Our Discovery Process
What do we mean by discovery?
Discovery is the starting point of our process—where we uncover urgent, solvable problems that existing technologies can address with transformative impact.
What do we look for?
We focus on the rare intersection of:
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Urgent, overlooked problems
Where lives and livelihoods are at risk but solutions lag behind.
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Solvable with today’s technology
Proven tools that can be deployed in new ways—no breakthroughs required.
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Catalytic impact
Problems whose solutions unlock compounding benefits for people and systems.
How do we work?
We go deep to understand real-world needs, challenge assumptions, and cut what doesn’t hold up. We listen to those affected, validate pain points, and end Discovery with a clearly defined problem and a strong case for action.
Our exploration work starts in one of three ways:
Founder-led
A driven entrepreneur with deep sector expertise leads the process, supported by us as needed (e.g., Foresow).
Tech-led
Tech-led: Initiated by a specific technology or capability, with partners identifying where it can create breakthrough solutions (e.g., Robot4Food).
Frontline-Led
Grounded in insights from frontline organizations, surfacing the most critical and solvable challenges (e.g., Reserve Force Tech).
Why does it matter?
Finding the right problem is the hardest—and most important—part of building impactful ventures. By investing upfront in Discovery, we reduce wasted effort, de-risk solutions, and set the stage for scalable, lasting change.
What is the outcome?
Discovery concludes with a well-defined problem, early validation from those who experience it, and a clear decision on whether to advance to incubation, add to our portfolio for scale, or discontinue if it is not viable to pursue.