What does it take to turn a promising idea into a business that truly changes lives? For Enviu, the answer has been to go beyond supporting entrepreneurs, and instead create ventures from the ground up. From pioneering Ghana’s first micropension fund for informal workers to tackling food loss in Kenya with cold storage solutions, Enviu’s venture-building approach is proving that impact-driven companies can thrive where others struggle.
Startups face countless hurdles, especially in the tough gap between seed and Series A funding, often referred to as the valley of death. Traditional entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) play a critical role in helping founders navigate this journey, but many ventures still struggle to survive. At Enviu, we take a complementary approach by providing the right environment for them to grow, strengthen, and scale. For example, every €1 Enviu has invested in our Agrifood ventures brings €5.6 from external investors. The result: companies that are not only scaling but reshaping entire markets.
This approach is catching on globally. Whether in Latin America, Africa, or the US, more organizations are adopting the venture studio model to tackle systemic challenges; from climate resilience to inclusive finance. As Enviu’s Dieuwertje Nelissen explains, “We build multiple impact ventures under one sector so we can tackle root causes.
