BGV's Yumi Sato Shares Insights on Financing Startups for Social Impact
Yumi Sato, Partner at Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV), shares insights on startup financing and highlights innovative ventures in the Tech for Good programme. BGV backs early-stage startups addressing major unsolved problems with tech-driven solutions.
Sato advises founders to secure non-repayable grants and contribute personal capital to strengthen equity and reduce early pressure. Promotional loans can also help finalize financing before turning to bank loans or overdraft lines.
When preparing to raise funds, founders should focus on understanding the problem deeply, explaining their solution clearly, and demonstrating demand. Sato, leading investment selection for BGV's Tech for Good programme, works closely with founders to build and grow their startups.
Fosterli, a BGV-backed venture, is using technology to streamline foster care applications and recruit more carers, enhancing the experience for both carers and vulnerable children. Windfall Energy has developed an affordable, portable battery to reduce energy costs for excluded households and increase renewable energy grid usage. Breath Predict, another BGV-backed startup, has created a technology to predict asthma attacks up to three days in advance, making healthcare more proactive and preventative.
Sato encourages founders to learn from investor rejections and seek value-aligned investors who share their vision and have expertise to offer. BGV continues to support innovative startups that build impact into their business model from day one and tackle major unsolved problems with technology.
