In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm is joined by Guenther Dobrauz-Saldapenna and Enrique Alvarado Hablutzel from Chi Impact Capital to explore how capital can be deployed with purpose to accelerate the circular economy. From personal stories to portfolio-level insight, this conversation shows how values-based investing can be compatible with venture returns.
Guenther and Enrique unpack the urgency of systems change, how storytelling shapes capital flows, and why they believe Europe’s sustainability movement is at a critical inflection point, despite the headwinds.
Here’s what’s covered:
02:18 Chi Impact Capital’s Holistic Investment Thesis
03:27 Guenther’s Journey: From PwC to Circularity Champion
05:34 Why Capital is the Catalyst for Circular Innovation
06:37 Narratives, Regulation & the Sustainability Backlash
08:50 Storytelling, Identity & Investment Decision-Making
13:30 What ‘Conscious Capital’ Really Means
17:17 Case Studies: OceanSafe, Vital & ID Genève
22:53 Designing Products for Reusability & Impact
25:41 The Financial Returns Behind Circular Success
29:45 Tensions in Consumer Behavior: Circular vs. Fast Fashion
📺 Watch the episode here or stream it on Spotify or Apple Podcasts—now with chapters for easy navigation 🎧
✍️ Show Notes
From Thought Leadership to Fund Strategy
Guenther reveals how his early work on circularity and legal innovation evolved into a mission-driven investment thesis at Chi Impact Capital. Alongside co-founder Christine and the core team, they’re shaping a second fund designed to prove that purpose and profit are not mutually exclusive.
OceanSafe, Vital & ID Genève: Circular Innovation in Action
These portfolio stories bring circularity to life, from next-gen textiles and reusable event systems to fully compostable luxury watches. Guenther and Enrique share the design principles behind these companies—and how they’re creating scalable, repeatable change.
Reframing the Narrative Around Sustainability
Despite growing backlash worldwide, the Chi Impact Capital team argues that values-driven innovation is gaining real momentum. By grounding investments in lived experience and storytelling, they’re making a compelling case to both private and institutional capital.
The Power of Personal Why
Enrique and Guenther offer candid reflections on how fatherhood, lifestyle, and personal values shaped their professional choices. In doing so, they invite a more human approach to venture capital, where conviction precedes capital.
Circularity as a Path to Resilience
Whether it’s festival infrastructure or fashion, the team believes the future belongs to models that regenerate rather than deplete. Their call to action: don’t preach; offer alternatives people can adopt without sacrifice.
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