Our 2024 Impact Awareness Report

From day one, we’ve believed that venture capital can, and should, be a force for good. That capital, community, and compassion aren’t at odds, but stronger together. We’re investing in the large game-changing companies of the future after all. 

Each year, this report is our way of hitting pause. Of taking a closer look at how we’re showing up, both within our own team and in how we back founders building for people and the planet.

And let’s be honest: the need for bold, thoughtful solutions has never been greater. That’s why we continue to stand behind the founders pushing boundaries, building better futures.

With the launch of our second fund, we’ve doubled down on our impact-aware approach. For us, it’s not about chasing buzzwords - it’s about staying grounded in what we believe: that long-term, responsible investing is essential for building companies that last.

"We want to play our part in building a better Tomorrow by investing in mission-driven founders who challenge the status quo. Therefore, we dedicate the time and resources needed to correctly identify, invest in, and support companies that positively impact people and the planet. — Sara Rywe, Partner at byFounders

This report is a window into how we’re putting that thinking into practice—from how we choose investments, to how we support our portfolio, to how we operate internally. It’s also a reality check: what’s working, what’s evolving, and what still needs work.

This year, we’ve added a few new layers:

• We’re open-sourcing our entire impact strategy. Frameworks, KPIs, tools—it’s all out there. No gatekeeping.
  
  
• We’re unpacking why we say no. For the first time, we’re sharing insights on why we pass on certain investments—especially around impact fit and team composition.
  
  
• We’re being transparent about our DE&I numbers. The trend this year isn’t what we hoped for, and we’re not brushing it under the rug. We’re owning it and laying out a clear plan forward.
  
  
• We’re spotlighting our Collective. This time, we’re celebrating the work of Pernille Brun—and the ripple effect of her contributions across our community.
  
  
• We’re expanding our view on impact. Not every impactful startup fits neatly into a box. Our new “some impact” themes aim to reflect that nuance.
  
  

We’re not perfect—and likely never will be. But we’re in this for the long haul. This report is part of our ongoing commitment to doing the work: with honesty, transparency, and an open mind.

Thanks for being on this journey with us. We hope this report gives you a clearer view of what impact means to us at byFounders—and where we’re headed next.

We hope you enjoy the read.

2024 IMPACT AWARENESS REPORT