investment in August 2018.

Powervault: A household appliances company specializing in energy storage solutions, invested in July 2015.

Coc Coc: An internet software company, with an investment in February 2015.

The firm's successful exits include:

Pomogatel: A B2C non-financial services company, exited in May 2023.

SBRO: A network management software company, exited in December 2022.

Bacula Systems: Exited in June 2021.

Leadership Team

Future Matters Venture Capital is led by a team of experienced professionals:

Vitaly Lazorin: Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Managing Partner. Vitaly brings extensive experience in venture capital and a strong commitment to sustainable investments.

Dmitry Rembovsky: Director of Finance & Operations. Dmitry oversees the firm's financial strategies and operational efficiencies.

Mark Lehmann: Advisor. Mark provides strategic guidance based on his extensive background in venture capital.

Matthew Bailey: Advisor. Matthew offers insights into market trends and investment opportunities.

Anna Kamenskaya: Advisor, Marketing and Communications & Executive, Operations Team. Anna leads the firm's marketing and communication strategies, enhancing its market presence.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The venture capital industry is experiencing a significant shift towards sustainable and impact investing. Firms are increasingly prioritizing startups that contribute to environmental sustainability and social good, recognizing the long-term value and profitability of businesses addressing climate change and promoting clean energy. This trend reflects a broader societal demand for responsible investment practices and aligns with global sustainability goals.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the sustainable venture capital space include:

Collaborative Fund: Founded in 2010, Collaborative Fund focuses on seed and early-stage funding for consumer industry and climate technology companies. With approximately $1 billion in assets under management, the firm has a strong presence in the United States and emphasizes investments that align with environmental and social impact goals.

Melka Capital: A venture capital firm that emphasizes investments in sustainable and impact-driven startups. Melka Capital focuses on sectors such as AI in fintech, healthtech, and climate tech, aligning with the growing trend of responsible investing.

Solten Consulting: While primarily a consulting firm, Solten Consulting provides insights into advanced portfolio management techniques and the integration of sustainability and ESG criteria into investment strategies, reflecting the evolving landscape of venture capital.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Future Matters Venture Capital actively collaborates with various stakeholders to strengthen its market position and innovation capacity. The firm supports the Financial Stability Board's Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, contributing to the development of a more resilient financial system and safeguarding against climate risks through better disclosures. Additionally, Future Matters is a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), underscoring its commitment to responsible investment practices.

Operational Insights

In the competitive landscape of sustainable venture capital, Future Matters distinguishes itself through:

Focused Investment Strategy: Concentrating on sectors that deliver positive environmental impacts and enable the development of a circular economy.

Flexible Investment Stages: Willingness to invest at various stages, from early-stage financing to co-investing with later-stage VCs, allowing adaptability to different market conditions.

Comprehensive Support: Providing not only financial backing but also strategic guidance and access to a wide-reaching network of experts and advisors, enhancing the growth prospects of portfolio companies.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Looking ahead, Future Matters Venture Capital aims to:

Expand Investment Portfolio: Continue identifying and investing in startups that align with its mission of fostering sustainable and impactful innovations.

Enhance Technological Integration: Leverage data-driven tools and AI to improve investment decision-making processes, aligning with industry trends towards data-driven venture capital.

Strengthen Global Presence: Explore investment opportunities beyond traditional markets, tapping into emerging regions with high growth potential in sectors like renewable energy and IoT.