Investor Insights: Interview with Guillaume Gras
Investor Insights: Interview with Guillaume Gras
Why proving market demand and solving real industrial challenges are essential for attracting investment.
What makes a promising raw materials startup truly investable? And why is proving customer demand just as important as developing innovative technology?
During Investor Day 2026 at the EIT RawMaterials Summit, we spoke to Guillaume Gras, Investment Director at the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF), about what investors look for in startups and why industry demand is creating new opportunities for raw materials innovation.
Guillaume explains why commercial agreements and evidence of customer demand are particularly important for capital-intensive startups. He also shares a valuable lesson for founders: while strengthening Europe's raw materials sovereignty is important, investors ultimately want solutions that address real customer needs.
He also reflects on Europe's innovation ecosystem, the need for better opportunities for investors to realise returns, and how events such as Investor Day help connect entrepreneurs with potential investors.
Watch the interview and discover Guillaume's advice for making your startup investable.
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