Caspar Gross, an investment team member of a climate-tech venture capital, G-Force, exemplifies the power of resilience and diversity in shaping a sustainable future. This inspiring case study delves into Caspar’s journey, from overcoming challenges as a hearing-impaired person to making significant contributions to climate tech, demonstrating that with dedication, everything becomes possible.
Early Life and Motivation
Caspar’s connection to climate tech began long before his career did. Having spent much of his childhood in nature, he developed a deep appreciation for the environment and a growing awareness of the subtle changes happening around him. Caspar began to notice the gradual decline in local biodiversity—fewer insects, a loss of greenery—and these observations planted the seeds of his passion for a career in the environment.
While his academic journey initially led him into the world of business administration and investment banking, the turning point came with the COVID-19 pandemic, a period of global disruption that gave Caspar the space to reassess his goals. Realizing that his true calling lay in addressing the environmental challenges he had been so aware of since childhood, he shifted his focus to the intersection of climate and social inclusion, determined to make a tangible impact.
Navigating Challenges
Living with a hearing impairment, Caspar has faced numerous challenges both in his education and professional life. For much of his life, Caspar was profoundly deaf, relying on a cochlear implant to gain partial hearing. His journey through academia was marked by struggles to access essential resources, such as lecture captions, often requiring him to fight for the support that many take for granted.
Despite these obstacles, Caspar’s resilience and determination allowed him to pursue his goals. In his further studies in finance and investment with a focus on impact investing, he combined his business acumen with his passion for sustainability. Caspar is candid about the challenges he has faced, but he is equally clear in his message to others: never give up.
The Role of Diversity and Inclusion
Caspar is a strong proponent of diversity and inclusion, both in the workplace and within the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. He believes that people with disabilities, as well as those from other underrepresented groups, possess unique “superpowers” that can significantly enhance innovation. In his view, these individuals often develop heightened skills in specific areas, such as problem-solving or creativity, as a result of their life experiences.
In his current role, Caspar actively seeks to integrate diversity into the investment process, recognizing that varied perspectives lead to more robust and innovative solutions. He also emphasizes the importance of creating more inclusive workplaces that provide the necessary resources and support for individuals with disabilities.
G-Force, where Caspar now works, stands out not only for its commitment to climate tech but also for its dedication to fostering diversity in the startup ecosystem. In a landscape where women-founded startups receive less than 2% of venture capital funding in Europe and the U.S., G-Force’s investment choices tell a different story. Nearly a quarter of their portfolio are founded by women. This commitment to diversity is reflected in their own team as well. After just one year, more than 60% of G-Force’s employees were women, making it a rare outlier in the venture capital world. But their diversity doesn’t stop at gender—the team is spread across three continents, bringing together a wide array of cultural and geographical perspectives. For G-Force, this diversity is not just a statistic; it’s a driving force behind their mission to support groundbreaking innovation on a global scale.
Conclusion
Caspar Gross’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of passion. To those considering a career in climate tech, especially students and aspiring entrepreneurs with disabilities, Caspar offers heartfelt advice: don’t let your challenges define you. Instead, let them be the source of your strength. He encourages young people to seek out networking opportunities, attend relevant events, and connect with others in the field. According to Caspar, building relationships through informal conversations, such as coffee chats, can be invaluable for gaining insights and finding mentors. “Never give up,” he says. “If you are motivated and keep fighting, you will see that everything will be fine.”
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