Two years building the transatlantic platform layer at EIT InnoEnergy — 150+ startups screened, a US investor network to back them, and the diligence notes the portfolio actually used.
InnoEnergy - Transatlantic Summit - 2024
Startups Screened
US Investor Intros
Events Attended
GTMs Supported
Context
InnoEnergy backs the European climate companies that eventually need to cross the Atlantic — but for a long time the US-facing work happened case-by-case, one founder pinging one investor, with no shared infrastructure behind it.
My mission was to build that infrastructure. Screen the portfolio for US-readiness, map which American investors and corporates actually cared about each sub-sector, and run the operator-level introductions that turn a cold email into a term sheet.
Work
The practice ended up being three things at once — analyst, convener, and editor.
Screened 150+ startups across hardware, software, and mobility for follow-on capital and US-market fit
Wrote a 10 page US-market primer for our founders
Reviewed, and edited pitches for over a dozen companies, coaching them on their pitches before meeting with investors.
Designed media and graphics for InnoEnergy's flagship US event.
Built a network of VCs, CVCs, and impact investors aligned with our portfolio.
Conducted business development on behalf of the portfolio, including introductions to customers and partners, while often representing them at events.
Outcome
The relationships I built on the investor side — both in the US and across the InnoEnergy portfolio — are the ones I still work through today.
The systems for scaling and partnering InnoEnergy's portfolio remain and will be come more vital than ever as the US experiences changes in its regulatory environment.