Michael Hacking

Emerge - The first check for founders defining the future of work and learning Emerge is a global pre-seed fund backed by 100+ of the world’s best future of work and learning operators. Our vision is to democratise access to opportunity – by being a catalytic partner for early-stage founders, providing first-cheque financial support, ongoing expertise and access to a community who have ‘been there and built it’ with unrivalled market-specific know-how. Founded in 2014 as Europe’s only edtech specialist fund, Emerge now invests in B2B and B2C startups across all categories enabling people to grow and fulfil their potential, from early childhood, K12 and higher education through to lifelong learning, workforce development, career navigation and the future of work. Emerge has invested in over 80 companies, now valued at over $2b and impacting more than 31M people worldwide, including Yoto, Causaly, Colossyan, Edurino, Mattilda, Unibuddy, MyEdSpace and Solvely. Emerge invests anywhere between $250k and $2.5M at pre-seed and seed. The team welcomes direct applications - apply through our website. Read more about Emerge’s investment thesis and the startup ideas we’re excited by in our Fund II manifesto linked below.

The AWE for Nature Foundation is building a progressive conservation model for vast expanses of African wilderness. With our boots on the ground and a network of changemakers, we are aiming to transform how African conservation is funded. AWE for Nature is a Geneva-based foundation. Our mission is to conduct on the ground operations while developing a sustainable, scalable model for long-term, financial secure conservation, beginning with our pilot project - 200,000 hectares of wilderness in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is a pressing need to address the funding gap for biodiversity. This issue is particularly urgent on the African continent, which hosts 25% of our planet’s biodiversity, but receives just 3% of global conservation funding.

The mc2h foundation works to help activate Africa’s potential by nurturing literacy in its youngest citizens. Because literacy is the gateway to learning – and out of poverty. So, when 9 out of 10 children in Africa cant read and write by the age of 10, potentially limiting their options and opportunities for a lifetime, it’s clear that drastic action is required. The mc2h foundation was created to help do just that. We find, support and connect initiatives that help realise our vision of every child in Africa reading fluently by the age of 10. Enabling potential to step into achievement. Follow us for news and information about our work.

Emerge - The first check for founders defining the future of work and learning Emerge is a global pre-seed fund backed by 100+ of the world’s best future of work and learning operators. Our vision is to democratise access to opportunity – by being a catalytic partner for early-stage founders, providing first-cheque financial support, ongoing expertise and access to a community who have ‘been there and built it’ with unrivalled market-specific know-how. Founded in 2014 as Europe’s only edtech specialist fund, Emerge now invests in B2B and B2C startups across all categories enabling people to grow and fulfil their potential, from early childhood, K12 and higher education through to lifelong learning, workforce development, career navigation and the future of work. Emerge has invested in over 80 companies, now valued at over $2b and impacting more than 31M people worldwide, including Yoto, Causaly, Colossyan, Edurino, Mattilda, Unibuddy, MyEdSpace and Solvely. Emerge invests anywhere between $250k and $2.5M at pre-seed and seed. The team welcomes direct applications - apply through our website. Read more about Emerge’s investment thesis and the startup ideas we’re excited by in our Fund II manifesto linked below.