The cheque is not the main focus of an opportunity if you want to invest in change and make a difference as a venture investor. It should come secondary to the value you and your team are bringing. This is the mentality of our guest Manish Nayar, Founder of OYA Ventures when it comes to investing in new ventures.
The OYA Ventures team helps entrepreneurs find opportunities to address climate change.
“What the investment banking space allowed me to understand is how the finance community views businesses, how they think about allocating capital, what’s important to them, and how deals happen.” — Manish Nayar [0:05:09]
With a background in investment banking and engineering, Manish has used his experience to further the proliferation of companies in the energy transition space.
Investment bankers are at the forefront of how investors perceive, evaluate, and invest in deals.
New technologies, green energy, and climate transition opportunities can be capital-intensive. We discuss how to funding these deals often requires taking a special approach.
“The most important relationship with an investor is the one that can help you get from the proof of concept to delivering units or services in a reputable and scalable manner.” — Manish Nayar [0:15:10]
You’ll hear about what makes a deal bankable, and the most meaningful relationship you can cultivate with an investor. Manish shares his thoughts on how the clean energy space differs from other fields.
If you want to learn more about how to finance and build companies in the green energy space, this is an episode for you!
KEY POINTS FROM THIS EPISODE:
How investment banking influences Manish's thinking.
He unpacks what makes a deal bankable and what finance looks for.
We hear more about OYA Ventures and their focus.
OYA Ventures' approach to finding deals: unlocking your company’s true value.
Manish shares a no-names example of a deal-in-progress: their across-the-desk process.
His thoughts on the most important relationship with an investor.
Unique aspects of the green energy and climate transition space.
His thoughts on the clean energy industry: diverse and distributed winners.
Advice to entrepreneurs wanting to raise capital, particularly in the climate sector.
How he manages valuations and capital structures.
The influential setbacks which have affected Manish along his journey.
The nitty-gritty of developing and maintaining relationships.
Manish talks about the experience of hiring a law firm in the energy space.
LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE:
Please note that the information contained in this interview is not financial advice but for entertainment purposes. I am not a financial advisor and make no warranties or representations concerning the accuracy or suitability of the information contained in this interview. I recommend that any and all investment decisions be made with the advice of accredited investment advisors.