Fuel Your Eco-Aligned Business Growth with Strategic Capital and Expertise
If your business or startup is built on principles that align with eco-economics, we offer more than just capital. We provide capital raising services to connect you with investors who understand and value your mission.
Furthermore, our guidance on Sustainability Linked Loans can help you structure your financing in a way that incentivizes and rewards your sustainability efforts, driving both financial and environmental performance.
Case Study 1
Client: A medium-sized UK food manufacturing business with a strong commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.
Challenge: The company sought to upgrade its production facilities to significantly reduce energy consumption and reliance on fossil fuels. This involved transitioning from gas-powered industrial heating to electric heating powered by on-site solar energy generation, as well as upgrading lighting and ventilation systems. The high upfront capital expenditure required for this project posed a financial hurdle. The client was keen to secure financing that not only supported their sustainability goals but also offered favorable financial terms.
Helix Solution: Helix advised the food manufacturing business on structuring and securing a Sustainability-Linked Loan (SLL). This involved:
Sustainability Target Development: Helix worked closely with the client to define ambitious yet achievable Sustainability Performance Targets (SPTs) directly linked to the project's environmental benefits. Key SPTs included:
Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from energy consumption.
Percentage of energy consumption derived from renewable sources (solar).
Reduction in overall energy consumption per unit of production.
SLL Structuring: Helix advised on the SLL structure, ensuring alignment between the SPTs and the loan's financial terms. This included negotiating a mechanism for interest rate reductions upon successful achievement of the agreed-upon SPTs.
Investor/Lender Engagement: Helix leveraged its network to identify and engage with lenders who prioritize sustainable finance and were willing to offer competitive terms for an SLL.
Impact Reporting Framework: Helix helped establish a robust reporting framework to track and verify the client's performance against the SPTs, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Outcome:
Access to Capital: The UK food business successfully secured the necessary funding to implement its sustainability project.
Reduced Cost of Capital: The SLL structure provided a lower cost of capital compared to a traditional term loan, directly incentivizing the client to achieve its sustainability targets and improving the project's financial viability.
Enhanced Competitiveness: By showcasing its commitment to sustainability and the positive outcomes of the project (reduced energy costs, lower emissions), the food business has strengthened its brand reputation and secured a significantly higher volume of orders from corporate and healthcare clients with strong ESG procurement policies.
Long-term Sustainability: The project has enabled the client to significantly reduce its environmental impact, improve energy efficiency, and enhance its long-term sustainability.
This case study demonstrates Helix’s ability to structure and deliver innovative financial solutions that drive both financial returns and positive environmental impact.
Case Study 2
Client: A UK-based clean energy engineering startup with a proven track record of developing innovative solutions for renewable energy generation and energy efficiency. While possessing a strong technological foundation and generating initial revenue, the company required significant growth capital to scale its operations, expand its team, and meet increasing market demand.
Challenge: The startup faced the challenge of securing adequate funding to support its rapid expansion plans. This included:
Attracting investors who understood the complexities and potential of the clean energy sector.
Structuring an investment that aligned with the company's growth trajectory and long-term vision.
Navigating the fundraising process efficiently to minimize disruption to operations.
Helix Solution: Helix acted as a strategic financial advisor and placement agent to the climate tech startup, providing the following support:
Investment Structure Development: Helix worked closely with the startup's management team to develop a compelling and investable funding structure. This involved determining the optimal mix of equity and/or debt financing, valuation considerations, and key investment terms.
Investor Network Access: Helix leveraged its network of investors, including venture capital firms, family offices, and impact investors with a specific interest in climate tech, to identify potential funding partners.
Fundraising and Placement: Helix managed the fundraising process, including preparing marketing materials, pitching to investors, managing due diligence, and negotiating investment terms. This resulted in successfully securing the required growth capital for the startup.
Outcome:
Successful Funding Round: The climate tech startup successfully closed a funding round, securing the necessary capital to execute its expansion plans.
Accelerated Growth: The funding enabled the company to:
Expand its engineering team to accelerate product development and project delivery.
Increase manufacturing capacity to meet growing customer demand.
Scale its sales and marketing efforts to penetrate new markets.
Strategic Partnerships: The fundraising process facilitated by Helix also resulted in valuable connections with strategic investors who can provide ongoing support and industry expertise.
Enhanced Market Position: With the financial backing and strategic support, the startup is now well-positioned to capitalize on the rapidly growing demand for clean energy solutions and establish itself as a leader in the sector.
This case study highlights Helix's expertise in supporting the growth of climate tech companies by providing tailored financial solutions and access to relevant investors.
Case Study 3
Client: A leading project developer specializing in sustainable infrastructure projects in North-Western Europe.
Challenge: The client was awarded a mandate by a local authority to design, build, operate, and transfer (DBOT) a new community-wide heat network, covering about 6% of a metropolitan area. This Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project aimed to provide a sustainable and efficient heating solution for the community, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The key challenge was to structure the financing in a way that was attractive to investors, bankable, and aligned with the long-term nature of the infrastructure project.
Helix Solution: Helix was engaged as the strategic financial advisor to the project developer, providing comprehensive support throughout the financing process:
Investment Structure Design: Helix developed a robust financial model and advised on the optimal capital structure for the project, considering the risk-return profiles of potential debt and equity investors. This included analyzing tariff structures, operational costs, and revenue projections to ensure project viability.
Investor and Lender Engagement: Leveraging its network, Helix identified and engaged with potential lenders and equity investors with an appetite for sustainable infrastructure projects and PPPs in the region.
Negotiation and Financial Close Support: Helix played a key role in negotiating the financing terms with the selected lenders and investors, ensuring alignment with the project's requirements and the grantor's expectations. This culminated in achieving financial close, securing the necessary capital to commence the construction phase.
Project Monitoring: Following financial close, Helix continues to be involved in the monitoring of the project development, tracking progress against key milestones and providing ongoing financial oversight.
Outcome:
Successful Financial Close: The community heat network PPP successfully reached financial close, unlocking the capital required for the design, build, and subsequent operation of this critical infrastructure project.
Sustainable Community Infrastructure: The project will deliver a sustainable and cost-effective heating solution for the community, contributing to the local authority's environmental goals and enhancing the quality of life for residents.
Strong Public-Private Partnership: The structured financing facilitated by Helix enabled a successful collaboration between the public and private sectors, leveraging the expertise of the project developer and the long-term commitment of investors.
Ongoing Project Oversight: Helix's continued involvement in project monitoring ensures financial accountability and supports the successful delivery of the heat network.
This case study demonstrates Helix's capability in providing strategic financial advisory services for complex PPP infrastructure projects, from structuring the investment to achieving financial close and beyond.
Institutional & Sophisticated Investor Publications
Explore Your Capital Raising Options with Helix.
Learn How Sustainability Linked Loans Can Benefit Your Business.