Iris Follenfant

Iris holds a double degree, combining a Master’s in Finance from HEC Paris with a Master’s in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the top-tier engineering school, Ecole Polytechnique.

A strong awareness of agricultural issues 

Growing up in Normandy, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by farmers: the impacts of climate change on harvests, fluctuating prices, and losses related to food waste. This experience opened my eyes to how fragile our agricultural system is, as well as to broader social and environmental problems. This awareness has profoundly influenced my career choices, guiding me toward companies that are genuinely committed to making a positive impact. 

A career dedicated to impact and innovation 

Recognizing the urgent need to address food waste, I began my career at a startup focused on this critical issue. This experience not only deepened my understanding of the challenges we face but also ignited my passion for working with impact-driven startups. I then decided to make the leap into impact venture capital. Impact-driven companies possess a unique advantage by integrating social and environmental considerations into their core business models. Unlike those that overlook these issues, these companies are better positioned to thrive in a world increasingly focused on sustainability and responsibility. 

Transforming industries for a sustainable future 

In Europe, aside from a few industrial players, it is rare to find investors willing to engage in long development cycles or take technological risks. As a result, many business models essential for our future remain underfunded and often overlooked by venture capital firms. These models include sectors like hardware, infrastructure, and chemistry… Yet, the solutions to some of the most critical challenges our world faces today—such as climate change, sustainable agriculture, the transition of transportation to renewable energy, and water scarcity—lie precisely within these new models. This is why I chose to join Aster Fab. Here, we empower hard-to-abate industries to embrace sustainable innovation and join forces with impact companies. Together, we are committed to paving the way for a sustainable future, tackling the technological and financial challenges that lie ahead.