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Katapult Impact

Dedicated to building the field of impact investing by educating, convening and enabling private capital owners to invest in impact tech startups.
Katapult Impact
Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Oslo, Norway
Established
2017
Social Media
Summary

Katapult is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology startups that aim to create positive social and environmental impact. The firm's mission is to support and scale companies using technology to solve global challenges and to empower impact-driven entrepreneurs who are addressing social and environmental issues with innovative, scalable, and sustainable solutions.

Katapult's investment criteria include a focus on impact and innovation, as well as a strong management team and a scalable business model. The firm values collaboration, diversity, and transparency, and seeks to build long-term partnerships with the companies in its portfolio.

Katapult's portfolio includes companies across a range of industries, including healthcare, education, energy, and financial technology. These companies are using technology in new and innovative ways to create solutions that are scalable and financially sustainable, and that have the potential to create significant positive change in the world.

History

Katapult is a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in technology startups that aim to create positive social and environmental impact. The firm was founded in 2017 by four experienced entrepreneurs and investors, who shared a vision for using technology to solve some of the world's biggest challenges.

The founders of Katapult are Jonas Keiding Lindholm, Håkon Iversen, Christian Winther, and Maren Bannon. Prior to founding Katapult, Lindholm had founded and led several successful technology startups, while Iversen had founded and managed several social enterprises. Winther and Bannon had also worked in the technology and investment sectors.

In 2018, Katapult launched its first fund, Katapult Ocean, which focuses on investing in startups that aim to create a more sustainable ocean economy. The fund has a particular focus on startups that use technology to address challenges such as plastic pollution, overfishing, and climate change.

Since its founding, Katapult has invested in a number of promising startups, including Tunga, a platform that connects African software developers with businesses around the world, and Ecoligo, a company that provides financing for solar projects in emerging markets. The firm has also invested in several companies focused on healthcare and education technology.

In addition to its investment activities, Katapult also runs a program called Katapult Accelerator, which provides mentorship, funding, and other resources to early-stage startups focused on creating positive social and environmental impact.

Katapult Accelerator launched its third cohort in June 2021, which included 12 startups from around the world. The cohort focused on supporting startups that were using technology to address social and environmental challenges, with a particular emphasis on climate change. Also that year, Katapult partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to launch the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Innovation Challenge. The challenge aimed to identify and support innovative startups that were working to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Katapult continued to expand its portfolio in 2021, with investments in companies such as Suncayr, a healthcare technology company that has developed a UV-sensitive marker to help people apply sunscreen more effectively, and Spintly, a smart access control company that has developed a cloud-based platform for managing and controlling access to buildings. 

In June 2021, Katapult was named one of the top impact investors in Europe by ImpactAssets, a leading impact investment firm. The ranking recognized Katapult's commitment to investing in innovative startups that are creating positive social and environmental impact.

Investment criteria
  • Positive social and environmental impact: Katapult looks for startups that are committed to creating a positive impact on society and the environment. The firm seeks out companies that are addressing challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality, and that have the potential to create measurable social and environmental benefits.
  • Innovative technology: Katapult invests in startups that are using innovative technology to solve problems and create positive change. The firm seeks out companies that are developing new technologies or leveraging existing ones in creative ways to address global challenges.
  • Strong team: Katapult looks for startups with experienced and dedicated teams that have a track record of success. The firm seeks out founders and management teams that are passionate about creating a positive impact and have the skills and expertise needed to execute their vision.
  • Scalable business model: Katapult invests in startups that have the potential to achieve significant growth and scale their business. The firm seeks out companies with business models that are financially sustainable and have the potential to generate significant returns for investors.
  • Clear impact measurement: Katapult expects its portfolio companies to have a clear methodology for measuring the impact of their products or services. The firm seeks out companies that are committed to transparency and accountability in their impact reporting, and that have a rigorous approach to measuring and quantifying the social and environmental benefits of their work.
Values
  • Impact-driven: Katapult is committed to investing in startups that are creating measurable social and environmental impact. The firm seeks out companies that are addressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality, and that have the potential to create significant positive change in the world.
  • Collaborative: Katapult believes in the power of collaboration and partnership. The firm works closely with its portfolio companies to provide mentorship, resources, and support, and it also partners with other investors and organizations to amplify its impact.
  • Innovative: Katapult values innovation and creativity as essential ingredients for creating positive change. The firm seeks out startups that are using technology in new and innovative ways to solve problems and create impact.
  • Ethical: Katapult is committed to ethical business practices and values transparency, integrity, and accountability. The firm seeks out companies that share its commitment to ethical business practices and that are committed to transparency and accountability in their operations.
  • Diverse and inclusive: Katapult values diversity and inclusion as essential components for creating positive change. The firm seeks out startups with diverse teams that are committed to creating an inclusive culture that values diversity and equity.

 

Mission

Katapult's mission statement is:

"Our mission is to support and scale companies using technology to solve global challenges. We invest in and empower impact-driven entrepreneurs who are addressing social and environmental issues with innovative, scalable, and sustainable solutions."

This mission statement reflects Katapult's commitment to investing in startups that prioritize impact and innovation, and that has the potential to create significant positive change in the world. The firm seeks out companies that are addressing global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality, and that is using technology in new and innovative ways to create solutions that are scalable and financially sustainable.

Portfolio

Katapult is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology startups that aim to create positive social and environmental impact. The firm's portfolio includes companies across a range of industries, including healthcare, education, energy, and financial technology. Here are a few examples of companies in Katapult's portfolio:

  • Suncayr: Suncayr is a healthcare technology company that has developed a UV-sensitive marker that helps people to apply sunscreen more effectively. The company's technology is designed to help prevent skin cancer and other skin damage caused by sun exposure.
  • Thinkerbell Labs: Thinkerbell Labs is an education technology company that has developed a device called the BrailleMe, which helps visually impaired individuals to read and write in braille. The company's technology is designed to make braille more accessible and affordable for people around the world.
  • Spintly: Spintly is a smart access control company that has developed a cloud-based platform for managing and controlling access to buildings. The company's technology is designed to improve security and efficiency in commercial and residential buildings.
  • FoodCloud: FoodCloud is a food technology company that has developed a platform for redistributing surplus food from supermarkets and restaurants to local charities and community groups. The company's technology is designed to reduce food waste and help to alleviate hunger in local communities.
  • Cognitivescale: Cognitivescale is an artificial intelligence company that has developed a platform for building and deploying AI-powered applications. The company's technology is designed to help organizations automate and optimize their business processes, and to improve customer experiences.
References
Katapult Impact
Number of Employees
0 - 50
Headquarters
Oslo, Norway
Established
2017
Social Media