INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE

Sustainable Business Magazine talks with Tyler Lewis, CEO of Right Season Investments Corp, which is building a portfolio of start-ups committed to disrupting their industries with ethical sustainable products.

Right Season Investments Corp is a Canadian venture capital firm specializing in sustainable and planet-positive investments. As a long-term holder, it is committed to the sort of sustainability it invests in, and its portfolio shows a commitment to innovation in rapidly expanding marketplaces. It wasn’t always this way for the firm though. As CEO Tyler Lewis explains, this is a new direction for a company with many years already under its belt:

“When I got involved with Right Season in 2022, it was known as Roadman Investments. Roadman was incorporated in 2007 and was a simple investment issuer that mostly invested in junior mining stocks. How- ever, our group decided to do a complete overhaul of the business and philosophy and transition the business to a sustainable investment fund. We recognize that the business landscape is changing. Companies are now prioritizing their carbon footprint and environmental impact, and we very much subscribe to this ethos of sustainable business. We only have one planet and want to do our best to preserve it. As a result, we wanted to get involved with companies that share such values and are looking to make a difference themselves.

“We made that shift in 2022. Right Season today is a publicly traded capital firm on the TSX Venture exchange, trading under the symbol LITT. Our mission is to create an investment portfolio that can thrive and provide returns to our shareholders in any market condition, hence the inspiration for the name. We aim to be one of the world’s leading venture capital firms to lead through all economic seasons, build world-class teams and outstanding companies with capital, and lead with the best experience and skills in innovating and marketing. We’re trying to identify undervalued startups and developing companies that are industry disruptors and potential market leaders. Innovators for the betterment of society. We want companies that are able to offer our shareholders exposure to increased returns and are of course employing sustainable business practices, which is a hallmark of our business.”

Benefits Of A Strong Partner

While Right Seasons is ostensibly a venture capital firm, its actions aren’t limited to financial provision. It invests based on a belief in the potential of its partners and therefore wants to see them succeed in the long-term. To this end, the firm offers a wide range of services.

“The primary way we help start-ups is, of course, financial commitment,” says Mr. Lewis. “We take equity positions in their company and provide them the necessary capital to grow and scale their business. They can use that money for product development, marketing, hiring talent and expanding operations.

“However, we also provide many other services. We can offer our expertise and guidance, for example. Our team is filled with experienced investors and advisors who can offer valuable guidance to new companies around strategic planning, market insights, and navigating the challenges of building a successful company. We also provide help with due diligence and validation. Right Season can also help with networking opportunities. We have an exclusive network of investors and businesses through which we introduce startups to potential partners, customers, mentors, and other investors who can help them grow and succeed.”

Startups also gain benefits simply by association with Right Season, as Mr. Lewis explains:

“Our investment in a startup can serve as validation of the company’s business model, sustainability initiatives, impacts and goals. That can be reassuring to other investors and stakeholders, attracting further investment. We’re also a long-term holder. We’re not in this to just quickly flip our investments, we’re committed to helping our portfolio companies achieve their goals over several years. This can be very beneficial to startups, knowing they have that support in a tough market. It’s not easy to start something from scratch, so they benefit from knowing that we’re committed.

“Overall our impact on companies goes beyond just providing capital. Right Season offers a combination of financial support, strategic guidance, and access to network and resources. We can significantly contribute to the success of startups that are committed to sustainability and positive societal impact.”

Milk And Shoes

Despite its relatively brief time in the sustainability sector, Right Season already has a stable of strong brands. One of the most outstanding is Bettermoo(d) Food Corp (CSE: MOOO). Mr. Lewis talks glowingly about the company:

“It’s a dairy alternative beverage company that is focused on becoming a leader in the plant-based food revolution. Bettermoo(d)’s flagship product is an oat-based milk that is infused with an herb blend that is similar to what cows eat in the Alps region of Europe. This is where the best-tasting dairy in the world comes from, and the company was created with the idea of emulating the taste and protein profile of that milk. The company’s slogan, ‘What a cow eats and a human needs’, is born from that idea.

“In my opinion, Bettermoo(d) has hit a home run and created a product that completely distinguishes itself from the competition. One of the major advantages it has in terms of profile is it’s very close to actual milk but with no dairy. Furthermore, a major selling point for us about Bettermoo(d) is the team who’s behind it. They have decades of experience in the food and beverage industry and have consistently been able to get products listed in some of North America’s largest major retailers.

“In addition to that, Bettermoo(d) has also been able to partner with some very recognizable figures in anticipation of its launch – such as vegan Canadian rock legend Bryan Adams. They also partnered with social media sensation by the name of Creative Explained. He does a lot of DIY-type videos and life hacks. Together they have a reach of over 30 million people on their various platforms and they’ve been creating some fantastic content for Bettermoo(d) in anticipation of its launch.

“The brand has just started to hit shelves in Canada and over the next two months, they’re going to be in all the major retailers in Canada. When we first invested, they just had an idea and they were working towards it. Now, seeing that come to life is very rewarding. We love seeing success.”

Mr. Lewis gives a bit more detail on how Right Season helped Bettermoo(d) beyond its capital investment:

“We helped them make connections by putting their deal in front of brokers and introducing them to other industry experts. We’re just trying to help them wherever we can. I think they’re poised to take over the plantbased milk market. /They have a product that is so much better than the competition.”

That’s not Right Season’s only notable client, of course. The firm is interested in all aspects of sustainable living and companies that can help society as a whole and has cast a wide net. Another company that’s come up is Grounded People Apparel (CSE: SHOE), a fashion company that’s trying to disrupt the fast fashion industry.

“Grounded People is an ethical shoe company that is making high-quality, cruelty-free shoes,” Mr. Lewis explains. “They are 100% vegan, fair trade, and earth-positive. These are the principles the company was founded on. The company launched its products in 2021, starting with a high-top and low-top canvas sneaker. Grounded is manufactured by fair trade workers in the world’s only 100% vegan manufacturing plant located in Brazil.

“In addition to producing stylish and sustainable sneakers, Grounded People is looking to solve the fast fashion problem and disrupt current practices in the fashion industry. At the moment, the fashion industry is a significant polluter with more than 26 million pounds of textiles ending up in landfills yearly. Grounded is committed to addressing this problem by using sustainably sourced and recycled materials in its products.

“What we’re excited about is that the company is operating in an industry that is set to explode. The global sustainable footwear market is valued at $8bn a year and is projected to grow over the next five to six years. Consumer preferences have changed and the fashion industry recognises that. Major brands such as Nike, Adidas, Patagonia, and Levis have all made changes to incorporate sustainable materials and fair wage practices in their business. What makes Grounded different from all these businesses is that they have been doing this from day one. We really believe they could be a market leader in an industry that is about to explode and we’re pretty excited about that.”

Slow And Steady

As a venture capital firm, Right Season is always on the search for its next Bettermoo(d) or Grounded People. It’s looking to build a portfolio of companies that are not only successful but use that success for the betterment of their industry and their communities.

“We continue to be mindful of where we’re deploying our capital, with our investment committee continuing to identify opportunities that fit our criteria and taking time to patiently wait for those opportunities to arise,” explains Mr. Lewis. “We’re a long-term holder and want to make sure our portfolio companies are properly supported and set up to achieve success. That being said, the team here is continuing to seek out investments that align with our sustainable agenda while being mindful of providing our shareholders returns.

“In this market, we firmly believe that numerous startup and developing company opportunities await us. Having perspective, though, is paramount. It’s not a quick business. We remain committed to a longterm vision and view this market downturn as an opportunity to grow and further our business. While others may grapple with market volatility, we have a long-term view and are looking to position ourselves properly. That’s where we stand right now. We’re looking forward to the future.” c

“What we’re excited about is that the company is operating in an industry that is set to explode. The global sustainable footwear market is valued at $8bn a year and projected to grow over the next five to six years.”