How to find investors who align with your mission?

María Alejandra Castro Morales, Founder & Director, Siembra Cultura

To find investors who are aligned with your mission and what you want to achieve, I think you need to be clear about three things.

The first is to prepare and do a thorough investigation of investors: what they want, what their investment philosophy is, what their interests are, what their experiences are - to see if they have the same approach as you.

The second is to participate in events that are focused on environmental and social causes, and not only financial and monetary investments. There, the networks and the people you meet will guide you to an investor who may invest in your venture.

The third is to always be very clear about your values, both as a person and also the values of your company. When you talk to someone, or present the idea to the public or to a person one-on-one, it is important that you express those values, and eventually, people who are interested in or focused on your values will become interested in you and will contact you.

Santiago Aparicio, Founder, Terramarte

The advice I would give to be able to find key investors that are aligned with your company's mission and with whom you would like to have a long-term relationship - some say almost like a marriage - would be to talk to the companies where they have made investments.

One thing is what the investor’s marketing brochures show in a well laid out, and illustrated way, and another thing is when other investees tell you, "Hey, this investor, they’re great, but when we started to do poorly, everything went badly, and instead of supporting us, some fine print appeared saying that, basically, we are alone on this boat.”

So, my recommendation would be to speak with someone that has already been an investment recipient.

Key takeaways 

• Network at events focused on social and environmental investments

• Research investors thoroughly to ensure alignment

• Communicate personal and company values clearly

• Gain insights from previous investees to assess compatibility