Siam Capital Shows That Consumer Green Tech Is Big Business

The global green tech market is primed for explosive growth, with projections of more than a fourfold increase in less than 10 years. Capitalizing on this trend, Sita Chantramonklasri, founder and general partner at Siam Capital, is a rising star in sustainable venture capital. Her firm invests in consumer tech solutions at the intersection of sustainability and profit, attracting giants like Kasikorn Bank of Thailand. Chantramonklasri has deployed $43 million of Fund I and is raising her second fund. Chantramonklasri’s passion for impact investing stems from her Thai roots and her observations of socioeconomic disparity in her country. Siam Capital’s success proves that financial returns and positive environmental and social impact can go hand in hand.

The Rise of Green Consumer Technology and Sustainability Investments

The global green technology and sustainability market is poised for explosive growth, surging from $19.83 billion in 2024 to $83.59 billion by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights.

Chantramonklasri is the founder and general partner of Siam Capital. She secured $50 million for her firm’s debut fund and has deployed $43.8 million to date.

“Siam Capital’s focus on sustainability, consumers, and technology aligns perfectly with Beacon Impact Fund’s investment thesis,” Thanapong Na Ranong, managing director of Kasikorn Bank’s Beacon Fund and investor in Siam Capital. “Sita’s impressive background, coupled with her vision to capture opportunities in this sustainable transition to create positive impact and returns at scale has made Siam Capital an ideal partner for us in driving positive change.”

Siam Capital’s portfolio includes biotech company Helaina, product development platform Novi, and food and beverage brand builder Tomorrow Farms. Notably, the firm’s sophomore fund counts Kasikorn Bank, a Thai giant, as an investor.

Helaina, a startup backed by Siam Capital, is pioneering the use of precision fermentation to create immune-equivalent proteins found in human milk. This innovation aims to revolutionize infant nutrition by providing a viable alternative to breast milk, offering significant health benefits.

“Siam Capital’s pulse in the market of sustainability—and particularly in food technology—has provided immense value to Helaina’s strategic path since inception,” said Laura Katz, Founder & CEO of Helaina. “The fund’s expertise is paired with Sita’s immense compassion and care for the founders she works with. Sita is always a phone call away, checking in on the founder’s well-being, and asking, ‘How can I help?’”

Ecovative, a startup invested in by Siam Capital, is pioneering the use of mycelium technology to create sustainable and biodegradable materials. They use eco-friendly alternatives to replace traditional plastics, leather, and polystyrene foams.

“Years ago, Sita proactively identified Ecovative as a company taking a pragmatic and meaningful approach to climate while still meeting venture-style hurdles,” Eben Bayer, CEO/Co-Founder of Ecovative.” “Her investment was critical in helping Ecovative scale up into global markets. She is an extremely engaged investor who brings the right energy at the right time.”

Beyond Profits: Ikigai Drives Siam Capital’s Sustainable Investments

Sita Chantramonklasri came to the U.S. from Thailand to study politics and economics at Georgetown University. She began her career at Goldman Sachs, then joined the launch team at UberEats in the U.K. Later she earned a Master’s in Sustainable Technologies and Investments from Columbia University.

From a young age, Chantramonklasri was deeply concerned with socioeconomic disparities in Thailand. The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, which profoundly impacted underprivileged communities and the environment, left a lasting impression on her. Her father, who dedicated his career to the energy sector, pivoted from oil and gas to renewable energy, influencing her to focus on financial success while making a positive social and environmental impact.

Chantramonklasri is a firm believer in Ikigai (ee-kee-guy), a Japanese philosophy that refers to finding one’s ‘reason for being’—the source of one’s life’s purpose and joy. “If you’re able to discover or find your Ikigai, you will almost never work,” she said. Uou will also be working forever.” She found hers.

In 2019, Chantramonklasri partnered with Twitter co-founder Biz Stone to launch Future Positive, a firm investing in purpose-driven, profit-focused companies. By 2020-2021, she identified significant opportunities in sustainability, noting a lack of focus on consumer tech that benefits people and the planet.

She named her venture capital firm Siam Capital to honor her Thai heritage. Fund I, a proof of concept, deployed around $42 million, while Fund II, currently being raised, focuses on early and late-stage investments in healthcare, sustainability, advanced materials, personal health, and parenting.

Leveraging Data: Demonstrating Market Opportunities and Returns

“The biggest challenge—and this is a challenge for any emerging manager—is really being able to crystallize your need to exist,” said Chantramonklasri. What is the must-have need that you are funding versus the nice-to-have in the sustainability sector? “You need to articulate your investment thesis in a way that shows that you’re not just doing this because you’re philanthropists or environmentalists, but because you’re venture capitalists.”

“What has been super supportive on our side is the significant data to show that this is a massive economic opportunity,” said Chantramonklasri. “Speaking in the language in which you can demonstrate significant market opportunity and that you will be able to provide premium market returns.”

Bijan Sabet, co-founder of Spark Capital, advised her to anchor the conversation that the investment was beneficial from a market standpoint and not a concession on returns. This early obstacle has become a competitive advantage.

Many fund managers or founders strive for perfectionism. This perfectionism stems from societal expectations, imposter syndrome (feeling like a fraud), lack of female role models, and the challenges of being a woman in male-dominated fields.

Women might strive for perfection to prove themselves, secure their positions, inspire others, gain respect, and reach their full potential. While perfectionism can motivate women to overcome these challenges, it can also lead to burnout and stress.

“Life isn’t about avoiding fear, it’s about facing fear face-on,” said Chantramonklasri. You need to lean into those challenges and realize how much capacity you have. It’s been a journey for me in leaning into that, and it’s made me much more of a holistic leader.”

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