Blue Earth Summit 2023: Rob’s Review

Last week, Matter's Chief Financial Officer, Rob Hemsley, had the pleasure of attending the prestigious Blue Earth Summit 2023 at the Propyard in Bristol.

This three-day event brought together a diverse community of like-minded individuals who share a common aspiration: to positively impact the planet and its people while growing their businesses sustainably. 

The Summit's focus for this year was encapsulated in three key pillars: Adventure and the Outdoors, Purpose-led Business, and Re-imagining Futures. Speakers such as Deborah Meaden, Feargal Sharkey, and Professor David Olusoga OBE graced the event, imparting valuable insights and fostering collaborative thinking among all attendees. 

Our very own Chief Financial Officer, Rob Hemsley, participated as a panelist on NatWest's 'How to Fund your Purpose-led Business' during the second day of the Summit. Reflecting on his experience, Rob shared his thoughts: 

‘It was great to be involved in the panel with Fran, Paul, and Hannah, brilliantly moderated by Mel, and with a really engaged audience. 

One of my favourite things about this role is to share experiences with other companies doing good things to help them raise the funds they need to make those things happen. 

We heard about various forms of funding - grants, debt, bootstrapping, equity, etc - with great insight and experience from the panel. 

Everyone agreed that finding the right form of finance for your stage of business is crucial. I think what brought it home for me was that in a room full of climate innovators, finding the level of funding required to scale that innovation to drive the pace required to solve those environmental challenges may be an even bigger priority. And finding funding partners that are highly mission-aligned is where the magic can really happen.  

That’s why we were really proud to partner with S2G, SOUNDwaves, Regeneration VC and Katapult through our Series A - all investors that share our ambition to prevent microplastic pollution.’ 

As pioneers in the plastic capture scene, we strive to ensure that our impact is at the forefront of our business, through all our endeavours. At the heart of our approach lies the cradle-to-cradle theory, fundamentally shaping our endeavours. Our mission is clear: capturing microplastic pollution at its source through innovative design.  

We are driven by a sense of urgency to ensure that our actions truly matter in the fight against climate issues, recognizing the pivotal role growth within a business plays in addressing these challenges.  

Through these foundations, Matter are able to appreciate the collaborative discussions at the Blue Earth Summit, which provides space for businesses to grow and shape our future impact. 

The 'breakthrough summit for purpose-led business' is set to return in October 2024, and with next year's Summit dates already unveiled, the necessity of continuing these critical conversations is evident. 

We’d like to thank the Blue Earth Summit, NatWest, the esteemed panelists, the event's host, everyone who attended the panel, and our dedicated partners. Their contributions make our participation in such events possible. 

At Matter, we understand the gravity of the plastic pollution crisis. We embrace the opportunity to spark meaningful discussions and empower fellow businesses to consider their impact as they grow. Together, we can champion a sustainable and responsible future. 

If you're eager to learn more about the Blue Earth Summit and join us in our mission, visit their website by clicking here. Let's make a difference together! 

If you’re interested in learning more about our mission, click here.