Electric Vehicle and Real Estate Tech Investor Mandate Interview
Electric Vehicle & Real Estate Tech Investor Mandate Interview
Investors and founders interested in electric vehicles, electrification and sustainable technology applied to real estate who want to understand how one active investor frames its mandate.
Quotes from the session
"You can't look at either in isolation. You have to achieve the right balance between the two."
"How do you actually evaluate the risk of a new technology which may not be well proven?."
"Our team evaluates the initial set of opportunities and then we reach out very quickly."
What you will hear
Samir describes a mandate that sits between venture investing and long-dated private equity. The focus is electric vehicles, electrification and sustainability. New technology and R&D can be applied to existing projects such as real estate, so the approach mixes venture exposure with something close to commercial real estate investing. Targets are in the US, Canada and Western Europe, with revenues from about 500k at the small end.
Two examples show the range. A Toronto microgrid company needs venture capital, working capital and project financing to place its technology in real estate developments. A large battery company with investors in Vegas and China wants to enter commercial vehicle fleets. Samir also advises that the field is technically complex, so investors should use a trusted adviser and balance the science with the financial return.
Key facts
- The mandate covers the US, Canada and Western Europe.
- The smallest companies seen have revenues of about 500k, while larger ones have 10 to 20 million plus in EBIT.
- A Toronto microgrid company is seeking venture capital, working capital and project financing for real estate developments.
Sources
From Richard C. Wilson's Centimillionaire Strategies YouTube channel: Electric Vehicle & Real Estate Tech Investor Mandate Interview. Quotes come from the video captions, lightly edited for readability. Figures are the speakers' own estimates and experience.
General education only. Not legal, tax or investment advice.
5 key takeaways
- A hybrid venture and real estate model. Samir combines venture investing with longer-dated, private equity style investing. New technology is applied to existing situations such as real estate projects.
- Wide range of company sizes. Some targets have revenues of 500k upwards. Others are large, with 10 to 20 million plus in EBIT, where the goal is to help scale or enter a new market.
- Different investors expect different returns. A venture investor expects a very different return profile from a private equity investor. The private equity investor looks for EBIT and a stable, predictable return over time.
- Balance the science and the returns. Investors who get burned often work with people who love only the science or only the potential returns. Samir says neither can be judged in isolation.
- Use a trusted technical adviser. The sector has deep technical complexity. Investors unfamiliar with it need an adviser who can help evaluate the risk of technology that may not be well proven.
Related questions
- How do I close a funding round?I close a funding round by focusing on investors who fit the opportunity and moving each interested prospect through clear, consistent follow-up.
- What documents do investors request during due diligence?Prepare a clear, organized package covering your operations, investments, compensation, team, and track record.
- How do I raise capital for my business?I raise capital by building a repeatable system for attracting the right investors, establishing credibility, and developing relationships before asking for money.
Questions about this video
What geographies does Samir invest in?
Samir looks at the US, Canada and Western Europe.
How large are the companies Samir invests in?
Some of the smallest have revenues of about 500k upwards. Some larger investments have 10 to 20 million plus in EBIT, usually where Samir helps them scale or enter a new market.
How should someone contact Samir about a deal?
Samir prefers email to the team address, which feeds the funnel. The team reviews the first set of opportunities and responds quickly.
Put this into practice with the investor meeting follow-up checklist. See all investor mandates resources.
