Flourish Ventures

Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 will require millions of U.S. households and businesses to embrace large-scale electrification efforts, including the installation of EV chargers, heat pumps, and energy storage systems at an unprecedented scale. Yet, the $233B U.S. electrical contracting industry faces significant hurdles that hinder scalability, from labor shortages to fragmented operations. Add to that the complexities of navigating a landscape filled with financing options and tax credits—bolstered by the $360B+ allocated to clean energy initiatives under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)—and it becomes clear that streamlined solutions are essential to accelerating this critical transition. We believe Treehouse, a software-enabled turnkey installation platform for electrification projects, is uniquely positioned to help solve these challenges and play a pivotal role in this transformation. How? Simply put, Treehouse’s software-enabled installation platform streamlines electrification projects at scale. Rather than simply connecting customers with installers, it manages the entire customer journey, from providing instant, accurate quotes to handling permits, designing projects, and offering post-installation support. Leveraging AI-powered technology, advanced machine learning and third-party data integration, their platform automates key stages like load calculations, wire runs, and permits to deliver a seamless, transparent experience for customers, partners, and electricians alike. Further, their platform holds the potential to integrate financing options, rebates, and warranties directly into the customer journey to help remove affordability barriers and accelerate adoption on a larger scale. And the demand for such a platform speaks for itself. Since its launch, they’ve completed thousands of installations nationwide and now support partners like CarMax, Assurant, Holman, Emporia, Quilt, and ChargePoint. We are proud to lead the company’s $16.6M Series A funding round, in partnership with new co-investors Eaton, MassMutual Ventures, Veriten, and inVest Ventures, and with continued participation from CarMax, Montage Ventures, Acrew Capital, Holman, Virta Ventures, and Invest Detroit. With this new round of funding, Treehouse will expand its footprint across the U.S. to support OEMs, utilities, fleet managers, and hardware manufacturers looking to launch electrification programs at scale. Congrats Eric Owski and the entire Treehouse team. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with you and support your journey toward a more electrified, sustainable future!

Yesterday, Flourish Ventures & Plug and Play Tech Center hosted a Workshop with industry experts from the London Stock Exchange & Deloitte to unpack the realities of exits & IPOs. Special thanks to Abi Ajayi & Simon Olsen for the insightful workshop! Here are a few valuable insights that any founder thinking about scaling or exiting should consider: ?? 1. Early Preparation is Key for IPO Success If you're considering an IPO, start planning 3 years in advance. The process requires a robust governance structure, financial diligence, and clear communication with potential investors. Start speaking with investors & building relationships early on—this will help you prepare for what investors expect when you IPO. ?? 2. Know Your Exit Options IPO, sale to a strategic buyer, sale to a private equity firm, & management buyouts each require a different strategy & come with their own set of pros & cons, from funding needs to maintaining company culture. Research each option & see which is best for you & your company. You need to ask yourself: Do you want to remain part of the company (IPO), or do you want to exit entirely (in which case a strategic sale or PE buyout may be the direction) ?? 3. Market Considerations London offers deep pools of international capital and more flexibility for global expansion. Middle Eastern markets—like ADX and Tadawul—are growing impressively. Weighing these market dynamics is crucial when planning your next step. Consider markets that understand your primary country of operations & recognize your product's potential. ?? 4. Focus on Your Equity Story Building a compelling equity story is more than just numbers—it’s about highlighting your unique market position, strategic direction, & future growth potential. Investors need to see a clear vision backed by strong fundamentals. Align your narrative with their expectations. ?? 5. Timing is Everything Whether you're aiming for an IPO or a strategic sale, timing matters. Companies that align their exit with favorable market conditions & investor sentiment tend to achieve better results. ?? 6. The IPO Process is Manageable with the Right Team IPOs are daunting. With the right advisors—legal, financial, and compliance—it’s absolutely achievable. Founders should establish a dedicated team to streamline the process, keeping the business on track while meeting regulatory and investor expectations. ?? 7. Prioritize Governance and Compliance Early Corporate governance doesn’t just start after you go public. Strong internal controls and risk management frameworks need to be in place long before the IPO process begins. Post-IPO, this becomes even more critical as public companies face increased scrutiny and regulatory obligations. A big thank you to our hosts Information Technology Industry Development Agency, ITIDA & Creativa innovation hubs. #Exits #IPO #StartupSuccess #LondonStockExchange #Deloitte

Such a great time connecting with founders and fellow investors at?Venture Atlanta 2024! We were inspired by the energy and the many startups from across the Southeast who pitched their innovative ideas, as well as the next generation of fintechs who continue to push the industry forward. We were proud to sponsor the event and can’t wait to be back next year!? W/ Sarah Morgenstern, Evi M. #VA2024

?? Today, on #WorldMentalHealthDay, I'm reminded of the crucial role we, as investors, play in supporting founders well-being. The pressures of entrepreneurship are immense, with 87.7% of founders facing at least one mental health challenge. Yet, only 18.5% are aware of tailored resources available to them. This needs to change. I had the opportunity to share some thoughts in an article by Entrepreneur India, where I highlighted the direct link between founder wellness and company performance. At Flourish Ventures, we’re committed to making founder well-being a priority. By fostering environments where founder well-being is openly discussed and supported, we can create not just stronger startups, but a more sustainable investment ecosystem. ???? Check out the full article here: https://ow.ly/zvWw50TIv49 Ravi Kaushik Shivam Satija

This #WorldMentalHealthDay's theme is mental health at work, which resonates deeply with us. We’ve heard from entrepreneurs across our network that mental health and work-life balance hurdles have never been more challenging to overcome. As early stage fintech investors, we’re passionate about building and advocating for trusted relationships with entrepreneurs and offering ecosystem support throughout their startup journeys. We know that founders face tremendous stress and sometimes can overlook their own wellbeing in pursuit of their dreams. We’ve been fortunate enough to work with ecosystem partners to offer a broad perspective on the state of tech founders' wellbeing today and ideas and inspiration on how to create better funder/founder relationships and healthier work lifestyles. We invite all founders, investors, and those passionate about mental health in the workplace to check out our resource page for a collection of content designed to build awareness and offer solutions that can help create a healthier startup ecosystem for all. They include a series of articles and podcasts from the Flourish team including Lisa Mikkelsen, Arjuna Costa, Ameya Upadhyay, Emmalyn Shaw, and Diana Narváez (she/her), highlighting founder wellbeing challenges from around the globe. You’ll also find?1:1 interviews with leading industry experts like Stanford Professor of Psychology Jamil Zaki, bespoke research from Endeavor on the state of founder wellbeing in Brazil, The Future Farm podcasts where entrepreneurs share first hand on struggles and triumphs, a series of articles on how investors can help start open conversations and create a healthier startup ecosystem for all, plus, much, more more. https://lnkd.in/eRdueeEG We’re excited to continue our focus on founder wellbeing, including the upcoming release of a variety of resources, programs, articles, events, and wellness lounges and we hope you’ll join us on this journey.

Navigating the complexities of clinic management, operations, and finance is a common challenge in the $52 billion physical therapy and musculoskeletal care market. Clinics often juggle multiple systems that can lead to inefficiencies and lost revenue opportunities. Clearly, the space has been ripe for a fit-for-purpose, AI-powered solution. Meet SPRY: the first AI-driven embedded finance practice management platform built specifically for physical therapy clinics. SPRY’s platform goes beyond basic scheduling and billing to offer a comprehensive, full-stack solution that covers electronic medical records, payment processing, patient engagement, and automated claims management. In just 18 months, SPRY has earned the trust of over 105 clinics across 30 states. Early results are impressive, with clinics reporting a 30%+ boost in insurance claim reimbursements and a 40%+ acceleration in receivables. SPRY’s generative AI tools and data-driven approach have enabled a 90% claim rate on first submission and helped customers collect over $40 million to date. And they’re just getting started. Congrats to Brijraj Bhuptani and Riyaz Rehman, and the entire SPRY team on your funding round. We’re thrilled to partner with you and look forward to supporting your journey to digitize the physical therapy industry.

We’re excited to congratulate Brico and Clerkie for earning spots on Business Insider’s 49 most promising fintechs list! Clerkie is doing incredible work by using AI to tackle debt and helping millions of Americans regain control over their finances. Their approach is creating win-win scenarios for both consumers and financial institutions. Brico is also leading the charge in regulatory compliance by making licensing seamless for financial institutions. Their automated platform allows companies to handle everything from applications to renewals without the headaches that typically come with navigating regulations. And shout out to our own Emmalyn Shaw for selecting and giving insights on two of the companies who made the list. Huge congrats to Brico, Clerkie, and the 47 other fintechs transforming how we bank, invest, work, and pay!

Heading to #SFTechWeek? Catch Flourish’s Arjuna Costa on the "The Future of Africa: Resilience and Growth" investor panel at the Future of Africa conference this Monday! He’ll share his firsthand perspectives on how fintechs and startups are helping to drive Africa’s resilience, growth, and role on the global stage. Join us Monday from 4-8 PM by registering below, and don’t hesitate to reach out to Arjuna to connect while you’re there! RSVP: https://lnkd.in/dEJM9SAM

We couldn't be more excited to congratulate Thomas Njeru, co-founder and CEO of PULA, on his well-deserved recognition on the TIME100 Next list of influential leaders! His leadership at Pula has helped transform agricultural insurance for smallholder farmers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. To date, they’ve protected over 15 million farmers and insured $2.22 billion in agricultural investments in 19 countries. Clearly, his work is changing lives and we’re thrilled to see TIME recognize his role in shaping a brighter future for the smallholder farmers they serve.? We’re proud to support Thomas and his visionary team as they continue their journey to reach 100 million farmers, protect their livelihoods, and enable them to bounce back after a disaster. Congrats again Thomas and the entire Pula team!? Check out his full TIME100 profile here: https://lnkd.in/gtJgUD8q

Big congratulations to Catona Climate and Trees for the Future for their groundbreaking work and to the 1,300 smallholder farmers who have just graduated from their Forest Garden Program! The program, recognized by the United Nations, blends sustainable farming with entrepreneurial training and equips farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to increase food security, earn additional income, and maintain more climate-resilient, biodiverse farms. We love seeing Catona making such a meaningful, purpose-driven impact. Congratulations to the graduating farmers, Catona, TREES, and to all who helped make it possible! ??