Investment criteria

Investment criteria

We look for businesses with strong fundamentals, clear impact potential, and teams that build for the long term.

Large markets
Large markets
Winning solutions
Winning solutions
Scalable models
Scalable models
Exceptional teams
Exceptional teams
Path to impact
Path to impact

Large markets

We invest in markets where better businesses can make a meaningful difference. Often that means sectors that are large, established, and in need of change.

Winning solutions

We invest in solutions that are materially better than the status quo. We look for real traction that proves that your solution fits the problem and market need. Happy customers for the win!

Scalable models

We invest in scalable business models that are able to reach cost-partity to conventional alternatives without relying on green premiums to succeed in the long-term.

Exceptional teams

We back teams with a strong purpose, great ambition and resilience. We believe diversity makes teams stronger.

Path to impact

To create lasting impact, we need to see a credible path to follow-on funding and strong impact embeddeness. We believe market-rate returns help businesses keep building over time.

Impact criteria

Intentionality

We look for strong intentionality, purpose-driven, intrinsically motivated to drive systemic change.

Evidence

We look for solutions that impact the planetary boundaries in a meaningful way and are supported by data and science.

Interlock of financial and impact returns

Mission and business must move in sync to ensure impact remains. We look for a strong interlock of financial and societal returns.

Impact stewardship

Impact should be measurable, actionable, and guided. We look for teams that track outcomes, manage risks, and continuously learn how to do better.

Additionality

We look for innovative approaches that do something materially different than others.

Scale & depth

We look for solutions that can drive both the depth of impact (e.g. CO₂ reduced per unit sold) and the scale of impact (e.g. number of units sold and total CO₂).

Impact

This is how we
create impact

Hoe wij
‍impact creëren

At Castra, we invest in people that solve the world’s hardest problems. Through companies and funds, we support you with long term capital, deep networks, and an aligned view. We hold ourselves—and our partners—to high standards. Impact must scale, and scaling requires strong returns. We believe the two are inseparable.

Mission-aligned

Businesses are built by people. We care about the work as deeply as the builders do. We are impact-driven and take the mission seriously. We help stay focused on what really matters: lasting impact.

Flexible Long Term Capital

We think in generations, not quarters. That gives us the patience to optimize both impact and financial returns. We’re flexible on timelines, focused on outcomes, have the opportunity continue investing and exit when it best serves the company mission.

Entrepreneurial Builders

We are investment professionals who’ve built and scaled businesses ourselves. We understand the pressure, the ups and the downs that come with building. We aim to be helpful where it matters: as thougtful sparring partners with a strong network, while founders remain in the lead.