BGV's Yumi Sato Backs Startups Tackling Real-World Issues in Tech for Good
Yumi Sato, a Partner at Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV), shares her enthusiasm for startups tackling real-world issues in healthcare, climate, and social inequality. Sato leads BGV's Tech for Good programme, investing in ventures that prioritise impact from the outset.
Sato appreciates founders who understand the depth of the problem they're addressing and can clearly articulate their solution. She advises them to demonstrate demand for their product or service before seeking funding. BGV, Europe's leading early-stage tech for good VC, favours ventures that embed impact into their business model and offer unique insights into unsolved problems.
Sato highlights the importance of a well-crafted business plan, thorough competitive analysis, and securing initial equity capital from founders and close contacts. She also suggests exploring non-repayable grants or subsidies to strengthen the equity base and facilitate later financing rounds. Sato believes in learning from rejections and finding value-aligned investors who share the founder's vision.
This year, Sato is particularly excited about Windfall Energy, Fosterli, and Breath Predict, three BGV-funded startups showing great potential for impact and innovation. Sato continues to guide founders and invest in ventures that are making a positive difference in the world.
