February 4, 2021

By Lynda Kiernan, Global AgInvesting Media

FootPrint Coalition Ventures, which in Robert Downey Jr.’s own words is “a group of investors, technologists, and storytellers committed to scaling enviro-tech solutions”, is opening up to outside investment with the launch of a rolling fund in partnership with AngelList. 

As climate risk intensifies, investors are increasingly reassessing the effects of their stakes and positions, not just monetarily, but on society and the Earth. Over just the past three years impact investing funds have reached $250 billion, but Downey stated, “we need to mobilize more people and catalyze more capital” in sustainable technologies in order to discover and scale advanced solutions for the planet.

For its part, FootPrint Coalition Ventures will be comprised of two funds. The first, a Pre-Seed – Series A fund, and the second, a later stage Series B and beyond fund that will both focus on six verticals: food and agriculture tech; sustainability-focused consumer products and services; materials and industrial tech; energy and transportation; education and media; and advanced environmental solutions.

This venture will be headed by Johathan Schulhof, an entrepreneur and veteran of Notivate, GloriEnergy, ColdWatt, and GTI Capital; and Steven Levin, former strategy lead at Green Dot, a founding member of Deloitte’s R&D Group, and consultant for Bain & Co. who co-founded Team Downey – a developer of content and production across TV and film with more than 30 production credits surpassing $5.8 billion in box office gross earnings.

Schulhof and Levin have been joined by Rachel Kropa, former head of CAA Foundation, who came to FootPrint Coalition last year to lead the group’s scientific and philanthropic initiatives. Kropa, who holds a BS in biochemistry from the University of Virginia, chairs the Los Angeles Board of Peer Health Exchange, and is on the Board of Directors of the Environmental Media Association, as well as a member of the Sierra Club’s Arts + Entertainment Council, is now assuming the role of Impact Advisor and liaison to the scientific and research communities.

One aspect that set’s FootPrint Coalition Ventures apart is that it will also leverage Downey’s creative team, his natural ability for storytelling, and his significant presence across both tradition and social media platforms to help its portfolio companies engage with audiences and to gain awareness, attract talent, and to forge connections.

“We want to turn complex subjects into culture-defining content, and offer our audience an opportunity to invest with us,” said Downey. “I’m asking my followers to come on this journey with me by following @officialfootprintcoalition – let’s help force multiply innovators’ efforts in changing the planet.”

To-date, FootPrint has already made five investments:

Ÿnsect: A French agtech company founded in 2011 by Antione Hubert, Alexis Angot, Fabrice Berro, and Jean Gabriel Levon working to create a sustainable food system, and to meet growing global demand for protein through tapping into insect protein at a mass-market scale through transforming mealworms into sustainable, premium, and high-value ingredients for fish, plants, humans, and pets. FootPrint participated in the company’s record-setting $372 million Series C finalized in October 2020. 

Cloud Paper: A tree-free paper company with a mission to save a billion trees by using 100 percent, ultra-renewable bamboo, plastic-free packaging, and carbon neutral delivery systems. 

RWDC Industries: A biotech company developing cost-effective and innovative biovanescent materials, or materials that completely break down to water and CO2 and can replace petroleum-derived plastics for single-use consumer goods. 

Arcadia Earth: The first platform of its kind to use environmental storytelling to positively impact the Earth. Through a next-gen exhibition and extended reality experience Acadia offers a powerful, personal exploration of the challenges faced by our planet through human scale art installations and virtual reality. 

Aspiration: Footprint Coalition’s most recent investment, Aspiration, is a neobank offering 100 percent clean, socially-conscious and sustainable cash management services and investment products.

“For years, huge fortunes have been built off of actions that harm our planet. FootPrint Coalition is opening the door to allow real people to invest in the companies that are building businesses around the mission of saving the Earth for generations to come,” said Andrei Cherny, CEO and co-founder, Aspiration. “We are honored to have them and Robert Downey Jr. as investors and partners in this worthwhile battle.”

– Lynda Kiernan is editor with GAI Media, and is managing editor and daily contributor for Global AgInvesting’s AgInvesting Weekly News and  Agtech Intel News, and HighQuest Group’s Oilseed & Grain News. She is also a contributor to the GAI Gazette. She can be reached at lkiernan@globalaginvesting.com.