Siam Capital Founder and Managing Director Seeta Chantramonkhlasri said this at Web Summit Lisbon 2023 in November. [+] 16, 2023.
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The global green technology market is experiencing explosive growth and is predicted to more than quadruple within 10 years. Siam His Capital Founder and General His Partner Sita Chantra Monkhrathri is capitalizing on this trend to create a sustainable venture His Capital's rising star. Her company invests in consumer technology solutions where sustainability and profit intersect, attracting major companies like Thailand's Kasikorn Bank. Chantramonklasri manages her $43 million from her Fund I and is raising a second fund. Chantramonkrasri's passion for impact investing stems from his Thai roots and observations of the country's socio-economic disparities. Siam Her Capital's success proves that economic returns and positive environmental and social impact can go hand in hand.
The rise of green consumer technology and sustainability investing
Siam Capital founder and general partner Sita Chantramonkhrathri… [+] 2023 Toronto, Canada.
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According to Fortune Business Insights, the global green technology and sustainability market is set to experience explosive growth, jumping from $19.83 billion in 2024 to $83.59 billion by 2032.
Chantramonklasri is the founder and general partner of Siam Capital. She secured her $50 million as the company's debut funding and has managed her $43.8 million to date.
“Siam Capital's focus on sustainability, consumer and technology aligns perfectly with Beacon Impact Fund's investment philosophy,” said Kasikorn Bank Beacon Fund Managing Director and Siam Capital CEO. said investor Thanaporn Na Ranong. “Sita's impressive background, coupled with her vision to seize the opportunity of this sustainable transition to generate positive impact and returns at scale, makes Siam Capital a great addition to our team as we help drive positive change. We are an ideal partner.”
Siam Capital's portfolio includes biotechnology company Helaina, product development platform Novi, and food and beverage brand builder Tomorrow Farms. Notably, the company's second-year fund counts Thai giant Kasikorn Bank as an investor.
Siam Capital-backed startup Helaina is pioneering the use of precision fermentation to create immune-equivalent proteins found in breast milk. This innovation aims to revolutionize infant nutrition by providing a viable alternative to breast milk, delivering significant health benefits.
“Siam Capital's momentum in the sustainability market, particularly in food technology, has brought immense value to Helaina's strategic path since its inception,” said Helaina Founder and CEO. Laura Katz said. “This fund's expertise is combined with Sita's immense compassion and consideration for the founders she works with. Sita is always just a phone call away to check on a founder's well-being and ask, 'How can I help?' ” he asks.
Siam Capital invested startup Ecovative is pioneering the use of mycelium technology to create sustainable and biodegradable materials. We use environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastic, leather and polystyrene foam.
“Several years ago, Sita proactively identified Ecovative as a company that was taking a practical, meaningful approach to climate change while still meeting venture-style hurdles,” said Eben Bayer, CEO/co-founder of Ecovative. “Her investment has been pivotal in Ecovative's expansion into global markets. She is an incredibly passionate investor who brings the right energy at the right time.”
Beyond profits: Ikigai drives sustainable investing for Siam Capital
Lisbon, Portugal – 2022/11/04: Laura Katz, Helaina Founder and CEO, (L), Sita Chantramonklasri,… [+] Agatha Cantrill (R), founder and general partner at Siam Capital (C) and reporter for Bloomberg, at Web Summit 2022 in Lisbon.
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Sita Chantramonkrasri came to the US from Thailand to study politics and economics at Georgetown University. She began her career at Goldman Sachs and then joined the launch team of UberEats in the UK before earning a master's in sustainable technology and investment at Columbia University.
Chantramonklasri has been deeply concerned about socio-economic disparities in Thailand since she was a child. The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, which had a huge impact on disadvantaged communities and the environment, left an indelible impression on her. Her father, who dedicated his career to the energy sector, shifted from oil and gas to renewable energy, influenced her to focus on economic success while making a positive impact on society and the environment.
Chantra Monclasri is a strong believer in ikigai, a Japanese philosophy that refers to finding the “raison d'être,'' the source of purpose and joy in life. “If you can discover or find your purpose in life, you will almost never have to work,” she said. I will work for the rest of my life. ” She found hers.
In 2019, Chantramonklasri partnered with Twitter co-founder Biz Stone to launch Future Positive, a firm that invests in purpose-driven and profit-focused companies. She identified significant opportunities in sustainability by 2020-2021, noting the lack of focus on consumer technologies that benefit people and the planet.
She named her venture capital firm Siam Capital, paying homage to her Thai heritage. Fund I, a proof of concept, has committed approximately $42 million, and Fund II, which is currently being raised, focuses on early and later stage investments in healthcare, sustainability, advanced materials, personal health and child care. Masu.
Leveraging data: Demonstrating market opportunities and benefits
“The biggest challenge, and this is a challenge for any new manager, is whether you can embody the need that exists,” Chantramonclasri said. What are the must-haves and nice-to-haves that you're funding in the sustainability field? “I'm not just doing this because I'm a philanthropist or an environmental activist, I'm investing because I'm a venture capitalist.” It is necessary to clarify the investment theme in a way that shows this.
“What's really favorable for us is the significant data that shows this is a huge economic opportunity,” Chantramonkulasuri said. “They're able to demonstrate a large market opportunity and they're speaking in terms that explain how they can deliver premium market returns.”
Bijan Sabet, co-founder of Spark Capital, advised her to center the conversation on how this investment is beneficial from a market perspective, rather than a concession to profits. This initial hurdle turned into a competitive advantage.
Many fund managers and founders pursue perfectionism. This perfectionism stems from societal expectations, impostor syndrome (feeling like an imposter), lack of female role models, and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field.
Women may strive for perfection in order to prove themselves, secure their status, inspire others, gain respect, and reach their full potential. I don't know. While perfectionism can motivate women to overcome these challenges, it can also lead to burnout and stress.
“Life is not about avoiding fear, it's about facing fear head on,” Chantramonclasri said. You need to look at these challenges and realize how capable you are. This has been a journey for me to lean into that, and it's helped me become a more well-rounded leader. ”
How can you use your values to drive business success?
