We recently hosted an investor breakfast at the Solar Impulse Foundation Pioneers Forum, gathering over 40 investors passionate about scaling impactful ventures.
The goal was clear: explore how capital structures and economics must drive impact, not just follow it.
Fireside Chat
David Buyck (Buyck Family Advisory Office)
Jose Zurstrassen (M80 Partners)
Forum
Antoni Tom (Buyck Family Advisory Office)
José Zurstrassen led the discussion, highlighting a growing trend among entrepreneurs to use preferred debt structures. This approach aligns investor expectations with longer impact horizons, helping to bridge valuation gaps and accelerate go-to-market timelines.
Key takeaways from the session:
• Nearly two thirds of investors surveyed see the fundraising environment as stable or improving compared to last year, signaling confidence in market conditions for impact investing.
• Access to the right financing instruments is now the second most important factor for venture success, after product-market fit.
• The most promising ventures often don’t require capital simply because their economics support rapid adoption and self-sustaining growth—capital then acts to amplify velocity rather than create it.
• “Moonshot thinking” and disciplined economics can coexist by establishing differentiated value-creation speeds suited to uncertain markets, enabling ambitious innovation without neglecting financial rigor.
This gathering, enriched by visionary perspectives including Bertrand Piccard’s leadership, reinforced how innovation, capital, and purpose intersect to fuel scalable impact.
For investors and corporates committed to making a difference, we stand ready to share these insights and connect you with the right ecosystems to maximize results.
Special thanks to Robin Henri, Céline Bouton, Vincent Ruinet, Diane de Beaudrap, and Willem Vriesendorp for helping make this event a success.