The world of startups is full of mythical creatures. Unicorns, Gigacorns, Zebras… 

But there’s a new animal in town that’s about to shake things up: the Phoenix. Let’s do a recap.Who are they? What factors play a role in the success of these companies? Which are the most valuable in the world?

First Came the Unicorn

A staple in the startup environment. Companies that have a valuation of more than 1 Billion USD before being listed in the stock market. Today, there are more than 1,200 Unicorns in the world. A red ocean, if you ask me…Nevertheless, Unicorns have become the dream of every entrepreneur and investor.

Along Came the Zebra

Experts have referred to the Zebra as the companies fixing what Unicorns break. Zebras focus on sustainable growth paired with social and environmental goals. Zebras are companies that enable the avoidance of 1,000,000,000 kg of CO2 emissions per year. 

That’s a great start. But is avoiding Carbon emissions enough to reverse the effects of climate change? 

The Phoenix: A Symbol of Regeneration

In today’s world, where environmental and social challenges are more urgent than ever. Legacy sustainability strategies focused on measuring and reducing carbon footprints have helped to slow the pace of environmental degradation, but they have not been enough to reverse it.

Regenerative sustainability, also known as Regeneration, widens its lens to encompass all facets of our planet’s well-being and focuses on creating positive impact, setting a more aspirational goal.

And that’s where the Phoenix comes in.

The Phoenix is a mythical creature that rises from the ashes, signifying rebirth and regeneration. By naming these companies Phoenix, we emphasize their extraordinary ability to transform damaged environments into thriving ecosystems, much like a Phoenix’s ability to renew itself from its own ashes.

Companies that generate 1 Billion Dollars of ecosystem services every year by restoring and protecting nature are considered a Phoenix.

The Phoenix is Here To Stay

There are a few companies that could fall into this category, or that at least are aiming to restore the equivalent of 1 Billion Dollar ecosystems:

• Patagonia: Since before sustainability was a buzzword, Patagonia has committed to implementing ethical and regenerative business practices, which has proven to be a major driver of its success. Today, their efforts go beyond minimizing harm and instead focus on holistic approaches to restoring the planet’s damaged ecosystems. For example, in their “regenerative organic cotton” initiative, Patagonia works with farmers to implement regenerative agriculture techniques that improve soil health, sequester carbon, and enhance biodiversity.
• Ant Forest: An initiative launched by Ant Group, an affiliate of Alibaba Group. The platform uses gamification to encourage its users to adopt low-carbon behaviors in their daily lives. Users earn “green energy” points based on their activities, which they can then use to plant virtual trees within the app. Once a certain number of trees are planted, Ant Forest converts the virtual trees into real ones, planting them in various regions across China. Since its launch in 2016, Ant Forest has attracted over 550 million users and planted over 220 million real trees. This initiative demonstrates the potential of combining technology, behavioral change, and regenerative practices to create a meaningful impact. Ant Forest’s success highlights the power of collaboration, as the platform works closely with partners such as NGOs, local governments, and companies to achieve its regenerative goals.
• Handprint Tech: A company that empowers companies to become a part of the new regenerative economy by integrating planet-positive actions into business activities in a profitable and seamless way. Handprint’s vision is to empower a society that benefits nature by transitioning the global economy from extractive to regenerative

Our planet is facing an ecological crisis, and we need companies that are working to solve it. Phoenixes are not just about making money. They are about creating a better future for all of us.

Instead of simply waiting for the economy to fundamentally change or collapse, the goal of a Phoenix is to transform capitalism from a tool for environmental exploitation to a lever for good. They are the future of business, and they are here to stay.

Impact Investor, What Are You Hunting For?

If you’re looking to invest in the future, you should consider creating a portfolio that includes Unicorns, Zebras, and Phoenixes. These three types of companies represent the best of what the startup world has to offer.

By investing in a portfolio that includes all three types of companies, you can be sure that you’re investing in the future. 

What are you waiting for? Catch your Phoenix fast.