💥 The Default is Broken

Most founders default to the VC path—because it's visible, loud, and well-funded.
But VC is just one capital path.

And for many ClimateTech and DeepTech companies, it’s the wrong one.

Why?

• Hardware cycles are longer
• Margins vary wildly
• Infrastructure capital is gated
• Burn tolerance and GTM speed don’t match blitzscale logic

👉 If you're not aligned with the VC model, forcing it kills momentum, control, and credibility.

‍

🧠 The Shift: Think in Capital Paths, Not Just Rounds

At ClimeNow, we help founders stop thinking in funding rounds—and start thinking in capital paths.

VC isn’t the goal.
Capital-fit is.

We benchmark your metrics and readiness profile to determine which path actually fits your business, ambition, and growth rhythm.

‍

📊 12 Capital Paths (And Who They’re Built For)

Here’s how LaunchPad frames your options—based on Readiness Score, Archetype alignment, and real investor logic.

‍

1️⃣ Top-Tier VC

Who it fits:
Aggressive growth, strong PMF, excellent metrics (growth ≥80%, GM ≥60%, LTV/CAC 3:1+)
Benefit: Massive capital
Risk: High dilution, extreme pressure

‍

2️⃣ Hybrid (VC + Non-Dilutive)

Who it fits:
Strong metrics + strategic use of grants/loans
Benefit: Balanced funding
Risk: Complexity managing diverse capital sources

‍

3️⃣ Non-VC Growth

Who it fits:
Control-first founders with steady growth + niche products
Benefit: Ownership, freedom
Risk: Slower scale, limited networks

‍

4️⃣ Sell to Strategic

Who it fits:
High alignment with big players (tech, infra, energy)
Benefit: Fast access to resources
Risk: Autonomy loss

‍

5️⃣ Private Equity

Who it fits:
Scale-ups with €50–100M revenue, solid profitability
Benefit: Professional ops support, large checks
Risk: Restructuring pressure, new control dynamics

‍

6️⃣ Pivot

Who it fits:
Strong team, weak traction—but still runway
Benefit: New life
Risk: Clock is ticking

‍

7️⃣ Acquihire

Who it fits:
Talent-rich team, no runway
Benefit: Soft landing
Risk: Product + brand = gone

‍

8️⃣ Sell IP + Shutdown

Who it fits:
Good tech, no team/runway
Benefit: Recover value
Risk: End of venture

‍

9️⃣ Profitability: Indefinite

Who it fits:
Already profitable, doesn’t need capital
Benefit: Full control
Risk: Slower growth, missed scale

‍

🔟 Profitability: Niche Focus

Who it fits:
Steady, small-market operators
Benefit: Stability, loyalty
Risk: No breakout scale

11️⃣ Profitability: Data-Pivot

Who it fits:
Profitable, data-rich founders spotting a new path
Benefit: New growth engine
Risk: Core business distraction

12️⃣ Lifestyle Business

Who it fits:
Founders prioritizing freedom, not fundraising
Benefit: Personal sustainability
Risk: No VC fit, no scale ambition

‍

🧩 How LaunchPad Maps Your Capital Fit

ClimeNow LaunchPad analyzes:

• Your Readiness Score (across 10–14 dimensions)
• Your Archetype Profile (GTM, Model, Scalability, Leadership)
• Your KPI Benchmarks (Growth, CAC, margins, Rev/FTE)

We then match your startup to the Capital Path that actually fits your:

✅ Business model
✅ Execution speed
✅ Investor alignment
✅ Scaling risk

‍

💡 What Founders Get

• Clarity on which funding path is viable
• Data to defend their strategy in investor meetings
• Alignment between funding source and operational strategy
• Avoid wasting 6 months pitching the wrong investors

‍

📣 What to Do Next

👉 Book your free QuickScan. 10 killer questions stand between you and crystal-clear readiness.