At We Take Part, funding impact-driven startups isn’t about listening to promises or ticking boxes on standardized grids. For us, environmental impact must be real, credible, and built into the project’s economic model. That’s why we’ve developed an impact analysis approach tailored to early-stage companies : one that evaluates each project not just on what it claims, but on what it can actually achieve in the real world.

Rigid impact assessment frameworks often fail to suit early-stage startups. Impact isn’t static: it evolves with the product, the market, and the scale. At WTP, we’ve chosen a flexible yet structured method, integrated into our financial and strategic analysis of projects. This allows us to grasp the reality and scalability of environmental impact, while staying pragmatic about the uncertainties inherent to young companies.

Our goal is clear: fund only those projects whose impact is tangible and deeply embedded in their business model. We aim to:

• Understand whether the project generates a concrete environmental benefit proportional to its activity.

• Distinguish real from declarative impact by analyzing how impact is produced, not just what is claimed.

• Identify early on the limitations, assumptions, and potential risks of deviation.

The first question we ask every project is simple yet fundamental: does this project exist to generate a positive environmental impact?

We analyze:

• The environmental problem addressed : climate, resources, biodiversity, pollution, etc.

• The direct link between the solution and the environmental benefit.

• How central the impact is: is it embedded in the company’s mission, or just a marketing argument?
  
  

This step helps us identify projects with authentic impact and those where impact remains secondary or symbolic.

Beyond intent, we need to understand how the project actually creates impact. We examine the mechanisms through which the activity generates environmental benefits and assess their robustness in market conditions. Scalability is a key criterion: as the project grows, its impact must increase proportionally.

We also evaluate:

• Risks of rebound effects or negative side impacts.

• Dependence on external factors such as user behavior or regulation.
  
  

For example:

• An energy-saving technology must show how it actually reduces CO₂ emissions at scale.

• A waste-reduction solution must demonstrate how it concretely helps preserve natural resources.

Even when data is partial or imperfect, it’s essential to evaluate impact credibly. At WTP, we identify key indicators suited to the startup’s maturity level, such as:

• Tons of CO₂ avoided or kWh saved.

• Tons of waste reduced or liters of water saved.

• Industry benchmarks for performance comparison.

When data isn’t yet mature, we document our assumptions transparently. This rigor ensures realistic impact measurement while maintaining flexibility toward early-stage uncertainties.

A project can only generate lasting impact if its team can sustain it over time. We analyze:

• The founders’ alignment with the impact mission—their vision and past decisions.

• Integration of impact into the overall strategy, product roadmap, and KPIs.

• Risks of dilution or drift as the project scales.

This analysis ensures that impact isn’t a marketing pitch, but sits at the core of the business model and strategy.

Throughout the process, we ask key questions: Is the stated impact achievable? Proportionate to the project’s means? Aligned with local needs and real societal issues? What are the risks of it fading or turning into mere communication as the company grows?

At We Take Part, impact isn’t a bonus—it’s at the core of our investment decisions. Our method ensures we fund only those projects with real, credible, and scalable environmental potential, while staying pragmatic about uncertainty. In other words, we don’t just fund promising ideas—we back projects that can truly transform the world around us.

Risk warning : Investing in startups involves a risk of total or partial loss of capital, as well as illiquidity. Only invest amounts you are prepared to lose.