SE’nSE, a seed fund for sustainable start-ups with high environmental impact
Contributing to a sustainable world by fostering entrepreneurship - this is the ambition of the Seed Equity & Sustainable Entrepreneurship Fund (SE’nSE Fund), created by entrepreneur Pierre Mottet within the Foundation for Future Generations.
The origins of the Fund
Created in 2016 by entrepreneur Pierre Mottet within the Foundation for Future Generations, the SE’nSE Fund aims to contribute to a sustainable world by fostering entrepreneurship.
In response to the multiple challenges and crises of our time, Pierre Mottet’s philanthropic approach, supported by the Foundation for Future Generations, is resolutely "rational" and "transformative". It represents a highly contemporary form of philanthropy that goes beyond emotion and short-term urgency, helping society embrace a "360°" vision and approach that are essential to sustainable development.
My approach goes beyond simply making a donation or supporting a short-term charitable cause.
Pierre Mottet
Founder of the SE’nSE Fund
The Fund’s activities
Funded by its founder and joined by other philanthropists - including the Aether Fund for Future Generations and the Eurofins Foundation - the SE’nSE Fund supports entrepreneurs developing projects with high environmental impact by providing financial support in the form of seed capital, as well as opportunities for experience-sharing and networking.
The ambition is to support three to five high-quality projects each year. The projects selected by the jury are those with the greatest potential for positive environmental impact while operating in a sustainable way.
In addition to financial support, the Fund aims to provide entrepreneurs with valuable critical feedback to help them improve their projects, drawing on the expertise and reputation of the selection jury. Through its activities, the Fund also seeks to open doors to more substantial sources of funding.
In practice
In accordance with Pierre Mottet’s wishes, the SE’nSE Fund is a non-profit investment fund. Rather than seeking financial returns, the Fund aims to maximise environmental and sustainability benefits. Its purpose is to provide an intermediate source of financing between the 3Fs (friends, family and fools) and larger, more sustainable sources of funding.
To mitigate the risks associated with this type of financing and ensure the Fund’s long-term sustainability, the Fund shares in the success of companies that perform well.
The Fund’s investment mechanism is designed to encourage supported projects to repay the investment quickly, while allowing them to continue using the funds for as long as they need them.
Who is Pierre Mottet?
Chairman of IBA, Pierre Mottet spent 30 years working alongside Yves Jongen to transform a young university spin-off into a global leader in the fight against cancer.
In 2016, Pierre created the SE’nSE Fund within the Foundation for Future Generations, a seed fund supporting sustainable start-ups with the potential to deliver transformative environmental impact.
Fund Type and Management Committee
The SE’nSE Fund does not have a separate legal personality, and its financial assets form part of those of the Foundation. It is managed in accordance with an agreement between the founder and the Foundation, as well as the principles governing the creation of a named fund within the Foundation for Future Generations.
The Fund is managed by a Management Committee that meets annually and brings together the founder, an independent third party and the Director of the Foundation for Future Generations.