Keith Ippel is the Co-Founder of Spring Activator, Spring Investing Collective and Spring Impact Capital.
Spring Activator helps entrepreneurs to change the world. We provide the tools, training, and network to values-driven entrepreneurs from launch to $1.5M in revenue.
Spring Investing Collective exists to help everyone have the opportunity to invest for people, the planet and profit. Through the Investing Collective, investors become empowered through experiential education, be in community with like-minded investors, and access the best early-stage impact investing opportunities in Canada.
Spring Impact Capital invests in Canadian changemakers at the early stages of their company journeys to promote scalable innovation in planet and human health. They invest in founders to scale innovations for a more sustainable, healthy and equitable world.
Takeaways
- Invoke Labs was the birthplace of Hootsuite and one of the first venture studios in Vancouver.
- A great idea versus a good idea.
- The importance of team over an idea.
- What does impact mean to Keith and Spring from an investment standpoint.
- Spring's geographic expansion and impact.
- Keith looks for founders with a clear vision, hustle, adaptability, and a focus on revenue generation.
- Build strong communities.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Invoke Labs
01:10 Creation of Invoke Labs and the Venture Studio Model
05:34 Timing and Tailwinds for Spring Activator
06:00 Differentiating Good Ideas from Great Ideas
07:48 Evolution of Spring Activator
09:47 Importance of Accelerator Programming
10:12 Characteristics of a Great Accelerator
12:09 Importance of Connections Beyond Capital
13:22 Key Considerations for Founders
15:36 Introduction of Spring Impact Capital
18:40 Introduction of the Spring Investing Collective
20:03 Challenges Faced by Impact Startups
22:15 Building Strong Communities
24:52 Geographic Expansion of Spring
27:35 Global Perspectives and Learnings
30:14 Vancouver Tech Scene and Future Growth
33:09 Investment Criteria and Qualities of Founders
36:01 Future Plans for Spring
39:07 Dealing with Hard Times
41:06 Favorite Books and Excitement for the Future
43:34 Final Message
The Hard Part with Evan McCann