"Learning from challenges and planning ahead sets successful businesses apart in a changing world."
Meir Rabkin is the founder and managing partner of Blue Vision Capital, a climate-tech venture capital fund dedicated to investing in early-stage startups to reduce global warming by focusing on innovative capital-efficient technologies.
Meir’s dedication to the fund aligns with his passion for the environment as he has been involved in various causes, such as the Climate Solution Prize, and Hands on USA, where he volunteered to clean up debris left by Hurricane Katrina.
Before launching Blue Vision Capital, Meir accumulated over 18 years in the investment sector working in large asset management firms and banking, including Mackenzie Investments, a $200B asset management firm, with a career kickoff at Wealth Management at Investors Group, a national leader in delivering personalized financial solutions to Canadians through a network of advisors located across Canada.
Throughout his career, Meir has built an extensive network of Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) clients, such as CEOs of multinational corporations, serial entrepreneurs and founders. A seasoned angel investor, Meir’s track record includes several IPO’s and unicorns.
Meir completed his MBA in 2014 from Carlos III University in Madrid, a Certificate in Private Equity and Venture Capital from Harvard Business School in 2020 and a certificate in Climate Change Studies with Terra in 2021.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Meir Rabkin: Thank you for the opportunity. I am the founder and managing partner of Blue Vision Capital, a climate-tech venture capital fund dedicated to invest in early-stage innovative, disruptive, and ideally overlooked startups that can demonstrate a measurable and meaningful positive impact in solving our climate crisis.
Prior to launching Blue Vision Capital, I have accumulated over 18 years in the investment sector working for institutional asset management firms, such as Mackenzie Investments, a few years in banking and a career kickoff at one of Canada’s leading wealth management firms, Investors Group.
Over time, I’ve built an extensive network of Ultra High Net Worth clients, such as CEOs of multinational corporations, serial entrepreneurs and founders. I also have a track record that includes an IPO and a few unicorns.
I launched Blue Vision Capital in 2021 with the goal of breathing funding life into early-stage climate startups that can generate outsized venture scale returns.
Our approach in generating alpha is focusing on asset-light, underfunded sectors ripe for disruption and/or at an inflection point that aim to respond to critical climate issues by targeting investment themes that will revolutionize the next decade of climate tech innovation.
What advice do you wish you had received when you started your business journey and what do you intend on improving in the next quarter?
Meir Rabkin: I wish someone had given me insight into effective fundraising, as this is the fundamental building block of any business.. Raising your first fund as an emerging manager can be a daunting task, and can quickly get discouraging when you don’t have a differentiated approach and resilience.
Demanding a nuanced and tailored messaging approach is key in ensuring that it resonates with the investor. Building rapport with the investor is paramount. This can be done by getting them excited by your opportunity and inspiring them with your vision – it’s not just about selling a product, nor about checking a box.
Rather, it needs to be about them, about your value creation, and. Put yourself in the shoes of an investor and before a pitch ask yourself what would motivate you to jump on an opportunity. It’s that emotional connection coupled with a strong, compelling investment thesis that results in a higher success rate.
With regards to what I would like to improve in the next quarter is time management and efficiency. I find we spend a large part of the day on emails and this can take away from productivity and creativity. Implementing systems in place to enhance organizational efficiency would be my focus over the next quarter.
Here is a two-fold question: What is the book that influenced you the most and how? Please share some life lessons you learned. Now what book have you gifted the most and why?
Meir Rabkin: In terms of the book that has influenced me the most, and one I’ve probably gifted the most as well, is The Power Law: Venture Capital and the Making of the New Future, by Sebastian Mallaby.
It dives into the infancy of Silicon Valley and the ways it has been shaped over the years to become a venture goliath, as well as the humble beginnings of the exceptional venture capital firms behind Silicon Valley’s rise such as Sequoia, Klein & Perkins, Accel, Andreessen Horowitz.
I take a particular interest in learning their unique approach early on that made them into the most successful Venture Capital firms globally.
It is also worth noting the book Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson that paints a fascinating picture of Steve Jobs’ early struggles.
A scene that marked me was when Jobs was raising capital for Apple’s first Seed round in the 80s, and faced harsh treatment from VC’s and investors, who simply didn’t believe in him, felt he wasn’t fit to run a company, and did not believe in Apple’s “delusionary” vision.
Needless to say, Apple became one of the best investments over the next few decades and is today the most valuable company in the world. Those same investors that rejected Jobs out of their offices, came back begging to be allowed into subsequent funding rounds once they saw Apple’s rapid ascension.
The book encourages one to maintain a perspective that acknowledges the transitory nature of challenges. At the end of the day, we need to remind ourselves that life is cyclical, not linear. I cannot stress that enough.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Meir Rabkin: In the current landscape, a substantial tightening within the monetary system is casting a shadow over Private Equity and Venture Capital asset classes, leading to a noticeable downturn in enthusiasm for investment.
This challenging scenario is significantly impacting the fundraising efforts of both venture capitalists and startups.
Amidst these financial uncertainties, we find ourselves navigating one of the most challenging geopolitical tensions in decades, at times approaching dangerous tipping points. Investors are cautious and have reduced appetite for illiquid assets mainly driven by current instability.
Despite the current headwinds, I view the present juncture as a unique decade-long window with opportunities waiting to be seized. The analogy that seeds grow in cold and darkness serves as a poignant metaphor, underscoring the idea that great opportunities often arise from periods of adversity.
History demonstrates the cyclical nature of challenges and opportunities. In the face of adversity, it becomes imperative to pave the road to success, as the tides of time are bound to bring about change. Some of the best vintages were formed during market downturns, and hence it is now the time to position oneself strategically to capitalize on the evolving dynamics of the financial landscape.
Years 2020-2023 threw a lot of curve balls into businesses on a global scale. Based on the experience gleaned in the past years, how can businesses thrive in 2024? What lessons have you learned and what advice would you share?
Meir Rabkin: The last 3 years brought an unprecedented amount of instability, from COVID-19, to the war in Ukraine to the current’s Middle East conflict.
The imperative now is to embody lean practices, maintaining a laser-like focus, and exhibiting a crucial ability to pivot swiftly. Complacency is our worst enemy, rather resilience, adaptability, and a forward-thinking approach will be key attributes for businesses looking to thrive in 2024 and onwards.
The ability to learn from past challenges and proactively position oneself for the future will set successful businesses apart in an ever-evolving landscape.
What does “success” in 2024 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision.
Meir Rabkin: Success for me would be twofold. From a business perspective, it would mean having our Fund’s +$100M closed by 2024.
More significantly, success, in this context, entails investing in scalable businesses positioned to drive positive environmental impact on a global scale.
At Blue Vision Capital, the pursuit of a meaningful and positive impact is part of our core strategy that permeates all facets of our endeavors. From a personal perspective, success would mean contributing to and living in a peaceful world, with strides being made towards resolution to war and geopolitical conflicts.
The pursuit of a harmonious global landscape becomes not merely an aspirational goal but a tangible marker of success, reflecting a commitment to a more equitable and peaceful world.
Jerome Knyszewski, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Meir Rabkin for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Meir Rabkin or his company, you can do it through his – Linkedin Page
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