Imagine if those best equipped to launch the next big climate companies were simply unable to begin. Many entrepreneurs who demonstrate the necessary grit and talent for success are discouraged, disadvantaged, or thwarted from pursuing their dreams by systemic barriers. This article summarizes a recent white paper that explores "invisible gates" which hinder underrepresented entrepreneurs from launching and scaling climate tech companies. The full paper highlights solutions from the experience of LabStart, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering a more inclusive climate innovation ecosystem.

Inflection points along a founder's journey; Source: Underestimated start-up founders: The untapped opportunity (Ganesan et. al., 2023)