In today’s episode, we will speak with Derek Handley Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Aera VC. Founded in 2016, The New Zealand-based firm is on a mission to Invest today in companies that will lead to a better world tomorrow. Aera VC has been backing startups that are reversing climate change with incredible breakthrough technologies, such as Noya(Ep:#16), Carbon Chain, Solugen, or Wild Earth.

I was excited to have Derek on the show (who is also an astronaut in waiting) to learn more about his unique story which started as a global serial entrepreneur, then founder CEO of a nonprofit (B Team) co-founded by Sir Richard Branson, and is now an impactful investor with Aera VC. Derek is focusing his energy on ideas at the intersection of today’s societal and sustainability challenges with creative and entrepreneurial responses to them. He is driven by the belief in the amazing potential of the human spirit and that each of us is here to do something purposeful and unique with our time on earth.

During the show, Derek will give greater detail into their investment thesis, how they support founders, and how they calculate impact to drive their investments decisions. He will also share his views on the controversy surrounding the billionaire space races in the context of the Climate Crisis.
Finally, he will highlight underdog areas in Climate Tech, in which he sees exciting potential for investments and growth.