Originally published here.

We're living in a world where headlines scream of escalating global inequality, where once-rare extreme weather events are now commonplace, where ocean temperatures are shattering records, and where humanity has breached six of the nine critical planetary boundaries.  

Now, imagine this: In the face of such overwhelming challenges, instead of retreating into despair, you see an opportunity. You think, "I can build something to tackle this head-on." With unwavering resolve, you leave the security of your job, your passion igniting a spark in other talented individuals who join your audacious mission.  

Together, you pour every ounce of your time, energy, and resources into addressing a problem that is deeply entrenched in a web of complex systems. You're not just aiming to make a dent; you're striving to fundamentally reshape the system.  

A walk in the park, right? Not quite. But then again, world-changing endeavours rarely are.  

Founding a company is hard, and the past 12 months have been particularly grueling for VC-backed tech companies, with falling valuations, layoffs, and VCs reluctant to make investments. According to a March 2024 survey by Sifted, startup founders are feeling "overworked," "exhausted," and "broken," with 49% contemplating quitting their ventures this year.  

For impact founders, building a venture aimed at tackling the world’s toughest challenges is incredibly rewarding but comes with its own set of difficulties that require intentional self-care and organisational support. The weight of responsibility for team livelihoods, co-founder and team relationships, work-life (in)balance struggles, and the emotional toll of addressing urgent global issues can be overwhelming. The mission's gravity has the potential to lead founders to prioritise their cause over personal well-being, increasing burnout risk.   

While it may feel like shouldering the world's problems, impact founders must balance their altruistic drive with self-care. Securing their own 'oxygen mask' first isn't selfish—it's crucial for sustained effectiveness in driving meaningful change. By nurturing personal resilience, founders enhance their capacity to lead impactful ventures and inspire others in reshaping the world. 

Supporting change agents through coaching  

Start-ups typically fail for one of three reasons: lack of runway, lack of product/market fit, or the team (and the people that make up that team) not lasting the course. The human element—the resilience and cohesion of the founder and the team—is the cornerstone of our new initiative at ImpactVC: leadership coaching for impact founders and VCs. Key leaders from the ecosystem also see the upside benefits and transformative power of coaching, including the teams at Balderton, Zinc, Kindred, Ananda Impact Ventures, Octopus, and Masawa). 

Where coaching can make the biggest difference  

There are three areas that we see coaching making the biggest difference for impact founders:  

1- Identifying and aligning purpose and values  

A clear sense of purpose and values can be a significant source of strength, at both the venture and founder’s level. They underpin individual and organisational resilience, help align team around a joint “why”, and drive performance. A clearly articulated purpose can also help better connect with key stakeholders, such as investors and consumers.  

Defining purpose is an ongoing journey of introspection, not a one-off exercise. A coach can help with the required introspection to let emerge and get clarity on why you are doing what you are doing.    

2- Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Mindsets  

We all have our own versions of negative self-talk and limiting beliefs. But building an impact venture for the first time with its endless list of seemingly insurmountable challenges can set the inner critic off into overdrive. Finding ways of being with one’s inner voices of perceived inadequacies without letting them take over full control over you is important – and difficult to do alone. A coach can help hold a safe space for the founder and provide guidance on exploring ways of dealing with such dynamics.  

3- Fostering Healthy Co-founder and Team Relationships  

Co-founder disputes are one of the key stumbling block for new ventures, with research indicating that 65% of startups fail due to interpersonal tensions within the founding team. Coaching has proven highly effective in helping address the underlying drivers of these conflicts. Coaches act as neutral mediators, offering a safe space and mirror for founders to build self-awareness of their own roles in conflict situations, and ultimately develop more productive ways of communicating and being with each other.  

How Does It Work, in Practice?  

At ImpactVC, each of our coaching engagements are tailored to address the unique needs of each client, with pricing tailored to individual circumstances. Impact founders and VCs can initiate the coaching process through the ImpactVC website, where you'll find detailed profiles of our qualified Impact Coaches, Hayley Hand and Philipp Essl, along with pricing information.

To ensure a strong coach-client fit, we offer free chemistry sessions with either Hayley or Philipp. These sessions allow you to assess the potential fit of the coaching relationship.

Once you've made your decision, you and your chosen coach will establish a mutually agreeable schedule, typically meeting twice a month. All coaching sessions are completely confidential, and ImpactVC will not receive any feedback from the coaches.  

Unlock Your Full Potential as an Impact Leader  

If you're aiming to enhance your performance as an impact leader, reach out to our team to discover how leadership coaching can unlock your full potential. Our coaching engagements are designed to support you in achieving your goals, overcoming challenges, and driving meaningful impact in your organisation.